Vacations are nice, but they’re not needed to get through another long day at work. Travel getaways marketed as burnout-fighting vacations will not eliminate chronic workplace stress that makes you feel drained and disengaged on your days off.
High stress causes burnout. Shannon Garcia, a psychotherapist at States of Wellness Counseling in Illinois and Wisconsin, says this often comes from work-related stress and can also result from personal stress. You can burn out even at your dream job if you see a vacation as a cure for your work worries.
Image Credit: Pexels/Anna Tarazevich
The mentality that typically marks burnout is, “I just need a week off, and I’ll be fine.” Here’s what taking a week off will and won’t give you:
Vacation Is Not A Cure For Burnout
The summer vacation is an excellent time to take stock of your feelings and take a step back. However, rest is necessary for reflection. If you’re on vacation mainly to get away from work, it’s a sign of burnout. You might have an issue if you find getting out of the office more motivating than lying on the beach.
See Your Vacation As A Reset Button
- Take small, ongoing steps to combat burnout when you return.
- Challenge internal assumptions that you can only take time off during the summer.
- If possible, take more frequent vacations.
- Learn to recharge yourself daily, outside of taking time off from work.
Image Credit: Pexels/Yan Krukau
Takeaway
It’s a hard pill; While adulting is hard, being broke is harder. No vacation will help if you don’t engage in self-care and have strict boundaries in your personal and professional life. While holidays are excellent, getting adequate rest, personal time, and effective communication is key to making your job worthwhile. If these don’t work, it may be time to look for other opportunities.