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How to switch off from work when on holiday
It’s summertime! The sun is out, the waves are crashing and you’re living your moment of bliss on the beach, the moment you’ve been waiting for all year… except it doesn’t feel that way. No matter how hard you try to relax, you can’t switch your mind off from worrying about all the things you’ll have to do when you return to work.
Having a hard time switching off from work on holidays is more common than you might think. Research from recruitment company Glassdoor reveals that the average UK employee sacrifices 6.5 days of their holiday entitlement each year through fear of being out of the office.
So what can you do to make the most of your holiday this Summer? Keep reading for our 5 tips to seas the day and be happy as a clam on your trip!
1. Silence your phone
Having a digital detox while you’re away will allow you to live in the moment and take in your surroundings. The blue light emitting from our phones activates the brains anxiety pathways and decreases the brain’s ability to produce melatonin – the relaxation hormone. If you struggle putting your phone down for longer than a couple minutes, try planning a window for time away from your phone or time with your phone so that you can still catch up with friends from home and take a breather.
2. Take time out to do nothing
The average time spent at work is 35 hours a week, when you add up time doing household chores, and other responsibilities, life can become hectic, and burnout can creep up without us noticing. During your holiday it’s important to make time to give yourself a rest. Giving your body and mind a break will slow down your stress response, leaving you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated
3. Leave the guilt behind
There’s never any reason to feel guilty about being on holiday! If you sense anxiety or dread filling your mind, remind yourself of all the hard work you’ve put in throughout the year. Everyone deserves a break, including you, and you only live once so make the most of the fond memories you’re creating! With the OptiMe app, you can access a range of wellbeing workshops including ‘Learn about anxiety and how to manage it’ and ‘Explore ways to switch off for the day’.
4. Organise work related tasks before your leave
Remembering that email you never sent when you’re halfway up the Eiffel Tower is only going to lead to overthinking and more stress. Make sure that you’ve finalised any tasks that needed doing and arranged any cover before you set off so you can rest assured that you’ve done all you can on your part. Leaving enough time to sort out work related arrangements for while you’re away will leave you feeling prepared and in control of the situation, so always plan early.
5. Have fun!
Finally, have fun! Work will be there when you get back home, but these moments won’t. There’s no worse feeling than returning home feeling like you wasted your holiday and feeling more exhausted. Spend time doing the things you love with the people you cherish. If your idea of a perfect day is enjoying a game of crazy golf or binge-watching James Bond give yourself permission to enjoy it!
For more expert resources on supporting you and your employees wellbeing contact us at here.