REST. Not a ‘four letter’ word.
R&R is not something that we prioritise. It should be, but it just is not.
As we get up each morning, our brains automatically kick into gear, and start organising what we need to do for the day. Mine sounds a little something like:
Get up.
Get the children’s lunch boxes packed.
School uniforms and OOSH clothes organised.
Get myself dressed, organised and ready.
Wake the children.
Get them organised (queue loosing shoes, bags, hats, drink bottles).
Drop each child off at location.
Drive to work.
Make/receive work calls in the car.
Get coffee.
Is it any wonder that we feel like we have worked a full day before we arrive at the office?!
As a general rule, Australian’s are working longer hours. Whilst many of us accrue annual leave each year, very few of us actually take it. This year, I have absolutely been guilty of this. With lockdowns and home schooling and trying to support employees, family and friends, taking time out has not only been impossible, it has not been a priority. However, I have made a promise to myself that next year I will make a conscious effort to take leave, time out with my family and to rest and rejuvenate my mind and body.
In a paper published by Cairncross and Waller “Not Taking Annual Leave: What Could it Cost Australia?” They state that there are a number of reasons employees don’t take their full annual leave entitlement. These including “insecurity of tenure, returning to a ‘pile of work’, feelings of guilt, and the cost of going away on holidays.” It is estimated that almost 60% of us don’t take our full annual leave entitlement on an annual basis. The figures I found through my research were intriguing, and had me further questioning what were the benefits if we actually did take our leave for R&R.
According to publications in the Wisconsin Medical Journal and Psychosomatic Medicine, taking annual leave can significantly reduce stress levels, extend our life expectancy, improve our moods and social life, reduce our risk of heart disease and increase our workplace productivity.
A Google vortex, on this topic, revealed that:
Taking time to rest and relax each year is important both mentally and physically
Not taking a break is counter productive and will generally result in less productivity than if you took time away from the office
Leaders within organisations should lead by example and encourage their team to take time out each year.
Whilst I am not encouraging employees to take leave at critical times through the year when everyone is needed onboard, taking time out allows us to recharge and return to the workplace with a newfound energy.
It has been a tough two years for many, and everyone has had to deal with it in their own way. We do not know what 2022 has in store so it is time to take a stand, and make taking time out for R&R a priority, for not only yourself, but your employees.
