ColumnistsMay 12, 2026
It’s Official: We’re Getting ‘Brain Rot’ From Watching Short-Form Videos Peter Smith gives tips on leading meetings, developing marketing, and making trade show appointments in the age of short attention spans.
EditorsJul 23, 2015
The benefits of taking a break
I just returned to New York City, and the National Jeweler office, after a sunny week off spent on the New England coast.
I’m an avid fan of vacations, likely instilled in me by my family. From ski trips in Maine to beach houses on Rhode Island’s Block Island, we’ve always escaped for a few weeks out of the year to relax, unplug and spend time together. As I got older, I’ve incorporated trips with friends into my plans each year, and since the start of my career I’ve always used each and every vacation and personal day I was allotted.
For me, there’s often a mix of emotion upon returning from time off: first, the melancholy feeling that accompanies knowing the vacation has ended, that it’s time to leave that work-free, responsibility-free oasis and return to the grind.
But it’s always followed by a second feeling: eagerness. Eager to get back to routine, to work, to the gym. Eager to settle back into the swing of things, to feel productive again.
There’s been talk in the news for some time now about how Americans don’t take advantage of their paid time off, often because they dread the slew of emails, projects and other tasks that accumulate and lie in wait for when the employee returns, or because of their visible absence. Sometimes, it’s just company culture; other times, employees see it as a way to protect themselves from layoffs in the post-recession era.
But does skipping out on time off pay off in the end?
Maybe not, it seems.
There’s a bevy of research that points to the fact that not taking vacation actually harms productivity, much of it citing that it hurts brain function and can even affect us outside of work, encroaching on personal relationships.
An article published by CBS Seattle earlier this month profiled an Oregon tech startup that says its implementation of a 32-hour work week has helped to boost employee productivity. The CEO, Ryan Carson, told the publication that reducing work hours and putting an emphasis on work-life balance allowed more time for workers to have “light bulb” moments of innovation, which keeps the company competitive.
“No matter how much money I made or how powerful I get, I can’t buy time,” Carson told the news station.
While I can’t speak to why taking time off makes the greater population productive, I know that for myself, it helps to jumpstart that eagerness to feel constructive again.
I believe taking breaks in smaller increments
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
of time each day--in other words, not eating lunch at your desk--also is beneficial to productivity, as does our Editor-in-Chief, Michelle Graff.
“I read this list of the habits of productive and successful people and one of the habits is taking a half-hour or an hour off at lunch,” she says. “I’ve taken to doing this a couple of days a week--I get lamb over rice and a Coke from one of the food trucks outside (the National Jeweler office) and sit in Zuccotti Park--and I think it works. I come back feeling refreshed and actually get more done.”
Aside from the evidence that taking time off helps employees do their job better, I also think stepping away from work is good for the soul.
Traveling, relaxing, spending time with family and friends (or alone if you prefer)--that, in my opinion, is what brings true quality to life.
“I read this list of the habits of productive and successful people and one of the habits is taking a half-hour or an hour off at lunch,” she says. “I’ve taken to doing this a couple of days a week--I get lamb over rice and a Coke from one of the food trucks outside (the National Jeweler office) and sit in Zuccotti Park--and I think it works. I come back feeling refreshed and actually get more done.”
Aside from the evidence that taking time off helps employees do their job better, I also think stepping away from work is good for the soul.
Traveling, relaxing, spending time with family and friends (or alone if you prefer)--that, in my opinion, is what brings true quality to life.
More on Editors
The Latest
CollectionsMay 12, 2026
Jessica McCormack Debuts Antique Coin-Inspired Medallions for SummerThe 11-piece “Medallions” capsule collection features five motifs: a crying eye, a heart on fire, a spiral, a flower, and a swallow.
IndependentsMay 12, 2026
State of Retail: 6 Things Retailers Should Know About Consumers TodayFrom Gen Z’s view of luxury to “doom spending,” these are the six consumer trends to note this year.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
Events & AwardsMay 12, 2026
The Tiffany & Co. x CFDA Jewelry Designer Award Is BackThe partners have announced the second cycle of the program, which has expanded to include a $25,000 student scholarship.
Weekly QuizMay 07, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsMay 11, 2026
Kansas Jeweler Closing After 70 YearsThe owners of Staats Jewelers are heading into retirement.
