Working at maximum productivity is important to your success. But if you find that you need a productivity boost… why not take a vacation? It might seem counterintuitive, but taking vacation time can play a large part in physical and mental health. A recent study by the US Travel Association’s Project Time Off found that 54% of employees left vacation time unused in 2016 – that a collective 662 million unused vacation days!
Even a single day off catching up on your gardening can help. Here are some reasons why time off is a good thing, and how you can disconnect from work to enjoy yours.
The Benefits of Regular Vacation Time….
Even just a single day off can provide you with real benefits including:
Lowered Stress – Employees who regularly take time off report fewer stress-related maladies and the positive effect can last for weeks.
Improved Productivity – Disconnecting from work, even briefly, gives you time to recharge your mental batteries. Getting more done in less time requires tremendous focus. A recent Ernst & Young study found that every 10 hours of vacation time increases an employee’s overall performance rating by 8%. When you’re rested you’re more productive and you’re happier!
Better Sleep – Disrupted sleep is a common complaint for many of us today. Often it’s because we’re wound up at the end of the day and less sleep impacts productivity and impairs memory and focus. Vacations give us time to reset our sleep patterns.
Disconnect to Recharge
Disconnect to RechargeIt doesn’t take much. Simply turning off your cellphone and curling up with a good book can help. A change of environment can change your perspective, boost your productivity, and improve your focus. It can happen in as little as one day.
When you do take time off, tell your boss, your team and your clients and let them know who to contact in your absence. Be sure to stick to your plan and turn off the cellphone and resist the urge to check email or call the office.
The fact is… you’ve earned those vacation days, so use them! To stay productive means achieving a work/life balance. So, take a vacation – you’ll end up happier and even more productive.
