Did you know that 46% of all workers in the United States who are offered paid time off don’t take all of it each year? Perhaps even more surprising: If you don’t take enough time off, you risk your health. Let’s dig into the most common reasons for skipping time away and the very real mental health and physical health benefits of a vacation.
Why not take a vacation?
If you aren’t taking your time off, you likely have at least one reason why. Some of the most common reasons that employees cite for skipping vacations include:
- Fear of falling behind
- Guilt over leaving coworkers to take on additional responsibilities
- Not feeling the need to take more time off
Other possibilities include saving up time for a bigger trip, enjoying your daily routine, or striving for a promotion. Regardless of your reasons, though, not taking enough time off can lead to overwork.
The dangers of overwork
Overwork can happen even when you aren’t working overtime. It happens when you don’t take enough time for yourself. More than half of all U.S. workers experience burnout at a moderate or higher level, leading to fatigue and lost productivity. If you start experiencing burnout and still don’t take time for yourself, you could start to experience both mental and physical symptoms:
- Isolation
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Headaches
- Back pain
- Insomnia
- High blood pressure
- Increased risk for serious disorders such as heart disease or stroke
The health benefits of a vacation
Going on vacation gives you the opportunity to completely disconnect, though not everyone takes advantage of this. When you fully disconnect, you should start to feel yourself noticeably relax. Some of the benefits include:
- Lower stress
- Reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression
- Better sleep
- Stronger social bonds
- Lower risk for chronic illnesses
Note that while most people take a single annual vacation (if that!), one week per year isn’t enough to sustain a healthy work-life balance and realize the benefits of disconnecting. Instead, it’s important to take mini breaks throughout the year. Try to schedule a long weekend or other short getaway once every few months.
Daily work-life balance and disconnecting
While it’s no substitute for taking regular time off, always strive to maintain a healthy work-life balance every day. If you work from home, separate your workspace from your living space. If you work on site, leave your job behind at the end of the day. Resist the urge to check work emails on your days off and make an active decision to get away from your electronic devices at least two hours before bedtime each night.
Getting professional help
The signs of overwork and burnout can mirror those of many other conditions. If you experience symptoms for more than a few days, talk to your doctor. It’s always best to rule out any serious disorders rather than assuming you know what’s going on. Even if it is burnout, your doctor may be able to give you personalized advice on how to combat it, based on your own unique mental and physical condition.