Survey Reveals American Workers Need A Vacation, And Most Are Mentally Checked Out Days Before They Depart

A new survey reveals that most American workers check out mentally days before boarding a plane for a long overdue vacation.

Conducted by Talker Research on behalf of CheapCaribbean, the poll of 2,000 U.S. adults found that seven in 10 respondents enter “vacation mode” three days ahead of their scheduled departure. More than half (59%) said theyre already mentally “out of office” before officially setting up their OOO email.

The research highlights how workplace focus suffers in the days leading up to a trip: 47% of employed respondents admitted they struggle to stay on task, and 75% reported experiencing mental fog at work recently.

Top indicators that a vacation is overdue include burnout (62%), frequent daydreams about travel (45%), and irritability (44%). Other common signs are feeling perpetually tired regardless of sleep (39%) and low energy even during weekends (35%).

“Taking time off to relax and recharge is so important,” said Dana Studebaker, Vice President of Marketing, Consumer Brands, at CheapCaribbean. “Whether it’s lounging on a beach or exploring a new destination, vacations let you reset and come back with a fresh perspective.”

That said, the stress of preparing for travel is real. The top concerns cited were budgeting (54%), packing (28%), and booking accommodations (17%). Around 28% of respondents said they experience anxiety in the days leading up to a trip.

Even those who love spontaneity prefer some structure — most say it takes at least three days to fully prepare for a vacation. However, 36% said they could be “trip ready” in a day or less, and 16% could pack and go in just a few hours.

Forgotten essentials are common when the mind is already on the beach. Among the most forgotten items: phone chargers (28%), toothbrushes and toothpaste (24%), and headphones (19%).

Still, the benefits outweigh the stress. A striking 87% of respondents said simply having a vacation planned boosts their mental well-being. Those with a trip on the calendar rated their happiness at 7.6 out of 10, compared to 6.8 for those without one.

“Its clear that simply having a vacation on the calendar has a positive impact on peoples overall happiness,” said Michael Lowery, Head of Global Consumer Business at CheapCaribbean. “A sense of anticipation and the knowledge that relaxation is to come can really make a difference day to day.”

With spring travel on the rise, the findings suggest just booking a trip might be the wellness boost many people need.