I Need A Vacation! Why So Few People Take Time Off And What To Do If Y

I Need A Vacation Why So Few People Take Time Off And What To Do If Y Its no surprise that most adults are overworked and overwhelmed but the counterintuitive reality is that many are not taking all the paid time off theyve earned.According to Project Time OffAfter years of being asked to do mora with less workers are overstretched, stressed out, and exhausted. The always-on, 24/7 American work culture is taking a heavy toll, leading to 429 million welchested vacation days that undermine our personal, business, and economic well-being. Simply put, taking earned time off is essential for a productive workforce, strong bonds with family and friends, and a fulfilled life.Taking time off will actually help you be more productive and healthy in life and career.Mindfulness is All The RageMindfulness defined is the state of active, open attention to the present. Instead of becoming numb about how exhausted, stressed and overworked you are take a moment to be mindful and really listen to yo ur body to assess what you need in your life to thrive.I often see busy professionals who are stuck on the never-ending treadmill of work and life and dont allow themselves to really consider what they need. Start small with a 5-minute mindfulness check-in daily and ask yourself whats missing in your life. If you answer that you need more time or sleep thats a good indication that you are ready for some well-earned time away from work.Be The Boss Who Sets a Good ExampleIf you supervise others in your work environment understand that your behavior sets an example for your colleagues. If you honor your vacation time then your co-workers will follow suit and take whats owed to them without guilt or concern. Lead by example and really unplug during your time away.Vacation should not just mean a change of scenery to do your work in an alternative location. Focus on your life and disconnect from work.My boss recently shared that his week away during an atypical time of the year would all ow him a chance to refresh, revitalize and avoid burnout. He came back focused and ready to go with a renewed sense of purpose. His spontaneous holiday inspired others to take time off when they needed it, not just during the traditional vacation season. Breaking with tradition was a win-win for the organizational culture.A Stay-Vacay is OKYou need not plan an exotic trip to enjoy vacation time. The concept of the stay-vacation can be just as reinvigorating or may enable you to catch up on the home front to take care of the household work that stresses you out on the weekends. Spring cleaning or closet purging can be very rewarding when you arent stressed about doing it during limited weekend time.If you dont have the financial resources to travel, consider shorter day trips. Contact the Visitors Bureau in your community for ideas about how to get to know your city, state or rayon better. You dont have to travel far to get away and try something new and enjoy the benefits of time of f.A Healthier Body and Heart with Time Away from WorkWhile taking a break from work is meant to be relaxing, what you may not know is that those who spend more time engaged in pleasurable leisure activities, including vacation time actually boast a healthier physique. The University of Pittsburgh conducted a study that showed people who logged more down time from work had a lower Body Mass Index and healthier waist circumference two key predictors of overall good health.A host of studies have highlighted the potential cardiovascular-health benefits of taking a vacation, including reducing the risk of heart disease, lower blood pressure, decreased depression and less stress.Improve Your Productivity by Taking Your PTOErnst Young conducted an internal study of its employees and found that for each additional 10 hours of vacation employees took, their year-end performance ratings improved 8 percent, and frequent vacationers were also significantly less likely to leave the firm.Do Som ething to Recharge RegularlyNon-American work cultures encourage taking wellness days in the form of time away from work to focus on health and wellbeing. Americans need to catch up on this pro-active investment in our health. From spa visits to a hike in the woods, or simple down time to enjoy your favorite non-work related reading do something just for you on a regular basis and reap the wellness rewards.I schedule regular massages or reflexology sessions to keep my body aligned and relaxed and I see this as an essential part of my wellness routine. A non-weekend day of rest every now and then can also do wonders to help my body rest and reinvigorate.Sleep Better with Time OffThe rejuvenating effects of time away from work can have a long-term impact on your wellbeing, like fewer headaches and body pains, according to a study from the University of Vienna. Additionally, vacations can help sleep-disrupting habits like checking your smart phone before bed. Time away helps you hit r eset on multiple levels to give your body what it needs to rest, relax, and reboot from exhausting work on a regular basis.Enhance Your Love LifeA Nielsen survey showed that those who take regular vacations from work report that romance is alive in their relationship. What you may not know is that sex has many health benefits including helping defend your body from germs, viruses and other intruders, according to researchers at Wilkes University in Pennsylvania.Ponder Your DreamsEver feel like you are so busy working that you forgot what excites you and makes you feel fulfilled? Take a PTO day to dream BIG and consider what you need and want in your life and career. Specific down time to consider the possibilities will allow you to appreciate what you have and also plan for what you want down the road. Carve out time to honor your dreams and create an action plan to make them happen.Plan AheadInstead of being a work martyr, look ahead and consider how you utilize your precious PTO o ver the next year. Block off single days for wellness breaks in addition to longer term chunks of time for vacations on your calendar now. Dont be a vacation loser by leaving this well-earned benefit unused in a given work year. Paid time off has tremendous value and was put in place to help you live a healthier life. Its up to you to take advantage of this resource and honor yourself in the process.--Caroline Dowd-Higgins authored the book This Is Not the Career I Ordered now in the 2nd edition, and maintains the career reinvention blog of the same name. She is Executive Director of Career Professional Development at the Indiana University Alumni Association and contributes to Huffington Post, AOL Jobs, British online magazine The Rouse, Ellevate Network, and The Chronicle newspaper in Indiana. She hosts and produces an online show called Thrive about career life empowerment for women on YouTube. Caroline also hosts the zwischenstaatlich podcast series Your Working Life- on iTun es. Follow her on Facebook, LinkedIn, Google+, and Twitter.This article, Time Off Helps You Thrive in Life and Career was originally published on Ellevate Network.Fairygodboss is committed to improving the workplace and lives of women.Join us by reviewing your employer