How to take holiday
You would think that taking holiday is the simplest thing in the world. Most of us living in the western world are lucky enough to benefit from paid annual leave and it should be an easy task to switch off work and take off into the sunset to enjoy ourselves. Not so. According to CIPD, half of UK workers don’t take their full holiday entitlement each year. So clearly we need some tips in how to take holiday. Here are some pointers for those struggling to switch off.
The office will not fall apart whilst you’re away
It may be hard to believe this but no, it won’t. Never taking time off is bad for yourself as well as your employer. Relying on your team members and trusting them with the responsibility of covering some of your tasks whilst you’re away improves team morale, allows your colleagues develop their skills and ensures you can better relax while your away. It’s important to switch off properly when you take holiday so don’t just log into your email from a different location but actually make a point of switching off, full stop.
Breaks and holidays improve your productivity
Not only will the office not fall apart when you’re away, your work contribution actually improves when you take regular breaks.
According to one article, “researchers found that ‘brief diversions from a task can dramatically improve one’s ability to focus on that task for prolonged periods.’ Employees need to detach from their work in order to be more creative and productive. And while these mini breaks can provide short-term stamina, it’s still important to take longer breaks from work to sustain your productivity and reduce stress.” So remember to take breaks and take holiday, too.
Short holidays are just as beneficial as longer ones
In the UK, a 2-week holiday used to be the norm but according to studies, more people are taking shorter breaks and opting for 9 or 10-day holidays due to financial and time constraints. In some parts of Europe, like Finland, it is customary for workers to take 4 weeks holiday in the summer and work through the rest of the year without a break. This trend has prompted some research into the benefits of shorter and longer holidays and one study by Tampere University found that the relaxation and de-stress benefits of holidays were always fulfilled by the 2nd or 3rd day at the latest.
The same study also found, very interestingly, that the post-holiday benefits felt back at the workplace wore out by the second week back regardless of the length of the time away. So if it is difficult to find the time for a long holiday in your schedule, then take 3-4 days off.
Switch off and be creative
Vacation time lets you pursue other interests. For leaders, being away from your work environment for a longer period of time will allow you to gain a fresh perspective on the vision you have for your organisation. For employees, summer holiday is a chance to get away from the rat race that is your inbox and reflect on what long-term goals you want to achieve and how to go about doing that.