We’ve all been there. Your vacation is ending, anxiety kicks in with the anticipation of all the emails, phone messages and paperwork that awaits you. Although if you’re like most people, you’ve been checking your emails while on vacation which begs the question, are you ever really on vacation?
Many years ago, vacation was truly a vacation. Back in the day when you were out of the office you were completely disconnected from work. According to dictionary.com a vacation is a period of suspension of work, study, or other activity usually used for rest, recreation or travel. Unfortunately, today we are connected to everyone and everything. 24/7 connectivity doesn’t bode well for giving our brains and body a true break. Vacations matter and here’s why:
- Stress reduction– Let’s be honest, being connected 24/7 levels of stress tend to be high. This translates to mental and physical overdrive. A study by the American Psychological Association found that vacations help to reduce stress by taking people out of the environment that they tie to mental and physical exhaustion. Less stress, better living.
- Improved productivity– Studies show that those who take regular vacations actually come back to work more productive. In today’s world of multi-tasking, it’s hard to continue working at a high level with great results. Taking a break both mentally and physically allows one to come back to work refreshed, with enhanced focus and improved attitude.
- Better health– Taking a break from the rigors of work means giving your whole self a break from the day-to-day stresses that come from a work environment. Studies show that taking an opportunity to get away and spend time with family and friends can reduce the risk of heart attack by 30 percent for men and 50 percent for women. Vacations, good for health!
- Enhanced relationships- There is nothing better than a vacation to reconnect with family and friends. With the demands of a work schedule with little down time, vacations allow you to “be present” and enjoy leisurely conversations without having to watch the clock. This translates to enhanced engagement and richer conversations
- Brain upgrade – If you’ve been in the same role for a while, work can become monotonous. Burn out equals check out. Vacation gives your brain time to recharge, learn new things via fresh experiences, which makes your brain happy. When you return to work, your brain is ready to fully engage.
When your vacation rolls around this summer, be sure to embrace your downtime and leave technology and work behind. Your mind and body with thank you, and your business will too!
Make it a great day!
Nicki