It’s that time of year again, when it seems like everyone in the office is on vacation except you. You’d love to be off on a tropical island, sipping a fruity drink with an umbrella while soaking in the sun. But instead, you’re working on an endless project and that proverbial vacation light at the end of the tunnel is about as clear as the Milky Way on a cloudy night.
If you’re like most people, you don’t use three full vacation days each year that you deserve, according to a survey by Expedia.com. So why is it that those elusive vacation days we work so hard for all year are being ignored? Reasons vary, but many people fear the repercussions at work if they take off, or they’d rather cash in their time off. And for those who do get away, nearly 24% admit that they check their work e-mail and voicemail while on vacation.
Taking time out for ourselves, our families and our sanity is an important part of life. These mental breaks help our brains re-energize, help us to feel renewed and, in the end, be more productive. Whether you can physically get away on vacation or just find ways each day to make time for you, it’s important to your health and well-being.
No worries, though! If you’re stuck in the office during this vacation season or just need to find ways to better balance work and life, here are 11 tips to help you work like you’re on vacation: