Why You Need To Take A Vacation: Three Science-Backed Reasons
There’s never been a more critical time to address our national obsession with work – now, following one of the most stressful periods in recent history, is when we must establish new norms and reorient our approach to labor and leisure.
That’s why I’m telling you to take a vacation.
As a cognitive scientist, I’m well acquainted with the research that shows how prioritizing our jobs above all else damages our mental, physical, and emotional health.
Americans are notorious workaholics and it’s time to change that.
In 2020, the average workday increased by nearly an hour – with productivity, especially among remote workers, increasing, even as about 92% of us have shortened, postponed, or canceled our planned time off since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Years ago, things weren’t much better: More than half of us (55%) didn’t take full advantage of our paid vacation time in 2018, resulting in 768 million unused days, according to an online survey of 1,025 American workers.
It’s becoming increasingly clear that more hours spent working won’t necessarily net better results. Workplaces in Iceland, for example, recently tested a 35-hour workweek to “overwhelming success.” During the world’s largest-ever trial of a reduced-hour workweek in the public sector, researchers found that productivity remained unchanged or even increased in the majority of workplaces, while well-being and work-life balance improved. Even lawmakers here in the U.S. are starting to take notice: In late July 2021, a congressman from California introduced legislation that would reduce the standard working week from 40 hours to 32 hours for U.S. employees.
Given that most of us don’t see a reduced workweek in our futures anytime soon, why not focus on reasons why you should use your paid time off and book a vacation this summer? Here are three:
Better Mental and Physical Health
Many of us feel like we need to be “on” all the time, especially since the boundaries between home and work have virtually disappeared for most professionals in the work-from-home era. But answering emails from supervisors and colleagues deep into the night on workdays and around the clock on weekends has consequences. Psychologists have recently proposed that burnout at work is actually a form of job-related depression. It’s clear that, over time, the inability to rest and relax, to focus on other areas of one’s life, takes a toll on mental and physical health.
In 2020, for example, an Australian study that surveyed more than 2,200 higher education universities employees found that those with bosses who expected them to respond to after-hours work messages, compared to employees who didn’t have such expectations, reported higher levels of psychological distress (70.4% vs. 45.2%); emotional exhaustion (63.5% vs. 35.2%); and physical ailments, including headaches and back pain (22.1% vs. 11.5%).
Overwork can even be deadly: Logging 55 or more hours a week on the job is a “serious health hazard,” according to a new study by the World Health Organization and the International Labor Organization, which estimates that long working hours led to 745,000 deaths worldwide in 2016 – a 29% increase from 16 years earlier.
When you keep work from occupying all your time and, instead, take advantage of your well-deserved paid time off, you’ll be safeguarding your mental and physical health by boosting well-being, protecting against metabolic syndrome, and enhancing cardiovascular health, among many other benefits.
Improved Relationships
Extended work shifts and overtime can also damage our personal relationships since jobs that become all-consuming get in the way of spending quality time with family members, friends, and pets.
About 10% of those who work 50-60 hours per week and 30% of those who work more than 60 hours per week experience relationship problems, respectively, according to a report by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
A significant body of research shows that more time spent together in shared activities is linked to higher marital satisfaction.
If, however, this time is repeatedly interrupted by emails or text messages from bosses and coworkers, the quality of these moments diminish substantially.
Fully unplugging can be especially difficult for younger people. A recent study found that 25% of Millennials and Gen Xers check their work emails multiple times a day while on vacation.
To build and strengthen bonds, it’s critical to give your loved ones your full attention. Whether you’re spending time together on a planned vacation, a “staycation,” or just enjoying a three-day holiday weekend by playing a board game and ordering a pizza, make sure you prioritize your personal relationships. Ensuring that those who matter most to you feel valued – at least as much, if not more than your job – is essential for real connection.
A separate study found that women who take frequent vacations are less likely to say they feel tense, depressed, or tired, and are more satisfied with their marriages. Women have been impacted far worse during the pandemic, so now is a time when they should take a moment for themselves, enjoy life, and prepare for what could still be a tough road ahead as we look to return to a post-COVID world.
Increased Creativity and Better Problem Solving
You might think that the way to advance your career is to put in more hours, but that’s not true.
