Preparing for a Stress-Free Holiday!

The holiday season is around the corner!

Holidays should rejuvenate you and for you to return to work on a high. It shouldn’t stress you and tire you. Taking a break can be critical to your work performance. Unplugging from work and returning with renewed energy can boost your productivity. Avoid worrying about work and falling into the trap of working while on holiday. Here’s how to prepare for a stress-free holiday.

Create an action plan:

Consider the tasks or projects that require attention while you’re away. Note down what must be done and how it should be carried out. Give advance notice to key contacts that you will be out of office and delegate responsibilities. This way, they are more prepared, and you can handle requests while you are there.

Wrap up your work:

This is your time to tackle any outstanding tasks, focus on it and wrap it up. After wrapping up major tasks, tie up loose ends by completing other requests and clear out your inbox. These other tasks may be minor, but it is as important to attend to them as those major tasks. If they are left on hold, it creates unnecessary worry, so attend to them before you leave and leave without worries!

Prepare for your return:

Preparing for your return is an important step as you don’t want to come back lost without a direction. Consider the tasks or projects that will require attention when you return and note them down. Prepare a base to-do list as this is a reminder to know where you were at with your tasks prior to your holiday, so you know what is next and exactly where to proceed from. Also, be prepared to re-prioritize your tasks when you return as things may have changed while you were away. Allocate time to be updated on what you have missed while you were away and to check your messages. This allocated time is for you to gather your thoughts and organize your tasks according to urgency and importance before you dive into execution mode. Being prepared can avoid surprises from stirring up anxiety, coming back calm and composed.

Now that you’ve wrapped work up and prepared for your holiday, remember not to bring your work with you! It is time to unplug and enjoy! There is a reason why businesses slow down during certain seasons, so there is no reason why you should be constantly checking your email, with the exception of emergencies.

It is harder to switch off from work nowadays with smartphones and staying connected. Staying more connected to work also means having a lesser break time. If you must check in with work, limit to doing it once a day. A tip to totally disconnect for at least a few hours is to step away into an area or activity where digital devices are restricted, a recommended place is a health spa.

Remember not to put yourself at risk of burnout and enjoy your holiday break. Happy holidays!