You work hard to earn your vacation days, yet so many employees lose them because they don't use them. According to the 2009 Expedia Vacation Deprivation Survey, "34% of employed U.S. adults do not take all of the vacation days they receive each year." This is an increase from 31% in their 2008 survey. The survey also found that despite earning the least amount of annual vacation days in the industrial world, Americans leave an average of 3 vacation days unused each year. Consider some of the following statistics:

• "Roughly one-third of employed U.S. adults reported feeling better about their job and feeling more productive upon returning from vacation."
• More than half of the employees surveyed said they return from vacations feeling rested and rejuvenated.
• "53% of employed U.S. adults say they come back from vacation feeling reconnected with family."

It is critical that employees take their vacation days. Employers need to realize the positive effects of time off and actively encourage their employees to schedule their vacation days. Here are a few tips to help if you are one of 34% who lose a portion of your vacation days:

• Remove the Guilt - Agree that it's okay to take time off. Work will still be there when you get back. You cover for your co-workers when they are on vacation, and they expect to do the same for you. This is an important part of taking care of yourself!
• Plan - Plan how you are going to use your vacation days. Will you visit family or friends? Take a family vacation? Do a home improvement project? Or maybe relax at home?
• Set a Budget - Taking time off does not need to be expensive. You can take a road trip, stay with family or friends, or stay at home and enjoy some downtime.
• Schedule It - Sit down with a calendar in January and schedule your vacation days. The more advance notice your give your employer, the easier it is to plan for your absence. Submit your requests to your boss for approval. Once they are approved, you have something to look forward to.
• Relax - Give yourself permission to relax. In this fast-paced world, this is getting harder and harder for people to do. Get a good night's sleep, read a book, do a favorite hobby, etc. There is always plenty to do, but not all of it needs to get done today.

Take control of your life and well-being. Start planning your 2011 vacation days now. What's the worst thing that could happen if you take a week off? Usually, nothing at all.