3 Reasons Why You Need to Take More Time Off Work | Xyngular

Vacations are a relaxing way to reset your routine. They allow you to temporarily escape the pressures of daily life, and lower your stress levels. However, most of us aren’t using our vacation time to its full advantage. According to a report by CNBC, unused vacation time is at an all time high, with workers in the United States using only 77% of their available time off. This unused vacation time is leading to higher stress levels and a greater risk of illness. Learn more about the benefits of vacation time, and how to take full advantage of them as a part of your healthy lifestyle.

The temptation to work on days off can be strong. Sometimes you just want to check tasks off your to-do list so you don’t have to continue to think about them. This can lead many workers to clock extra long shifts, or even work on what is supposed to be their day off. This habit can actually have the opposite effect of what is intended though. By working long hours, and not allowing enough down time we fatigue our brains and lower our ability to focus.

In an article for Inc, Minda Zetlin argues for taking advantage of downtime, stating, “Push yourself through too many hours or days of work and your brain starts to push back. Ideas that once flowed easily dry up, and tasks that you should be able to perform quickly become excruciatingly difficult. If you're like me, at that point, you feel tempted to scold yourself to buckle down and work harder. That's completely counterproductive--you need to give your brain, and yourself, some rest.” Take some time off, and enjoy improved focus when you return to work.

Vacations not only improve your focus, they also benefit your health. People who take more vacations typically have lower blood pressure and a reduced risk of mental health issues. This is due to the fact that when you are stressed, your body produces extra cortisol, which increases the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, depression, and anxiety. Taking a vacation can help lower cortisol levels, explaining the protective effect.

The LA Times published an article detailing the health benefits of taking a vacation. Quoted from the article, “‘A vacation is not a luxury,’  says Jens Pruessner, an associate professor in the departments of psychology, psychiatry, neurology and neurosurgery at McGill University in Montreal. ‘It's an investment in your health.’"

Our relationships should be one of our top priorities, yet many people are putting them on the back burner in favor of extra hours at work. Bustle published an article discussing the impact unused vacation days have on relationships. In the article it states, “In a study released by Project: Time Off titled “The World Martyr’s Affair: How America’s Lost Week Quietly Threatens Our Relationships,” a survey of 1,214 adults living in the U.S. found that more than 80 percent of people who failed to use their time off believe that they lost out on quality time with their significant other, their children, and themselves. While many believe that their relationships suffered, four out of ten people still never take the time off.” Make time to spend with your loved ones by taking vacation days and making memories together.

Unused vacation days are a significant problem for many Americans. The benefits of taking a vacation far outweigh the downsides of taking time away from work. Take advantage of your vacation days, and enjoy a boost to your lifestyle.