How to Take a Vacation Without Stressing About Work Even though vacations can be beneficial, they can also be stressful for some people. Here are some tips to help you relax on vacation.
By John Rampton Edited by Mark Klekas
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
No matter how busy we are, vacations are essential to our mental and physical well-being. They give us a chance to unwind, recharge, and come back to work motivated and refreshed.
While vacationing can have its benefits, it can also be stressful for many people. They may have concerns about their work while they're away or feel guilty about leaving their team behind. There is no need to worry if you are one of those people. The following tips will help you take a relaxing vacation without worrying about work.
Before you leave, make a plan
It is important to consider what potential problems or events may distract you before you begin planning your vacation. As an example, if you see that a team meeting is scheduled, ask the other attendees if the meeting can be moved.
Other ways to prepare for your trip include:
- Working on your priorities as soon as possible. There is no right or wrong way to identify your priorities. As a general rule, you should give your most important and urgent tasks high priority or hard deadlines. The less important tasks on your to-do list can be scheduled once you return.
- Keeping yourself from burning out before your vacation. It makes sense to frontload what you can. Despite this, you must still take breaks so that you can rest and recharge. To put it another way, you don't want to work so hard that you can't enjoy your time away from work.
- Delegating tasks. You might be able to delegate some of your work while you are away. By doing this, you will be able to reduce your workload and relax more easily.
Establish digital boundaries
Keeping connected to work while on vacation can seem appealing, but if you do, you won't be able to truly relax and recharge. Try setting boundaries and unplugging regularly.
In case you are having a hard time setting digital boundaries, here are some tips:
- Turn off notifications. Research shows that people who keep their notifications on are often inattentive and hyperactive. This can decrease productivity and damage psychological well-being.
- Be honest with yourself. Think about when, how, and why you misuse technology.
- Openly communicate your boundaries. A big mistake people make is setting boundaries in their minds but not communicating them openly with those around them.
Related: If You're Answering Emails On Vacation Then I Have Good News (And Bad News) For You
Practice mindfulness
The practice of mindfulness is paying attention to the present moment without judging it. This practice is particularly beneficial during a vacation because it helps you fully savor the experience and return feeling genuinely refreshed.
When you're on vacation, paying attention to your senses — what you see, hear, smell, taste and feel — and focusing on the present moment can significantly reduce stress and anxiety. For instance, observing the vibrant colors of a sunset, listening to the gentle sound of waves, or savoring the taste of a delicious local dish can heighten your enjoyment and create lasting memories.
Letting go of negative thoughts and being kind to yourself is crucial for a mindful, restorative vacation too. Often, we carry stress and self-criticism with us, even when we're supposed to be relaxing. By releasing negativity, you give yourself permission to truly unwind and appreciate your time away. Mindfulness can ensure your vacation is a transformative experience that leaves you feeling rejuvenated.
Embark on stress recovery experiences
According to research, the best way to recover from stress and return to life (and work) refreshed is to engage in some kind of relaxing activity. So, plan a relaxing activity on vacation. This could include meditation or yoga, a walk, or reading a good book.
It's different for everyone, but it's important to plan some downtime. Often, when we plan a vacation, there's a packed agenda. You come back from trips and feel like you need a vacation from your vacation. That's not a proper vacation.
A great vacation should include relaxing and an activity you find interesting or challenging — and that isn't related to work. For stress recovery, it's actually helpful to be engaged in something else that you find engaging or stimulating. Allowing your mind to focus on something enjoyable and fulfilling, probably a hobby that's fallen by the wayside, can reduce overall stress levels.
Related: 7 Ways Successful Entrepreneurs Deal With Stress and Pressure
Take a last-minute trip
For many people, the most stressful part of travel is actually the trip planning stage before the departure. Researching travel, making travel arrangements, planning an itinerary, budgeting and packing are all part of this process. Having a lot of commitments at work can make this even more challenging.
One way to counter this? Spontaneous travel.
"Spontaneous travel is one of my absolute favorite ways to travel," travel blogger Rocky Trifari told HuffPost. "The spontaneity takes away a lot of the stress that comes from the arduous planning and anticipation of a trip. It can even be empowering to recognize that in some cases, those planning procedures we typically follow aren't nearly as necessary as we brainwash ourselves to believe."
The benefit of spontaneous travel is that it allows you to be more present. When you don't have to follow an itinerary that's picked out every activity and restaurant, you make space for new experiences. When you don't have that 5-star restaurant reservation, you open yourself up to the opportunity to find a local, hole-in-the-wall spot, which might be even better.
Without a plan, you are able to take in the destination and not feel the pressure of needing to rush to your next stop. It also results in a more relaxing, slower pace.
Work-related talk should be avoided
As comedy writer Robert Orben said, "A vacation is having nothing to do and all day to do it in."
So, avoid dwelling on looming deadlines, meetings, or other work-related commitments when on vacation. For example, whenever you talk to friends, family, or fellow travelers, try to avoid discussing work. Instead, share positive experiences, local attractions or personal interests.
What if someone brings up work? Changing the subject or stepping out of the conversation may be the best way to indicate that you don't want to talk about work.
If you choose to discuss work, avoid making it the focal point of your conversation. Again, work should be the last thing on your mind.
Prepare for a smooth return to work
Be sure to give yourself some time after returning from vacation to adjust to your work schedule. Consider taking an extra day off to unpack, do laundry, and run errands like grocery shopping.
Here are a few additional tips for a smooth return to work:
- Take it slowly. If possible, start with shorter work days or flexible hours to ease back into your routine. As you become comfortable and adjust to the new work environment, increase your workload gradually.
- Set clear boundaries. You may need some time to yourself while you're adjusting to being back at work. Be sure to let your colleagues know that.
- Don't be afraid to say no. While you're settling back into your routine, you can decline additional tasks or commitments.
- Seek support if you need it. Talk to a friend, your manager, or a therapist if you have trouble adjusting to being back at work. If you feel behind at work, ask a colleague if they can lend you a hand.
Related: 10 Ways to Get Back to the Grind After Vacation
A vacation should be a chance to unwind and prioritize you. It's an opportunity to explore new places, try new activities, and reconnect with yourself and your loved ones. By preparing ahead of time, setting clear boundaries, and practicing mindfulness, you can ensure your vacation is as relaxing and rejuvenating as possible.
