Going from one deadline to the next can be bad for your mental health.
According to American Psychological Association's Office of Applied Psychology, "The research suggests you make up in productivity more than the time you take in taking a break or recharging."
Ballard emphasized "stress recovery experiences" in order to "get back to your normal level of functioning, to get back to your baseline."
The same goes not just for employees, but for business leaders. According to Linda F. Williams, a certified executive coach who works with exhausted business leaders, "The increased mental acuity, higher productivity and an overall sense of happiness will make you a more powerful leader."
1. Plan relaxing activities
Your break doesn't have to be a whirlwind vacation. Those will make you feel like you need a vacation from your vacation. The goal of a true vacation break from work is to relax, and refresh your mind and body from the stress of your daily life.
You could engage in activities like meditation or yoga, taking a walk, or reading a good book.
2. Have a second-in-command
Someone reliable and trustworthy should take care of all the work you left. Delegate.
According to Mary Hladio, a workplace expert and president of Ember Carriers leadership group, your contact person "should be able to hold down the fort for you while you're gone - and you can do the same when he or she takes a vacation."
This person is whom people can reach if their message requires urgent attention.
3. Unplug from work
Before you leave, set an away message for your work email. Shoot them an email letting them know the dates you'll be unreachable and ask if there's anything you can do in advance. It's hard to relax if you always have one eye on your email. Your second-in-command will handle your urgent concerns anyway.
Don't check your messages at all during vacation. Perhaps the guilt will creep in. Remember that you will be more productive at work after you have disconnected. If you really must, establish a designated check-in time but still limit communication.
4. Get enough sleep
"That's one we all know we should do, but were not great at it," Ballard said. And for some people, sleep is for the weak.
The actual amount of sleep you need can vary from person to person, but the usual requirement is 7-9 hours for adults to function at their best.
5. Be present
Practice mindfulness. Take in all the sights, smells, sounds, taste and touch. Look around and notice little things in your destination.
One really straightforward way to be present is to learn something new on your trip.
6. Take it easy on your first days back
Don't schedule any meetings the first couple of days. Slowly adjust until you build your momentum again.
Then take initiative and seek out what you've missed; get filled in all the information on the work you have missed.
Are you ready to take a break from the hustle and bustle?
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
