Weird reason the Bank Holiday is better for your health than a normal weekend (2024)

There's not just the obvious reason you should make the most of your extra day off this weekend

Weird reason the Bank Holiday is better for your health than a normal weekend (1)

Obviously, having an extra day off over the August Bank Holiday is great.

Having three whole days to ourselves and getting to enjoy a lie-in on a Monday morning is a novelty.

But these aren't the only reasons you should be making the most of the three day weekend.

Recent studies suggest that having only two days off a week actually affects us in a negative way - and it's all to do with our body clock.

Lots of us spend our weekends catching up on the sleep we miss out on during the week - which is understandable.

However this apparently disrupts our circadian rhythm - our internal body clock - and the Sun reports that it takes two sleeps for our bodies to adjust. So this is the reason we're all tired come Monday morning, as we've got used to sleeping in.

Scientists say this kind of "poor sleep hygiene" and changes to your body clock can result in ill-health, putting us at risk of severe depression and other mood disorders.

Some people argue that the obvious solution to our disrupted circadian rhythm is to have an extra day off, which evidence shows could actually make us to be more productive at work.

A company in New Zealand trialled a three day weekend with staff without changing their pay - and the results were overwhelmingly positive.

Perpetual Guardian gave their 240 staff an extra day off and after two months noted stress among the workforce had decreased and employees felt more positive.

In fact, Andrew Barnes, the company's managing director said to the New Zealand Herald that there was "no drop in productivity" during the trial as employees managed to get the same amount of work done in fewer days.

Sadly, there's no sign of this being introduced in the UK. But make the most of your extra day off and you'll probably find yourself feeling much more awake tomorrow.

Weird reason the Bank Holiday is better for your health than a normal weekend (2024)

FAQs

What's the point in bank holidays? ›

Why do we have bank holidays? Bank holidays originated in the UK in 1871, when banks and financial institutions would take days off. As time went on, businesses, schools, and the government joined in, and now bank holidays are celebrated by everyone.

Why is today called a bank holiday? ›

The term "bank holiday" refers to the fact that banking institutions typically close for business on such holidays, as they once used to do on certain saint's days.

Are bank holidays still a thing? ›

There are 11 federal holidays per year that are observed by the banks as well.

What does bank holiday mean in the Great Depression? ›

n Sunday, March 5, 1933, after a month-long run on American banks, the newly inaugurated President of the United States, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, proclaimed a four- day suspension of all banking transactions, beginning the following day.

Which country has the most bank holidays? ›

The following table is a list of countries by number of public holidays excluding non-regular special holidays. Nepal has the highest number of public holidays in the world with 35 annually. Also, Nepal has 6 day working schedule in a week.

Who decided 2 day weekend? ›

A prominent factory owner — Henry Ford — also played a big role. Even though the federal government didn't begin to limit companies to a 40-hour workweek until 1938, Ford began to give his factory workers a two-day weekend in the early 1900s. Why did he do this? He wanted to sell the cars his workers were making.

Do 3 day weekends help mental health? ›

Long weekends provide ample opportunity for people to relax their sleep routines, sleep in later and catch up on lost sleep. In addition, having three mornings a week where you don't have to set your alarm and get up early is a great stress reducer.

Why shouldn't weekends be 3 days long? ›

It disproportionately damages young people's learning, increases unnecessary spending, and can wreak havoc on the economy. If the average person thinks that a well-educated, less financially stressful, economically prosperous lifestyle is a healthy one, then we should not be instituting three-day weekends.

Why is MLK a bank holiday? ›

Day as a holiday was promoted by labor unions in contract negotiations. After King's death, Representative John Conyers (a Democrat from Michigan) and Senator Edward Brooke (a Republican from Massachusetts) introduced a bill in Congress to make King's birthday a national holiday.

Why is Easter called a bank holiday? ›

The four days he chose were Easter Monday, Whit Monday, the first Monday in August and Boxing Day and under the act, the banks were closed and 'no person was compelled to make any payment or to do any act upon a bank holiday which he would not be compelled to do or make on Christmas Day or Good Friday, and the making ...

Why is August a bank holiday? ›

Some experts believe that Sir John Lubbock chose this day in 1871 to give a holiday so that the bank employees could watch an interesting cricket match. But some others think that August Bank Holiday was chosen to give the employees a holiday before they work for a long period up to Christmas without a break.

Is Good Friday a bank holiday? ›

Good Friday is a holiday for the Banks (and many other businesses). Employers are not obliged to give a day off or pay Public Holiday entitlement for Good Friday, unless it is part of an agreement, ERO, JLC or taken as a day's holiday. Easter Monday, on the other hand, is a Public Holiday.

How many bank holidays do Americans get a year? ›

In addition to the eleven annual federal holidays, Inauguration Day is a twelfth holiday designated by Congress for observance every four years on January 20 following a U.S. presidential election.

Is Juneteenth a bank holiday in California? ›

Financial services

Juneteenth is a banking holiday observed by the Federal Reserve. That means most major banks like Bank of America (BAC), Chase and Wells Fargo (CBEAX) will be closed. TD Bank, which remained open last Juneteenth, will also be closed on Monday.

Why do banks get every holiday off? ›

When the Federal Reserve is closed, most member banks close their branches because of the limited amount of banking it is possible to complete until the Federal Reserve reopens. In those years when a federal holiday falls on Saturday, banks will generally close on Saturday.

What happens to payments on bank holidays? ›

Do bank holidays delay bank transfers? Yes, unless your bank uses Faster Payments. Public, or bank holidays are classed as non-business days for banks – which means they will be closed. It's always worth remembering this around Easter and Christmas when more bank holidays occur.

Will money go into my bank on a bank holiday? ›

Deposits aren't added to your account on bank holidays. 2 If you need cash for holiday travel or other needs, this can cause problems. The good news is that automatic electronic withdrawals from your account should also be suspended during the holiday, so those taking funds from your account may not be able to do so.

What was the purpose of the bank holiday quizlet? ›

It was a series of domestic programs enacted in the United States between 1933 and 1938, and a few that came later. The day after his inauguration, FDR declared a "bank holiday," closing all banks in the country to prevent a collapse of the banking system.

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