Americans Are Taking A Vacation… From Going On Vacation!
Author: Nick
Category: Money
Topics: happiness, work
CNN Money points to the results of a study indicating that Americans are forfeiting an average of four vacation days a year, up from just three days last year. The study suggests trades of vacation for cash, busy work schedules, and fear of reprisal led to those lost days.
While I haven’t forfeited any vacation days myself, I also haven’t taken any either since I started with my current employer two years ago. I have enough days saved up that I could take off and celebrate my favorite holiday–summer. But as the people around me start taking off whole weeks (and even months!), I’m feeling a bit of pressure to take a vacation myself. I’m just not the long vacation type of person, and apparently neither are the 37% of workers who have never taken more than a week off at a time.
So what are poor, overworked, vacation-hating people like us to do? Well, we’ll just have to find other ways of getting the benefits of a lengthy vacation without actually taking one. The key is to make the most of those days that you do manage to take off so that you feel like you were on vacation longer than you actually were. Here are some ways you can simulate the feeling of a long, restful vacation with just a few days off.
Five Ways to Maximize the Effects of Your Mini-Vacation
- Leave work at work. Finish up what you can before your vacation starts, and do your best not to touch any of your work again until you return. You might need to leave a contact number for emergencies, but only give it to a single person and make it clear that it’s to be used only as a last resort.
- Get away if you can. You’ll have a more relaxing vacation if the worries of work and home are far away. Even if it’s just the next city over, surround yourself with less familiar surroundings and you’ll find it easier to forget about what’s waiting for you when you return.
- Schedule some alone time. Even if your vacation is spent with family, you should still try to fit in some time just for yourself. Read a book, take a nice bath, or squeeze in a quick 18 holes on the golf course. The peace and quiet–however brief it may be–will do wonders for enhancing your time off.
- Avoid work-like vacations. Unless you know from previous experience that mountain climbing or exotic safaris are for you, stick with something less complicated like a luxury cruise or a trip to a bed and breakfast. It’ll give your body and your brain a better opportunity to recharge.
- Don’t start back on a Monday. Mondays are the hardest day of the work week, and having one be your first day back will suck all the fun out of your Sunday. Try to extend your vacation through Monday or even Tuesday to help your days off feel a little longer.
Have a tip for making the most out of your vacation? Take a few minutes off and leave your comments here or send it to Punny Money.
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20 Responses »
1.
cruise vacations
June 16th, 2009 at 11:39 am
I like number 5 the best – as mondays are the worst day of the week – I would have never thought to extend my vacation to a Tuesaday, Wednesday would be even better.
2.
Fort Walton Beach vacation
July 10th, 2009 at 2:00 pm
I heard that more people are taking ‘stay-cations’ nowadays to cut down on spending. I think it’s a great idea, but not if you are really dying to get away from it all for a while.
3.
Blackpool B&B
July 13th, 2009 at 5:11 pm
The same is true in the UK. Since Sterling tanked against the $ and Euro over the winter many more Brits are avoiding the beaches of Spain and Greece and holidaying at home.
I run a small seaside hotel in the NW of England and business so far this year is brisk
4.
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July 16th, 2009 at 9:28 pm
I agree in all of your points Nick. Vacation should be taken like this, that is if you really want to enjoy. In fact vacation is a time that you take for you to go enjoy and spend some time for yourself. So that, when back again to work, you are more relaxed and positive.
5.
alomda
November 1st, 2010 at 4:50 am
I am impressed with your vivid expression.I will bookmarked you…keep up the good work
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December 20th, 2010 at 9:55 am
I would have never thought to extend my vacation to maxidus
7.
Vanessa
January 11th, 2011 at 3:01 pm
It is important for people who work hard to get vacations once in a while, otherwise, you may over work yourself and fry your brain as well. All of these tips for what you should do for a vacation, and how to make the most of it, are great!
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Property Marbella
August 17th, 2011 at 5:33 am
So what are poor, overworked, vacation-hating people like us to do? Well, we’ll just have to find other ways of getting the benefits of a lengthy vacation without actually taking one. Property Marbella
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August 19th, 2011 at 8:26 pm
Thanks so much for sharing. I can be very good reader&listener if you are same searching for all to be good. Appreciate for your time! Happy everyday!
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Bed and Breakfast Whitley Bay
September 7th, 2011 at 10:17 am
Interesting and got me thinking. When thinking of a vacation location I always try and thing of places that tick as many ‘to do’ boxes as possible. For example Shopping, Relaxing, Sight Seeing, Walking, Surfing… This tought process is even more critical in these testing times as I enjoying fewer vacations therefore need places that satisfy all of my needs!
14.
Bed and Breakfast St Andrews
September 7th, 2011 at 10:20 am
Having something to look forward to at different points in the year definately helps people to focus and get through work. Therefore it is important that vacation is not one of the things people are cutting back on.
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September 15th, 2011 at 3:58 pm
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November 15th, 2011 at 4:56 pm
thank you a lot’s bro for information! , you know we want more
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SEO Manipulator
December 3rd, 2011 at 7:46 pm
IT is a shame that these days most americans can not afford a vacation. Hopefully the economy will get better soon
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December 24th, 2011 at 8:57 am
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