Vacation – How to Use It

Written by: Maria Shishkova Managing Partner, AIMS Bulgaria

“There is no greater luxury than time,” wrote Thomas Hardy. 

Yet we, modern professionals with color-coded calendars and endless meetings, often behave as though time were a renewable resource—something that will be returned to us later, with interest. The truth is, few things recharge the mind and body as powerfully as a well-spent vacation. And “well-spent” does not necessarily mean “packed to the brim.”

Between Planning and Spontaneity

I recently came back from a three-week journey through Southeast Asia. The first week unfolded in the rhythm of AIMS International’s global meeting in Kuala Lumpur. But once the presentations and meetings were behind me, I allowed my mind to rest through new experiences. I joined a Balinese cooking class. I took part in workshops creating healing oils, herbal teas, and natural blends. I spoke with people I would never have encountered in my daily life—from villa and restaurant owners to fellow travelers and local taxi drivers.

This kind of “active” rest, research shows, is what gives the mind real breathing space. It’s not the endless lounging under a palm tree that makes the difference, but the change of perspective. And it’s this shift that allows us to return to the office not just refreshed, but more complete.

What Science Tells Us

The American Psychological Association (APA, 2022) confirms that regular breaks lower the risk of burnout, improve mental health, and can boost creativity by as much as 34%. A study from Erasmus University found that even the anticipation of a holiday increases happiness—for up to eight weeks before the trip itself.

Researchers from Finland and the Netherlands examined the relationship between vacation length and recovery. Their conclusion? The “minimum effective dose” of vacation is about eight days—the point at which stress levels drop sharply while energy and positive emotions peak. Beyond that, the benefits start to taper off as the body and mind adapt to “rest mode.”

Studies from Cornell University show that the memories we create on vacation extend its positive effects. Sharing stories, revisiting photos, or even planning the next trip can prolong the sense of well-being.

Why Broaden Interests Beyond Work?

The connection between personal enrichment and professional performance has long been studied. When we develop skills and interests outside of our jobs, the brain forms new neural pathways that enhance flexible thinking and the ability to link seemingly unrelated ideas—a process known as skill transfer.

A 2019 study from the Kellogg School of Management found that variety in experiences boosts “associative thinking”—the capacity to combine unexpected ideas into innovative solutions. People with a wide range of hobbies outside their work life show higher levels of creativity and strategic insight.

Similarly, research published in the Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology (2020) showed that cognitive flexibility—a cornerstone of innovation—grows when we venture into new fields of knowledge and practice, beyond our professional expertise.

Learning a traditional dance may improve coordination and memory, but it also trains adaptability and attention—qualities essential for leading teams or solving business problems. A cooking or jewelry-making class sharpens creativity, patience, and focus—skills equally useful in strategy-building or project management. Conversations with people from different cultures enhance empathy and perspective-taking—the foundation of innovation and effective communication.

In this sense, vacation is not an escape from work. It’s a space where we unconsciously cultivate the very abilities that make us stronger leaders, collaborators, and innovators. Investing in ourselves outside the office pays dividends inside it.

In Conclusion: Leave Room for the Unexpected

True rest doesn’t live in a vacuum; it thrives in open space. It isn’t found in rigid itineraries but in the freedom to change course. The best moments of my recent journey happened exactly that way—in the pauses between “must” and “maybe.”

A vacation isn’t a time to switch the brain off—it’s a time to let it breathe. And if we approach it with care, joy, and openness to new experiences, we return not only rested but enriched—with fresh thoughts, ideas, and directions.