Few people will argue the value of vacations: They help us reduce everyday stressors, recharge our zest for life, and reconnect with friends and loved ones. The mental health benefits of traveling are well-known.
And yet, we’re not taking our time off. Nearly 1 in 4 Americans hasn’t taken a vacation in the last year, and just about 1 in 10 hasn’t done so in the last three years, according to advocacy group Project: Time Off. In its State of American Vacation 2018 survey, the organization found about half of workers have unused vacation time left at the end of the year — they’re basically giving back an average of $561 worth of work time to their employers.
What’s getting in the way of us getting away? A lot of it comes down to work pressures. Money and family factors are involved, too.
Clearly, the question isn’t “why vacation?” but “how can we make it happen?” The answer starts with understanding why common objections exist, overcoming them and taking steps to start planning the vacation you deserve.