A Concerning Trend of Americans Using Vacation Days for Sleep Instead of Travel
Across the country, a large number of Americans are using their vacation days to sleep rather than to travel. A recent report found that 37% of workers took paid time off last year simply to rest. This is because rising travel costs and longer work hours have left many people too drained to plan getaways.
For this reason, instead of boarding flights or visiting family, they’re turning their time off into recovery days. What was once a chance to explore or relax somewhere new has turned into a way to catch up on sleep.
Americans Are Taking Time Off to Sleep Instead of Travel
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In a survey of more than 1,200 adults, it was found that over one-third leveraged their PTO in the past year simply for the purpose of resting. Millennials had the highest rate, with 43% saying they stayed home to take a breather rather than go anywhere. Gen X followed with 34%, Gen Z with 33%, and baby boomers with 20%. Most respondents used two or three PTO days just to recover from exhaustion.
Sleep coach Rosie Osmun said the change shows that fatigue has become a necessity-driven issue, not a lifestyle choice. Higher-income workers were also more likely to use PTO for rest, which suggested that fatigue spans across pay grades. This illustrates how Americans now treat sleep as a form of survival, not relaxation.
Burnout is Changing How Americans Use Time Off
Experts describe this growing exhaustion as a direct reflection of modern work culture. They believe that Americans juggle professional, family, and social responsibilities without much room for rest. That constant strain is driving people to use vacation days as recovery time instead of travel time.
Consequently, this is a troubling indicator of an overworked population. In the long run, such fatigue could eventually lead to decreased productivity and higher turnover. Many employees hesitate to take full vacations due to fears of burdening coworkers or returning to a larger workload.
As a result, PTO has become a short-term fix for long-term exhaustion. The cultural expectation to stay busy keeps rest at the bottom of most people’s priorities, even as their health declines.
Health Experts Warn of Long-Term Consequences
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Doctors say this widespread sleep deprivation carries serious health risks. They have explained that lack of rest weakens focus, creativity, and emotional balance. It also increases the likelihood of high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease. People who are chronically tired perform worse at work and experience higher stress levels. Burnout not only makes individuals less productive but also disrupts their ability to snooze well at all.
Many Americans think that a few extra days of sleep will solve the problem, but specialists say consistent, high-quality rest is what prevents mental strain in the first place.
The Rise of Sleep-Focused Vacations and Staycations
Broader research further found that people are starting to seek rest-centered travel experiences as well. Nearly 40% of respondents said they would consider a “sleep vacation,” and nearly half were willing to pay extra for it. Interest in wellness travel has nearly doubled in the past two years. Professionals believe this reflects a desire for structure in how people rest, not just more time in bed.