3 Ways Taking a Vacation Helps You Be More Productive

Taking a vacation when you’ve been busy at work might be counterintuitive, but research shows that it’s actually good for your health and your productivity. Here are three ways that taking a vacation makes you more productive.

1. Overworking leads to burnout. If you’ve been working a lot of overtime, have a particularly stressful job or have gone a long time with no vacation, you might be at risk of burnout. And when you’re headed for burnout, you lose focus and you tend to make more mistakes at work. Next time you think that working harder is the answer, consider taking a vacation instead. A cabin in the woods just might be calling your name.
2. Mental vacations help you recharge your batteries. Not only is the physical relaxation you get from vacation good for your health, but so is the mental break you get from being away from work. Giving your brain time to rest and recharge a few times per year can help you come back stronger and more focused than ever before. In 2007, Businessweek reported that not taking enough mental breaks and vacation can even lead to resentment towards your coworkers. A spokesperson from Great Cabins in the Smokies, a cabin rental company said, “Sometimes getting away from the hustle and bustle for a few days is exactly what you need to go back to work better than ever.”
3. Shorter work weeks lead to higher productivity rates. Have you heard of other countries implementing shorter work weeks? If you have, you probably know that employees in those countries tend to be more productive. Similarly, vacations have been shown to increase employees performance after returning to their jobs. Experiences gained while on vacation can also help build social connection.

If all that isn't a case for getting away for a few days, I'm not sure what is. Go, travel; your mental health and productivity depend on it.