Americans tend to believe that more is better, even in the workplace. But studies show that, despite our long hours, we’re actually less productive than our counterparts in countries that require employees to take 25+ vacation days a year. Next time you consider skipping your paid time off, remember these three benefits of taking a vacation.
Be More Productive
You’ve likely heard the phrase “work harder, not longer,” and the vacation mindset reinforces this adage. According to a study by the Harvard Business Review, “It’s not that taking a break will refresh your brain and let you get more done; it’s that simply spending less time at your desk forces you to waste less time.” Looming deadlines, even self-imposed ones, will make you more focused and productive.
Be Healthier
Take this fact directly to your boss: Vacation time has been scientifically proven to be good for your health."Vacations are important because they not only replenish the mind, they also reduce the physical effects of stress on the body," said Kathleen Potempa, a professor at the University of Michigan School of Nursing, in an article for CNBC. Aside from stress reduction, taking annual vacations can significantly lower your risk of heart disease.
Be More Creative
Some wildly successful endeavors like Instagram and the Broadway musical Hamilton were conceived while their creators were on vacation. It’s the same reason you get your best ideas in the shower: Take yourself out of your regular workspace and let your mind wander. As Tim Kreider wrote for the New York Times:
“The space and quiet that idleness provides is a necessary condition for standing back from life and seeing it whole, for making unexpected connections and waiting for the wild summer lightning strikes of inspiration — it is, paradoxically, necessary to getting any work done.”
At FH, we’re proud to have a flexible vacation policy that allows our staff to be their best and most productive selves. To learn more about our business and employee benefits, visit our Careers page.