A recent survey shows that employees value mental health days as the best way to reduce stress and anxiety. However, many workers still do not use all their vacation time.
Experts say this happens because of pressure at work, heavy workloads, and company culture. They warn that real solutions to burnout need more than just perks—they need changes based on behavioral science.
Wondr Health, a company that provides digital weight-management tools, surveyed nearly 2,000 employees about how they manage mental health.
The survey found that 21.5% of employees believe that taking time off or mental health days is the most effective way to handle stress.
Despite this, a separate 2024 study found that 62% of American workers do not use all their vacation days. This means many paid days off go unused.
Wondr Health officials say not taking vacation can harm workers. It can increase stress, raise the chance of depression, cause physical health problems, and lower work productivity.
Tim Church, the chief medical officer at Wondr Health, explained why people avoid taking paid time off. He said it often comes down to feeling internal pressure, having too much work, and a company culture that does not support taking breaks.
He added that “time poverty”—not having enough free time—is a major cause of burnout and poor health. Church emphasized that employers must look closely at their policies and culture. They need to understand how these factors affect workers’ willingness to take time off and their overall health.
