How much vacation time should you take to reach maximum productivity at work? A new survey from The Sleep Judge has revealed that most of us need more than just a week.
Burnout is real– and it affects millions of employees each year. The daily grind eventually takes its toll on us, lowering our productivity, energy, and creativity at work.
The fact that employers in the United States don’t recognize this fact and provide more vacation time for workers is mind-boggling. If they did so, they would ultimately see better results, studies show.
In fact, the US is one of just six countries that don’t mandate that employers provide a certain number of days off work. Many countries require employers to provide at least 30 days off per year. Meanwhile, a U.S. Travel Association study found that the average American employee only takes about 17 days of vacation time a year.
But how much vacation time is actually needed for a person to reach peak levels of productivity? The answer, according to a new survey by The Sleep Judge, is 11 to 15 days.
A “no vacation nation”
The United States has become an increasingly workaholic nation. The Sleep Judge survey found that 1 in 3 Americans said that “their workplace culture didn’t encourage vacation use.“
In addition, many Americans don’t even use up their vacation days when they have them. They don’t want work to pile up, or risk being judged by coworkers or their bosses for leaving. Or, they take just a day or two off instead of a week or two, leaving no time for travel. In the end, they’ll give up their dreams of a Caribbean vacation and sit at home for a “staycation”.
The benefits of international travel
According to the study, international travel is the best way to spend your vacation time. 28 percent of people surveyed reported being more rejuvenated and ready to return to work after international travel, compared to domestic travel or a staycation.
Traveling internationally allows for a complete change of scenery. Instead of office cubicles, there’s sandy beaches and swaying palms. A foreign country provides the chance to try new foods and even learn a few words in a new language. These experiences boost creativity, and give you a clearer mind and a happier mindset once you’re back at your desk.
However, international travel can be a bit tiring. Packing and repacking suitcases, waiting for long hours in airports, and sitting through long flights can make you wish for home once again. And that’s exactly the point– it can be a good thing to miss home and work. By the time you’re back, you’ll be a lot happier to do something productive, and be in your familiar home and work environment.
Choosing a vacation destination
Choosing the right vacation location isn’t easy, especially if you have limited time or money to spend. That’s why the Caribbean is such a popular destination among North and South Americans. It’s located just a flight or two away, and many Caribbean countries don’t require visas. In fact, US citizens don’t even need a passport to travel to Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.
Find the right Caribbean island for your next vacation! Read “How to Choose A Caribbean Island for Your Next Vacation”.
Image by Samir Shah on Pixabay.
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