Should you take a vacation when you work from home? This question is a common dilemma for those who work from home; they don’t sit in a boring cubicle all day, and they have more flexibility to get out during the day and take a break. What do they need a vacation from?

Should You Take A Vacation When You Work From Home

The answer to that question is simple: work.

Whether you work in an office, a classroom, a surgical theater, or your house, work is work. And we all need to get a break from it now and then to maintain our mental health and avoid burnout. Time off isn’t just to get us away from the environment we work in—it is meant to allow us to relax and recharge.

Here are some signs that you need to take a little time off, even if you are just going to spend that time relaxing at home.

• You find yourself needing lots of little breaks during the day to clear your head.
• You are making more mistakes than usual.
• You feel tired or sore without reason.
• You just aren’t enjoying your work the way you once did.
• You dread starting the workday and cannot wait for it to end.

The next issue is finding time for the vacation. Many people who work from home are paid on an hourly basis or are freelancers, so when they take time off, they don’t get paid. If this is the case for you, a typical week off may not work. However, there are alternatives. Instead of a big vacation once a year, take small mini-breaks 3-4 times a year. These can be three-day weekends where you relax at home or maybe hit up a bed and breakfast nearby. You get the time away from work without sacrificing your financial stability.

So if you are working from home, remember that you are still working hard and deserve a break for yourself and your happiness.