Everyone loves taking time off from work, well almost everyone or at least half of the population does. Think back to your last vacation, once it actually started and you were able to start to relax with a drink in hand. Don’t think about the days leading up to it where you had to wrap up 3,451 things, brief the team on what would need to happen while you’re away, ensure your desk isn’t resembling a dump site and set up the out of office message on your phone and email! I don’t think anyone would deny that taking a break from the daily grind is beneficial but so many people don’t take the time they need and/ or when they do they are still connected to work by their smartphone.
In a Huffington Post article, Renee Jacques highlights some of the key benefits (some we surely already know) of taking time off:
Your Body Needs the Break
Everyone needs time to turn work off and relax. A Florida State University study of elite athletes, musicians and chess players found that those at the top of their field actually practice in 90 minutes intervals and rarely work more than four and half hours a day, giving some proof that a break is beneficial!
A Completely Relaxed Brain is Still Improving
Multiple studies show that when the brain is relaxing – sleep, meditation, spending time in nature, that it is focused on memorizing the new skills it has learned during the busy time at the office. I am sure you can think back to a time where you were desperately trying to learn something or memorize key information and only when you stepped away did every thing click together. Give your brain the time it needs to cement the new skills!
Seeing New Places and Experiencing New Things Can Supply You with Ideas
There was actually a study done almost a decade ago that proved that multicultural experiences enhance creativity. It proved that being around different cultures supported creative cognitive processes and idea generation. This is not the same as working abroad so when you explain this to your boss when you put in your request for three weeks off to tour throughout Asia make sure you stress to him or her that it has to be vacation time and not a special assignment to work on a global project in Beijing!
Having recently come back from a 9-day vacation myself I can attest to the value of turning off work and enjoying something different than the normal routine of the day-to-day grind. I also find that planning my next trip helps keep my spirits up when things get frustrating with work; it’s like my light at the end of the tunnel!
I love sharing my vacation stories! What was your best vacation, one where you came back to work refreshed and ready to go or do you have one coming up? Tell us about it.