Why you need to book your next holiday
How long has it been since you last had a proper holiday from work? Plenty of us have annual leave stored up.
Here are some of the most compelling reasons to book your next holiday.
Relieve stress
Lying by the beach, sightseeing somewhere new or relaxing with family and friends can do wonders for your stress levels, explains Organisational Psychologist Dr. Michelle Pizer.
“When you don't get proper downtime, your wellbeing takes a hit in ways you might not even notice at first,” she says. “Your ability to concentrate drops. Your memory becomes unreliable. You forget things and lose track of conversations halfway through.”
Taking a break allows you time to rest and can also dial down feelings of burnout, which is a type of long-term, work-related stress.
Research shows a correlation between high stress levels and conditions like heart disease and mental health issues. If you keep running on empty, you can only sustain that for so long before the body starts telling you it can take it no more.
Improve relationships
One of the most important ways to boost your wellbeing is to connect with others in meaningful ways.
Time away from work allows more time to be in tune with yourself, Dr. Pizer explains.
“It's hard to connect properly when you're always moving on to the next thing,” says Dr. Pizer. “You still talk to the people around you, but it's mostly logistics. What's next. Who's doing what. Even dinner conversations become project updates.”
“Time away opens up space for a different kind of connection. You slow down. You stay longer at the table, and that’s when relationships deepen and memories are made.”
You’ll also have an opportunity to rekindle relationships – with your partner, children, extended family and friends. Taking a holiday gives you the time you need to rekindle those relationships, so you can fill up your cup and improve your overall wellbeing.
Boost energy and mood
Taking a break from your regular routine gives you an opportunity to change things up, which Dr. Pizer says can re-energise you and help you approach challenges in new ways. “Familiar environments let your brain run on autopilot. You know where everything is, what comes next, how things work,” says Dr. Pizer.
“When you're somewhere unfamiliar, solutions to old problems can surface in ways they never would at your usual desk. Not because you're trying harder, but because you’re thinking differently and in new environments.”
Encourage a fresh perspective
The benefits of taking a holiday extend well beyond the holiday itself and can contribute to a happier, healthier workplace when you return. In fact, 4 in 5 (80%) of people feel that taking a holiday helps them feel more energised for work and aids productivity.
“After a proper break, most people report clearer thinking, improved focus and a greater sense of calm,” says Dr. Pizer. “You’re more able to stay with a task, less likely to be thrown by everyday stressors, and better equipped to manage competing demands.”
The same goes if you’re a manager or business owner. Just because you're a manager or a business owner, you're not immune to the negative impacts of working long hours and not taking a break.
And it doesn’t matter if you holiday close to home or in an exotic overseas locale. “It also means doing something that feels different from work — walking a different route, trying a new cafe, changing your routine. And spending time with people you love, simply because it’s good to,” says Dr. Pizer. “The biggest benefits come when you combine these elements, whether that’s going away or changing your rhythm at home.”
From relaxing by the pool with your kids to camping with mates or travelling somewhere you don’t speak the language, holidays come in many different shapes and sizes. Chances are, you’re probably long overdue for a good break. So why not book that holiday you’ve been daydreaming about?
Independent research conducted by Nature of behalf of SEEK, interviewing 12,000 Australians annually. Published August 2025.
