Rolling tides along a sandy beach, cloud covered green mountain tops, or exotic smells and sounds emitted from crowded streets of a distant place. These can be memories of past vacations, or dreams of future ones. Either way we all have the desire to be free to roam where ever our hearts are most content, free of the everyday stresses of our hectic work life. But more often than not, these dreams are left unfulfilled because, as Americans, we are often one of the most overworked populations on this earth. We skip vacations for a multitude of reasons. The financial burden of taking time off can prevent us from enjoying a relaxing week away, or we may feel that taking time off from our jobs may be viewed as lazy, or that we are not invested in the organization for whom we are employed. But the simple truth is, when we do not allow for time off to rejuvenate our minds and bodies, we not only compromise our own health, but in fact, we compromise the health and wellbeing of the company we work for as well. Attitudes of employers are shifting about quality time off for their employees. They seem to be grasping the reality that overworked employees translates to overall increased productions costs. When employees are overworked and have not taken time off for themselves they can become less efficient, less able to deliver quality of care and/or work, or can make potential mistakes that can have devastating consequences. All potentially costing the organization a great deal of money and possibly credibility as well. The benefits of employees taking vacation time is being realized by more and more companies across the country, now if only the employees would realize the importance. Vacations have the ability to the refresh our spirit, rejuvenate our soul, and reinvigorate our potential. But most of us are not taking them. “ According to an online poll by Right Management, a division of ManpowerGroup, 69% of respondents did not take all their vacation time in 2013 – consistent with the 70% reported in 2011 and 2012 – while just 31% said they maxed out their time” (Bednar). This unwillingness of employees to take a vacation leads to greater depression, increased health risks, and often and overall dissatisfaction with their job as a whole. Again, possibly leading to greater overall costs and risk for the employer. Just as the attitudes of our employers are changing on the importance of vacation time, so must ours as employees. Once a little time is carved out for ourselves, we may not only find a source for greater vigor and creativity in our professions, but we may also come away with more patience, empathy, and excitement for everything and everyone we cross paths with in our daily lives.

Bednar, Joseph. “On the Clock Skipping Vacation Time Hinders Health, Productivity.” Health Care News, February 2014. Web. 13 September 2014.
http://healthcarenews.com/on-the-clock-skipping-vacation-time-hinders-health-productivity/