Top 4 Reasons Vacations Matter

We all know that the best part of waking up is, well, knowing you can enjoy your Folgers from your couch, instead of the office. Many of us hit the alarm clock every morning and immediately start thinking about what lies ahead for that day. Although we love helping recruit for our clients, assist in finding job opportunities for our candidates, and submersing ourselves in payroll; taking a long overdue vacation from work is what keeps our company functioning like a well oiled machine. 

Studies have shown that without vacations we all become like robots on network steroids. This robot like behavior extends from the mail room all the way up to the CEO, and can be a deadly combination when you’re talking about the success of your company. For all of your workaholics, take note!

Getting burned out is something that hurts not only your company but your reputation, your family, and even your health. Below you will find some reasons why taking a vacation might just be in your near future:

1. Vacations recharge our batteries! The daily stress of emails, meetings, phone calls, etc. can take a toll on your brain. By taking a vacation you give your body, and mind time to renew. By taking time away from the office to rejuvenate you return from vacation with more energy, more creativity, and a great new positive attitude.

2. Take a break and step out of your comfort zone. So many of us get in a rut with the same routes to work, same lunch, same friends and the same restaurants. When we take a vacation, we have to push ourselves out of our comfort zones. Since we are out traveling in new locations we have to try different things. Maybe it is a different style of food, hearing a different language, or just changing the routine of your day. No matter what these simple changes are they can help to change your perspective. When we step away from work our brains have time to reboot. We stop and look at things different, and our new perceptions can help to inspire us or simply help us to see a situation from a different angle.

3. Soak up the Vitamin D and health benefits. Have we mentioned taking a vacation is beneficial for your health? That’s right, as if vacation couldn’t get any better individuals find themselves sleeping better, having less stress and anxiety, and an increase in mood and positivity. People have also reported lower blood pressure and better heart function upon returning to the office. So the next time you’re feeling drained, it might be time to plan your next journey.

4.  Trust your team. If you are the owner of a business, taking a vacation can show you so much about your organization. It shows you how your team performs together when you are away. If you have delegated a project while you are away – it shows your team they can stay on task in your absence. It can also show you what kind of a communicator you are. Were you able to organize and communicate your needs prior to leaving? Did your team carry out the project with no concerns? It doesn’t matter what position you hold, taking a vacation is necessary for continued success.

If we still haven’t convinced you, the accounting firm Ernst &Young did a survey on employee performance after taking a vacation which provided results to back up our argument that vacations are 100% a necessity. The survey showed that those who took their vacations had an overall improvement on appraisal scores. The survey showed levels have been proven to go up over 8% upon returning to work.

So with all this being said – forget the old adage of working longer hours and taking less time. Instead take time to stop and smell the roses. Stop and take your vacation days, and give your body the rest it needs. Your family, your co-workers, your boss, and your body will thank you for it!

Read more on the topic of Summertime Rock Stars and The Ever Changing Philosophy on Management.

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