How to Truly Unplug on Vacation
Boon Coach, Tricia Gehl
We know we need time away from work and our everyday life responsibilities to maintain good mental health. Vacating our lives, even for a short amount of time, gives us a mental and emotional reset, recharging the batteries we’ve so thoroughly drained. Without this recharge, we can experience burn out, fatigue, and feelings of demotivation and frustration.
Although we know this, so many of us still take an inadequate amount of time off. We continually put off vacations, work while we’re on vacation, or let our time off pass by without deliberate thought around what we want to actually do, denying ourselves the break we may so desperately need.
Breaking Away
As we head into what for some may be a long Holiday weekend, ask yourself these questions:
What do I need out of these days away from work?
Are you looking for rest and recuperation?
Are you looking for days packed with hobbies and home projects?
Are you looking for quality bonding time or peaceful solitude?
Reflecting on what you’re looking to gain or experience from your time off will help you make it a reality.
What emotions do I want to feel during this time off?
Are you looking to feel at peace?
Do you want to feel free and connected to nature?
Would you like to feel invigorated and energized?
Let the feelings and emotions you’re looking to experience be your starting point when deciding how to spend your time.
Before, During, and After
Before you go: Think about what you need to do, or make happen, in order to fully let go and enjoy your time off. Making coverage plans, and notifying anyone with whom you regularly interact or correspond that you’ll be out of the office, sets clear expectations around your responsibilities and availability.
While you’re away: It’s so tempting to check our email or take work-related calls while on vacation. It’s okay to take a peek, if that makes you feel more comfortable, but how about settling some limits? That might look like placing your phone on “airplane mode” for certain hours of the day so you can’t see any new emails coming in. Or, perhaps you allow yourself to check your phone once in the morning and once before bed to satisfy your curiosity. Do what works for you but challenge yourself to set parameters in order to be as present as possible during vacation or time away.
When you return: Be kind to yourself! Whether you’ve just spent 7 days hiking through the mountains, 5 days reorganizing every closet and cabinet in your home, or 3 days binge-watching TV and eating your weight in potato chips, your transition back to work might be a little uncomfortable. Give yourself grace (and time!) to ease back into your responsibilities. Expecting your A+ game at 8:00 AM on your first day back after being out of office is going to set you up for disappointment. Skip the negative self-talk and give yourself permission to ease back into your regular routine.
Are you ready to see the benefits of mental well-being in your workplace? Contact us today to learn more about our services.
