Plan Ahead to Ensure You Return from Your Vacation Renewed and Refreshed
Now that Memorial Day is upon us, summer—and the warmer weather it brings—is just around the corner. Naturally, this leads many of us to begin planning a summer vacation. And while it may feel like a luxury or indulgence, taking time off isn’t just about escape. In fact, research and experience alike show that a purposeful break can significantly impact your mental health, work-life balance, and long-term performance.
But how often have you returned from vacation only to hear (or say), “I need a vacation from my vacation”? That feeling is real. Travel delays, lost baggage, illness, and jam-packed itineraries often leave us worn out. Instead of helping prevent burnout, poorly planned time off can add stress. But there is a better way.
Use Your Time Off Wisely: The Four R’s
If you want your vacation to truly benefit both your personal life and professional outlook—contributing to employee wellbeing in the workplace when you return—consider the Four R’s: Rest, Refresh, Reflect, and Relationships.
Rest
Let’s be honest: many of us cram our to-do lists so tightly before leaving that we’re already exhausted by the time we walk out the door. Staying up late, packing, finishing laundry, or cleaning the house before an early flight doesn’t exactly set you up for a peaceful start. And is your vacation itinerary stacked with back-to-back activities? You’re missing the point of the break.
Rest is not wasted time. It’s essential. Block out space to sleep in. Take a nap without guilt. Leave room in your schedule for spontaneity or nothing at all. Rest restores our minds and bodies—a core work-life balance strategy.
Refresh
What re-energizes you? For some, it’s being surrounded by nature—taking a hike, watching wildlife, or simply sitting in silence. Others might find refreshment in experiencing culture: a museum, local food, or a historical site. Still others find a slow day by the pool or a spa visit exactly what they need.
Whatever helps you feel grounded again, make room for it. These intentional moments can prevent burnout at work before it begins—and strengthen your capacity to be present when you return.
Reflect
Vacations provide a pause from daily demands, and in that space, we gain clarity. Ask yourself: Am I living in alignment with what matters to me? Am I heading in the direction I want to go, personally or professionally?
These aren’t questions to rush. Take a journal. Sit with your thoughts. Step outside your normal routine and give yourself time to think deeply. Even a few hours of solitude can offer the mental reset necessary for renewed motivation and emotional health, a key aspect of sustaining mental health breaks from work.
Relationships
Whether with family, close friends, or yourself, vacation is an opportunity to invest in relationships that matter. Be intentional. Turn off notifications. Put the phones down at dinner. Shared experiences strengthen bonds in ways that daily life often doesn’t allow.
If you’re more introverted, build in alone time. Sometimes the best gift you can give yourself is the freedom to not be “on” for others every moment. The point is to emerge more connected, not more depleted.
You Have to Take One to Benefit From One
There’s no magic formula to the perfect vacation, but there is one truth that applies across the board: you can’t benefit from time off if you never take it.
Whether you’re a leader trying to model healthy rhythms for your team or someone simply trying to find their footing again, taking a vacation isn’t selfish. It’s strategic. And the ripple effects extend far beyond you—they impact your workplace, relationships, and long-term wellbeing.
So, go ahead. Make your plans. Just make them in a way that will actually fill you back up.
Because when it comes to meaningful time off, the return is well worth the investment.
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Categories 5 Languages of Appreciation, Holidays, Relationships, Stress management, Vacation
