Getting the most out of your time off

Do you feel lost without your laptop and iPhone when you’re on holiday? Do you find yourself working through a to-do list even though you’re supposedly on a break? When time off becomes “time to get all those little tasks that keep slipping down the list done”, instead of “time to take a lovely break”, you’re in deep trouble.

When you become used to spending your evenings, weekends and vacations with your mind still at work, the harder you’ll find it to separate work from personal time. Switching off, relaxing and recharging are vital to renew energy, shift perspective and allow you to be the best version of yourself you can be.

Use these five tips to make quality time work for you:

1. Set the intention

Be aware of what you want to get out of your break. Identify the needs that you want to meet beforehand, and you will be more likely to be able to meet those needs.

For example, if you have been stressed about the clutter in your home, you might think about using the weekend to clear out the living room. When you have the intention, you avoid spending your time off doing things that aren’t meeting your current needs.

2. Set Boundaries

Quality time off shouldn’t mean doing laundry, cooking meals or picking kids up from here and there. Be assertive and set some boundaries – ask your partner to help out with household chores, say “No” to a work-related request, or hire a babysitter for a couple of hours.

Once you’ve taken the time to meet your own needs, you’ll be in a much better position to be the best employee, partner, friend, mother, etc. that you can be.

3. Take a digital break

Set boundaries with the gadgets in your life. Smartphones, laptops and tablets are a great part of modern life, but they make it really hard to disconnect. Just stand in a queue and notice how many people immediately whip out their iPhone and start checking their mail, facebook and other apps?

Distracting yourself with the Internet, TV, games, or any other features of modern technology, is not taking quality time off. Switch it off, leave it at home, and start getting conscious about how you’re spending your time.

4. Keep a list

Make a list of activities you know will recharge and rejuvenate you so that when it’s time to take a break, you’ll have a variety of activities to choose from.

It will help you to avoid the temptation to veg out in front of the TV, or engage in some other mindless activity. Make sure your list includes a combination of relaxing and stimulating activities.

5. Create balance

Quality time off doesn’t mean lazing around – when you feel exhausted, getting out and getting active will recharge your batteries more than sitting around at home.

Make sure you connect with friends and family, and make time to get moving too. Enjoy a long, gentle walk, or take yourself to a yoga class—after all, taking time off is as much about caring for your body as it is for your mind.

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