Being overworked contributes to burnout and makes it more difficult to engage in creative problem solving, which ultimately hurts productivity. The failure to take breaks can actually delay career advancement. Constantly working, in fact, has been shown to provide no net career benefits. Those who take fewer vacation days are actually less likely to receive pay raises or bonuses when compared to their colleagues who make time for rest.
Some workers struggle to wrap their heads around the “less is more” approach to their jobs, but upon further reflection, it becomes clear. Those who are pulled in countless directions at the office, overloaded with projects, and barely able to keep up with deadlines have little time to think strategically about their positions and ways to achieve improvements for the organization.
Workplaces want to elevate employees who are forward thinkers and strategic problem solvers with visionary ideas, not overtaxed employees who make sloppy mistakes because they’re sleep deprived and have lost all passion for the job.
To achieve optimal performance, we must give our minds regular breaks. Getting outside and spending time in nature – greening the brain – is one of the best ways to gain these restorative perks. Even a 5-10 minute walk in the park without your phone can provide the mental distance needed to relax and think more creatively once you’re back at your desk.
Summary
Much to our detriment, America’s obsession with work means our country provides no minimum annual leave or parental leave; our employees log more hours per year than workers in Japan, Canada, and the U.K.; and many of us feel guilty when we take even a brief respite from our jobs.
That approach isn’t getting workers anywhere. We need to recognize that we’re not machines – and being a workaholic isn’t laudable; it’s actually counterproductive.
Those who force themselves – or are forced by their jobs – to be “on” all the time will eventually burn out and underdeliver. Employees who unplug during non-work hours (nights, weekends, and while on vacation), however, will reap real benefits, returning to work renewed and refreshed.
So go ahead and book that vacation – your long-term health, happiness, and career may depend on it.
Related Blogs
-
Aug 30, 2024From the Beach to…
From the Beach to the Office: Finding Balance to Go Back to Work Picture this: you’re lounging on a sun-soaked beach, the sound of waves..
-
Jun 14, 2024HR and Business Growth
In today's competitive market, businesses are constantly seeking ways to grow and succeed. One of the most important factors linked with business success is the..
-
Mar 22, 2024Unlocking Career Opportunities: Your…
Unlocking Career Opportunities: Your Guide to Finding Jobs in Cyprus Cyprus has some exciting career opportunities in recent years, making our island a better place..
-
Jan 5, 2024Find your Dream Job…
Find your Dream Job in 2024: Tips by a Recruitment Agency This blog post is meant to provide valuable tips for candidates looking for job..
-
Dec 29, 2023The Art of Networking:…
The Art of Networking: Holiday Edition Networking is always essential for professionals who wish to grow, find new patterns and opportunities. Moreover, it is vital..
-
Dec 15, 2023Maximising your career potential:…
Maximising your career potential: Stay organised and prioritise goals during the holiday season The new year is getting closer, and we are officially just a..
-
Nov 24, 2023The Role of Recruitment…
The Role of Recruitment Agencies in Cyprus: How We Can Help You Find Your Dream Job In recent years, recruitment agencies in Cyprus have been..
-
Oct 13, 2023When Personal Values Align…
What characterizes a contented worker? The majority would most likely respond, "A BIG SALARY!" But do you only base your decisions on the salary while..
-
Sep 15, 2023Employee Well Being –…
Employee Well Being - HR Function which evolves to a full time dedicated role for Organizations who invest in their employees. HR Executives are giving..
-
Sep 8, 2023Career Path and is…
An activity that a person devotes a significant amount of their life to and that gives opportunities for progress is referred to as a career...
-
Jul 7, 2023HR Can Empower Employees…
In today's dynamic job market, the role of HR leaders has undergone a profound transformation. No longer confined to managing benefits, training and compliance issues,..
-
Mar 24, 2023Optimize Your Time To…
Abraham Lincoln once said: "Give me six hours to chop down a tree, and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe." This quote..
-
Mar 10, 2023Why Prioritizing Soft Skills…
Soft skills are the personal qualities that enable an individual to communicate effectively, work well in a team, and adapt to changing situations. In today's modern workplace,..
