Switching off on Holiday is VITAL to our Health

Many people do not switch off on holiday

With the rise in home working, hybrid working and the ease of technology – many people find they work every day on their holiday or weekends off.

The lines become blurred between work and home life or leisure time

Some workers do have pressure piled on them to perform and be productive, or can risk being missed off the Rota or bonus incentives.

This can cause huge stress and anxiety – leading to Burnout.

Excessive pressure is actually counterproductive as productivity levels actually fall.

Rising stress levels and tiredness leads to loss of concentration – resulting in accidents, which involves monetary costs, loss of hours through sickness or injury and therefore loss in productivity, and risking losing a good reputation.

Mental and Physical Health can be seriously compromised, not to mention what it does to home life and relationships.

Blood pressure can go up, there can be trouble sleeping and tension at home and not being present when you are there.

Strong argument to switch off, however many do not!

So, despite strong arguments for a total detox by switching off – why is it people don’t? Other than the pressures already mentioned, there is also the pressure we put on ourselves.

Sometimes it is FOMO – the Fear Of Missing Out and that maybe things won’t run as well if we are not there!

For some it is the need to provide, to pay the bills and of course this is important and an absolute necessity, but we mostly find – the more we earn the more we spend!

Time is a commodity we cannot get back.

Maybe we are so passionate about our work that we believe we don’t need a break from it – the saying ‘If you love what you do, then you never work a day in your life’ – Great! However, your life generally does not consist of just You, or if it does then where does that leave you, if one day you turn around from your hours of hard work and find you are alone?  That may sound profound, however ‘No person is an Island’ and everyone needs balance in their life and times where love and support is needed

Holidays = Priceless & VITAL

Holidays – a total switch off & detox from your normal work routine, regardless of what that ‘holiday’ entails really is priceless

We can have pressures to have super-duper holidays that break the bank – which is not recommended you don’t want your holiday to be cause of more stress and feeling the need to work long hours to pay for it. It can take some careful planning and budgeting, but once you have decided on your holiday – then be fully invested in the precious time off.

Time off makes your happier

Having proper ‘time out’ and ‘switching off’ is something you can’t quantify. Recharging your batteries, connecting with those closest to you, and the things you enjoy doing and having good ‘ole FUN makes you a happier, more connected, balanced, productive person.

Connect and be fully present

Connecting with the people closest to you and being fully present, is something you and they will treasure for all their lives. Children especially value having you around and that you value spending your time with them. When you are always in ‘work mode’ the people around you feel they are not important to you.

Recharge your batteries

Have FUN and rekindle old hobbies or find new ones

Create precious memories

Totally switch your mind off gives you space & helps your find solutions or come up with great ideas

You feel Happier and Healthier

Leave work at work

So, decide how important the things that happen in work are while you are on holiday? What difference could you make from your sun lounger – really?

Plan effectively before you go; delegate tasks, or put them on hold, put trust in your staff (if you have them), let clients know you are ‘out of office’ and look forward to connecting with them when you are back – they absolutely get it.

If you are an employer; showing you respect and value your employees’ time off and their well-being – you get loyal more productive staff. Being valued is number 1 for employees.

Have confidence to set your boundaries and recognise the importance of investing in your health & well-being – you will have the best time and come back refreshed and ready to go.

So, go on – switch that ‘out of office’ on for emails and leave the work phone at home – why not? You have earnt it!

Andrea

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