Prioritizing self-care isn’t selfish; it’s a necessity. We give our best at home and at work all year long and we tend to forget that self-care is as important as caring for others. They say you can’t pour from any empty pitcher or cup and it’s true. Nurturing our mind, body, and spirit restores the energy we need to continue to give our all in the workplace and at home to support our family.
Planning and taking a vacation is an important part of self-care. European based companies offer their employees 5 to 6 weeks of vacation every year, and they expect their employees to take it. In contrast, a recent survey taken in the US reported that more than 765 million vacation days went unused by Americans last year. We seemed to have missed the memo on the benefits of a vacation.
Employees who take regular time off are less likely to experience burnout. They tend to be more creative and productive in other areas of their life too.
(Submitted by Carol Silver Elliott)
Studies show that taking a vacation from the job and the everyday stressors of life can have measurable physical and mental health benefits. Vacations result in:
- Lower stress levels
- Less risk of heart disease
- More motivation to achieve goals
- A better outlook on life
What are the key elements that make vacations an important part of self-care? The National Institute of Health has a few answers.
- Vacations offer an opportunity for a real mental reset.
- They give us permission to detach from the workplace, assuming we can refrain from checking our work-related emails and phone messages.
- In this way, they also offer us digital detox.
- Vacations also offer a break from the everyday routine.
- They offer a change in environment.
- They give us the opportunity to go to new places and meet new people.
- Vacations offer us the chance to leave our schedules behind.
- They give us time to focus on ourselves, give ourselves whatever we need and make relaxation and fun a priority.
The University of Pittsburgh’s Mind-Body Center reports that “The act of planning or scheduling a vacation will begin to boost happiness levels weeks before we pack our bags. This boost of happiness lingers for weeks after the vacation ended.” Anticipating the trip gives us something to look forward to and sharing our memories after the trip helps us relive the vacation over again.
It has even been suggested that vacations may even reduce our risk of premature aging. Now that is an impressive benefit.
If you find yourself feeling depleted, if you are suffering from fatigue, irritability, low productivity or a general case of burnout, it’s time for self-care. Consider taking a vacation. There’s still time! August is the most popular month to get away in the USA. School is out. The weather is warm. And great vacation opportunities can be found everywhere! Whether you choose an exotic trip to another country or take a road trip to a destination nearby, the research shows that you will start reaping the benefits as soon as you book your trip!
Need a little self-care? Schedule a vacation. Pack your bags and go!
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