Disconnecting During Time Off

With busy lives, many people find it hard enough to get away, and switching off can feel almost impossible. But how can you avoid the pressures and responsibilities of daily life getting in the way? How can you recharge in your time off to return feeling refreshed?
As the world of work has become increasingly digitalised, there has been more pressure to be contactable around the clock. In a recent survey with LinkedIn News UK, many people reported that they had trouble disconnecting on holiday, and would check notifications on whilst away, or even reply to emails. This is a common problem, where people feel constant responsibility, and struggle to switch off as a result. But why can this be a problem?
If you are unable to disconnect and switch off during time off, you may be more likely to get burnt out or may struggle with high levels of stress. This can impact your quality of work, but most importantly, it can be incredibly damaging to your well-being. Everyone needs time to decompress and recharge. How can you disconnect during time off and have that well-needed break?
One participant in a recent survey found that he found it easier to switch off on holiday when he got two phones, one for work, and one for his personal life. When he did this, it became possible for him to leave the work behind when he was away. However, buying a new phone is only one way that you can be proactive about giving yourself time to relax. You can also mute work notifications, and delegate tasks before going away so that you can be assured things are running smoothly.
Despite this, perhaps the largest step that you can take to switch off on holiday is a mental change. It can be very difficult to let go of responsibility, even for a short time. It can be a process of telling yourself “no” and intervening with yourself when you feel like checking up on how things are going on. If work is always at the back of your mind, it will be harder to be present on your time off and to truly relax.
Another consideration that you might want to make is in your work environment. If you feel that you cannot delegate tasks, for example, it might be more difficult for you to switch off, as you may worry about how things are being run in your absence. A positive working environment should encourage you to take a break when necessary – after all, it can prevent you from getting burnt out. Be sure to check in with yourself, and acknowledge when a break from work will be the most beneficial to you.
Any tips on disconnecting while you’re away? Comment below.