Summer is winding down – and yet some of us haven’t taken any time away from work since Memorial Day. Are you planning to take a vacation or at least take some time off in the near future? And if you’re a manager, have you encouraged your employees to take time off as well? I was surprised to learn that Americans workers left an average of 33% of their paid time-off on the table in 2021 – which means that a lot of you out there aren’t doing a good job of taking and encouraging vacation use.
Whether you spend your break lounging by a pool, going on an adventure, or even having a staycation, research proves that vacations can be deeply beneficial. To make the case to your team (and yourself) that it’s time for a break, focus on these three areas:
- Mind. Taking a vacation can provide a much-needed opportunity for rest, relaxation, and better sleep. Paying off your sleep debt will significantly improve your mood, focus, clarity, and creativity, both on vacation and when you return to work.
- Body. Everyday work pressures can result in elevated levels of stress hormones over time, which can suppress your immune system. Relaxing on vacation can reduce the levels of these hormones and allow your immune system to recover, making you less prone to getting sick. And depending on how you spend your time away (like being in nature, walking, or exercising), there could be additional physical benefits.
- Soul. Stepping away from the daily grind can be an opportunity to tune out external noise and tune into your inner voice. The answers to life’s big questions (“What do I really want?” or “What do I value most?”) are more likely to come to you when you have some space to reflect.
This tip is adapted from “How Taking a Vacation Improves Your Well-Being,” by Rebecca Zucker and was recently featured in Harvard Business Review’s Management Tip of the Day.