12 Reasons Why You Need to Use Those Vacation Days! [Infographic]

In the real world, summer and winter vacation as we knew it, no longer exists. 

That's one thing I learned quickly after graduating college.

During our school days, most of us looked forward to those two months (or so) a year when we could sleep late, go swimming, ride our bikes, anything.

It was a time of exploration and more importantly, recuperation. Yet, as adults, when arguably we need it most, this free time of rest and relaxation eludes us.

According to a 2014 study by Oxford Economics, vacation from your daily grind “leads to productivity gains as workers report returning to work refreshed and with a better attitude,” but regardless of these benefits, less than half of working Americans use their annual paid time off.

Just in time for the summer vacation season, Expedia uses this infographic and video to take a deep dive into 12 of the biggest benefits of taking time off from work.

Still racking up those vacation days? Here are 12 reasons to start cashing them in!

Here’s a peek at some of the highlights from the infographic:

• 80% of workers feel stressed on the job
• 92% of workers work 40 hours or more per week
• 40% of workers feel they can’t justify taking time off
• 57% of workers have unused vacation time at the end of the year

Why you (and your brain) need to take vacation:

1. Boosts your memory and brainpower
2. Prompts a full recharge
3. Helps you solve problems
4. Helps you live longer (people who take annual vacations showed 21% less risk of disease)
5. Strengthens your heart (men who skip vacation increase their chance of heart attack by 30%)
6. Prevents heart disease
7. Improves work quality
8. Inspires creativity
9. Enhances performance (every 10 hours of time off saw 8% improved performance reviews the following year)
10. Helps relieve depression
11. Improves sleep
12. Motivates you!

12 reasons why your brain craves vacation time [Infographic] by the team at Expedia CA