Reboot, Refresh, Repeat: The Unplugged Benefits of Time Off
Vacations, the equivalent of hitting the refresh button on your life’s browser. If you’re feeling a bit laggy, it's probably because you've been running non-stop without clearing your cache. It's fascinating how in the age of technology and self-care, many of us still treat our smartphones better than we treat ourselves. Every app has its break except us.
I cannot tell you how many times I have had to convince someone to use their vacation time. Not just a random personal day here and there, but at least a full, interrupted week to recharge. And if you really want to level up? Try two consecutive weeks completely unplugged—no work emails, no “just checking in” messages. Life-changing! A former manager introduced me to this concept, and now I pay it forward by encouraging others to do the same.
Why Are Americans Still Work Martyrs?
A 2023 Pew Research Center survey revealed that 46% of workers in the United States do not use all of their allotted vacation time. The U.S. Travelers Association reports that Americans leave a whopping 765 million vacation days unused every year. Adding insult to injury, a Glassdoor study found that only 23% of those who do take vacation completely disconnect from work. And we wonder why everyone's so grumpy!
Meanwhile, across the pond in Europe, they’re sipping espressos in Italy or chilling on the beaches of Greece while looking bewildered at our vacation-starvation. Most European countries mandate at least 20 paid vacation days a year, with some like France offering a dreamy 30. More importantly, workers in Europe tend to use all their vacation days. If you ever visit Europe, you can clearly see that people there work to live, not live to work.
Why Do Americans Skip Vacation?
The top three reasons U.S. works hesitate to time off according to Pew Research:
52% of workers felt they didn’t need more time off.
49% of workers worry they may fall behind at work.
43% of workers feel badly about co-workers taking on additional work.
“Self-care is giving the world the best of you, instead of what is left of you.”
–Katie Reed
Debunking the Excuses
Just like a computer needs a reboot to run smoothly, so do we. But too often, we convince ourselves to skip the reset with excuses that don’t really hold up. Before you hit “cancel” on your vacation plans, let’s troubleshoot the most common reasons people avoid taking time off:
🚫 “I don’t need more time off.” – I’m glad workers are using the powers of “mind shift” to change their attitude, but not for this reason. Work martyrdom isn't a badge of honor, it's a ticket to Burnoutsville. Remember the last time you had a fresh perspective on a problem after sleeping on it? That's what vacations do for your life – They're the cosmic Ctrl + Alt + Del.
🚫 “I’ll return to a mountain of work.” – This excuse is used for (1) not taking vacation and (2) not completely disconnecting from work when on vacation. Many are immersed in a culture of hustle that is somehow equated with success. Hustle without rest is just setting yourself up for the blue screen of death (in technological terms). No one’s productivity goes up when they’re on the verge of a meltdown.
🚫 “I feel bad giving my co-workers extra work.” – Taking the time to develop relationship with your colleagues is instrumental as it builds partnership and trust. Partnership in the sense that you are willing to step in and help one another, and trust that you each will do your best for one another.
Leaders Set the Tone
The top reasons that employees do not take all their allotted vacation are self-inflicted. However, the Pew Research Center survey cited some others reason workers don’t take time off including feeling like it may hurt chances for advancements, thinking they may risk losing their job, or simply that their manager discourages taking time off. This is why leaders and managers play a huge role in shifting the mindset. If you’re in a leadership position. It is instrumental that leaders / managers consistently encourage their team members to take time off and completely disconnect. And as a leader/manager, you should role model the behavior and take time off yourself.
Whether you’re a leader or an individual contributor, it’s time to help shift the mindset and workplace culture in the U.S. More and more companies are recognizing that well-rested employees are happier, more creative, and more productive, with fewer mistakes and less burnout. Encouraging time off isn’t just good for employees—it’s good for business. It’s a win-win!
The Bottom Line: Time Off Isn’t a Luxury—It’s a Necessity.
The next time you hesitate to take a break, remind yourself:
💚 Time off isn’t just good for you—it’s good for your work.
💚 Burnout isn’t proof of dedication—it’s proof of imbalance.
💚 And vacations? They aren’t just for fun—they’re fuel.
Your well-being is non-negotiable—so ditch the guilt, take the break, and come back refreshed, recharged, and ready.
Reboot. Refresh. Repeat. Because time off isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. Now go book that vacation! ✈️🌴