Feeling Burned Out? Simply Planning a Vacation Can Lift Your Mood

Experiencing burnout? You’re not alone.

This issue is widespread among the American workforce. Reports indicate that Google searches for ways to combat burnout surged by 5,000 percent over the past year. Some prominent U.S. companies, including LinkedIn and Hootsuite, temporarily paused operations in 2021 to assist employees in coping with burnout. Numerous websites offer guidance on managing work-related stress.

One effective way to combat this overwhelming fatigue is to plan a vacation.

Set a goal to take a break

Today, January 25, marks National Plan for Vacation Day (NPVD), an annual event that encourages Americans to schedule their time off at the beginning of the year. This year's NPVD highlights the severe burnout affecting U.S. workers and emphasizes how planning vacations can improve a fatigued perspective.

NPVD serves as a deliberate reminder to slow down, disconnect, and make time for vacations in our hectic lives. Over two-thirds of American workers report feeling at least moderately burned out, with 60 percent of remote employees struggling to unplug from work.

Paid Time Off (PTO) is a crucial employee benefit

This information is concerning considering that the opportunity to take vacations significantly influences Americans' job satisfaction—and could differentiate a satisfied employee from another casualty of the Great Resignation.

A survey conducted by Destination Analysts, a tourism market research organization, reveals that paid time off ranks as the second most vital employee benefit, right after health insurance. Among workers who switched jobs or sectors in the past year, 77 percent valued paid time off—highlighting the critical nature of taking time off. Furthermore, nearly 70 percent of full-time employees believe that their capacity to vacation is a key factor in their decision to remain in the workforce.

Additionally, fresh data from Destination Analysts indicates that over three-quarters of American travelers are in a 'ready to travel' mindset, eager to plan trips and excited about vacations in the upcoming six months.

Obstacles to taking a vacation and combating burnout

So, what’s holding us back from boarding a plane and shaking off the burnout blues?

Primarily, health concerns remain a significant barrier to travel, even as Omicron begins to decline in some regions of the United States. Other work-related issues—like heavy workloads and staffing shortages—are also key reasons preventing Americans from utilizing their time off.

This trend is evident across all sectors of the workforce. The struggle to balance work and personal life has become an overwhelming burden for many Americans. We are working harder than ever, and countless frontline workers haven’t had a break in nearly two years. While I wish circumstances were different, the truth is that not everyone currently has the means or opportunity to take a vacation.

Planning brings us joy

However, there’s something we can all do right now to combat burnout: Plan for a vacation. Set aside time for a change of scenery, to reconnect with loved ones, and to prioritize your health and well-being.

Studies indicate that the mere act of planning a trip can help reduce burnout. Nearly three-quarters of those who plan reported feeling extremely or very happy while anticipating and organizing vacations for the upcoming year, compared to just four in ten non-planners.

At my organization, the U.S. Travel Association, I consistently urge all my colleagues to take their well-deserved time off. There’s nothing more satisfying than seeing an 'Out of Office' message, knowing they are taking the time to recharge and spend time with family or friends.

Despite ongoing challenges, let’s take a deliberate step on NPVD to carve out time for planning brighter days ahead. The past two years have been incredibly tough—let’s commit to giving ourselves a break and encouraging our teams to do the same.

On January 25, join the U.S. travel industry in planning your time off for the year—and remember to share your plans using the hashtag #PlanForVacation.

Roger Dow serves as the president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association.