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ca.askmen.com
Summer has arrived in Seattle. The kiddies are out of school, temperatures are rising, and the sun has come out to play. For many adults, this means more time for a bit of rest and relaxation. If you’re lucky, your employer may grant you the occasional Friday afternoon off. Or your workplace might offer a four day work week, allowing employees to work 40 hours between Monday and Thursday. If you’re really really lucky, you don’t have to work on Friday afternoons during the summer and you never have to make up the time.
But, if this is not you (and don’t worry because you are in the majority), the season still kicks off with Memorial Day weekend, keeps you going with the Fourth of July weekend, and closes with Labor Day weekend. Perfect opportunities to take a few extra days and plan a rejuvenating vacation.
Maybe. Unless you are in the quadrant of Americans who don’t receive any paid time off. The average amount of PTO in our country is 14 days, paltry compared to the 24 days the British get and 39 days for the French. Ouch. If that’s not bad enough, a good handful of us don’t even take the full vacation time we are allotted, whether it is due to pressure from employers or financial stress. Particularly in these tough economic times, increasingly less people are electing to take a vacation. No one wants to lose their job in a job market like this. And I really can’t blame them.
However, there is something else at risk here. Your mental and physical health. Life is hard, work is hard, and sometimes we just need to get away from it all. A mini sabbatical leaves a person glowing. Think of the last time you returned from a delightful vacation. You felt rejuvenated, refreshed, far more relaxed...ready to take on the world. And in our stressful adult world, the value of a little break, and its effect on your wellness, cannot be overrated.
If you’re feeling the crunch, a vacation does not have to break the bank. Drive to Canada. Camp near Lake Chelan. Explore the San Juan Islands. Although it’s crucial to use your best judgment, the chances are good that your boss will not be upset with you for requesting a few days off. Especially when you return, revitalized and radiant, ready to work harder than ever.
Just think about it.
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