Unwind on Vacation: 6 Tips to Fully Detach From Work While on Leave

It finally happens: you decide to use your accumulated leave credits and book a vacation to unwind from the daily grind of work. You probably want to go somewhere as far away from work as possible, like an island with calm, blue waters or a foreign city with a rich culture and a diverse landscape to explore.

Taking a leave from work or going on a holiday is necessary for employees to keep their work-life balance in check, especially if the job is particularly demanding and to maintain their peace of mind. Science has also shown that going on holiday is incredibly helpful in maintaining good health. The World Health Organization found that those who worked 55 hours or more a week were at a 35% higher risk of stroke and a 17% higher risk of dying from heart disease versus those who stick to a workweek of 35 to 40 hours.

The same research also found that there were 745,000 who died of stroke and heart disease due to long working hours.

Why You Should Take a Leave From Work and Go on Vacation

The logic is simple. If you want to live wellandsurvive the workplace, go on vacation and unwind. However, while that may sound easy, the reality may prove otherwise: a study commissioned by neuroscience company Neuvana found that 48% felt that going on vacation causes more work-related stress. Another 23% said that they were unable to disconnect completely from work even while on vacation.

However, that kind of stress is only short-lived. Turning over tasks or catching up later only takes a few days. Many would agree that taking a work holiday is essential. Aside from the fact that it improves your heart health and protects your mental health from burnout, it can also increase your mindfulness and help you boost your brainpower, so you can focus even better and achieve more of your goals when you return to work. Think of it as recovery. You need to stop for a bit to work harder next time. Plus, you have leave credits for a reason!

Also read: Combating Burnout at Work

Unplugging has become challenging in the age of digital and remote working. However, it's not impossible. We have put together these six helpful tips to help you properly unwind during your vacation, relax, and recharge.

6 Helpful Tips to Detach From Work and Unwind While You Are on Vacation

1. Ask a colleague to take over while you are away.

Planning is key to ensuring a truly relaxing and stress-free holiday. It includes how you wrap up all pending responsibilities and pass them over to a colleague to cover for you while you are away.

Revisit your roadmap or to-do list and assess your tasks and responsibilities. Is there anything that you can distribute as early as now so that you can clear off some work?

When the week before your vacation starts, make sure to brief your colleague fully before you leave for your holiday. From handing over all relevant files to looping them in with important colleagues and clients, use this week to bring your reliever up to speed on your active projects. This way, you don’t encounter co-workers pestering you for missing information while you are away. Also, don't forget to tell your immediate superiors and upper management about who to contact during your absence.

Ensuring that you have left any ongoing work in capable hands will give you the peace of mind you need to unwind and switch off properly during your holiday.

2. Let your out-of-office reply take charge of your mailbox.

This cannot be stressed enough: refrain from checking your emails when you’re on vacation. While it may be tempting, this will prevent you from being able to switch off from work and fully focus on your holiday.

Remember to set your out-of-office reply before you go on leave and remember to include crucial information. Include how long you are gone and the contact details of your colleague who is taking over on your behalf while you are on holiday. This way, anyone looking for assistance will know who to look for. Also, turn off your push notifications while you are at it — just the mere sight of seeing a preview of an email may tempt you to open it anyway.

If you find yourself worrying about work, take a deep breath and remember that it won’t be the end of the world if you don’t check your emails for a week (or however long you’re on holiday).

3. Switch off by staying active.

Lying on a sun-kissed beach without a care in the world might seem like a dream come true, but in reality, an idle brain will look for ways to stay active. Your mind may begin to wander towards work, preventing you from switching off completely. It may be why so many people find themselves worrying about work when they’re supposed to be relaxing.

Divert your mind away from work by staying active while on vacation. Take diving lessons, go for a culinary or pottery class, or reconnect with nature by going on a long hike. Do something you’re interested in which will keep your mind and body engaged — when you are immersed completely in an activity, your mind becomes fully dedicated to learning a new skill or accomplishing the task at hand.

4. Pamper yourself.

Your vacation is the best time to relax, and what better way to unwind than to indulge yourself with luxurious treatments? Go for an aromatherapy massage or book yourself a couple of serene spa treatments to soothe and stimulate your senses. Make the most out of your holiday and don’t hold back on the pampering!

5. Experience the cuisine.

You work hard regularly; now that you are on vacation, you deserve to treat yourself to some lovely food and experience new cuisines or favourite dishes while you’re on holiday. Have some of that wine you have been eager to try, or immerse your senses in local cuisine and taste different flavours. Indulge your taste buds; your body will appreciate the nutrition and gastronomic experience. Do you notice how much better you usually feel after having a delicious meal?

6. Explore your creativity.

Is there a hobby or craft that you have told yourself that you have always wanted to try? Now is your chance! After all, creative activity has long been proven to reduce stress and boost self-esteem. If you have an artistic streak within you, harness it and channel your creative juices — such as writing a book, painting or sketching, composing music, or crafting something with your hands — better if done against a gorgeous scenery. Don’t let your doubts stop you from exploring your hidden talents.

You deserve to unwind and enjoy a great vacation. Use these tips so work doesn't get in the way of your next holiday. Make the most of your life and have a wonderful break! For more expert advice on maintaining well-being in the workplace, visit the Career Resources Hub. You can also download the JobStreet app on Google Play and the App Store for easier access. Enjoy!