“All work and no play make Jack a dull boy”. And we should add bitter and sick and inefficient and a bad friend and s-t-r-e-s-s-e-d out! Even with this age-old adage reminding us of the importance of “play,” more than 30 percent of North Americans do not use all their vacation days. Even when paid, approved and granted, these days often remain “banked and borrowed from.” Whether it is out of a fear of losing one’s position, a sense of competition (in the office or in one’s self), a lack of opportunity or some other unknown, it simply isn’t a good idea to let your vacation time go by without you; not for your mind, your health or your company. There is much research into the importance of daily downtime and quiet in order to give the mind and body the opportunity to reflect and rejuvenate, and this is no less true on the grander scale. It is essential that you take blocks of time to relax, refresh, reconnect and recharge in order for you to be a healthy, productive and happy pe
