All work and no play make Jack a dull boy. This adage was coined as early as 1659 and still rings true today. It is a warning that if we do nothing but work or think about work, we will not only become bored, but boring. The ancient Romans understood this and were the first people to travel away from home for relaxation and enjoyment. Thus, began what we now know as vacations. Getting away from routine has tremendous benefits that even frequent business travelers will find valuable.

Vacations enhance mental wellbeing.

Vacations, and travel in general, make us happy. Whether your jam is high-adventure sports, picnicking in a field of wildflowers, or spending quality time with loved ones, shaking out the cobwebs in a new location is refreshing. It awakens our senses to the world around us and presents opportunities for gratitude. In fact, studies show that just the act of planning a trip brings us joy and makes us happy.

We also need vacations to relax and reset from the daily stressors of work. That might look like a walk on the beach with your dog, soaking in a surreal sunset in Santorini, or luxuriating in the gracious services of a fine hotel. Whatever helps you unwind qualifies; we all need a way to release the pressure valve in today’s high-stress world. Taking a vacation is an excellent mental wellness tactic.

Vacations improve work performance.

Research consistently supports the fact that vacations are not only good for a person’s wellbeing, but they are also good for business. Employees report having a better attitude, being more relaxed, and being more productive after a vacation. Bosses agree that employees have better focus and suffer less burnout when they enjoy vacations.

The global pandemic also made us reconsider our priorities. It isolated us from friends and family and generally interrupted our lifestyles for nearly two years. As a result, we’ve become acutely aware of the need for work-life balance. Vacations help balance the scales of work responsibilities and our need for quality family time. When in balance, both work and home life benefit.

Vacations open our minds.

The third way that vacations help us live our best lives is by stretching our boundaries. Sure, we grow intellectually by learning new facts, but it goes beyond just expanding geographic knowledge or practicing, “Good morning” and “Thank you” in a foreign language. It’s the experiences that change us deep down.

When you taste regional cuisine, even in another part of the U.S., you learn what ingredients grow well in the indigenous climate and the cultural history that flavors the food. By watching, or better yet, taking part in a local celebration you discern what’s important to the community. And if you have the privilege of meeting people who live an existence far different from your own home life, say Kenyan Maasai or Tahitian pearl divers, you realize ways that we are all the same, such as loving one’s family and taking pride in a job well done. Engaging with others also helps us feel empathy for those less fortunate.

While fun and enriching, vacation experiences can also be moving and powerful.

Don’t be like Jack.

No doubt you’ve heard the statistics about Americans not using all their vacation time. The U.S. Travel Association reported that in 2018, 55 percent of workers didn’t use all their vacation days. In 2020, about a third of Americans’ vacation days went unused.

There are various reasons cited for American employees not using all their paid time off but given the intrinsic value of taking a vacation, we call them excuses. Don’t leave vacation days on the table or you may wind up dull as the proverbial Jack mentioned earlier! Our vacation advisors are creative, knowledgeable, and can work with all budgets. Contact us today and let’s start planning your next vacation.