In case you’ve never heard of it, a vacation is an extended period of recreation, particularly one spent away from home or in traveling. You may not have known this because so few people actually take vacations, but they are actually quite nice.

Did you know that one in four Americans do not get any paid time off? If you are lucky enough to accrue PTO, you should be using it. According to the employment website Glassdoor, 75% of employees did not take all of their vacation days in 2013; that leaves only one out of every 4 U.S. workers who actually took advantage of their paid time off.

There is one very real reason that you should be taking a vacation: mental and physical health. Taking time off is essential to your well-being. All work and no play leads to stress, and stress causes all sorts of health problems like high blood pressure, insomnia, heart disease, and depression and anxiety.

You need a restful vacation. How about the beach? All inclusive resorts, luxury villas, vacation rentals – all are perfect accommodations for your leisure and rejuvenation. Relaxing on a sunny, warm beach will allow your body to absorb more Vitamin D, which is the vitamin that most directly influences your mood.

You might also benefit from some alone-time. With our busy schedules, we are constantly surrounded by people and stressors, leaving us little to no opportunity for reflection. As a result, you find yourself laying awake in bed, your mind buzzing with questions, recollections, and regrets. In that peaceful atmosphere that you only find at night, your brain is struggling to catch up. This is a sign that you need to take a break, slow down, and make time for reflection without distractions.

You can’t go wrong with tropical destinations and all inclusive vacation resorts. The beauty, serenity, and warm sunlight can only do you good after months of hard work and never-ending responsibility.

Leave your worries at home, your work in the office, and your cell phone in your suitcase. Do your health a favor and take a break!