According to reports, in 2014, American workers gave up an estimated $52.4 billion in paid vacation time, which broke a 40 year record. Numerous studies have been done on the negative affects of not taking time off, as well as the benefits of vacation time. Here are five reasons you should take off time for vacation.
It Reduces Stress: Vacation helps you disconnect from the workplace, reducing the stress associated with daily work. Obviously, you don’t want to completely disconnect from your phone, however, trying not to focus on your device 24/7 will do wonders for stress management.
Improvements In Mood: Even if you leave for your trip in a bad mood, more than likely by the time you come home, you’ll be in much better spirits. This is because travel, by its very nature, makes you a much happier person. Meeting locals who are happy will in turn make you smile. Just spending time with loved ones will make you happier as well.
Being More Active: Obviously, if you’re traveling abroad, chances are your mode of transportation will be on foot. Walking has many health benefits, such as a lower risk of heart disease and blood sugar levels, improving blood pressure, and reducing the risk of osteoporosis.
Strengthening Relationships: No matter how long you’ve been in a relationship, travel is a great way to strengthen the bond between you and your partner. There are the obvious, such as a nice dinner sampling the local fare, or a stroll seeing the sights, but with a little effort, most anything can be turned into a romantic experience.
Improvement In Cognitive Function: Spending long hours at work without time off to care for yourself can lead to an increase in stress, mental burnout, as well as a general hatred for your work. All these factors can lead to poor performance on the job. Taking time off for vacation will help clear your mind and relax. Traveling also gives you the chance to enhance brain function by learning about the local culture, learning a new language, or even just trying to remember the horror that is the public transit system.
