How To Take A Vacation
We all need a break. The last few summers have been incredibly challenging for everyone in schools—shorter vacations, less travel, constant interruptions, and dashed hopes. Even before the pandemic, our precious time away was dwindling.
Back in 1980, Americans took almost three weeks of vacation at the peak of vacationing, but recent numbers from the US Travel Association show vacation time has dropped to less than two and a half weeks. Yet, research consistently demonstrates that time off is crucial for our personal well-being and professional success.
Consider this finding: “People who took fewer than 10 of their vacation days per year had a 34.6% likelihood of receiving a raise or bonus in a three-year period. In contrast, those who took more than 10 vacation days had a 65.4% chance of receiving a raise or bonus.” Despite this, nearly half of workers with paid time off say they typically take less time off than their employer offers. About half of these workers don't feel they need more time off (52%) or worry they might fall behind at work if they took more time off (49%).
As we prepare to take much-needed breaks this summer, here are some resources we find invaluable.
We All Really Need a Vacation. Here’s How to Make the Most Out of It.
Art Markman, a professor of psychology, gives practical advice for how to use your vacation time effectively and not stress so much about what is waiting for you back in the office in this Harvard Business Review article. He suggests: Plan ahead if you can; Take at least a week; Go somewhere — anywhere; Prepare your colleagues and clients early; Put your phone down; and Don’t forget one-off personal days. (Bonus HBR article: Don’t Work on Vacation. Seriously.)
Why We All Need to Become Vacation Superheroes
In this TED talk, Josh Leibowitz, Chief Strategy Officer at Carnival Corporation, reminds us that vacations allow us, our friends, and our family members to be something they aren’t in everyday life. As the head of strategy for the largest vacation company in North America, he’s passionate about helping people get more out of their vacations. He suggests: setting a goal (the why) for your vacation; building supports for actually having time off; and, whatever happens, prioritizing meeting the goal that you set.
How to Think About Rest as a Form of Resistance
In this NPR interview, Tricia Hersey, founder of The Nap Ministry, discusses how rest can be a form of resistance against the relentless demands of productivity culture. She emphasizes the importance of prioritizing rest to reclaim our well-being and humanity. Hersey suggests creating intentional rest practices, setting boundaries to protect your time off, and recognizing rest as a critical component of overall health and resilience.
One More Tip from Us
Take the workday before you start your vacation off. This allows you to handle personal tasks that make it easier to get away. Inevitably, something comes up at work that first day you are off, and handling it before you leave town can help you rest easier.
Enjoy your summer, and make the most of your well-deserved break!
