By Meridian Knowledge Solutions

In case you missed it (ICYMI) Memorial Day weekend is right around the corner. The pools are open, the weather is warmer, the days are longer and summer is almost here! With all the excitement and plans for a busy, relaxing, and active summer, many people struggle with the fear of taking time off.

This is the time of the year when so many working-class folks take a few days or weeks off and go enjoy the summer. These vacations can be a resort near your home or an exotic retreat in another country. From going on a cruise across the pacific to exploring a zoo in Sydney with your family, you could do anything you wanted. Now, you might be thinking that it seems impossible to just up and go on a vacation for memorial day weekend, but I assure you it is not.

Don’t believe me? Here’s the proof: A recent survey from the U.S. Travel Association reported that 41% of American workers do not plan to use all of their PTO, despite it being part of their workers compensation plan. In spite of this, 96% of those surveyed recognized the importance of taking time off. In order to make the most of these weekends, some people prefer to go on the beaches of Hawaii and take part in water-based activities such as sailing, snorkeling, and whale watching (probably with help from kaikanani.com services), while others enjoy hiking in the Appalachian mountains. In a nutshell, it is important to take time off from the work and go on a vacation for relaxation and enjoyment.

In honor of Memorial Day, this week in case you missed it is packed full of interesting and insightful articles focused on helping you unplug, escape the office and enjoy your well-deserved time off!

Escaping the office

The struggle is real. Escaping the office and taking a vacation proves to be seemingly impossible. In fact, according a recent survey by Trip Advisor, 77% of employed U.S. residents said they worked over vacation in the past year (compared to 40% of the other countries featured in the survey — Australia, Brazil, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, Spain and the UK). A recent article, Americans Struggle To Escape The Office On Vacation [Infographic], highlights some of the reasons why people have trouble unplugging during their time off.

Prepping for vacation

While vacation can be incredibly fun and relaxing, the frenzy of getting ready to take time off and the mountain of working waiting for you when you get back can feel painfully overwhelming. Check out this Inc. article, 4 Great Ways to Prepare for Your Vacation (and Be Happy Upon Return), featuring great insights and advice from Inc. columnists on how to avoid work stress during your time off!

Tips include:

1. Set reasonable expectations. – Kevin Daum
2. Leave no stone unturned. – Peter Economy
3. Invest your time up front. – Marla Tabaka
4. Plan deadlines around holidays. – Eric Holtzclaw

12 Great Memorial Day Getaways

If you’re a notorious procrastinator, this list is for you! You still have time to capitalize on the long weekend. BudgetTravel.com put together a list of twelve spectacular Memorial Day getaways you can escape to across the country! The list is packed full of affordable activities and entertainment in St. Louis; The Jersey Shore; Austin, TX; Charleston, SC; Columbia Gorge, OR; Washington, D.C., Palm Springs, CA; Las Vegas, NV; Denver, CO; New York, NY; Atlanta, GA; and Miami, FL. Be sure to check out the list and take advantage of some of the free activities this weekend!

Google it! Memorial Day Weekend Plans

Curious about what everyone is up to this Memorial Day Weekend? Google has the answer for you! According to information provided by Google – and published in a recent Forbes article, Where The Data Says Americans Are Headed This Memorial Day Weekend, here are some interesting weekend trends.

You can expect massive crowds in

1. Myrtle Beach

2. Ocean City, MD

3. Portland, Oregon

4. Pisgah National Forest

5. Disney World

6. Yellowstone National Park

7. San Diego Zoo

8. Hershey Park

9. Catalina Island

10. Hualalai, Hawaii

And, when people are not at the beach, you’ll likely find them at:

1. Cemeteries

2. Cafes and restaurants

3. Gas stations

4. Furniture stores

5. Ice cream stores

Check out the article for the full list!

Don’t forget to relax!

It’s important to unwind and unplug during vacation. And the best way to achieve that relaxation is by proper planning. It is important to pack everything you need that can elevate the pleasure at the vacation spot. Also, don’t forget to check the weather condition of the location you are heading to, especially in the case of an overseas vacation.

Say, for instance, you are heading to Oldham in the UK. Then, checking the Oldham weather prior to starting the packing can help you pack smart. If the weather predicts chilly weather, then you can pack warm wears, shoes, gloves, and similar other items. Alternatively, if it predicts bright sunny scenes, then you can pack light, and add a lot of sunscreens.

That being said, time away from the office certainly keeps us happy and healthy. Go to a relaxing place with your family. If you are travelling with a dog or kids, then spend as much time with them as you can. Times like these give us the opportunity to relax, reflect and recharge. People who take time for themselves have increased focus, energy, and positivity.

If you want some good advice on how to stop working and start vacationing, check out these two articles:

Happy Memorial Day and enjoy the long weekend!

PS: If you’re looking for a really interesting read, grab a copy of the June issue of TIME Magazine, the cover article, Who Killed Summer Vacation?, is definitely worth reading!

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