Adulting is something we cannot escape from. You enter the workforce and fall into this tedious cycle where you spend the majority of our precious waking life on mundane tasks and obligations. Out of 7 days a week, you only have one day off. Oftentimes, you’d rather curl up in bed the whole day than go out to explore. You always forsake the things that make you feel alive for things that you need to do to survive.

Yeah, adulting sucks sometimes, but that doesn’t mean you’re going to let your fun spirit die due to work. There’s a reason why there’s such a thing as a vacation day.

If you’re a workaholic who doesn’t make use of your vacation privilege, here are seven reasons that might change your mind.

1. Vacation Days Are Rewards For Your Health

If you do nothing but work, then you’ll wear yourself out in no time and your health might end up paying the price. You tire your physical and mental well-being, which may lead to serious medical conditions in the long run. A quick gratifying vacation is one of the best medicines.

Taking a time off from your busy schedule helps improve your mental and physical health. When you take your mind and body off work, you allow yourself to relax and rejuvenate. It’s a great stress reliever too – even stress-induced ailments like backaches and headaches can vanish for as much as five weeks after the vacation, according to a study from the University of Vienna.

2. Not Working Allows You To Work Better

Burnout is a state of physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion a legion of workers suffers from. It’s caused by prolonged stress. Machines and people alike tend to deliver poor performance when they’re overworked. If an employee works with little to zero-day off, expect a decline in productivity and overall engagement. The output begins to suffer.

Taking a vacation eliminates occupational burnouts which can take a toll not only on your health but also on your performance as well. It gives your mind and body the opportunity to regenerate. A change of scenery helps boost your creativity and clarity. After taking a vacation, you’ll come back more refreshed, energized and motivated. You can now think clearly and make better decisions. Your performance, as a result, is likely to improve.

3. Relationships Are Enriched

Working a daily 9 to 5 grind affects your relationships as well. You rarely see your significant other, family, and friends due to your day job, thus miss out on precious moments.

Spend quality time with your loved ones by pausing work and using your precious vacation days. Go out of town. Go out of the country, if you have the budget. Take a relaxing beach or spa getaway. Or simply take the time off to chill at home and bond with your family. No bonus or overtime pay can replace the time you have missed with your loved ones, especially with your children who are inevitably growing up.

4. Vacation Days Are Free

You are being paid by your employer to go on a vacation – why not make use of it? It’s your right as a worker anyway.

Yes, vacation days are often converted into cash when left unused, but cash will never amount to the sights and experiences you could’ve had. Some firms even encourage their employees to pause work and go out in order to improve their well-being and productivity.

5. You Make Good Memories That Stick

According to the old adage, you won’t remember the days you worked. You probably would recall the occasional promotions and achievements, but the rest of your work history is often forgotten. What’s unforgettable are the moments you share with your loved ones, as well as the time you spend discovering new places, activities, and people.

6. The World Is Big, And Your Life Is Short

This is not to encourage you to travel, break boundaries, and give in to the reckless “YOLO” culture. Rather, this is a reminder that time never stops running. There’s no doubt that many people in their golden years wish they could go back in time to relive the younger days wasted on their jobs. They now have all the time and money yet they have lost the vigor to explore.

Earning money is good. Climbing up the professional ladder is good. But life is too short to be spent hunching over your desk. Manage to find the balance between work and leisure. Do more fulfilling things. Create new experiences. Meet new people. Enjoy the best of life while you can.

Author Bio: Carmina Natividad is a daytime writer for HR Dept Au, a provider of affordable and pragmatic HR services and employment law advice in Australia. Writing about helpful career management solutions for both employees and employers is her cup of tea.