TrendsMay 11, 2026
Former Macy’s CEO Joins Signet Jewelers BoardJeffrey Gennette, who retired in 2024 after 41 years with Macy’s, is the newest member of the jewelry retailer’s board of directors.
Brought to you by
Discover Timeless Treasures: A Showcase of Antique Jewelry & Timepieces in Las VegasGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
TrendsMay 11, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Lucky May May babies are lucky to have emeralds, a gemstone admired for centuries, as their birthstone, writes Amanda Gizzi.
TechnologyMay 11, 2026
Clientbook’s New Tool Helps Jewelers Plan In-Store EventsThe new module allows retailers to plan, promote, and measure the success of events from a single dashboard.
Lab-GrownMay 08, 2026
NDC Publicly Criticizes Pandora Over ‘Misleading’ Natural Diamond ClaimsNDC said in an open letter that Pandora’s statements about the carbon footprint of lab grown versus natural diamonds are inaccurate.
SourcingMay 08, 2026
Ronnie VanderLinden Takes Over as WDC President The diamantaire and industry leader succeeds Feriel Zerouki and said he will focus on being a “champion” for natural diamonds.
TrendsMay 08, 2026
Rihanna Chooses ‘Desert Diamonds’ for 2026 Met GalaShe wore our Piece of the Week, Glenn Spiro’s “Old Moghul Golconda” earrings, featuring fancy brown-yellow diamonds totaling 51.90 carats.
Events & AwardsMay 08, 2026
JA Announces 2026 CASE Award WinnersTwo pieces were named “Best in Show,” one from the retail category and one from the supplier category.
FinancialsMay 07, 2026
Brilliant Earth Appeals to Higher-Income Shoppers in Q1The jewelry retailer noted resilience among its higher-end customers while demand softened for its lower-priced offerings.
AuctionsMay 07, 2026
‘Spectacular’ Kashmir Sapphire Headlines Heritage Spring Jewelry SaleLed by the 6.59-carat sapphire, the sale garnered $9.7 million, a record total for a Heritage jewelry auction.
MajorsMay 07, 2026
Gannon & Scott Names New Regional Account ExecutiveIn his new role, sales specialist Billy Welshoff will focus on the eastern United States.
WatchesMay 07, 2026
Chrono24 Names New CEOJosé Gaztelu has been promoted to the role, which has been vacant since last year.
Events & AwardsMay 07, 2026
JA Accepting Applications for 2026 Scholarship ProgramIt has also opened the application period for the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship through June 30.
SourcingMay 06, 2026
Canada’s Oldest Diamond Mine Faces Uncertain FutureThe owner of the Ekati mine, which opened in 1998, has filed for insolvency protection amid the significant decline in diamond prices.
FinancialsMay 06, 2026
Pandora to Add Carbon Footprint Info to Lab-Grown DiamondsThe company announced the change alongside its Q1 results, which showed that the jewelry brand’s year is off to a shaky start.
MajorsMay 06, 2026
Saks Global Begins Layoffs, Reorganization Plans Closer to ApprovalThe retailer will cut 16 percent of its corporate workforce as part of its plan to exit bankruptcy.
AuctionsMay 06, 2026
Steve McQueen’s Heuer Monaco Watch Heads to Sotheby'sOf the many examples used in the filming of “Le Mans,” this one is believed to have spent the most time on Steve McQueen’s wrist.
SourcingMay 05, 2026
Doug Hucker Returns to His RootsFollowing decades of association leadership, the “semi-retired” colored gemstone expert is turning his focus to gemstone education.
Events & AwardsMay 05, 2026
AMNH to Showcase Famous Jewelry, Trophies in Sports HistoryThe museum’s new exhibition will feature one of Jesse Owen’s Olympic medals, Yogi Berra’s crown, Super Bowl rings, and more.
Events & AwardsMay 05, 2026
JIS Launches Brand Exposure ProgramThe new program provides access to media exposure and editorial opportunities for exhibitors and retailers.
CollectionsMay 04, 2026
Melanie Georgacopoulos Turns Pearls Into Light for ‘Eclipse’ CollectionThe “Eclipse” jewelry collection captures the fleeting moment where light and shadow align though onyx, diamonds, and freshwater pearls.
