Vacations—we all love them, don’t we? Yet, there are many among us who don’t take vacations. I personally have former colleagues who would accumulate their vacation days, and I’ve always wondered why. I was always short, and there were times when I would get unpaid vacation days.
When I became a coach and independent consultant, I still took at least one week-long vacation a year—sometimes two—even though a vacation meant that I was not paid. Granted, I had sufficient finances in the business to cover expenses and my salary even when I was not generating revenue.
So, here, I want to share why vacations matter and encourage you to take at least one week-long vacation every year and a few shorter vacations as well.
Refuel and Re-Energize
Starting with the obvious, vacations and time off allow you to refuel and re-energize. Most of us do a lot of mental work, and we need time to free our minds and just let them be. The brain is, in general, the organ that consumes the most energy even without work. So, taking time off to recharge is essential for your well-being and even your work.
Have you noticed how much more energized you are after a vacation? And how you don’t procrastinate as much?
It’s as if you are a renewed person. And in a sense, you are.
Rest and recovery are key ingredients in performance. Even elite athletes and performers dedicate time to rest and recovery.
Taking a week off or an extended weekend allows you to come back to work and do well.
Have you noticed how here in Canada and the US, we have some kind of long weekend almost every month?
Research has shown that we need an extra day off every 30 to 45 days. Even one additional day helps. When you are well rested and can perform at the best of your abilities, you can achieve more in an hour compared to what you achieve in 5 hours when you are tired.
Something to Look Forward to
In addition to the refueling that happens when you are off, having a planned vacation also gives you something to look forward to.
Research shows us that sometimes, the anticipation of an event is more dopamine-inducing than the event itself.
You know what I’m talking about—that excitement for the upcoming trip, all the planning, preparation, and vivid imagination of everything you’ll do on your vacation.
Isn’t it worth it?
Breakthroughs Happen in the Void
Going back to productivity, it’s common for our most creative and innovative ideas to come when we least expect it. When we are relaxed and do not even think about them.
It’s interesting how our minds work, isn’t it?
We actually need a void, a white space, to be able to create.
Taking time off allows ideas and concepts to simmer in your subconscious mind. Ultimately, this leads to unexpected breakthroughs for your business or work.
Expanding Your Horizons
Last but not least, a vacation is an opportunity to grow personally and expand your horizons. Especially when you travel to a new place.
There are always things you can learn on your time off. Even if you just observe what local people do and how they live.
You can observe, notice, and expand your thinking even in nature. We did just that in our most recent glamping vacation. Seeing the beaver dam on the Beaver Pond Trail in Algonquin Park was such a fascinating experience. The dam looked like it was out of a cartoon or a movie. We couldn’t believe that beavers created and maintained such a big structure.
When is Your Next Vacation
Vacations offer something to look forward to, as well as an opportunity to relax and recharge. They also expand your horizons and give you space to just be.
Now that you know why vacations matter, the only thing left is to book your next vacation, even if it’s an extended long weekend, to continue on your journey of focus and fulfillment.
Happy vacationing. If you feel like it, share where and when your next vacation is.
