Why Taking Vacation Makes You Better at Your Job

Turn up! Here’s why it’s important to take time off.

Turn Up - More than 40 percent of American workers leave vacation time on the table every year. Don’t be that chick! Here’s why it’s important to take your vacation time. By Kenrya Rankin Naasel (Photo: Rolf Bruderer/Corbis)

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Turn Up - More than 40 percent of American workers leave vacation time on the table every year. Don’t be that chick! Here’s why it’s important to take your vacation time. By Kenrya Rankin Naasel (Photo: Rolf Bruderer/Corbis)

Photo By Photo: Rolf Bruderer/Corbis

Take Initiative - Don’t always sit back and wait to be assigned a task or to solve a problem in the office. Step up and offer your services and show that you are a leader and a problem solver. (Photo: Hero Images/Getty Images)

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It Motivates You - Psychologists say that taking a vacation can provide a better perspective on life and make you more motivated to achieve your goals. (Photo: Hero Images/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Hero Images/Getty Images

DO Avoid Guys Who Are Dating Your Friends - It might go without saying, but in the anything goes culture of college, it happens more often than you would imagine. And if you think guys who date the same chick are hard to deal with, imagine a confrontation with your new friend who had no idea you were both hanging out with the same dude. You don’t want that drama.  (Photo: Anthony Strack/Gallo Images/Getty Images)

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It Improves Office Relations - Skipping vacay has been shown to lead to anger and resentment in the workplace, which can threaten the team dynamic and reduce your ability to get work done together.  (Photo: Anthony Strack/Gallo Images/Getty Images)

Make Nice With Your Boss - Y’all don’t need to be besties, but setting a regular time to meet semi-casually is a solid way to invest in your relationship. A standing monthly lunch is a great place to start.  (Photo: Klaus Vedfelt/Getty Images)

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It Reduces Mishaps - Taking the time to recharge can help you make fewer mistakes on the job, making you a more valuable employee. (Photo: Klaus Vedfelt/Getty Images)

Don’t Make Work Your Whole Life   - We tend to think that living for the job is the best way to shine, but it isn’t. Being able to show your managers that you can balance your social life and your work successfully will really make you stand out. (Photo: Troels Graugaard/Getty Images)

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It Makes You Like Your Job More - Getting away—for a week or more—can help you feel better about your job in general, which makes you more eager to report for duty and more productive when you get there. (Photo: Troels Graugaard/Getty Images)

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Pay Attention to Your Doc - Not every doc is a good one. Some might not listen to your concerns or make you feel bad about your sex life. Pay attention to what your doc says, how they talk to you, how difficult it is to make an appointment and how long you have to wait to be seen. If you’re not happy, it’s OK to find a new doctor.  (Photo: PhotoInc/Getty Images)

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It Recharges Your Brain - Researchers say that focused time off results in faster brain responses and quicker reaction times. (Photo: PhotoInc/Getty Images)

It Improves Your Health - Not taking regular vacations is bad for your heart. In one study, women who didn’t take an annual vacation were eight times more likely to develop heart disease than women who took time off at least twice a year. It’s hard to be good at your job when you’re recovering from a heart attack!  (Photo: 237/Sam Edwards/Ocean/Corbis)

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It Improves Your Health - Not taking regular vacations is bad for your heart. In one study, women who didn’t take an annual vacation were eight times more likely to develop heart disease than women who took time off at least twice a year. It’s hard to be good at your job when you’re recovering from a heart attack!  (Photo: 237/Sam Edwards/Ocean/Corbis)