As a young, hardworking woman, I believe I speak for most of us when I say we feel the need to push ourselves — at school, in our personal lives, and especially in our careers. But here’s the thing: All of that pushing can eventually lead to burnout. At some point, you need to take a breath, take a break, and take a day off. Gasp! PTO, you say? I never even took a sick day off of classes in college! Listen: Hard work is admirable, but taking time off is necessary.
Long hours in the office or accepting responsibilities outside of your job description might seem helpful to your professional growth, but the “hustle” mindset harms more people than it helps. A 2021 survey conducted by Indeed found that 52% of American workers are experiencing burnout this year, with 58% of Gen Z respondents reporting the same. As burnout rates continue to rise, it’s crucial to take time off and treat yourself to some well-deserved relaxation.
First, let’s talk about the collective pressure women feel to be productive — and the fear that comes with it. Women typically have to work harder than their male counterparts to achieve the same professional progress, according to Lee Hecht Harrison’s “Elevating Women in Leadership” report. Based on a Pew Research Study analysis of median hourly earnings for part- and full-time workers, in 2020, women earned 84% of what men earned; given that estimate, it would take an extra 42 days of work for women to earn what men did in 2020. The gender gap can hurt more than just your wallet; it can harm your mentality, too — and make you think you need to put in more effort and long hours to succeed.
This is a real problem, but trust me, skipping vacation won’t help your standing in the office. The next time you want to take the day off, challenge your fear of not “doing enough.” Remind yourself of how hard you work at your job already, and that taking a break can actually help. Time off can help you release pent-up stress and tension that keeps you from sleeping or feeling like yourself, and a 2019 study on employee behavior found that taking a break can actually help you return to work with more creativity and realize your full productive potential. So, booking that spa day or opting to sleep in on a day off may have more long-term benefits than you think!
Why are we so afraid to take time off when it can make us feel better in the long run? Maybe you feel pressured to ignore your paid time off because you don’t want to feel judged by your coworkers or supervisors. Chances are, though, they’ve been in your shoes. Take the day off so that other people see you normalizing personal time. Sometimes, the key to changing toxic work expectations is by demonstrating positive change. Eventually, maybe your coworkers will feel more comfortable using their paid time off, too!
Working all the time is a toxic, learned behavior that everyone should unlearn. You might think that taking time off work is what slackers do, but will you really be able to climb the career ladder if you’re so burnt out you never have a chance to take a vacation? We all hear stories of rich, successful neighbors or relatives who regularly work late nights and never have time to visit those timeshares they’ve invested in — but is that really the life you want? Use the vacation time that’s waiting for you, and you’ll get more out of life than a regular paycheck and a life of work-related stress.
Not only is taking a break good for your health, but it’s your right to take time off. Every time you clock into work, you’re earning time off, and ignoring your accrued hours is like not using your employer-provided health insurance. Like your other employee benefits, paid time off will likely reset at the beginning of the year, so you might as well use it!
It’s time to stop feeling shame about prioritizing yourself. After all, you’re not just an employee. You’re a dreamer, a creative spirit, a free thinker, a family member, and a friend. Your personal life deserves as much attention as your professional life — because you are a whole person, and work isn’t your only obligation.
Why are we afraid to take time off when it’s something we’ve earned? Your employer has already given it to you, so use the time that’s rightfully yours. Use it to rest and recover, or use it to chase your dreams, dedicate time to your values, and meet new people. Take time to learn new hobbies that make life more fulfilling and create memories outside of your work environment. You’ll value those moments much more than any time you spent at your job.