Benefits of Vacationing

10/8/2020 // By: Emily Lawless

It’s true that 2020 has been one of the most challenging years for a lot of people around the world. As we are all settling into the new “normal,” it is important that we learn how to reconnect in a healthy way with not only ourselves, but also with the people we love. Yes, it’s important to take care of our bodies and minds and to make sure we are staying safe with the current pandemic. But, what about taking vacations? Yes, sounds odd at first. But with all the new technology that this pandemic has brought into the travel industry, it’s important to travel and vacation with people close to us. Vacation days in America go unused and forgotten each year.  Project Time Off reported that 55% of American employees had unused vacation days at the end of 2018. With the current state of the world, most people won’t use their vacation time due to the current climate in the world.  It’s crucial to understand how important it is to vacation right now (in a safe way). Here’s why:

Create Memories

“The best thing about memories is making them.” – Unknown

Instead of spending money on items, use it to create memories with your friends and family. These are the things you will cherish and remember forever – not the sleepless nights caused by work and chores. Vacations get you out of your everyday routine and allow you to spend quality time doing leisurely activities and seeing new things.

Improve Mental Health

“Investment in travel is an investment in yourself” – Matthew Karsten

Getting away from home helps you restart and step away from the stressful areas of your life.  Common stress-relieving activities during a vacation include spa treatments, relaxing at the beach, and sleeping in. During this time, you are proven to reduce stress and improve your mental health. A study of 1,500 rural women in Wisconsin showed that tension is lower among women who took more than one vacation in two years.

Improve Productivity

“In the U.S. and Canada … for each 10 vacation hours a person took, we found on average that the performance reviews were 8 percent higher,” said Maryella Gockel, flexibility strategy leader at Ernst & Young

Reflect on the last time you had a short deadline for a project…. were you more efficient in completing that project? The answer is most likely, “yes”. According to the New York Times, more people are unable to juggle all the demands of life, resulting in spending more time doing less. Studies show that by taking more breaks and getting away from the office longer and more frequently, your productivity will improve. Make sure to plan your vacation days – you will become more focused on your work and, in the long run, more efficient.

Improve Relationships

“It doesn’t matter where you’re going, it’s who you have beside you.” – Unknown

Couples and families who take vacations together have better relationships. The same study of 1,500 Wisconsin women found that, “the odds of marital satisfaction decreased as the frequency of vacations decreased”.

Your company gives you paid time off for a reason, so make sure to plan and put your vacation on the books.  If money is tight this year, check out the blog: How to stretch your dollar in Breckenridge.

“The time to relax is when you don’t have time for it.” – Sydney J. Harris