Many modern employers are short-sighted.

In the interest of averting the next looming crisis, they ensure their employees are plugged in at all times.

As a result, the definition of a vacation is shifting.  Whether a professional checks in with the office once a day or multiple times, "vacation" is becoming synonymous with working remotely.

I recently took a 12-day vacation.  Having launched my own business, I was haunted by all the what-if's.  What if, by not tweeting multiple times each day, I'd lose new contacts and followers? What if, by not blogging, my readership and credibility were reduced? What if, by not being available to new clients, I'd miss out on opportunities?

The bottom line fear, was that by unplugging, I'd lose everything I'd worked so hard for. 

It's easy to understand why businesses push their employees to stay connected.  No one wants to be in the place to say "I can't help you" to their client.  With business synced to today's on-demand standards, it's easier to keep all parties in the loop than to educate a designated fill-in and hope they're prepared for everything.

But how much do we consider the negative consequences of staying connected?

On the day I left for vacation, I was filled with anxiety as I activated my out-of-office messages.  During my first few days in Europe, I had to consciously fight off my instincts to check my email or social networking sites.  After day 3, I only rarely thought of email, and when I did, I was relieved to be away from it.

During the period in which I was disconnected from the office, I gradually relaxed completely and enjoyed my company and surroundings.  Thoughts of "have-to" or "should" eventually ceased, and I found that as my mind slowed down, my capacity to appreciate life increased.

When I returned to the office, I saw that not only had people not ceased to follow me on twitter, but my readership had actually increased.  I'd preemptively managed the expectations of my many callers and (many more) emailers using an out-of-office message, having built in a buffer day to tend to jet lag, so I was able to respond in a timely yet relaxed manner.

I'm not saying that my experience is a model for everyone, or that the specific methods I used to address my concerns are relevant to all situations.  I've worked in the corporate world, and I understand the pace of business.

What I do want to emphasize, however, is that the time I spent being "unproductive" was among the most productive time I've had this year. 

As discussed on prior posts, the time we take to rest is instrumental in preparing ourselves to meet our lives head-on. 

So do yourself a favor.  As 2009 winds down, think about making use of your remaining vacation days.  Even taking a day at home to rest or catch up on errands can be tremendously stress-relieving.