It’s Time To Stop Feeling Guilty About Taking Vacation. Here’s How.

Summary of Article:

The struggle to unplug from work and truly relax during vacations is a common challenge faced by many employees, as work notifications and the pressure to stay connected persistently intrude on personal time. Jennifer Moss, an expert on workplace well-being and the author of the burnout book "The Burnout Epidemic," articulates this issue succinctly: “People don’t really know how to take time away,” highlighting the difficulty many have in utilizing their vacation for its intended purpose—rest and recharge.

Despite being entitled to time off, nearly half of Americans take less vacation than their allotted time, often due to a sense of guilt about being away from work, anxiety over handing over duties, or fear of missing out on career advancement. This guilt is exacerbated in company cultures where leaders do not lead by example in utilizing their own vacation time.

Moss emphasizes the importance of companies not just providing adequate time off but also ensuring that leaders model this behavior. The ingrained notion that one must always "go above and beyond" can create a mindset where taking time off is viewed as detrimental to career success, particularly for those who are naturally driven and perfectionistic.

Experts agree that taking time off is crucial for preventing burnout, boosting morale, and retaining employees. Moss suggests reframing vacation time as "productive rest" to help employees feel justified in disconnecting from work. She advises tackling vacation guilt by changing one's mindset about time off, planning for vacation beforehand, and being as committed to rest as one is to work.

Moss offers practical tips for a guilt-free vacation, such as delegating tasks in advance, being transparent with clients and colleagues about your unavailability, and actually turning off notifications to avoid being lured back into work. She also advises taking a broader perspective and assessing the importance of work tasks against the value of personal time and relationships.

The key takeaway from Moss's insights is the recognition of the right to rest and the importance of prioritizing well-being and personal time over work. By establishing clear boundaries and preparing adequately, employees can mitigate the impulse to check in on work and can instead focus on restorative activities that contribute to overall happiness and health.