The Importance of Vacation for F&A Professionals

This summer, we’ve been talking about how accountants and finance professionals can unplug on vacation without feeling guilty, whether that’s by reducing stress with financial close automation or eliminating anxiety with accounts receivable automation.

As we close out this series, we’d like to remind you that taking a vacation and unplugging from work are not mere luxuries—they’re essential practices that can greatly benefit you and your company. Numerous studies over the years, including from heavyweights such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the International Labour Organization, have found over and over that long working hours and work stress are detrimental to human health. These studies often suggest that taking vacation time is essential to employees because time off from work is vital to well-being, productivity, and performance.

F&A professionals bear a lot of responsibility and operate on numerous, important deadlines. As a result, you probably feel like you can’t take much, if any, time off work to recharge. But the fact is, taking time off is good for your physical and mental health, so let’s explore a few reasons why it’s so important that you prioritize time off.

1. Burnout Prevention: You’re known for your dedication and passion for your work, but this can also make you susceptible to burnout. Constantly being in work mode without any breaks can lead to exhaustion, decreased productivity, and a decline in overall mental health. Taking a vacation lets you recharge your batteries, and you’ll return to work with renewed energy and focus.

2. Improved Decision-Making: Stepping away from the daily grind can provide a fresh perspective. When immersed in the day-to-day operations, it's easy to get stuck in a tunnel vision mentality, hindering the ability to see the bigger picture. Time off can help your brain rest, and you may gain new insights and come up with innovative solutions to challenges.

3. Enhanced Creativity: Along with improved decision-making, vacations can help unclutter your mind to create more mental space for creativity and problem-solving. The flow of creative juices can suffer when you’re stressed and busy. Taking a vacation lets you experience new environments, meet new people, and even have time to daydream a bit. This can lead to new ideas and strategies.

4. Health Benefits: Chronic stress and fatigue are linked to health issues including heart disease, anxiety, and depression, just to name a few. Taking a break and disconnecting from work can significantly reduce stress levels and contribute to better overall health. Plus, depending on who you vacation with, it might also be a great opportunity to spend quality time with loved ones, strengthening essential personal relationships—also great for your overall mental health.

5. Increased Productivity After Vacation: Studies have shown that employees who take regular vacations are more productive and engaged at work. Taking a well-deserved break can lead to increased productivity and efficiency when you return to work.

To understand the real cost of manual accounting processes and discover how you can eliminate and automate them to focus on more strategic work, get your exclusive copy of Modernizing Accounting For Dummies to learn how to:

• Get started with accounting automation

• Complete more work in less time

• Drive effective change management

And, if you’re ready to see why 4,200+ companies trust BlackLine to automate their manual accounting processes so teams can focus on what matters the most, reach out today!

This summer, we’ve been talking about how accountants and finance professionals can unplug on vacation without feeling guilty, whether that’s by reducing stress with financial close automation or eliminating anxiety with accounts receivable automation.

As we close out this series, we’d like to remind you that taking a vacation and unplugging from work are not mere luxuries—they’re essential practices that can greatly benefit you and your company. Numerous studies over the years, including from heavyweights such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the International Labour Organization, have found over and over that long working hours and work stress are detrimental to human health. These studies often suggest that taking vacation time is essential to employees because time off from work is vital to well-being, productivity, and performance.

F&A professionals bear a lot of responsibility and operate on numerous, important deadlines. As a result, you probably feel like you can’t take much, if any, time off work to recharge. But the fact is, taking time off is good for your physical and mental health, so let’s explore a few reasons why it’s so important that you prioritize time off.

1. Burnout Prevention: You’re known for your dedication and passion for your work, but this can also make you susceptible to burnout. Constantly being in work mode without any breaks can lead to exhaustion, decreased productivity, and a decline in overall mental health. Taking a vacation lets you recharge your batteries, and you’ll return to work with renewed energy and focus.

2. Improved Decision-Making: Stepping away from the daily grind can provide a fresh perspective. When immersed in the day-to-day operations, it's easy to get stuck in a tunnel vision mentality, hindering the ability to see the bigger picture. Time off can help your brain rest, and you may gain new insights and come up with innovative solutions to challenges.

3. Enhanced Creativity: Along with improved decision-making, vacations can help unclutter your mind to create more mental space for creativity and problem-solving. The flow of creative juices can suffer when you’re stressed and busy. Taking a vacation lets you experience new environments, meet new people, and even have time to daydream a bit. This can lead to new ideas and strategies.

4. Health Benefits: Chronic stress and fatigue are linked to health issues including heart disease, anxiety, and depression, just to name a few. Taking a break and disconnecting from work can significantly reduce stress levels and contribute to better overall health. Plus, depending on who you vacation with, it might also be a great opportunity to spend quality time with loved ones, strengthening essential personal relationships—also great for your overall mental health.

5. Increased Productivity After Vacation: Studies have shown that employees who take regular vacations are more productive and engaged at work. Taking a well-deserved break can lead to increased productivity and efficiency when you return to work.

To understand the real cost of manual accounting processes and discover how you can eliminate and automate them to focus on more strategic work, get your exclusive copy of Modernizing Accounting For Dummies to learn how to:

• Get started with accounting automation

• Complete more work in less time

• Drive effective change management

And, if you’re ready to see why 4,200+ companies trust BlackLine to automate their manual accounting processes so teams can focus on what matters the most, reach out today!