As summer heats up, it’s the perfect time for a reminder many professional women need: use your PTO and truly take a break. In fast-paced careers and demanding roles, it can be tempting to save vacation days “just in case” or to take time off but still check emails, answer Slack messages, and “just keep an eye on things.” But here’s the truth: paid time off is part of your compensation, and choosing not to take it is like leaving money on the table. Even more importantly, skipping real rest can lead to burnout, fatigue, and a decline in both your performance and well-being.
Taking time away from work isn’t a luxury—it’s essential. Studies consistently show that employees who take regular vacations are more productive, more creative, and less likely to experience burnout. For women balancing multiple responsibilities at work and at home, rest isn’t indulgent—it’s restorative. It’s how you refill your tank so you can return to your work and your life with clarity, energy, and a fresh perspective.
Using PTO is also an act of leadership. It models healthy boundaries for your team, signals that wellness matters, and shows others, especially younger women coming up behind you, that you don’t have to be “on” all the time to be valuable. When leaders take vacation seriously, it gives others permission to do the same without guilt. That’s culture-shaping.
But simply stepping away from your desk isn’t enough. To truly benefit from your time off, you must unplug. Set your out-of-office response, delegate responsibilities, and resist the urge to “just check in.” Your time away is only restorative if you give yourself the mental and emotional space to disconnect. That’s when creativity bubbles up, perspective shifts, and stress softens.
So this summer, whether your PTO is spent traveling, staying home with a good book, or simply taking a break from your routine, honor it. Make it count. You’ve earned it, and you need it. When you return, your work, your team, and your well-being will all be better for it.
Rest isn’t the opposite of productivity—it’s what makes it possible.