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If you’re like most Americans, then chances are that you haven’t taken a vacation in a while.
More and more Americans are choosing not to take vacations, and surprisingly not because they can’t afford it.
Studies have found that even when Americans have paid time off from work, they’re actually reluctant to take it, even if only for a couple of days. Employees commonly cite having “too much on their plate” as the primary reason why they feel unable to take time off from work.
This trend is actually quite alarming.
Vacations aren’t something we should see as a pure luxury. They’re actually something our mind and body needs for keeping our overall health intact.
So before you decide to completely put off a vacation this summer, think again. There are actually a few compelling reasons as to why you need the break for your mind, body and overall health.
8 Reasons Why You Should Take a Vacation This Summer
1. You’ll recharge your batteries. The health of your mind and body are inherently tied, so when you compromise one or the other, you’re essentially compromising both. Vacations offer the perfect respite for both your body and mind by giving you the opportunity to recharge your batteries and renew your energy. When you’re given adequate time to relax and recharge, you’ll actually return to work more refreshed and your productivity levels will soar.
2. You’ll refresh your perspective. When we get bogged down with the daily grind for months on end, it’s all too easy to lose our perspective on life. We may feel a loss of purpose and direction, and ask ourselves, “What is this all for?” Feeling like this is reason enough to book your vacation now. Your mind and body are telling you that you need the break-so don’t ignore it. When you can get away from the normal daily stressors and the weight of everyday demands, you’ll be surprised by how much clearer your perspective is, and you’ll renew your sense of purpose.
3. Any weighty decisions you need to make will become clearer. Needing some time to think over some big, pending decisions? Get out of town for a few days. When you can physically and mindfully depart from heavy, looming decisions, you’ll find that the answers actually become clearer simply because you’ll be removed from the situation at hand.
4. You’ll get a gratitude/reality check. While practicing gratitude is always a good habit to get into, it becomes increasingly difficult to be thankful when we’re stressed out, sleep-deprived, overworked, or simply overwhelmed by everyday demands. When you can get away for a few days (or ideally, a week), you’ll find it’s actually easier to appreciate and be thankful for the things you already have. Whether it’s feeling gratitude for your relationship, your supportive family, or even your job that just pays the bills, simply taking a vacation restores your perspective on what’s most important to you, and makes it easier to appreciate (and count) your blessings.
5. You’ll restore your physical health. Some people may see vacations as a luxury, but in reality they’re a necessity for a healthy, balanced life. Taking vacations has been shown to not only relieve stress, but also lower blood pressure, prevent heart disease, and even prevent illness. So even if you don’t see a vacation as a luxury of getting away from reality, see it as a way of safeguarding your health, and ultimately your future.
6. Giving your mind a braincation will fuel your creativity. Imagine sitting on a pristine beach under the warm sun, the smell of salt, hot sand and sunscreen permeating your senses. What are you thinking about? Maybe your thoughts will revolve around what you’re going to do later today, or how you should take more vacations like this, but most likely, your thoughts probably won’t be about work or the most recent drama with your colleagues. Daydreaming like this is one of the best parts about taking a vacation. You finally give your brain the chance to roam and think freely about the things you actually want to think about. When you can unleash your mind and allow it to daydream, you actually fuel your creativity. Such opportunities for your mind can lead to some of your greatest moments of insight and creativity.
7. You’ll be more satisfied at work. Taking regular vacations presents a host of benefits not only for your personal life, but your professional one, as well. While vacations have been shown to significantly increase productivity and performance in employees, it’s also been found that people are more likely to feel greater satisfaction and fulfillment in their jobs, as well.
8. You’ll be happier. Simply put, vacations just make you happier. Neuroscience has shown that one’s brain structure can actually be changed when chronically exposed to stress hormones. In fact, studies have shown that women who don’t take regular vacations are three times more likely to suffer from depression. And in other research, people who do take regular vacations report much higher levels of happiness and well-being compared to those who do not take vacations. The science is clear: vacations make you a happier person.
