As the school year gets underway in earnest, you’re probably feeling more married to your schedule. Whether you’ve got kids headed to class or not, the fall season is a time when most of us buckle down. It’s that period of time between summer vacations and the upcoming holiday season.
At least, that’s how it usually goes. But this might actually be the perfect time to add a little time off. In fact, it’s always a great opportunity to explore stepping away from your work. Why? Because vacation can boost your mental health — and it might even help you be more productive when you’re back at the office, jobsite, or wherever you work. Because ultimately, taking care of ourselves allows us to better sustain our day-to-day life.
Here are three reasons to consider booking that vacation time.
#1: It can lower your risk for depression
Several studies (see here and here) have evaluated the link between vacation and mental health. They found that taking vacation time can actively fight against depressive episodes. In fact, that first study concluded that “paid vacation leave of 10 days could avoid an estimated 568,442 cases of depression in women each year and lead to a cost savings of $2.94 billion annually.”
If you’ve been feeling depressive symptoms, putting some out-of-office time on your calendar could go a long way. Depressive symptoms can indicate signs of potential burnout, so don’t take them lightly.
#2: It reduces stress
This is probably the least surprising finding we could highlight, but it’s still worth calling out. Stress isn’t just unpleasant. It takes a serious physical and mental toll. It can interrupt your sleep cycles, increase your risk for depression, weaken your immune system, and more.
Fortunately, vacation can help you bust stress (groundbreaking, we know). You probably already knew that, but there are a couple of interesting takeaways from recent studies.
First, one study found that even a four-day getaway can be enough to help reduce stress levels. No need to plan a major multi-week vacation — a short trip can go a long way.
Second, even looking forward to an upcoming trip makes a difference in the amount of stress you feel. So if you can’t get away right now, consider planning something for the upcoming holiday season or another time that works in your calendar. And if finances are a concern that holds you back, allowing yourself some unstructured days off at home might do the trick! Try exploring new local neighborhoods or even just going for a long walk or drive.
#3: It boosts productivity and creativity
Feeling burnt out certainly doesn’t do your mental health any favors. That vacation could be what you need to refresh and recharge, helping you feel better overall. In fact, getting away isn’t just about getting away — it’s also about the state you return in.
The audit firm EY (formerly Ernst & Young) evaluated its own employees and found that for every 10 hours of vacation people took, their performance ratings went up by 8%. In fact, using all of your vacation days has actually been linked to a higher likelihood of getting raises and promotions. In other words, the vacation doesn’t just help you feel better while you’re away, it can help you do better once you’re back.
The summer vacation season might be behind us, but that doesn’t mean your vacation plans should be. This is your sign to think about breaking that routine for some well-deserved R&R. Take some time for yourself and see how it affects your mental health.
And if you’re looking for some more mental health support, we’re here. You can get in touch with our therapists at the Ventura Counseling & Wellness Center in Ventura or the West Valley Counseling Center in Tarzana.
