Did you know that the U.S. is the only developed nation that doesn’t guarantee paid vacation time for its workers? Compare that to European Union employees who get at least 20 paid days off a year—and even workaholic countries like Japan which guarantees 10. With a work culture that makes us fear leaving our desks for even a jaunt to the beach, it’s understandable that you might think that fitting travel into your lifestyle is impossible. Yet the US Travel Association reports that 9 out of 10 Americans say their happiest memories come from vacations. So for all those work martyrs out there, we’ve got nine ways to help find a better work-life balance by making more time for travel.
1. Spread the word that vacation is good for you
Tell your boss, tell your co-workers, tell your spouse: vacation is good for you—it’s a scientific fact. Studies show that an annual trip not only reduces the risk of death from heart disease, but also cuts stress and depression, and even has positive benefits for a couple’s sex life (OK, maybe don’t mention that one to your boss). Plus, the refueling benefits of time off have been proven to improve workplace performance once you get back.
“Vacation is good
for you—it’s a
scientific fact”
2. Make the most of the time you do have
Even if you can only sneak away for a few days, there are time-saving tricks that can stretch even the most whirlwind of trips. Plan a detailed itinerary before you go, consulting maps and grouping activities in the same area so that you’re not doubling back all over town. Don’t waste time searching for an ATM; change money at home. Plot transportation methods and routes in advance, and consider getting off the beaten path to avoid lines at popular destinations. Combine downtime with sightseeing, like dinner with a rooftop view, e-mail catch-up in a scenic park, or people watching at an iconic café.
“Don’t waste time
searching for an ATM”
3. Use a travel agent
Still not convinced that you have enough vacation time to pull off the trip of your dreams? (And does all that planning sound like a bit of a headache?) Before you rule out a holiday, consult a travel agent. Think of them as virtual time-turners; travel agents can lend their expertise to find you the packages, tours, and flights to maximize the potential of both your time off and your budget.
“Maximize the potential
of both your time off
and your budget”
4. Take a weekend getaway
There are 52 weeks in a year, which means that if you’re not traveling on weekends you’re missing out on 104 potential days of travel per year! One little weekend might not seem like long enough to really get away, but with the right planning (leave after work on Friday, take care of weekend errands during the week, give yourself a Friday afternoon or Monday morning off as recovery time), you can do so much more with your weekend than the typical lazy Sunday.
“You’re missing out on
104 potential days
of travel per year”
5. Multiply vacay days with public holidays
Presidents Day doesn’t have to be just for used car sales—get out your calendar, circle all of those public holidays you usually forget about, and start planning your 3-day weekend escape now. (Note to self: there are 11 national holidays in 2016!)
“Get out your calendar,
circle all of those
public holidays”
6. Plan a family vacation during the holidays
Any employer who’s not a scrooge will give time off at the holidays, but a lot of people are reluctant to travel then because of expectations to spend time with family. If you can get the grandparents on board, though, there might be nothing more magical than Christmas in Vienna or New Years in Rio de Janeiro. A family vacation at the holidays is an amazing memory-maker—and you know Aunt Marjorie has always wanted to see the Eiffel Tower.
“Get the grandparents
on board”
7. Work remotely
If you’ve got a long vacation in the works, lighten the stress load by taking your digital work with you. The key to keeping a balance is to schedule a certain amount of time every morning or evening to check in with the office—then lock up your gadget in the hotel room, get out there and explore the world.
“Lock up gadget in
the hotel room”
8. Ask for leave without pay
If you can afford to take unpaid time off, help your boss do the math along with you; it’s more beneficial for them to keep you as a productive employee for 49 weeks a year (assuming you’re asking for an unpaid week in addition to two paid weeks of vacation) than to have to hire and train someone new. Everyone wins!
“Everyone wins”
9. Ask for time off far in advance
As anyone who has received an out-of-office auto reply knows, last-minute vacations are an annoyance for the co-workers you leave behind—so let everyone know as far in advance as possible that you’re going to take a vacation. Huffington Post points out that it’s commonplace in Europe to plan time off as a company: “At the beginning of the year, everyone sits down and hashes out when they will take their holidays. Schedules are set and built into operations. As a result, the trips don’t interrupt productivity.” If you ask early, you’re more likely to be granted time off, and the transition will be smoother for everyone—which just might inspire your inner travel bug.
Dream it, Book it, Live it.
