Every year, American workers wash millions of precious vacation days down the drain as their PTO indefinitely accrues. In 2018 alone, 768 million days were left unused by hard-working employees hyperfocused on their professional achievements.
Despite the opinions of corporate powerhouses who stigmatize self-care routines and broadcast the importance of a go-getter attitude, taking advantage of your paid time off is a missed opportunity to recharge and escape the nightmare of overflowing email inboxes and unanswered phone calls. Stepping back from the chaos of 9-to-5 living and cannonballing into the crystal blue ocean waters is sure to wash away the stresses of workplace contentions and lapsing deadlines.
However, even when workers decide to put their PTO to good use, most working professionals don’t maximize their limited vacation time. Why is this? Well, in most cases, business execs make a concerted effort to cram last-minute meetings and brainstorming sessions into the days leading up to their week-long vacation instead of drafting a travel itinerary. With these travel faux-pas in mind, carve out the extra time to carefully plan your tropical getaway. That way, the time spent out-of-office will pay off once you reap the emotional and health benefits of extended vacations.
If the situation demands it, extend your vacation
Sometimes a week-long vacation isn’t enough to soothe work-related anxiety and revitalize burnt-out employees. While some vacation time is certainly better than none, experts suggest that an eight-day long hiatus can successfully eradicate residual work anxieties and replenish a working professional’s depleted energy sources.
Whether you’re unexpectedly having much more fun at your destination than you thought you would, or if the weather isn’t up to your standards during the first few days of your vacation, extending your vacation may be the best way to maximize your paid time off. The benefits of taking more time off include better sleep quality, feeling less stress, and experiencing a more positive overall sense of wellbeing once the vacation is over.
If you decide to take a little extra time off, you may want to consider researching car transportation services and adding these adjoining expenses to your travel budget. By shipping your car, you’ll be able to explore the hidden gems of your vacation spot of choice. Additionally, with your trusty vehicle at your disposal, you can live like the locals without racking up transportation expenses.
Finally, taking an extended vacation with your car by your side can calm otherwise distracting anxieties and give you added peace of mind that your vehicle is out of harm’s way. Remember, there’s no need to deal with headache-inducing rental car fees and paperwork when you splurge on car transportation services.
Not sure you’re ready to abandon your workaholic tendencies and dip into your accrued PTO? Relieve any doubts by exploring the positive impacts extended vacations can have on happiness and health. For starters, take note of how shipping your car can help you maximize your time off and squeeze every psychological benefit available out of your tropical getaway.
Book nonstop flights
Spending the first day of your vacation time loafing around in airports during layovers eats up precious time you could spend relaxing or conquering your fears of heights with a ziplining excursion. Nonstop flights may be a little pricier, but if you have rewards points stored up, buying your plane tickets could be cheaper than you think. Ultimately, booking nonstop flights will help you avoid wasting precious time off and start your vacation off strong.
Keep location in mind for lodging
While booking a hotel in an out-of-the-way location may help you cut costs, you’ll lose time commuting to all of your activities and adventures. By booking a hotel room in the heart of your destination, you’ll find it easier to relax when you aren’t losing sleep over the hour-long commutes to nearby tourist attractions.
Moreover, if you’re looking for something unique and memorable, consider luxury treehouses that can provide cozy lodging and an experience like no other. The treehouses will allow you to relax and unwind in a beautiful, serene setting that you can’t get anywhere else.
Don’t overschedule
It’s always good to have a general plan while traveling, but booking every minute of your vacation down to the minute is an easy way to exhaust yourself during what’s supposed to be your relaxing time off. Stressing over your travel itinerary and its minimal wiggle room will inevitably put a damper on your long-awaited vacation. Therefore, it’s vital to ensure your schedule allows for flexibility and adaptability should you run into an unexpected speed bump.
Schedule your vacations around holidays
Extending your vacation may be easier if you plan to go off the grid around the holidays. Look at your schedule and make a note of the days your office will be closed. That way, you can maximize your time off by scheduling vacation time around those days. Not only will you have time to celebrate the holiday season, but you’ll be able to squeeze a few extra days out of your holiday break.
The bottom line
Maximizing your vacation time will ensure that you return to your work feeling re-energized and ready to go. Taking extra time to map out your trip’s finer details can make all the difference when rewarding yourself with an unforgettable vacation.
