Many of us will be planning some all-important time off in the coming months. However, with the lines between work and home now blurred, it can be difficult to switch off completely and enjoy a few days of well-deserved rest.
Switching off and taking some time out for relaxation is important for our health and wellbeing so we can recuperate and step back from the day-to-day responsibilities that preoccupy our mind.
If you are struggling to switch off, here are some simple and easy ways you can learn to relax, reset and appreciate a rest period guilt-free.
Benefits of Downtime
Downtime is an opportunity to take a proper break away from the stressors and pressures we experience, if you are still struggling to switch off think of the benefits some R&R will bring.
Switching off is essential for your personal wellbeing and can prevent burnout. It will leave you happier, rejuvenated, and revitalised, ready to hit the ground running on your return.
Time out can even make us more productive and more focused. One American study found that employees are 40% more productive after time off.
Out of Office
Before heading off, delegate some of your usual duties and tasks to work colleagues. This might require a 1:1 handover or a quick email to the team. Mentally, a status update to colleagues can give a sense of closing out and a feeling of peace that your work is being looked after while away.
Set up an appropriate Out of Office message with clear boundaries for your time off. We have all seen the generic OOO emails but sharing a meaningful piece of information, such as where you are going or how you will be spending your time off, can make that automatic reply feel more personable and a conversation starter for when you speak to that person next. Colleagues might even be inclined not to send you an email until you are back at your desk. Establish a point of contact that can field queries and respond to emails in your absence. Some email providers even offer an option to automatically forward emails to others.
Literally Switch off and Unplug
In this always-on culture, we carry the office around with us and many of us will have work on our phones. While removing it completely might not be possible, consider turning off push notifications for your apps and free yourself from distractions. With pings from teams, emails and other communications, there can be an urge to check on them as soon as they come in eating into your time off and delaying relaxation mode.
If you have a designated work phone, turn it off and put it away or if that feels too much, simply turn on the do-not-disturb setting and set aside a few minutes at the start or end of the day to briefly browse through it.
Our home space has turned into our workplace. If your work/study station is in a main part the house, if possible, hide away all related equipment for a few days. The visual reminder of your to do list can make it difficult to completely relax and unwind.
Live in the Moment
Be present and make the most of your rest days - guilt free! Plan some activities you enjoy, this can help distract you from thinking about the responsibilities you may need time away from. It can also help keep those stress levels down.
Before you know it, you will be back at it, so enjoy and appreciate the time you have off.
If you are struggling to maintain good wellbeing, Thrive provides a holistic selection of services that can help you get back on track. For more on our services, visit our how we help page.
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