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Vacations are supposed to be a break, a chance to slow down, unplug, and do nothing for a while. But for many people, that might actually be the hardest part.

New research suggests that even when people finally get time off, they don’t always know how to relax. More than half of Americans struggle to simply “do nothing,” even while on vacation.

family going on vacation in airport — Image Credit: Deposit Photos

People Don’t Know How to Switch Off

According to the survey, 55% of people say they don’t know how to do anything, and 56% agree that it’s difficult even on vacation. What should feel natural, resting, slowing down, and clearing your mind has become something many people actively struggle with.

Part of the issue is how used people have become to being constantly busy. The survey found that the average person says “I’m busy” nearly 300 times a year, with about 30% saying it every day. Over time, that mindset can become automatic, making it harder to slow down when the opportunity finally comes.

Relaxing Comes With Unexpected Guilt

Even when people do try to slow down, it doesn’t always feel good. Nearly half of respondents (48%) said they would feel guilty doing nothing on vacation, and 46% say they feel that same guilt when they’re not actively busy in general.

Instead of relaxing, many find their minds drifting back to responsibilities, thinking about work, finances, or the long list of things waiting for them at home. In fact, 51% said their thoughts are still occupied by money concerns or to-do lists, even when they aren’t doing anything at all.

For some, that mental load makes it difficult to fully enjoy the break they’ve been looking forward to.

The “Busy” Habit Is Hard to Break

The way people talk about their time may also play a role. While 53% say they use the phrase “I’m busy” when they genuinely have limited time, others admit it’s become more of a reflex.

About 37% said it’s easier to say “I’m busy” than to say no, while 35% use it as a way to avoid doing something altogether. Over time, that constant framing of life as “busy” can make it feel unnatural to stop even temporarily.

As a result, when vacation finally arrives, some people struggle to shift out of that mindset.

People Want to Relax—But Don’t Always Get There

Interestingly, the desire to slow down is still very much there. Nearly half of respondents (49%) said they would love to clear their mind while on vacation, and most agree that a good trip should feel more laid-back.

But in reality, only 15% say they always achieve the right balance between staying active and actually relaxing. For many, stress doesn’t fully go away, and in some cases, it creeps back in almost immediately after returning home.

Why “Doing Nothing” Actually Matters

What makes this more surprising is that doing nothing can have real benefits. When people do manage to fully relax, 88% say it helps them feel like they’re getting a true break, while 86% say it helps them recharge and step away from their normal routines.

It’s also one of the simplest ways to reduce stress during travel, but it requires something many people aren’t used to anymore: slowing down on purpose.

The Bottom Line

Vacations are meant to offer a reset, but that reset isn’t always automatic. For many people, being busy has become the default, and stepping away from that, even for a few days, can feel unfamiliar. Add in lingering responsibilities and a sense of guilt around “doing nothing,” and it becomes clear why relaxing isn’t always as easy as it sounds.

In the end, the hardest part of a vacation might not be planning it or paying for it; it might be giving yourself permission to truly slow down once you get there.