Americans are planning to take less summer vacation this year, which is not so great for their mental health or for their employers. Taking a vacation has lots of benefits, in fact numerous studies have shown workers to be much more productive, creative, and produce better quality work when they DO take a break. But if you can’t afford a vacation trip or your work won’t let you take a vacation right now – there are ways to feel like you are on one even if you don’t go anywhere. A new Expedia survey finds:
- 93% of people say traveling is good for general well-being, while 91% say it helps with stress and anxiety.
- Another 86% say it improves people’s attitudes, and 83% say it switches us off from work.
- Because of COVID-19, 28% of workers are expecting to take less vacation days this summer than last year.
- 37% want to save their vacation in the hopes they’ll be able to travel later in the year.
- 25% of workers say their employer has been encouraging them to take time off, while 9% say their bosses have actually discouraged the taking vacation.
But what can you do to get that “vacation” feeling without actually traveling, especially now when a lot of folks don’t feel comfortable or safe doing so? Well, the survey finds the most effective ways to evoke a vacation state of mind without physically traveling, include:
- Talk to friends and family about a vacation/vacation memory, especially those you traveled with (90%)
- Look at photos and videos from your trip (89%)
- Share memories with those you’ve traveled with (88%)
- Wear clothes (76%) and use souvenirs you bought on vacation (76%)
- Listen to music that reminds you of the vacation (66%)
- Start planning your next vacation (62%)
- Cook the local cuisine or a meal that reminds you of a past trip (52%)
Source: Expedia