Why You Definitely Need A Holiday

There’s a subtle (but complex) art to taking the vacay you work for all year— and owning it like a #boss!

- Lisa Freedman

Quick question: would you rather get a holiday or a raise? In a recent American survey, more than one-third of employees said they’d prefer days full of mai tais and palm trees over a pay bump. And you lot obviously agree—68% of you believe it is important to travel to open your eyes to the world, and half of you are planning to travel overseas this year. Stacks of studies show that taking holidays, whether you go way off the grid or camp out on your couch, can improve your health, mood, creativity and productivity. So whip out your calendar, block off some me-time, and get ready to feel amazing.

First, Feel Entitled

Nearly 50% of millennials think that sacrificing their breaks will impress their bosses. News flash: being a martyr is rarely a good look. Never assume your boss is anti-holiday (she may even be impressed with your ability to plan an awesome trip). “They might not be talking about it, but we find that managers are overwhelmingly supportive of holiday time for their teams,” says Katie Denis, Senior Program Director at Project: Time Off, an initiative of the US Travel Association. Supervisors want a positive work space and to avoid staff burnout, and know holidays help with both. Days off are part of your compensation. You’ve earned them.

Coordinate With Your SO

Constantly putting work before the person who hears all about it (all the time) means far-fewer opportunities to build positive memories together, warns Meg Batterson, a psychotherapist and relationship counsellor. There’s never a ‘perfect’ time to get away, and synchronising two schedules is harder than dealing with one, but it