American vacation trends have recently become front-page news and not for a positive reason. More Americans than ever have unused vacation days. It might be hard to believe that Americans are afraid to take vacation, especially in our Instagram society. But the average American has 4 unused vacation days at the end of the year. It’s important to see what’s causing this trend and to make sure that you take advantage of your hard earned time off.
Work, Work, Work
Being a workaholic is practically celebrated in America. Never taking time off, working late, and being connected 24/7 are par for the course. But, what makes us feel like we have to work this way? Some theorize that it’s a result of fear; fear of losing a promotion, losing a job, or getting behind and having to catch up.
Disconnecting is Hard to Do
Another theory as to why Americans have so many unused vacation days is that it’s hard to unplug. Work can find you anytime because of your smart phone. It’s hard to ignore the urge to stay connected to what’s going on at work when it’s so easy to do. Some Americans don’t take vacation because they know they’ll be working the whole time. Why spend the money if you’re not going to enjoy it?
Finances
Speaking of money, CNBC did a study that showed 65% of Americans save little if at all. Without the funds to take an amazing vacation, most just don’t take any vacation at all. It really prevents a lot of Americans from enjoying any time off.
What to Do
Fear should never stop you from taking a vacation. If you’re afraid to leave work for a week, consider taking several long weekends throughout the year. You can take a quick getaway by just taking off a Friday or Monday, or both.
Disconnecting might be harder to overcome, but there are a couple of tricks you can employ to help. First, make sure there’s room in your voicemail and turn on your out of office email replies. Then turn off your email notifications. You don’t need to be reminded every time an email comes through while you’re on vacation. That old saying “out of sight, out of mind” works well when you’re trying to disconnect. Lastly, if you can, leave your laptop at home. Not only is it a physical relief, not having to lug it around the whole time, but it will also mentally help you to get into “vacation mode”.
If it’s your finances that are holding you back, remember that you don’t have to spend a fortune to have an amazing vacation. A staycation can be just as fulfilling. Visit your local museum, try the newest restaurant, or see a show. Doing things that are out of your routine will help you feel like you are on vacation. If you really want a change of scenery, use a site like Airfarewatchdog.com to find great deals on flights and hotels. And don’t forget to use offsite airport parking to save even more.
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