Why not taking time off is killing you (and possibly your career)!
Let us not beat around the bush. By now, you would know that we are travel consultants. We help people like you (smart professionals) with improving productivity and reconnecting with loved ones through much-needed vacations. Today, we will be sharing with you three reasons why you should take all your vacation days (or more) this year. More importantly, we will be helping you to make a solid decision of whether you want to be more productive at work and spend more time with loved ones or be less productive and lose connections with family and friends because you are too busy.
I don’t think many people understand that Americans are one of the few developed countries that do not guarantee paid vacation time. In the United States, 91% of high-wage workers receive paid time off, whereas only 52% of lower-wage earners receive some paid time off. Compare this to workers in France who are guaranteed 30 paid vacation days. And workers in Japan are guaranteed at least ten paid vacation days and 15 paid holidays. Even when Americans receive paid time off, they don’t always use it. The U.S. Trade Association reported that only 55% of workers use all the time they had available to them in 2018.
After some research, we have distilled the three main reasons why everyone should want to take a much-needed vacation: According to Sabine Sonnentag, an organizational psychology professor at the University of Mannheim in Germany, finds that when people are unable to disconnect from work, that person begins to burn out, and work productivity decreases. Taking time off reduces stress and increases productivity because people become more engaged with his or her work. Also, research shows that 64% of people that go on vacation come back refreshed and ready to work, which is a win-win for the employee and the business where they work.
Vacations also spark creative thinking. Research shows that when people expose himself or herself to new and different experiences, it has the potential to boost creativity. A study that showed when a person disconnected from all devices and hiked in nature, it lead to a 50 percent spike in creativity. When the brain is idle and relaxing, it allows for insight and innovative breakthroughs.
By taking a vacation, you are more likely to switch off your brain. When you can switch your mind off, you can sleep better, your mood improves, and your stress is lower. Your heart and blood pressure can adjust to normal levels.
What about you? Do any of these reasons resonate with you?
I want you to get real clear on your reason(s). Let us not talk about superficial reasons. I want you to dig deep to understand why you want to be successful at your job and connect with your loved ones. You may realize at the end of the day that taking time off for weeks at a time isn’t for you, and that’s okay. But if you know that you need a vacation, we will help you make the best choice possible, so you don’t spend the time researching and deciding on your next journey!
Let us know… what’s your personal WHY for wanting to take a much-needed vacation? Which of the reason’s above appeal to you? We truly don’t think that it’s a coincidence that you are here. Hit reply and let us know.
Cheers,