We can all make excuses for not taking a vacation:
- I don’t have the money.
- I’m running my own business. I just don’t have time.
- No one can run things in the office if I’m gone.
- My kids don’t travel well.
- My spouse has no desire to go anywhere.
- I’ll have too much work to do when I get back.
- I’m afraid the boss will think I’m not dedicated to my job if I take time off.
And the list of excuses goes on and on.
But consider this – some of the most successful business leaders in the world take time away from their offices to rest, refresh and renew. Executives in the biggest companies today—Netflix, Facebook, IBM, eBay, Yahoo, etc.—make sure to take all of their vacation time. They know it’s important to give their nerves a break from stress, their brains a break from thinking about work and their bodies a break from the day-to-day routine.
Whether your neck hurts from sitting in the same position typing all day, or your whole body aches from the physical labor of your job, two days on the weekend are not enough to truly give your mind and body the rest it requires.
Studies on taking a respite from work show increased productivity, creativity and reliability upon an employee’s return. Most companies offer vacation time as part of a benefits package to their workers for good reason.
If you think you don’t have the money to take a vacation, talk to your travel agent. Your agent can help you find budget-friendly travel spots as well as making sure you get the most for your money. Booking a vacation can start with a deposit and be paid before you go in installments. By the time you travel, your trip is paid in full and all you will need is spending money. Start planning now for special vacations you want to take over the next several years.
If you don’t think you have the money, think about all the money you spend during a single work week. If you buy that daily cup of coffee for anywhere from $2-$5 and lunch out for $5 to $15, that’s anywhere from $35-$100 you are spending. If you took three to six months off from doing those things, you could build up a nice vacation account. Look at travel as an investment rather than an expense and your whole mindset on how you spend your money will change.
Research by Health Net and WebMD shows the following benefits of travel:
- Decreased stress: Completely unplugging from work and allowing yourself to experience nature, culture and adventure will decrease stress, which has long-term effects on the heart, brain, and respiratory and nervous systems. Decreasing stress also can decrease your chances for heart disease and stroke.
- Increased productivity: Employees who take all of their vacation time, show improvement on their performance reviews. This could lead to promotions and longevity.
- Better sleep: If your job keeps your mind running constantly, it can affect the quality of sleep you are getting. Getting away from the normal work routine can help your mind relax and create the right conditions for a good night’s sleep.
- Clarity: Removing the clutter of the office helps clear your mind and re-energize the brain. Taking time away for a rest, helps sharpen your thinking skills for when you get back to work.
- Achieve goals: Studies show that people who schedule regular vacation times, come back to the office more motivated, therefore achieving goals set at annual performance reviews.
- Expand your knowledge: There’s no better world history or civilization lesson than traveling to another country and immersing yourself in the culture of the people of places like India, Africa, Asia and Australia, for example.
And just like the list of excuses, the list of benefits goes on and on, too. See for yourself. Call your travel agent today to get some advice and help planning your next vacation. Whether you’re traveling alone, with your spouse, or your entire family, your travel agent will help arrange all the details so you can have a quality experience.
