As a person who works on a computer literally all day, vacation is certainly a time where I like to stay as far away from the computer as possible. However, there are many MANY of you who have a hard time stepping away from the emails and your smartphone.
A recent survey says 68% of Americans with work emails check them during their holiday vacations. How can you unplug and find the digital downtime you need to recharge or focus on your family? Julie Wayne, associate professor in the Wake Forest University Schools of Business says the first step is mindfulness.
“You should make a conscious decision to not just be physically present during the holidays, but emotionally and mentally engaged,” says Wayne, who studies work and family issues. “At work, be mentally and emotionally present, then do the same thing at home.”
Before you leave on that wonderful vacation sit down with your boss and talk about your availability while you’re away.
“Sometimes people create this problem for themselves. They are used to answering their smartphone when it rings, buzzes or flashes, but their employer may not expect them to be available,” says Wayne. “Having the talk up front allows you to unplug as necessary to enjoy your time away guilt-free.”
Wayne explains that You Need to Set boundaries She provided the following:
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Use your out of office message on your email and voice mail vacation message to establish how long you’ll be away and how available you’ll be. A sample message can say you’re out of the office until a specific date, and will be unavailable or have limited access to messages. Be sure to recommend a back up person or give emergency contact information.
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Consider temporarily disconnecting email service to your smartphone while you are out of the office.
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If you can’t disconnect entirely and need to be responsive, set a designated time in your vacation message: “I will check emails between 2 and 3pm each day.”
“Some jobs allow for stronger boundaries, but positions that are more client-centered have much more blurred boundaries – you’re expected to be available 24/7,” Wayne says. “That’s why you must think explicitly about your values and what you want for the holidays. Putting up structural boundaries will help you transition from each role.”
Make sure you allow yourself to relax and spend good quality time with your family; everyone needs a break! What are you doing this holiday season?
