Why you should use your pto

According to a study conducted by the U.S. Travel Association in 2019, 768 million PTO days were unused during 2018. That’s about $65 billion of benefits that went unused. The United States is notorious for its people being workaholics, and it’s taking a toll on businesses and their employees.

The World Health Organization has found a higher risk of stroke and risk of dying from heart disease in individuals who work more than 55 hours a week compared to 30-40 hours. These troubling statistics indicate America needs a break – and you can take those breaks by using your PTO provided by your company (all of it).

Taking vacation time can help reduce stress, increase mindfulness, and improve physical health. Vacation time helps break you from your daily routine, making it difficult to operate on “autopilot.” This brain break will help you to feel more present and awake, enabling you to fully enjoy your experience. Not only this, but those who vacation more often are at less of a risk for problems like increased blood sugar and high blood pressure. Stress reduction also occurs when people are taken out of their normal environment they typically associate with anxieties.

Extended vacations aren’t the only way to give yourself a break from work. Taking a “mental health day,” or using the weekends to relax and recharge can also be largely beneficial to mental and physical health long-term. Any activity that pulls you away from thinking about work is key to helping your brain relax. There are a variety of ways to do this from spending time with friends/family to engaging in sports or other hobbies.

No matter how you choose to spend your time away from work, it is vital to do so. Your PTO is there for you to use – stop letting it go to waste!