Depending on how you look at it, technology has either added more leisure to our work, or more work to our leisure. Although the “virtual” workplace has definitely imparted new freedoms to our lives, the real downside may be the inability to unplug entirely. This can be especially harmful if it’s getting in the way of your ability to take a proper vacation.
According to information from the Framingham Health Study, men who take regular vacations are 32 percent less likely to die of heart attacks, and 21 percent less likely to die early. And women who go on regular vacations have a 50 percent lower risk of heart attack.
Other studies have shown that vacations (in which you’re actually taking a break from work), can have profound emotional and mental benefits as well. When workers return from a restorative vacation, their creativity and reaction time improves and sleep habits are healthier.
What this means of course is that a vacation is not just a luxury, it’s a necessity. But in order to reap the benefits, you actually need to relax and enjoy it. Here are some tips on how to make the most of a vacation’s restorative effects without wreaking havoc on your job.
Prepare
The single most important thing you can do to safeguard the integrity of your vacation and your job is to prepare. This should begin months before you leave. Obviously, you should try and schedule a vacation during a slow time at work, or at least during a lull between projects.
Give your boss and co-workers plenty of time to prepare by informing them of your plans. Try and tie up as many loose ends as possible before you leave. If somebody is taking over a project, give them ample time to get up to speed. The last thing you want is to dump a project on a co-worker at the last minute, causing undue stress for everybody.
Likewise, try to put things in order for when you return. This could include making a schedule, preparing files and making any preliminary phone calls before you go. This will alleviate some anxiety during your trip and make the transition back to work much smoother.
Delegate
If you’ve done all you can to prepare, then this step should be much easier. Try and spread out your job duties as much as possible so no single worker is loaded up with all of your responsibilities. If you’ve done your diligence, there should be very little for anyone to do. Make sure to activate an out-of-office email message stating when you’ll be back and whom to contact for what in your absence.
Stash the Phone
While you’re on a vacation, try to leave the laptop at home to avoid any temptations to work. Make a plan to check email only once or twice daily at specific times. If you’re feeling guilty, remember that you’ve earned this time off and you’re entitled to take it. Based on the research, it’s not only good for you, it’s also good for the job if you’re able to return re-energized.
Most people over-estimate the impact of their absence in the office. If you’ve prepared, your co-workers will be just fine without you. Don’t underestimate the value of being present when it matters most – on a once-in-a-lifetime trip or with friends and family enjoying the sweeter moments in life.
