Do you have a vacation planned this year with family or friends? How many days off have you taken this year? Vacation benefits go beyond just your health. Get ready, you’ll want to schedule some time off. 

Did you know, 41% of Americans did not take any time off last year, according to Center for Economic and Policy Research and nearly half did not take one day off last summer. About 50% who do take time off, say they’ll do some work, which might be checking email or attending a conference call. But the research supports, taking regular time off is not only good for your overall well-being but also your job performance and career. 

Benefit 1: New Perspective

Getting out of your regular routine and traveling some place new can change your perspective on things, as reported by CNN. Also by getting out of your typical surroundings, you have the opportunity to meet new people, experience different cultures and possibly, find a solution to that problem, that is waiting on your office desk. I’m a big supporter of learning and experiencing things outside of your industry; this is where innovation starts and a fun vacation benefit, you might not have thought of.

Benefit 2: Prevent Burnout

Employee burnout leads to mistakes, safety issues and disengagement. All of which are expensive problem for employers. Having time away from your work will prevent fatigue and even career burnout, which is a common problem in certain industries, such as healthcare. Burnout is reduced when employees take time to recharge their own batteries. Vacation benefits, far outweighs the time away from the office. -Laurie-Ann Murabito Click To Tweet

 Vacation Benefit 3: Productivity

Taking regular time off equals more productive moments. The New York Times  talks about how to take advantage of that time off. You know, you can not control the amount of time in a day; it’s a constant. We all live and work, in the non-adjustable, 24 hours in each day. What you do with it, is up to you. However, when you are able to become more productive, which is being more energetic, you naturally get more accomplished. We become more energetic when we are well rested, had some down time and are happy.

Don’t be part of the 41% who didn’t take a vacation last year. Grab your calendar or vacation request form and fill it out. You’ll then understand and experience the your own vacation benefits and start planning them regularly.

If you are in a leadership role, encourage each of your team members to take their fair share of well needed and deserved time off.