Did you know that 79% of Americans believe vacations are critical to their overall well-being, but only 1/4 of Americans used ALL of their earned time off in 2021? American workers, on average, left 29% of their paid time off on the table last year. Burning up vacation days and not using them leads to burning out at work.
Planning is the key to taking time off to travel. A new study from Destination Analysts, commissioned by the U.S. Travel Association, revealed that Americans who plan out their paid time off take more time off. Nearly 70% of U.S. workers say that their ability to take vacations is an essential factor keeping them in the workforce. As a matter of fact, paid time off is the second most significant employee benefit an employer could offer after health insurance benefits.
A growing body of research shows that using paid time off, and actually using it to recharge and relax, increases productivity and resilience. Additionally, research shows that if you expose yourself to new and different experiences, you can actually boost your creativity. Take a hike for example. One study shows that hiking and being unplugged from all devices and technology for four days let to a 50% spike in creativity. After a vacation, 64% of people say that they are “refreshed and excited to get back to work.”
Are you ready for a vacation? Today is National Plan for Vacation Day, so let’s use it to drum up your dream vacation. National Plan for Vacation Day comes at a time when American workers report feeling extreme levels of burnout.
According to Destination Analysts, more than two-thirds (68%) of American workers feel at least moderately burned out and 13% are extremely burned out. After nearly two years of pandemic stress and fatigue, National Plan for Vacation Day is an opportunity for Americans to look ahead to brighter days and make plans for getaways or vacations over the coming months.
Start drafting out where you want to go and when. Schedule out your paid time off if you can. Don’t let this year’s days go to waste! Recharge, reset, and reconnect – bliss sets in when you #PlanForVacation. Let us help!