What is a workation, and why do you need one?

The concept of workation is simple: it’s a moment in which you can mix work and vacations.

So, for example, you can go to a nice beach or a secluded spot in the mountains and work from there with your team. This idea is gaining popularity, especially among remote teams.

According to research, almost 30% of Europeans declared that they wanted to go on a workation trip over the summer of 2023.

This kind of trip is a good idea both for managers and employees:  it mixes the advantages of networking in the office with the perks of not having to commute to one.

Let’s go over the benefits of a well-organized workation.

1. Break from boring routine

In all the years I’ve spent working remotely, I learned one thing: looking at the same four boring walls while being stuck to the screen is bad for my mental and physical health. It doesn’t matter how many pretty portraits I hang on the wall: my brain needs new stimuli to stay creative.

A workation is wonderful in this sense: it changes the scenery and puts you in a different physical space. Working from a cozy cabin or a balcony overlooking the ocean isn’t the same as going over the shopping list in my mind while trying to keep up with my tasks. Novelty is, in my case, a necessity.

2. Better productivity levels

This ties in with the previous point: I am much more productive when something in my environment changes. In fact, 90% of workers say mixing business with fun boosted their productivity at work. If you’re a remote worker and you’ve ever changed your home office for a cafe, you might have experienced this.

Besides, a relaxed and fun atmosphere can give you new ideas, entertainment, and even creative solutions to different challenges.

3. Flexibility and freedom to work

A workation must be flexible, that is the biggest advantage. You can choose where and when you work, set up your timetable, and change it according to your preferences. So, whether you wake up early or prefer to work at night, it doesn’t impact your company’s performance.

This is, in part, thanks to all the technology that makes being connected easier than ever. Security software like Surfshark VPN, for example, can keep your information safe no matter where you are.

4. Personal growth and networking

Yes, there are a lot of professional advantages to a workation: the chance of meeting co-workers and working on new projects is great, but a well-organized workation can help you grow as a person too.

Your mind can expand and learn new things when you travel to a new place. From a language to culture, ways of life, and new experiences, no trip is wasted.

Your comfort zone is meant to be challenged, to include new things, and to help with resilience and adaptability. These are life skills that often go underappreciated by most people.

What are the benefits for businesses?

Yes, a workation is great on a personal and employee level, but why should businesses start investing in these? Here are a few reasons:

• A workation helps employees feel more motivated, more like a team, especially if they’re all working remotely.
• If you offer workations as part of your employee benefits, you will attract better talent.
• Your business can save on rent, utilities, and other expenses by sending the in-house teams on workations.
• Remote teams can meet and work on a deeper, more personal level with each other. The projects can do better as a result of these new dynamics.

To sum up

The internet is great, and the advantages have changed the world, but one thing is true: the lines between work and leisure have been blurred for years.

With a nice workation, you can experience the benefits of both dynamics without having to compromise your mental health.

Why wait for the perfect occasion when you could be having the best time working from a new and exciting place?

Embrace this change, meet other people, live through new experiences, and your future self will thank you for it.