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Why are Americans so Bad at Taking Time Off and What You Can Do About It to Get Better

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May 22, 2022

Let's face it, we're bad at disconnecting from our work. With advances in technology, we have access to our work within seconds and have various devices to help us do just that. We are constantly engulfed in our work lives, often answering an important email or phone call after hours because we know it will only take a few seconds to do and help take items off our to-do lists. Is this a healthy work-life balance? Should we set aside time to truly disconnect from our work so that we can enjoy our time off? Here is why Americans are so bad at taking time off and how we need to get better.

· Is it a real vacation if you don't disconnect?

Everyone loves a good vacation, right? We work hard and we deserve to take some time off to relax, recharge, and return to work feeling refreshed. But is it a real vacation if you don't disconnect? The answer is no. You may feel guilty for taking time off work and feel that you will return to a flooded inbox, or you may not want to add stress to your fellow co-workers in your absence. No matter what it is that you may be feeling that may leave you reluctant to take time off, it is necessary for your mental health so that you do not experience burnout. Burnout is the leading occupational hazard. A recent report from Indeed found that employee burnout is on the rise: 52% of all workers are feeling burned out, up +9% from a pre-COVID survey (Morrison).

· How to make it a REAL vacation?

So how can you truly disconnect? A simple tip is to dedicate time in your schedule where you will have zero distractions. This could mean blocking a specific time slot in your calendar that you will not be on or near your phone. This could be something as simple as enjoying breakfast with your spouse, or simply watching a sunset; but taking time away from your phone is important. Modifying your push notifications can help keep you from constant email checking and allow you to truly relax during your time off. While you are away, delegate a trusted coworker who can respond to needs in your absence and if a truly emergent situation arises, can reach out for next steps to help diffuse the situation.

· Is "out of office" enough?

With so many devices to help us connect in seconds, is setting an "out of office" message enough? To truly make sure that you can disconnect and enjoy your time off, set your "out of office" message two weeks in advance. By giving an advance notice, you can communicate that you will be unavailable during this time unless it is a true emergency but remember to stick to your guns and refrain from answering emails that are not urgent while you are away.

When taking time away from work, your goal is to return refreshed and recharged. Americans need to get better at taking time off instead of spreading ourselves too thin and experiencing burnout. The next time you plan to take time off from work, follow these tips to help make your time off more enjoyable and enjoy a REAL vacation.


Source:

Morrison, Courtney. "16 Employee Burnout Statistics You Can't Ignore." EveryoneSocial, 11 Mar. 2022, everyonesocial.com/blog/employee-burnout-statistics/#:~:text=A%20recent%20report%20from%20Indeed,fatigue%2C%20and%20mental%20health%20challenges.


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Securities offered through Kestra Investment Services, LLC (Kestra IS), member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through Kestra Advisory Services, LLC (Kestra AS), an affiliate of Kestra IS. oXYGen Financial is not affiliated with Kestra IS or Kestra AS. Kestra IS and Kestra AS do not provide tax or legal advice. https://Bit.ly/KF-Disclosures

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