Employment Expert Stresses Importance of Switching Off on Holiday – Here’s How
Summer is here and for many of us, it’s a chance to rest, recharge, and escape the daily grind.
However, fully switching off doesn’t come naturally to everyone. For some, the thought of missing out on work updates or returning to an overflowing inbox is enough to keep them glued to their phone, even on annual leave.
The good news? It is possible to disconnect and actually enjoy your time off.
Guy Thornton, founder of aptitude testing platform PracticeAptitudeTests.com, comments: “No matter your job title or level of responsibility, everyone deserves the chance to properly switch off when they book annual leave. Taking a break isn’t a luxury, it’s essential for your wellbeing and long-term performance.
“With the right preparation and trust in your team, you can step away knowing things are under control, and return to the office feeling recharged and more productive.”
Below, Guy provides advice for leaving work behind and making the most of your time away this summer.
1. Create clear work boundaries and set expectations before you go
If you struggle to switch off while on holiday, it’s essential to set clear boundaries before you leave, as well as any expectations.
This means making sure your team knows your plans well in advance, so colleagues have time to ask questions or get support on anything they may need while you’re away. That way, you’re less likely to find yourself answering emails while you could be sipping a piña colada.
2. Set up an out-of-office reply
An easy way to create distance from work while you’re away is to set up an out-of-office reply on your email. This lets managers and anyone else who tries to contact you know that you won’t be checking your inbox during the dates you’ve specified, and that someone else is available to help if needed.
Once this is set up, remind yourself that people will see your out-of-office response. Trusting that your message has been received can help you resist the urge to check in while you’re on annual leave.
3. Switch off all notifications
With workplace apps like Slack and Microsoft Teams constantly pinging, it can be even harder to separate work from your personal life while you are on holiday.
To truly switch off, silence all notifications. Your colleagues will have your contact details if there’s an emergency. If muting notifications isn’t enough, consider deleting any work-related apps altogether for the duration of your holiday.
4. Plan how you’ll use your free time
We often plan our careers in great detail, but rarely do the same for our downtime.
When you’re on holiday, you’ll have pockets of free time that don’t exist in your usual routine. Fill that time with activities that help keep your mind off work. Whether it’s reading a book by the pool, going for a walk or planning a day trip to the beach, having things lined up will make it easier to stay present and avoid reaching for your phone or laptop.
5. Plan your return to work
Before you switch on your out-of-office and log off, take time to plan your return to the office.
Make sure any ongoing projects are in a good place or clearly handed over. Schedule catch-up meetings with your team to get up to speed on anything that happened while you were away.
Having a plan in place can make your return feel less overwhelming and allow you to truly enjoy your time off, knowing you’ll be stepping back into a manageable workload.