I'm going to be blunt: I think it's horrible how many women don't take their paid time off (PTO). It's not only bad for our health but also bad for our careers. And it's a trend we need to talk about more.

It's time to stop being ashamed of taking a few days off from work.

Women are entitled to rest, but they don't take it

You're entitled to rest, and you should take it. But as a woman, you are more likely than your male colleagues to feel guilty about taking PTO, even when you're in dire need of it. And even if your company offers paid time off, you're more likely to work for an employer that doesn't offer much PTO at all—meaning that those three weeks of vacation will just be used up by having to take sick days instead of actual vacations.

That's why it's so important for women in particular to hear this message: You don't have to feel bad about taking time off when your body needs it. If we don't start valuing our own bodies' needs over company policies or expectations—if we don't start putting ourselves first once in a while—we'll never get better at taking care of ourselves (or anyone else).

Women in Particular Need to Hear This: Take Your Paid Time Off

Women also have a higher risk of burnout from trying to take care of too many things and not enough rest.

As women, we have a higher risk of burnout from trying to take care of too many things and not enough rest.

For example, women are more likely to work multiple jobs (as compared to men), be the primary caregiver for children (as compared to men), and be the primary caregiver for elderly parents (as compared to men). The combination of these responsibilities can make it difficult for anyone—but especially for women—to get away from work even when they are entitled to paid time off.

The benefits of PTO

It’s so easy to get caught up in the hustle of everyday life. You work hard, play hard, and then it’s time for bed and you have to wake up early again tomorrow. We all know that feeling of dread that comes over us when we realize we won’t be able to do something fun or relaxing because there's just not enough time in the day!

But what if there was? When was the last time you took your full amount of PTO days?

If it's been a while, take a few minutes to think about how wonderful it would feel if you could take an extra week off from work next month or even better: how great would it be if you could take two weeks off this summer? I'm sure most people can agree that taking some extra time away from work sounds like a pretty amazing idea!

Research into the importance of taking time off

You might think that taking time off is a luxury, but it's not. In fact, research shows that people who take regular vacations are happier and less likely to get sick. The trick is finding the right balance between work and play; too little vacation can actually backfire on your mental health. If you're feeling stressed or anxious about taking time off, here are some things to keep in mind:

Even small amounts of vacation can be beneficial - A study found that even just a few hours of downtime per day was enough to significantly reduce stress levels among participants.
Taking time off may help you live longer - Research shows that people who are able to take vacations before getting sick have an increased chance of survival by up to 20%.
Even if you're not traveling somewhere exotic, taking time off can still give your brain and body a much-needed break from work stressors (and all those emails!).

Rest is about your health and peace of mind. Rest is a human right that benefits everyone.

As a human being, rest is an inherent right. You have the right to rest and recharge your body and mind. Everyone needs to take their paid time off from work or school, but especially women in particular need it.

Research has shown that taking regular breaks from our daily tasks makes us more productive and helps us avoid burnout. It’s important to give yourself time off so you can be at your best mentally, emotionally, and physically. This means taking care of yourself by getting enough sleep and exercise as well as doing things that make you happy (or at least try).

You can have a good time off without sacrificing your dignity or your job.

The first thing that comes to mind when you think of taking time off is guilt: "I should be working." But taking time off doesn't mean that you're not doing your job well, nor does it mean that you don't care about the company's success. Your employer hired you because they believe in your capabilities and want to see them grow—taking vacation days doesn't change that.

So how do we make sure we feel like our employers still value us? It all comes down to two factors: confidence and communication.

Final thoughts.

I hope that this article has helped you see how important it is to take time off and recharge. If you’re feeling overwhelmed at work or in your life, then I encourage you to try taking a few days off. You don’t have to be a CEO or an executive with unlimited resources—all it takes is setting up a plan for yourself and sticking to it. This might mean blocking out some time during the week when you don’t answer emails or make calls so that when you do go back into work mode, everything feels fresh again (and less stressful!).

Women in Particular Need to Hear This: Take Your Paid Time Off