During vacation, there is maximum relaxation from work.
Hectic the handover completed, controlling mails at the beach and right back into stress mode on return: That's not how vacation should look. To take relaxation into the working day, read here.
Are you already stressed about the upcoming summer vacation? Because you have to put in a lot of effort to prepare for it at work? This is counterproductive for relaxation. But: How can employees go on vacation as relaxed as possible and maintain a positive attitude long-term in the workplace?
It starts with planning before the vacation. Nicole Ottersbeck, scientific expert at the Institute for Applied Ergonomics (ifaa), advises informing colleagues or customers about your absence one to two weeks before the vacation. A to-do list, sorted by priorities, quickly makes it clear which tasks still need to be completed. And a pre-absence notice informs all important contact partners about your return and coverage.
During the vacation: Phone off and into nature
Who wants to come back from vacation refreshed should also pay attention to disconnecting during the free days afterwards. Perhaps you switch your Smartphone off completely every now and then. Not checking emails for a while promotes mental relaxation and helps with winding down. A positive effect: This allows you to enjoy your vacation activities more consciously.
Experiences in nature, according to the expert, contribute to stress relief. Another tip: Perhaps a vacation in Germany is an option, as long travel times are avoided.
Souvenir on the desk keeps good mood
After the vacation, employees should try to enter the workplace as gently as possible. What helps with this? Professionals should keep their calendar free as much as possible for the days after returning. This leaves more time to get an overview of what happened during your absence.
To maintain the relaxation effect, Nicole Ottersbeck recommends taking conscious breaks. This often goes overlooked after the vacation. A nice souvenir, for example, which you can place on your desk, also helps to take the positive mood from the vacation to the workplace.
- Switching off your Smartphone during vacation, including not checking emails, can promote mental relaxation and enhance your enjoyment of vacation activities.
- Employers in the tourism industry could benefit from providing guides with psychological training to help manage the stress of dealing with demanding tourists.
- A recent study suggests that employees who take regular summer vacations are more productive and have better job satisfaction, reducing the likelihood of turnover.
- During a vacation by the Baltic Sea, one might observe various consumers using their Smartphones to plan activities, seek recommendations, and share experiences.
- An employer could support an employee's vacation by designating a temporary replacement, enabling the employee to fully disconnect and return to work refreshed.
- In the psychology of work, it's crucial for employees to maintain a healthy work-life balance, as vacations provide a crucial opportunity for rejuvenation and mental health recovery.
