Staying switched off during your time off is not just a luxury; it's essential for your mental health and overall well-being. Here's our guide on how to stay switched off from work during your annual leave.
1. Inform Your Colleagues and Clients of Your Absence
Before your annual leave begins, make sure to inform your clients and colleagues in advance. Communicate your absence and assign responsibilities to colleagues you trust to handle them efficiently in your absence.
This proactive step minimises the chances of work-related interruptions during your time off.
2. Set An Out-Of-Office Message
Set up an out-of-office response. Include the duration of your leave and provide alternative contacts for urgent matters.
3. Communicate Boundaries
According to Naturecan’s study, 20% of UK workers admit to feeling pressure from their managers to be reachable during their time off. For this reason, it is important to set boundaries.
This may seem like obvious advice, but turning off work notifications is a great place to start.
Log out from any work apps on your phone, leave the laptop at home and let yourself properly unwind.
Again, inform your contacts about your intention to do so, so they are aware that your response times will be slower than usual.
4. Consider a Digital Detox
As a society we’re always switched on, so you may want to consider a ‘digital detox’ during your annual leave, to really get the most out of your time off.
If you’re the kind of person who has trouble disconnecting digitally, consider shorter detox stints.
Fill your days with activities that don’t require a screen. Engaging in offline activities or hobbies can remove the temptation to open emails or check work-related messages.
When taking annual leave, it’s important to remember that you have earned this time away and deserve a rest. The purpose of annual leave is to recharge and return to work with renewed energy and focus. By taking these proactive steps, you can make the most of your time off and come back feeling refreshed and more productive!
For tips on how to have a smooth return to work after annual leave, check out our blog here!
(Written By Elise Ralph)