-
Feb 24, 2023Factors Damaging Employee Relations,…
It's no secret that a company cannot operate successfully without productive employees. What are you doing for yours? As a company, Twitter excels at employee..
-
Feb 3, 2023How HR Professionals Can…
Some could easily argue that the human resources (HR) department is not a "revenue-generating" service. We don't create new products, interface with the traditional customer daily, or..
-
Nov 11, 2022Why Failure Is A…
Failure is a fact of life. We see it everywhere in our daily lives—from a broken dishwasher to the inevitable breakdowns of technology. Innovation and..
-
Oct 27, 202210 Tips to Motivate…
Nothing is better for the bottom line than employees who are motivated to work for psychic benefits. Are you looking for ways to motivate your..
-
Oct 21, 202212 Practical Steps To…
In our world in general, but especially in the workplace, change is a continual presence. Whether it's driven by new technology, shifts in the market,..
-
Oct 7, 2022The Power Of ‘One’:…
The power of one is mesmerizing. We don't realize it, but it can change how we see things. It can help us focus and help..
-
Sep 30, 2022How To Successfully Promote…
Businesses used to have a relatively easy time finding talented employees to fill all their job vacancies. That changed in 2021 when 47.4 million workers voluntarily..
-
Sep 9, 2022How To Motivate People…
As a startup founder, you’d usually spend a large part of your time trying to get various people to do new things. On one side,..
-
Aug 19, 20225 Ways to Recharge…
Are you the type of workaholic that has a difficult time sitting still during holidays? Do you typically go stir crazy during family visits or..
-
Jul 8, 2022Shifting Priorities: Rethinking Employee…
Since the pandemic started, HR professionals have had to juggle retaining their current employees while also attracting new talent. Employees have more options than ever..
-
Jun 17, 2022How to Leave Work…
Some jobs have very clear lines between when you’re “on” and when you’re “off,” while in others the lines are blurred — or potentially nonexistent...
-
Jun 10, 2022How to Keep Working…
Motivating yourself is hard. In fact, I often compare it to one of the exploits of the fictional German hero Baron Munchausen: Trying to sustain..
-
Jun 3, 2022Why Setting Boundaries Is…
One of the major plots of the 1989 film Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade revolves around the search for the Fountain of Youth — some magical..
-
May 13, 2022Be Honest: You Miss…
Loneliness is the top reason why nearly half of the remote workforce wants to return to the office after COVID-19. Here are six tactics to..
-
Apr 29, 2022What to Do When…
The summer vacation season may be behind us, but the holidays are right around the corner. And soon enough your colleagues may be asking you..
-
Mar 31, 2022Work Boundaries: How To…
In today’s ever-moving, practically nonstop working world, many people struggle with setting healthy boundaries. With working from home the new norm for so many, it’s..
-
Mar 4, 20225 Ways To Increase…
Leading and living with empathy has never been more important in our world than right now. Empathy is the ability to identify with the challenges that..
-
Feb 11, 2022Why the Secret to…
What does it take to become a successful entrepreneur? Vision, forward-thinking, risk-taking abilities, determination, hard work, dedication, a good game plan…. Most of us are aware..
-
Jan 28, 20225 Ways To Break…
It’s time to face the situation and to find out what you can do in order to break the dangerous cycles. Here are 5 main..
-
Oct 29, 2021The 3 rules to…
I started my career in academia, where mentoring bright young minds is commonplace. Years later, mentoring and coaching others was one of the best parts..
-
Oct 8, 2021Avoiding Negative Emotions Won’t…
I’ve been thinking a lot about dessert lately. What’s the most memorable, delicious bite of dessert you’ve ever tasted? Chances are, it wasn’t a store-bought, plastic-wrapped ball..
-
Sep 30, 2021The Vacations We Don’t…
When was the last date you took a vacation? Did you know that not taking a break also has consequences? The Mexican startup Worky, a..
-
Aug 27, 20215 Ways To Regain…
The summer season can make it hard to focus on work. And if you work from home, it is that much more challenging. For example,..
-
Jul 2, 2021Stressing The Benefits
You may find this article stressful. At least, I hope you will. Because stress isn’t something to avoid or flee: it’s a sign that we’re..
