Going on a vacation is more than just taking a break from the stress of your day-to-day and having a good time - it actually keeps you healthier.
Fewer Americans are going on vacation now than in the past: Data suggests that Americans used to take practically three weeks of vacation a year in 2000, but in 2015 they took just slightly more than two weeks. Even when people are on vacation, more than 60% say they keep working remotely. That means over the past 15 years, Americans have lost nearly a week of vacation.
Our culture places so much pressure on working hard and not stopping, but in reality, without taking time off to recharge, many people can become less productive at work. Employers should encourage employees to take vacations day every once in a while to keep energy levels up. Workers who take steady time to relax are less likely to experience burnout, making them more creative and useful than their well-worn, under-rested counterparts.
“One study found that three days after vacation, subjects' physical complaints, their quality of sleep and mood had improved as compared to before vacation. These gains were still present five weeks later, especially in those who had more personal time and overall satisfaction during their vacations.”
Vacations Cost How Much?
However, poorly planned vacations can actually lead to more stress - those that said they had a bad vacation also said they left planning to last minute. With summer right around the corner and the ever-increasing price of vacations, let’s talk about planning and saving.
ValuePenguin found that the average cost of a 4-night domestic trip is $581, and the average cost of a 12-night international trip is $3,215. If you want to take a vacation in late August or September that gives you more than two to three months to save some serious cash. However, unless you already have money saved, an international trip is probably out of the question this summer. But that doesn’t mean you can’t continue to save after the summer for an international getaway!
Easy-to-Do Savings Ideas
In order to save for a vacation, you don’t have to make all these changes, and you certainly don’t have to do them all at the same time. But if you’re ready for a vacation, whether for this summer or the future, taking these small steps to build your savings can help ensure you don’t end up bringing the costs of that vacation home with you.