As a business owner or entrepreneur, it can be hard to take a break. You’ve got a lot on your plate and stepping away for a vacation can feel selfish or unproductive, but taking a vacation can be just the thing you need to take your business to the next level. Thinking about taking time off? Consider these benefits of taking a vacation.
Improved mental health
Even if you love what you do, work can be stressful. Studies have shown that chronic exposure to stress can actually change the chemistry of the brain and can lead to depression and anxiety. Taking some time away from the daily stresses gives you a chance to relax while pleasant vacation experiences raise the happy chemicals like serotonin and dopamine in your brain.
Improved physical health
If you’re not feeling your best, you can’t perform at your best, but taking some time for much-needed relaxation can help. Stress can contribute to physical ailments like heart disease and high blood pressure as well as weakening your immune system. A study sponsored by the National Institutes of Health’s Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute found that men who take frequent annual vacations were less likely to die from any cause, including heart attack.
Boost brainpower
There’s a reason many people get their best ideas while on a walk, in the shower, or on vacation. It turns out allowing your brain to relax is a great way to consolidate knowledge and brainpower and spur an “aha!” moment. Additionally, the novel nature of a vacation can help to boost cognitive flexibility and the ability to make creative choices. According to Columbia Business School professor Adam Galinsky, “The key, critical process is multicultural engagement, immersion, and adaptation” which challenges and teaches you new things.
Increased motivation
Willpower is a finite resource, but taking a vacation allows you to rest and recharge. A survey by the American Psychological Association found that 57% of people reported positive effects of taking vacation time and 66% reported having more energy at work upon their return.
Improved productivity
Taking some time off can actually improve your performance. Another study showed that a positive state of mind, like those feel-good vacation vibes, can improve productivity by 31%, sales increase by 37%, and creativity and revenues can triple. After a vacation, more than 60% of people say they are “refreshed and ready to get back to my job.”
Taking a vacation is another way to keep yourself performing at your best. It’s a fun way to reward yourself for all the hard work you put in and enjoy a little time away from the everyday. Whether it means planning a Jamaican getaway or playing hooky on a random Tuesday, now is the time to take a little time for yourself.
