5 Ways To Productively Enjoy Time Off
I don’t know about you, but it feels like summer is quickly zipping by with little time left to make the most of it, let alone take a vacation. What I have found interesting—and also think is fantastic—is how many companies have been encouraging, and almost requiring, time off, and not only around the holidays.
Two-years ago, HubSpot introduced a Global Week of Rest as a long term plan to reduce burnout. This year, the 4th of July fell on a Tuesday, but most of HubSpot’s employees had the entire week off. Deloitte, a professional services firm with more than 156K+ employees in the U-S alone, offered a company-wide, time-off policy for the first three-days of that same week. Neither of these are considered vacation days or PTO, Personal Time Off, but rather what’s being called “proactive rest.”
According to Gartner, a management consulting company, their 2023 work trends forecast suggests the best organizations are stepping up to usher in new perks and working models to help employees “maintain their emotional resilience and performance rather than offering rest as a recovery solution after both have plummeted.”
No matter when you take time off, the point is to take it! There are many benefits in doing so that impact your individual, physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Stepping away and dedicating time to rest and rejuvenate and focus on your well-being can significantly reduce stress levels. And there are so many other benefits too; it can improve your mood, increase positive emotions, enhance overall mental resilience, and increase productivity and creativity. And sometimes that proactive rest can also afford you the opportunity to learn something new. All of which can contribute to a sense of life fulfillment.
Even if your company doesn't offer “proactive rest,” it is important to find or create time to recharge before the full onslaught of fall activities, school or continuing education kicks into high gear. I happen to love summer and the warmth of the sunny days. Here are some suggestions for how to “proactively rest;”
Make a conscious effort to disconnect from work—your real job—as much as you can during whatever time you find or create for “proactive rest.” Turn off work-related notifications on your phone and avoid checking work-related platforms or emails. At the very least—if you must—allow yourself a brief period of time, only once a day, each day to check your email. It’s also important to set clear boundaries regarding your availability during time off. That may require an out-of-office auto-response or simply letting colleagues know you are unavailable.
Practice and prioritize self-care. Take time to relax, unwind, and engage in activities that bring you joy and help you to recharge such as reading, getting a massage, meditating, or simply enjoying the natural surroundings.
While it's sometimes good to have a plan, an itinerary, because it gives you something to look forward to, it’s also good to be flexible and open to spontaneity, to go with the flow and embrace the unexpected. Those unexpected opportunities can provide the best experiences.
Capture the special moments and memories by taking photos, or start a journal to document your experiences. Reflecting on these memories in the future will bring back the joy and nostalgia of the summer season.
Ease back into routine. As your time off comes to an end, give yourself some buffer time before returning to work or your regular routine. This will allow you to adjust and ease back into your responsibilities gradually, reducing the chances of post-vacation stress.
Remember, the key to enjoying the last days of summer is to be present, appreciate the beauty of this time of year, and create moments that will make lasting memories. Enjoy the warmth, sunshine, and freedom that summer brings before transitioning into the next season. Dare to own your well-deserved time off.
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