Yes, You Need to Take Time Off Work This Year
More than half of UK workers feel their motivation drops when they need a holiday, research from Holiday Hypermarket has revealed. A holiday every 56 days would be the ideal scenario for Brits to remain productive at work, the study found – but how does reality match up to this dream?
In fact, most Brits only manage to take time off twice a year just months apart, and the number of people taking a two-week holiday has decreased by 46% over the last five years, another study indicated.
Perhaps most worryingly of all, 31% of workforce did not take all of their holiday entitlement last year, a YouGov poll found, with many of them saying their workload was too heavy to take the time off.
But the benefits of taking a break – from health to energy levels to creative inspiration – should massively outweigh the fears of leaving your workload behind. Here’s why you need to take time off work this year…
- Your health will suffer if you don’t
Taking time off work is vital to keep ourselves healthy – in both body and mind. Getting away from the stress of everyday life boosts your immune system by decreasing stress, letting you relax and catch up on sleep. In fact, various studies have found that both men and women who go on holiday every year reduce their overall risk of death – and those who don’t are at higher risk of heart attack.
- You’ll feel more positive and energised
Many of us will know this from our own experience – and once again, research backs this up: taking a break from work contributes to feeling more positive emotions, and less negative emotions, including depression. People who find ways to relax and take time doing something they enjoy – including holidays – report much more general satisfaction and a sense of finding meaning in life, too.
- You’ll reconnect with your loved ones
All our relationships – including the one we have with ourselves – can suffer when we’re overworked. Making time for yourself, your partner, friends or loved ones in a space away from home can help you feel connected again. So much so, that a study by the Wisconsin Medical Journal found that women who took at least one holiday a year were far less likely to become dissatisfied with their marriage!
- You’ll gain creative inspiration
Maybe you’re feeling flat and lacking in inspiration about life or work. Sounds like you’re in need of a holiday to pick your spirits up and lift you out of your gloom. A change in surroundings can often be a really powerful way of overcoming a creative block. New experiences not only bring about new ideas, but also shift the way we look at our lives at home and help to put them in a new light.
Top tip: Get away from work and home
Hopefully, you’re booking your time off right now. But it’s worth remembering one last thing: it can be great to take a break and stay at home. The danger, though, is you might find yourself doing all the jobs and chores around the house that you’ve been meaning to get to. If you go away, you’ll be far enough from the washing machine and the phone bills to properly take a break.
Ready, Set…. Relax!
Image credit.
