Vacation time off

The Importance of Taking Vacation Time Off

In America, we are horrible about taking vacation time off of work. The culture here very much penalizes you in the form of emotional hijacking, where you feel guilty for leaving your job, even for a short period of time, or you fear losing a career advancement opportunity because your absence equates to laziness and lack of commitment.

What’s sad is many employers provide paid vacation (or PTO)…and we aren’t using it!

While jet-setting every month is obviously detrimental to your career, not taking any time off of work at all can be detrimental to your health. We are human. We all need a break from the monotony of our workdays and relieve the stresses of daily life. Just like you feel better and refreshed after a good night’s sleep, think of how much better you’d feel if you took a mental and physical break for a few DAYS.

Usually, employees accrue vacation incrementally based on the number of calendar days or hours worked. Once you’ve banked enough hours, you can use them for time off during the next pay period. Other jobs are set up in a way that gives you a certain amount of annual leave as determined by contract, which often increases based on years of service with the company or based on your overall experience. These days or hours you’ve accrued are separate from sick leave, unpaid days, or FMLA (family and medical leave act, where you take time off to deal with immediate family emergencies).

How Often Should You Take Vacation?

How you define vacation time, how much you take, or how often you jet set, and where you go is determined by many factors: travel budget, family obligations, number of days you can take off at once, etc. Personally, I get antsy, edgy, and stir-crazy every few weeks. As a result, I try to take a vacation every three months or so, aka four weeks each year.

For me, the 3-month mark works well. I feel refreshed when I come home, and as the weeks go by and that antsy feeling returns, I know I have something to look forward to.

No matter your budget or responsibilities, I encourage everyone to incorporate some time off of work into their schedules at regular intervals…whether it’s trips abroad, staycations, or road trips to nearby destinations, do whatever works for you, your budget, and your schedule. Often, vacation time is a use-or-lose-it type of thing, so you cannot pro-rate or carry over your unused vacation days off into the following year.

What I see some people do to reduce the amount of time off they need to ask for is ask for their vacation days around the holidays or long weekends. That way, you receive holiday pay and then paid vacation time. It’s a win-win. This is also a good strategy if your vacation leave is unpaid. By sandwiching a long weekend between the days you take off, you’ll reduce the unpaid leave you take.

However you decide to do it, remember that taking care of yourself is just as important as everyone and everything else you care for.

Whatever your source of vacation time or how much you can take, time off is a part of everyone’s job, and everyone is entitled to use their vacation.

Benefits of Vacation Time Off

Reduces Mental Stress

Even if you don’t travel, time off, in and of itself, is important. In the medical field, for instance, physician burnout is increasingly becoming a problem, making it even more imperative that we prioritize time off. For all professionals, a vacation can help put things into perspective and improve our ability to let go and be more mindful.

In addition, time off or time away can improve your mood, and increase your motivation when you return to work.

Put Things Into Perspective

Often we lose sight of why we work so hard and do what we do. Vacation time off can help you put things into perspective.

You’ll have time to remind yourself of your goals and aspirations; time to reflect on your current path and whether or not its still true to who you are; how you feel about life in general, changes you want to make, and things you want to try; the people in your inner circle and which relationships are bringing you the fulfillment you need.

Time For New Things

Time off, either in the form of a trip, or just time to yourself, allows you to try new things, push your comfort zone, and explore interests you otherwise may not have time for.

Having hobbies or activities outside of work that cater to your interests is something we all should nurture. These are things you can continue doing even when your vacation is over.

Catch Up On Life

Ultimately, time off gives you a chance to catch up. Catch up on sleep and rest; catch up with learning the hobbies you want; catch up on crossing things off your bucket list; and complete life tasks around the house that you otherwise may not have time for.

Let’s Make Taking Vacation Time the Norm

We need to break the cycle in our society and make time off the norm. The job you have isn’t going anywhere. Ret refreshed from vacation may help you think more clearly and get the promotion you were hoping for! Taking a trip with friends or traveling alone can help you regain perspective and remind you why you chose your career in the first place.

Plus, you aren’t taking off randomly; I’m advocating for the vacation time you already have set aside by your job as protected and paid for. All I’m saying is that you should take advantage of what you already have offered to you.

Life is Too Short to Let Time Pass Us By

Take advantage of paid time off of work. Life is short and you’re only young once. Your kids are only young (and willing to travel with you) once. With the changing political and social climates worldwide, the opportunity to see some areas may only come once!

Take advantage of your youth, your energy, and the time you do have. Make the most of it. Take the vacation and LIVE. The job will always be there, and the stress will always be there. That will not change. But you CAN change how you live, how you adapt, and how you cope.

Final Thoughts

If you receive paid vacation, using it is to your benefit. No matter how much vacation time you get or how you use it, taking a break can go a long way toward improving your longevity in the workplace. We must ensure we include sustainable self-care methods in our schedules. If you’re an employer, recognizing that time off is essential for employees is just as important.

As a society, we need to normalize this behavior and not penalize people. As an employee, I encourage everyone to put aside any guilt or fear of repercussions. Your mental health and personal time are much more important!

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