Vacation isn’t a luxury — it’s a necessity if you want to perform your best while on the job. Taking time away from work isn’t just for your personal benefit, either. By using your allotted vacation time, the company you work for can also profit.
Here are five reasons your vacation is good for both you and your employer:
1. You’ll Avoid Being a Liability for Your Company
Employees not taking their vacation is a widespread problem across the U.S.
This can result in a very big issue for employers, too. The problem arises when workers roll over their unused paid time off, year after year. That means if and when these employees do take this accrued time, there is a giant hole in the company’s workforce for an extended period.
This is a huge liability for any business. An economics analysis consultancy, Oxford Economics reported that U.S. companies had accumulated employee vacation time that equaled $224 billion.
No one wants to cost their employer money — take your vacation and you won’t put your boss in this very precarious position.
2. You’ll Do Good for Your Health
Working day-in and day-out for months on end doesn’t allow your body and mind to get the rest it requires. Vacation, however, can provide a mental and physical break from the normal routine and break the cycle of stress that work can create.
Your body will respond, too. By taking time away from work, you’ll actually decrease your chance of a heart attack. Men who take vacations on a consistent basis are 32% less likely to die of a heart attack. Women who take regular time away from work are 50% less likely to have a heart attack at all.
3. You’ll Strengthen Your Personal Relationships
Stepping away from daily routine and commitments allow couples and families to reconnect — away from distractions. In addition to that, new connections are often made within the family unit.
A Disney Time Survey, run by Kelton Research, found that quality family time increased during vacations. Not only that, but the study also showed that the younger and older generations were more likely to find out something new about each other than they if they were simply back at home.
So get away and get to know your loved ones even better!
4. You’ll Improve Your Skills
The abilities and skills you learn and hone while on the job can improve with downtime.
A study done through the University of Southern California shows that rest is anything but idleness. The researchers argue that breaks for relaxation and recreation give the brain time to sort through the information and tasks it has taken on and learned.
What does that mean? During periods of downtime, the brain organizes facts and figures into a clear, concise database and essentially practices new skills so it can then etch that information into the muscle memory. For example, after a good night’s sleep, it’s much easier to remember items like to-do lists or to understand a concept you were struggling with.
Even if your vacation plans involve curling up with a good book and a blanket next to a roaring fire, don’t worry about seeming lazy. Your brain is still being extremely productive.
5. Your Vacation Is Good for the Economy
When you take a vacation, you spend money. You’ll need to spend your hard-earned cash on required vacation items like transportation, various accommodations and food. You may also wind up finding some fun souvenirs to remember your trip.
But did you know that when you pay for your hotel room or find that fantastic, touristy t-shirt, you’re stimulating the economy?
According to the U.S. Travel Association, travel and tourism makes up 2.7% of the U.S.’s GDP. While that may not seem like a big number, when you factor in the other details, that’s adds up to a lot of money getting inputting into the economy.
Spending money while you’re on vacation also creates the need for establishments like hotels, retail locations and even transportation. This translates to more jobs, and when more people have jobs, it’s a win-win for everyone.
It Really Is Beneficial to Get Away!
Many people don’t feel a vacation is a luxury they can afford, but research shows there are real benefits to time away from the workplace. If you have allotted vacation time, take it.
It will do your work, relationships and health some good. It will even benefit your employer —and who can argue with that? So go ahead. Take that vacation!
Savannah Hemmings
Savannah Hemmings is a lifestyle blogger and personal stylist. She has a passion for equal wages, guacamole and chickory coffee from New Orleans. When she isn’t writing about her favorite design trends, you can most likely find her training for her latest marathon.
Connect with Savannah… Sincerely Savannah, Twitter
SOURCES:
http://blogs.wsj.com/atwork/2015/03/04/the-cost-of-unused-vacation-time-224-billion/
http://www.oceancityvacation.com/blog/the-fight-against-no-vacation-nation-infographic/
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