With all the holiday rush and busy end-of-year deadlines swirling around you, don't forget to make yourself a priority during this time of year.

Now that we're readying ourselves to say goodbye to 2019, we hope that you've marked several days off your calendar in order to put work aside and relax. No matter the time of year, it's always important to take the occasional vacation, but taking time off for the holidays is especially important, not just for your loved ones, but for you, too. Gifting yourself with a winter break isn't selfish, it's necessary for mental and physical wellness.

If you're still on the fence about requesting time off, give this list a look:

1. Taking time off is good for your health.

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As busy as this time of year is, do you really want the perfect storm of work, out-of-town-guests, and holiday shopping taking over your life? Research has shown that PTO days reduce stress and anxiety which can lead to a risk of heart disease. If you're still not convinced, remember that your job will never love you as much as you love it, so you might as well just go home.

2. You get to reconnect with your family and friends.

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For many of us, the holidays are the few times out of the year when we get to see our loved ones. Your parents are aging, your spouse or significant other needs you, your kids are growing up, and your friends want to know how you're doing. Don't squander this precious time with them. 

3.  This downtime might segue into you coming up with The Next Big Thing.

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Famed author Charles Dickens was wracked with writer's block one winter's eve, which made him decide to go for a nice long walk. While on this stroll, he couldn't help but notice the difference between the wealthy and the poor areas of his community and the contrast in their Christmas celebrations. This observation would lead to one of Dickens' most famous works: A Christmas Carol.

4. Holiday charity work is a good self-esteem boost.

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Believe it or not, the more you give, the better you end up feeling. Whether it's volunteering at a soup kitchen, ringing the bell for the Salvation Army, or making an anonymous donation, these acts of charity will give you the feel-good warm fuzzies that may have been absent from your life. Doing this will likely encourage more acts of service throughout the year instead of just in December.

5. You now have time to re-evaluate what you really want.

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We're entering a new decade, which holds a whole host of possibilities. You may be thinking about going back to school, finally booking that trip to Spain in the spring, scouting out a different role in your company, or moving to a new state. Find some quiet time with a notepad and pen and write out things that you want in life, and get to work on preparing yourself to meet those goals. 

Have any other reasons why it's important to take time off during the holiday season? Let us know in the comments below.