When is your next vacation? Or better yet: when is the last time you took a vacation? If you're like 26 percent of Americans, you aren't planning to take one this year; and if you're like over 50 percent of Americans, you'll barely make an effort. Only if you're in the lucky 14% will you take a vacation for two or more weeks this year.
What are the reasons for this lack of leisure in the US? Well, 'lack of leisure' isn't exactly accurate: Americans spend more money on 'leisure' than anyone else in the world - yet surprisingly, they still take the fewest vacations. The reasons are many, ranging from a lack of paid vacations to an overall profit-driven mentality: after all, it's important to work hard and be 'available' when the boss needs someone to take on the next big project. Moreover, people feel it's too much extra work to take a vacation, because they have to get ahead of their workload in order to leave, then catch up upon their return. And while the 'market' for free time in the US has long been limited, one has to ask: have we really reached a point where it's too stressful to relax?
The International Labor Organization's chief economist, Lawrence Johnson, stated:
"Workers in the United States are putting in more hours than anyone else in the industrialized world."
In fact, the average American works over 1,980 hours a year - that's 100 more than workers in Canada, 250 more than workers in Britain, and 500 more than workers in Germany.
That said, a great deal of the working world feels overworked. What's more, a holiday often seems out of reach based on the immense amount of work that 'needs' to be done. Some people even forego their holiday allowances because they feel they have too much 'catching-up' to do; in fact, Americans currently give back almost $21 billion in unused vacation time to their employers - that's 574 million days of unused vacation days per year. So how does one break the cycle? It's certainly easier said than done - but the only way to achieve this might be to simply yield to a bit of time off.
"Workplace stress can take its toll. In order to maintain a strong state of mental health, [we] need a release and a source of replenishment," said Dr. Dorothy Cantor, president of the American Psychological Foundation. "[A] vacation will eliminate stress, encourage relaxation and provide opportunities for rejuvenation."
When it comes to taking a bit of time off, you have loads of options to consider. Ask yourself what you've been missing: is it the excitement of concerts, musicals and performances in a city, the serenity of the sea, or perhaps the fresh air up in the mountains? Whatever your idea of relaxation may be, rest assured that it's not as far off as you think.
If you don't have a sufficient amount of time to take off from work, or if you've used up all your vacation days, consider a weekend break. There are loads of relaxing and reviving options for you to take into account - from the short spa getaway to the activity-filled city break. And don't feel as though you have to plan an itinerary - sometimes getting away from your everyday environment is simply enough to revive you.
When it comes to arranging a relaxing retreat, you have countless options to consider in terms of accommodation; many hotels even offer in-house spa treatments, allowing you to make the most of your tranquil getaway. Whether you decide to head to a bustling city, a seaside town or a countryside setting, you can expect to return home with a restored sense of well-being - just remember to leave your company phone, laptop or Blackberry behind.
About the author:
Andrew Regan is a keen soccer player.
