More and more Americans are using their paid time off not for travel or recreation, but simply to catch up on rest. A recent survey of over 1,200 people found that 37 percent used their vacation days in the past year just to sleep and recover instead of going on trips. The rising cost of living, workplace pressure, and constant fatigue are driving this change. Paid time off, which was once seen as an opportunity for adventure or family travel, is now becoming a tool for survival in a demanding work culture.
The study showed generational and income differences in how people use their PTO. Millennials reported the highest rate of using time off for rest at 43 percent, followed by Generation X at 34 percent, Generation Z at 33 percent, and baby boomers at 20 percent. Higher earners, those making more than $100,000 annually, were also more likely to use their time off for sleep and recovery than lower-income workers. On average, people took about two to three days off just to rest. These numbers suggest that fatigue cuts across all groups, but younger and higher-income workers may be feeling it most acutely.
The growing use of PTO for rest rather than recreation highlights a deeper issue of burnout and chronic exhaustion in the workplace. Many employees are using their limited vacation time not to recharge through new experiences, but to simply regain enough energy to keep functioning. This shift points to the constant stress and long hours many Americans face. When people feel they need time off just to sleep, it shows that their daily work-life balance may be unsustainable. Over time, this can lead to reduced productivity, creativity, and engagement at work.
From an employer’s perspective, the trend should be a warning sign. Companies often focus on productivity metrics, but the human cost of overwork eventually shows up in turnover and lower morale. If workers feel compelled to spend their vacation days recovering instead of enjoying life, it indicates that workloads, expectations, or workplace culture may need to change. Encouraging true rest, flexible schedules, and realistic workloads can help prevent burnout before it reaches this point.
At the same time, there’s value in recognizing that using PTO to rest is valid and necessary. Not every vacation needs to involve a flight or a packed itinerary. Sometimes the best use of time off is to do nothing—to sleep, stay home, and give the mind and body a break. As more Americans choose rest over travel, this could signal a cultural shift toward valuing downtime and recovery as essential parts of health and productivity. Rest is not a luxury; it’s a necessity. Whether that means catching up on sleep or simply taking a day to unplug, the purpose of time off remains the same: to restore balance and make life a little more sustainable.