We’re all terrible at taking vacations.
A recent Glassdoor report found that, on average, Americans don’t use half of their vacation time or paid time off.
And once we’re actually on vacation, we have trouble kicking back and relaxing.
According to the same Glassdoor report, 66% of Americans say that they work during their vacations — that’s compared to 61% five years ago.
Harris Poll conducted the survey on behalf of the job site, interviewing 2,224 adults in the US. Only 771 — about one third — of those participants took vacation or paid time off in the past 12 months.
We all really need to get it together and start vacationing the right way. Taking a break from work can be great for productivity. On the flip side, working without any time off is a great way to burn yourself out.
Here are some signs that you seriously need a vacation:
1. You begin to look like your passport photo
“It’s an old joke with a lot of truth to it,” says Michael Kerr, an international business speaker and author of “The Humor Advantage.” “Any signs of chronic stress that might be signaling impending burnout are obvious red flags: irritability with colleagues, finding it difficult to concentrate on routine tasks, chronic tension headaches, back strain, stomach issues, or more serious health concerns.”
Read more: 5 steps for returning to an almost-empty email inbox after a vacation
2. You’re having trouble sleeping
Whether you’re having trouble falling asleep or waking up a 3:00 every morning, sleep issues can be a symptom of overwork and stress, or it can be a signal that you’re too focused on your work at the expense of everything else, he explains.
3. Your personal life is suffering
If you find yourself having missed too many family dinners, school concerts, or family outings, it could be a clue that you need to reconnect with your family during some much needed vacation time, says Kerr.
4. You’re starting to make more mistakes at work
5. You’re no longer enthusiastic about your work
If you’re not as excited to get into work on a Monday morning as you once were, or you dread a work activity that you once enjoyed, you probably need a break. “If you feel your work spirit flagging, and can’t remember what it is that made you love your job, then it might be time to get away,” he adds.
6. You’ve lost your sense of humor
Here’s a solid sign: You find yourself not laughing as easily as you once did, or you find it harder to “find the funny” in challenging work situations, says Kerr.
Read more: A scheduling trick can make your vacation feel longer without costing you more