Don’t Crack Up, Go On Vacation
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I just read that 460 million vacation days went unused last year by American workers … no wonder we have so many mental problems in our country! To all those people so worried about missing work I say this: “Be responsible, go on vacation!” This post was inspired by a discussion at Loose Suits.
Of course people with jobs that don’t offer sick days, like freelance writers and the like, might not click on this article. Theirs is a different dilemma that I could discuss at length as well. Having said that, we are all faces with the importance of taking vacations. So if we know how important they are, why aren’t we taking them? In my opinion, folks with vacation days would be “sick” not to use them!
Any problems we have at work and at home will get worse if we don’t use our vacation days.
I look at vacation days as a time to regroup. It’s a time to get romantic with your spouse. Vacations are a time to find inspiration in even those “nothing” moments. How many times have I taken a simple walk in a new place and had tomes of inspiration flood into my mind. It can heal what you thought was impossible stress. I have written my best songs while taking vacation time. It can be really tough to find the flights you desire, that’s why it is helpful to plan way ahead. If it is a priority and you are willing to wait you will fare better!
Looking for timely new york flights is even harder than looking for cheap flights to germany. However the flights to thailand can be bought at the last minute too. This is true for a number of other flights as well.
I’ve been highly stressed out at work before. (hasn’t everybody?) It can feel like radioactive heat burning you up … it deserves you a day off. After a “mental health day” the heat goes away. I get fresh new ideas that ironically make me more valuable to my employer. What? More valuable by taking time off? Yes. It’s a time to sharpen my axe.
I think the paranoia many have of getting in trouble at work for taking sick days is unwise. People need to get over it and just take those vacation days like clockwork. It just might be the difference between a promotion or being written up for lack of productivity. The article I read on this was truly staggering. The best argument for this is simple: Look at pictures of your loved ones over the past few years. When you do so you will see just how fast this thing called a lifespan is passing by. Is work that important to Americans? Do people think a real man doesn’t call off work ever? Do that many Americans really think they are heroes for not taking a vacation? Getting any getaway locations in mind yet? I am. Here’s a place to buy your travel supplies. Enjoy.
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Tags: America, Health, Inspiration, life, Love, mental health, productivity, sick days, spouse, stress, vacation days, vacation time, vacations
I'm Damien Riley, author and teacher. Here you'll find "think outside the box" posts on psychology and inspiration. 
I do not think i could survive with out taking my vacation days. I think some people think that Vacation Days mean you actually have to go on vacation and spend money, but you can take those vacation days and sit at home all the same.
Most people tell me they don’t take vacations because they bank it for a later time. Like when they quit and get paid out.
When I worked for Safeway we earned ATO’s (accumulated time off) as well as regular vacation time, where every 40 hours you worked you earned 8 hours of paid time off. There were a bunch of old-timers at my store who were owed 2-3 YEARS worth of time off and they planned on using it to retire earlier.
I on the other hand love my vacation time and wish I got more. My current employer allows me 2 weeks and then 3 weeks next year.
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This summer we have been doing nothing but the fun stuff. The time is right - we’ll never be able to enjoy our kids at the age they are now again. Sure, work is important…but it’s good to take advantage of things while you can.
For the sake of your mental health, it’s important to take breaks from time to time. It makes more sense to me to have your vacations during the prime of your life, rather than when you retire and may not be able to physically participate in certain activities. Rollercoasters at 25 = fun. Rollercoasters at 75 = potential heart attack.
Thanks for that Michael. Very logical and easy to grasp.
A good break is always rejuvenating. We come back more productive. It’s sad to know that Americans don’t use up their holidays considering they get so less of them. In India, we have so many holidays and still they seem less. The more the merrier :)
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Does going away to weddings count as a vacation? We have a couple more to go to this year…it’s the only summer time off we’re planning, so hopefully they count! Usually every year we go down south and camp at a really awesome lake. This year we had to call it off because of all the weddings.
Ooo! But next summer we’re planning a big long trip to Europe! Can’t WAIT!
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It sounds like people here are getting “it.” The Blog Catalog seems to be anti-vacation and they feel too self-important at work to take time off. If that is true, then they must be surrounded by idiots. I still say, take time off no matter what! Your work will thank you in the clarity of mind and productivity you bring back.
When I talk to my 97 year old grandparents, they never say “Hmmm, I wish I had spent more time at work when I was younger!”
Even if you are in the right job for you, the stress is there. In my opinion, people need breaks and vacations even to be better employees, let alone enjoy their personal lives.
Time goes by too fast!