Just Take the Darn Trip!

If you’re like me, taking a vacation hasn’t been on my to-do list for the last couple years. COVID was only part of the reason. Like too many people, I’ve been leaving my vacation days “on the table” instead of taking them. Did you know more than half of Americans fail to take all of their paid time off? Roughly 768 million days of vacation time are left unused in the US.?

The most common reasons people give for not taking all of their vacation time probably sound familiar. It’s too expensive. COVID. No one can handle this except me. I’m secretly afraid I’ll be replaced or fired. I’m just too busy.?

But here’s a hard truth: You’ll be more valuable to your company, your family, and yourself if you do take your vacation time and actually use it to unplug and unwind.

I had an amazing opportunity to travel with one of my daughters and my parents on a 8-day European river cruise. I almost let it slip between my fingers. As I thought about joining them, one part of me was itemizing why I shouldn’t go:

• COVID.
• I can’t afford to take the time off.
• I can’t go on a vacation without my entire family.
• I have too many commitments that only I can handle.
• Sabal Group needs me here.

On the other hand, my parents aren’t getting any younger. My father has Parkinson’s. The smaller ship and strong health protocols (masking included) was a plus. And let’s not mention the “daughter guilt” factor! Bottom line? I went. And now I want you to go somewhere, anywhere too.?

We all know it’s incredibly difficult to enforce personal boundaries between work and home thanks to our digital devices. That’s especially true while on vacation. For most of us, our smartphone, laptop or tablet keeps us connected to colleagues and leadership teams 24/7. The pandemic, with increased remote work has further blurred those boundaries until they’re nearly non-existent. But thanks to the kindness of colleagues who limited their email to me, and resources I put in place well beforehand to cover for me, I really and truly could unplug from business and Sabal Group for the first time since the company began!

A variety of studies report that more than two-thirds of US workers are feeling burnt out.? But what most of us don’t realize is the very real cost we pay when we’re burned out or stressed. Stanford University researchers report burnout and stress result in 120,000 deaths annually and costs nearly $190 billion for health care. Making decisions is mentally exhausting. When we don’t take time to recharge, we’re continually draining our ability to make good decisions. Research shows that taking a vacation makes us more resilient and creative problem solvers. It also improves our cognitive function and boosts our immune system. In other words, a vacation is literally good for your mental and physical health.?

Now that I’ve readjusted to my time zone (buh-bye jet lag), I feel more focused and more energized. But there are other, more personal benefits I gained from our 8-day vacay with mom and dad. I’ve been given the priceless gift of being with them for what is likely their last major, foreign trip. The palaces, museums, charming streets and terrific meals were nice. The food was terrific. But it was the time spent one-on-one with mom and with dad that I treasure. Those are the memories that are priceless. Watching my daughter interact with her beloved grandparents, helping them, watching out for them and just being present in the moment gave me the opportunity to see her in a new light. Our time together added new layers to our mother-daughter bond.

I realize not everyone can take a European vacation or would even want to do so. But I do know everyone can and should take a vacation, even if it’s a staycation or a couple days before a holiday weekend. Use up those vacation days. Make memories. Unplug and rediscover who you are. Live in the moment and embrace serendipity. No matter what awaits you back in the office, you’ll be really glad that you did. Let’s celebrate our time off by sharing our vacation photos. After all, we’ve earned it.