-
Jun 25, 2021The Power Of ‘One’:…
The power of one is mesmerizing. We don't realize it, but it can change how we see things. It can help us focus and help..
-
May 21, 2021The Two Levels Of…
Faced with increasing challenges, there are new shifts and changes in today’s corporate world. High levels of competition, new technological advances, demographic adjustments, political turbulence,..
-
May 14, 2021How To Manage Anxiety…
If you’re anything like me, you’ve found yourself in a situation like this a few times over the last year. A friend invites you to..
-
Feb 5, 2021The First Four Things…
Ever find that it’s noon and you haven’t accomplished anything on your to-do list? Get a productive jump-start on the day with these tasks. I..
-
Jan 8, 2021How To Overcome People-Pleasing:…
People-pleasers often find themselves doing things they don’t want to do and putting the needs of others ahead of their own. When they’re asked to do..
-
Dec 18, 2020How to Give Creativity…
Today’s organizations spend considerable time and energy selecting and recruiting creative talent. And rightly so. Creative employees help their organizations survive and remain relevant in..
-
Dec 4, 2020It’s Not You: The…
People who are on the job hunt regularly feel dejected and disenchanted with the interview process. They'll point to a multitude of reasons as to..
-
Nov 6, 20206 Powerful Ways To…
If you want to do your best work, and have the best time, you have to be the best version of yourself. Consistently, prolifically; the..
-
Oct 30, 2020How To Effectively Answer…
What do you do? It’s a question that comes up repeatedly at both virtual and in-person networking events. It’s a dreaded question. You tell people..
-
Oct 9, 2020Four Simple Self-Affirming Mind…
When you’re on the job hunt or navigating the upward trajectory of your career, sometimes you just need a little pep talk. It can be..
-
Oct 2, 2020Why Doing Good Boosts…
Previous studies have suggested that people who engage in helping others are happier and have better mental and physical health than those who don’t spend..
-
Sep 18, 2020How To Set Goals…
Back in the day, company leadership would decree their mission and hand down their goals to all their employees. While a few companies still do..
-
Sep 11, 2020Rebounding After A Job…
People have been furloughed or let go at alarming rates these past few months. Never before has the job market experienced this type of shift...
-
Sep 4, 20204 Morning Habits For…
Arguably, mornings are the most important part of the day. They can springboard us into a day filled with productivity and inspiration or trigger our..
-
Aug 21, 2020New Study Shows Forming…
“Smile and the world smiles with you, cry and you cry alone,” goes the song. For decades, singers have crooned about the power of smiling..
-
Jul 17, 202010 Things You Need…
10 Things You Need To Know To Win In Business And Life “Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are..
-
Jul 10, 2020Landed Out Of Work?…
Landed Out Of Work? Ten Ways To Reset Your Mindset If you've been furloughed or laid off in recent months, you’re in the company of..
-
Mar 21, 2020Build a Super Virtual…
Now’s The Time To Build A Virtual Super-Team. Here’s How. Before the SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 outbreak, millions of Americans worked from home. Suddenly, tens of..
-
Feb 28, 2020Your Company Might Offer…
Your Company Might Offer High Salaries, But Does It Have Soul? It’s a well-established stereotype that large-scale companies are about as approachable as a concrete..
-
Jan 3, 20202020 Resolution Hacks
Resolution Hacks That Actually Work It’s that time of year again, when we all make New Year's resolutions. But will this year be any different..
-
Dec 13, 2019Work-Life Integration
Move Over, Work-Life Balance. Hello, Work-Life ‘Integration’ As a busy executive, Margaret Keane has had to find creative ways to fit time with her family..
-
Nov 22, 2019Spend your day wisely
How To Spend Your Working Day Wisely And Actually Get Things Done Time doesn’t discriminate. The CEO of a Fortune 500 company with an overloaded..
-
Sep 20, 2019Belonging At Work
Belonging At Work Is Essential—Here Are 4 Ways To Foster It In the complex study of human psychology, one finding is remarkably consistent: our well-being..
-
Sep 6, 2019Back to Work
Summer's Over: Here's Why It's The Best Time For Job Seekers And Hiring Managers To Act Now Labor Day has come and gone, which means..
-
Aug 30, 2019Effective Time Management
11 Signs You're Not Managing Your Calendar Effectively Time to admit there's a better way to stay on top of your appointments. If you’re like..
-
Aug 16, 2019Purpose And Values
How To Connect With Your Company's Purpose And Values Some employees feel fully inspired by their company's mission, vision and values. But they don’t just mindlessly glug the Kool-Aid—they connect on a deep,..
-
Jul 5, 2019Overloaded And Overwhelmed?
Overloaded And Overwhelmed? Four Things You Can Control When Your Workload Is Out Of Control Our research indicates a terrifying 43% of knowledge workers do..
-
May 24, 2019Successful and Happy
The One Daily Action That Will Make You More Successful And Happier At Work In our fast-paced world where we have more to do than..
-
Apr 12, 2019How To Escape Procrastination
How To Escape The Procrastination Doom Loop When you imagine a highly productive person, you likely think of someone who focuses effortlessly on the job..
-
Jan 18, 2019Things You Should Never…
14 Things You Should Never, Ever Say In A Job Interview It’s always intimidating to interview for a new job, whether you’re fresh out of..
-
Dec 7, 2018Great Employees Leave Great…
Why Great Employees Leave “Great Cultures” “We have a great culture.” We have all heard it. We have all said it. But what does that..
-
Oct 26, 2018Recruitment in Cyprus
Recruitment in Cyprus - Thoughts and Ideas from Advance Career Team Read the detailed interview published on TopJobsCyprus website and share your comments and ideas!..
-
Oct 19, 2018Find Career Clarity!
How To Find Career Clarity Using Three Top Career Theories Feeling like you need to make a career pivot because your job isn’t a good..
-
Oct 12, 2018Integrators VS Segmentors
Are your employees integrators or segmentors? An organization has both integrators and segmentors. Being a segmentor is a tough ask. If you choose to be..
-
Sep 21, 2018What Motivates You to…
What Motivates You to Work? That paycheck will never be big enough if it's the only reason you're going to work. Each of us respond..
-
Sep 7, 2018Tap Into Your Motivation!
Putting Yourself In Drive: How To Tap Into Your Motivation The one common component in every great success story is motivation: an ever-elusive elixir that..
-
Aug 17, 2018Social media can cost…
When 'What Happens In Vegas' Ends Up In Your Job Search What happens in Vegas really doesn’t stay there. That “funny” picture about that..
-
Aug 10, 2018Avoid Summer Slump
How To Improve Productivity For Yourself And Your Team This Summer July and August are historically bad months for productivity. It might be the warm..
-
Jun 22, 2018Simple Work-Life Balance
Work-Life Balance Is Simple. To Succeed at Work, Get a Life. With the right balance of health and business, entrepreneurs can maximize productivity. The Organization..
-
Feb 9, 2018The future Workspace
Why a Coffee Shop Will Probably Be Your Workspace Within 10 Years As the gig economy grows, there are both social and scientific reasons why..
-
Jan 12, 2018Make 2018 a Productive…
11 Expert Tips To Make 2018 Your Most Productive Year Ever Could eating cake for breakfast and never listening to your voicemail help you get..
-
Nov 10, 2017Your Impact at Work!
What Is Your Impact? We keep throwing this word around called "impact." Do you know what your impact is and how would you define, discover,..
-
Oct 13, 2017Working for small companies
Why You Should Consider Working For A Small Company Eighty-four percent of small-business employees are happy in their current job, according to the 2017 Aflac..
-
Sep 15, 2017Lost your Job?
Nine Things You Should and Shouldn't Do If You Lose Your Job Most of us wouldn’t think to associate the words "joblessness" and "fun," but..
-
Aug 25, 2017Top 10 Benefits Of…
Top 10 Benefits Of A Workplace Wellness Program When Google opened up in the 90s it took a unique approach to employee satisfaction. In an..
-
Aug 10, 2017Friends and Career
Being Too Busy for Friends Won’t Help Your Career Friendship matters. Everything we do to succeed in our careers is improved when we’re supported by..