Take a Break: Why Rest is Important for Your Mental Health
Maybe you identify with this yourself. You could be one of the Americans who left 768 paid time off hours unused from 2019.
While I’m an entrepreneur (and live with another entrepreneur!), we don’t get paid time off. But it’s still the same principle. As a whole, we are a nation unwilling to take a darn break.
I remember reading Harvard Business Review’s “The Data Driven Case for Vacation” in 2016. At that time, more than half of Americans (55% - 658 million) left vacation days unused. As we watch the rates climb, and now have experienced a pandemic, we are in need of breaks more than ever.
Even more alarming, the HBR document also claimed that the average vacation does not actually help to improve energy levels or reduce stress.
SO WHAT CAN YOU DO?
Take vacation time. Get away. (Even if it’s a staycation.) Get out of the norm. And plan ahead for your trips to increase your happiness, creativity, success rate, and the likelihood of promotion. You’ll also lower your stress level at the same time!
So in the spirit of practicing what I preach, I’m on vacation myself. And I have my favorite tool installed - an autoresponder on to help me not feel like I have to check my messages:
Stepping away is key to self-care. So treat yourself. Take care of yourself.
Away Auto-Responder Ideas
OPTION 1 (MY CURRENT RESPONDER)
Hello!
Just a quick note to let you know that I'm on holiday from July 23 - August 6. I'll be checking my email a couple of times during this time for urgent needs, but otherwise I will respond upon my return.
Thank you so much for understanding!
Best wishes,
Jess
OPTION 2
Hey There!
So sorry to miss your email! I’m on vacation from X to X. If you need immediate assistance, please contact X. Otherwise, I will respond upon my return. Thanks for your support!
Best,
Name
OPTION 3
Hey hey!
Thanks for your email. Just a quick note to let you know that I’m out of the office from X to X. I’m committed to modeling healthy boundaries, so even though it’s tough, I won’t be checking my messages until I am back.
Thanks so much,
Name
OPTION 4
Sweet Friend,
Thanks for reaching out! I’m gone from X to X and will have limited email availability. I’ll respond to you upon my return.
Best,
Name