

Why using all your PTO is good for you (and your career)
Are you a victim of vacation deprivation? Time to join the PTO revolution—and reap the surprising health and wealth benefits of booking that trip
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As a writer, author and podcaster, the good news is that I am my own boss. The bad news is that my boss is a jerk. He won’t let me take vacations, even though—in theory—I could take as many days as I like. But I feel guilty: I should be knocking out client work, or growing my podcast, or finally starting that screenplay. Then there’s the fact that since freelancers aren’t on salary, literally every vacation is an unpaid vacation. Even though this means I see less of my friends and family—and risk missing key moments I’ll regret—every year I take less than two weeks off.
And I’m not alone. This is a global problem: 62% of people worldwide feel vacation deprived, according to a new report from Expedia, and less than half plan to use all of their time off. It’s especially grim in the United States, where the average American receives fewer vacation days than almost any other country (12), and also uses the fewest (11). Even when employees are given “unlimited” time off, they often choose to leave it on the table. (I’m guilty.)
What explains this madness? Why are we so eager to choose spreadsheets over sunsets at the beach, conference calls over cocktails by the pool?
Why are we choosing spreadsheets over sunsets?
One big reason is a (flawed) cultural standard. “Particularly in America, there’s an ‘ideal worker’ norm, and we feel pressure to look committed to the job at all times,” says Dr. Mindy Shoss, a professor of psychology at the University of Central Florida, who has a focus on worker stress. Shoss also says many worry that work will pile up, or that it will unfairly fall to coworkers, which compounds the guilt; or even that there won’t be a job when they get back.
All of this creates a fear of vacation. And if you’re a parent? You have all of this guilt plus extra responsibilities to juggle, which might explain why 68% of parents feel vacation deprived compared to 56% of non-parents.
But here’s the irony: Skipping vacations can backfire, both at home and at work. Burnout is real. “Human beings are not machines. We can’t keep running at full speed indefinitely,” says Shoss, who adds that vacations have tangible benefits besides the obvious role of recharging our batteries.

“Vacations give you a chance to take a step back and get perspective on what you’re doing,” says Shoss. “They allow you to see new things. To see new ways of approaching problems.” Exploring new cultures and new parts of the world can unlock your creativity, she adds. Maybe as you daydream in a kayak, your subconscious finally cracks that nagging problem at work.
In other words, taking vacation doesn’t make you a slacker. It makes you a better employee. One study found that when people took more than 10 vacation days, they had a 65.4% likelihood of receiving a raise or bonus in a three-year period. Ernst & Young found that for every 10 days of vacation an employee took, their year-end performance jumped by 8%. Plenty of research links vacations to better mental and physical health; one study found that vacations improved sleep even after you return. So how do we solve this global vacation deprivation?
There are two solutions. First, we need a cultural shift. We need to encourage and inspire “PTO for All.” If you’re a boss, encourage your team to take a vacation: Look them in the eyes and really mean it. We need to think of our vacations proudly, confidently, and unapologetically—think of it like going to the gym. It’s good for us.
The second solution? Simple: Just book that trip. And if you’re after some inspiration, I’ve got just the thing…
Leave no vacation days behind
If you have 2 days left to take…
Hit refresh in Greater Palm Springs, CA
Even the glitterati need to take a vacation, and when they do, they often choose Palm Springs. The real draw is the low-key variety: a rare mix of nature (like the waterfall at Tahquitz Canyon), nightlife (don’t miss the cocktails at Seymour’s), and a growing focus on wellness and self-care (think yoga classes, guided meditation, and sound baths). Just two days will feel like a nourishing, head-cleansing reboot.
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Seek seashells and seafood in Fort Myers, FL
Come for the sights, stay for the shrimp. With over 50 miles of white-sand beaches and more than 100 islands off the coastline, the Fort Myers area has extensive bike trails, kayaking routes, nature retreats, and world-famous seashell collecting. The seafood is so good and ubiquitous, it’s often served for breakfast—think “crab cake Benedict.” Nearby Sanibel Island (pictured) is a stopover for migratory birds, making it one of the premier bird-watching destinations on the planet—you might spot an osprey or roseate spoonbill at the J.N. Darling National Wildlife Refuge.
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Soak up the bohemian vibes of Budapest
This is the best city on earth for bathing away workplace headaches—Budapest’s iconic thermal baths (such as Gellért, pictured, and Széchenyi) have recently been updated, offering ice cabins and hydrotherapy. This is foodie wonderland, offering both traditional Hungarian cuisine (like goulash and chicken paprikash) and modern twists (think duck liver with plum chutney).
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Trailblaze and stargaze in the Scottish Highlands
The best vacations offer something different. And the striking landscapes of the Scottish Highlands—mountains, waterfalls, medieval castles—are about as far away from cube-life as you can get. Hike up Ben Nevis (the highest mountain in Britain), and take 500 photographs (it’ll happen) of Dunnottar Castle, the clifftop fortress with roots dating back to the Middle Ages. Then there’s the chance to ponder the truly ancient: Visit Galloway Forest Park for its “Dark Sky Park,” ideal for stargazing.
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Have an Australian adventure
To really get away from it all, head to the Northern Territory. At Kakadu National Park, take a four-wheel-drive up the towering cliffs of Jim Jim Falls, rent a canoe to explore the Nitmiluk Gorge, then see the otherworldly stone monolith of Uluru (book an Aboriginal cultural tour, highlighting its spiritual significance). At Alice Springs Desert Park, see pink cockatoos and red kangaroos; or for a cultural adventure, time your trip for August’s Darwin Festival to celebrate the city’s multiculturalism with music, dance, theater, and cabaret.
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Jeff Wilser
Writer
Jeff Wilser is the author of seven books, a frequent traveler (living in 24 countries in the three years to 2020), and a contributor to The New York Times, GQ, and Fast Company.

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