Vacations Help With Productivity and Health

Those vacation days you're not taking aren't proving that you're better at your job. In fact, it's the opposite. If you take your vacation time, you could be more productive and even improve your health. WHAT? Yep. This is according to science so we know it's true.

Here's the research part of it (the non-boring kind of research). In 2013, Americans collectively left 429 million paid time off days unused. In 2014, around 42% of Americans said they didn't take a single vacation day.

Are we insane?

Derek Thompson, from the Atlantic, says:

We mistakenly believe that more hours will always increase output, while ignoring the clear evidence: 

The secret to being an effective worker is not working too hard. 

Vacations are necessary to sustain both mental and physical health, and, in turn, productivity.

Europeans don't function like us and we could learn from a few of their habits. More specifically, how Europeans vacation. They not only receive more vacation time, they actually use it. Not only are they more stress free, but Europeans spend less on healthcare and live longer.

What's your choice: Hawaii or Jamaica? It's time to take a vacation!