Vacations are great and all, but there’s one little problem: We don’t take enough of them. In fact, U.S. employees only use 51 percent of their eligible paid vacation time and paid time off. And to top things off, of those who do pack their bags and head out on a trip, 61 percent work while on vacation (despite complaints from family members). So why do we leave paid time off on the table? We fear returning to a ton of work, worry no one else can do our job while we’re gone, can’t financially afford to go away, and don’t want to be seen as replaceable. But research shows vacations are good for us. Taking time off can improve happiness, well-being, mental health, relationships, and productivity and reduce stress. Check out the infographic below to learn more about the benefits of vacations.
