Over a third of workers won't be using their full vacation days this year. If you happen to be in that category (or even if you do manage to take all the days that you deserve), you'll want to make sure you get as much benefit as you can from getting away. Too many vacations end up being only a brief reprieve from stress, not true renewal.

• Why vacations are important and why you should be sure to savor your time away. [The Energy Project]
• As with so many things, it pays to plan ahead. "Enlisting help and delegating" will help make your vacation worry-free. [USA Today]
• Need help unplugging from gadgets while you're away? CTV and Network World both have ways to keep technology from putting a damper on your time away.
• How to return from vacation: "instead of diving straight into work, take some time to catch up with your associates," says Penelope Trunk. And also think about how you might change the way you work going forward.