Switching off in a world that is always on

5 tips to totally ‘switch off’ on holiday

The Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns seem to have blurred the lines between work, home and play, making it tough for employees and entrepreneurs to completely switch off and reap the benefi ts of any down time they may be able to carve out for themselves.

“The stress of the last year has seen a person work harder than ever to protect their livelihoods, which is why taking well-deserved break has become more important than ever,” says Shaun Lamont, Managing Director of First Group Hotels and Resorts.

In fact, according to the American Psychological Association, going on holiday improves your physical health by decreasing the risk of heart disease, and improving mental health by reducing depression and anxiety. Lamont says that that whilst most recognise the benefi ts of going on holiday, many are failing to reap those benefi ts.

He further notes, “We have witnessed fi rst-hand the lines of pleasure being blurred by business as more and more of our guests are plagued with work whilst on vacation.

“Going on holiday is the equivalent of sending your brain in for its annual service. You wouldn’t let your car skip its annual check-up and risk a breakdown on the highway, so why do this to your body? Equally essential to taking the time off to go away, is ensuring that you maximise the health benefi ts thereof by totally embracing the moment.”

5 tips on how to switch off on holiday

1 Do a proper hand over to your stand in

The key to a successful stress-free, work-free holiday is a comprehensive hand over. Ease into the idea of being away, by using your email signature to notify everybody of your upcoming leave (way before you’ve even left). Find a reliable, capable colleague who you can trust to be a point of contact in your absence, and hand over any and all outstanding pieces of work to them. Tell your clients, manager/s and employees that you will be uncontactable (gulp), set your out of offi ce message and update your voicemail (if you still have one).

2

Turn off your phone

As scary as this may sound for someone who is always available, this is a biggie. Unless you turn your phone off totally (putting it on silent just won’t cut it), there will still be messages, emails, news alerts, and app notifi cations coming through constantly. Your phone is always screaming for your attention so vow to only check it once a day.

3 Take time to unwind and take it easy

Resolve to do less. Don’t try to fi ll your daily itinerary with as much as possible. Pick just one thing per day – one sight to see, one restaurant to try, one mountain to climb… and then relax for the rest of the day. Laze at the pool, read a book, take an afternoon siesta. You don’t want to feel like you need a holiday from your holiday.

4 Pick the right accommodation

Where you stay can aff ect your entire holiday experience. If you are travelling with children, make sure you go to a child-friendly resort. If you are going away without the kids, consider a quieter hotel/ resort. If you hate the beach, don’t pick a beach holiday – you’ll be miserable.

5 Be present in the moment

Delay the desire to post every photo on social media. Be present in every moment and make lasting, magical memories with your travel crew. If you want to capture the moment, ensure that your data/Wi-Fi on your phone is turned off , so you don’t get tempted into checking notifi cations. Just use your camera and post the pics later. For those who absolutely can’t aff ord time off work, Lamont suggests considering a workation. “Covid has changes the rules of work. You no longer have to be confi ned to the four walls of your dining room or offi ce cubicle. Instead, you can choose to work from some of South Africa’s most beautiful spots and be surrounded by nature or have a sea view. First Group properties, for example, lend themselves to catching up on Zoom or Teams and then taking a break to soak up the scenery – a wonderful balance of work and play. After all, if you’re going to work, why not make it the best of it?”, concludes Lamont.