1. Plan ahead

Vacation stress ? You’ve never heard of it! Accurate and timely planning is essential. Make sure you list all the tasks you still need to complete before your vacation and spread them out over a relatively long period of time. By doing this, you’ll be able to meet deadlines more easily and feel less stressed. Just before your absence, all you’ll have to do is clean up your workspace and dot the i’s and cross the t’s. Good organization, peace of mind, and structure to welcome you back: this is the ideal recipe for a successful vacation.

2. The laptop stays at home

Are you having trouble switching off from work? It’s understandable, but you have no choice if you want to completely relax. Therefore, leave your laptop safely at home and don’t secretly check your emails on your phone. And why not stop syncing your smartphone for the entirety of your vacation? If you schedule an ‘out of office’ message and include a contact person during your absence, everything will go smoothly. After all, you’ve already planned and anticipated any potential issues by preparing for your vacation, right?

3. Choose a good replacement

Not 100% sure you’ve closed all your files? Are you worried that a mountain of work will await you upon your return? Designate a trusted colleague to temporarily take over your responsibilities. Explain to this person what the most important deadlines are during your absence and show them how you would normally handle them. If everything is clear to them, you can leave with peace of mind.

4. Be active and creative

It may not seem like much, but walking, cycling, running, painting, or drawing will stimulate your creativity and allow you to relax constructively. Annelies Quaegebeur, career coach at ‘A-lissome’, says: “If you’re completely absorbed in an activity that has nothing to do with your work, you’ll find that you’re finding a new source of inspiration. This will renew your energy levels. Write your ideas down in a notebook so you can reconnect with the positive feeling you experienced during your vacation if you feel down when you return.”

5. Spontaneity is also occasionally allowed

Many people see their job as a structure that requires them to adhere to work schedules. The good news is that on vacation, this structure isn’t necessary. Allow room for spontaneity. A sudden urge to visit a museum or relax by the pool? Anything is possible!

6. What do YOU find important?

Now that you have some time for yourself (and your family), it’s time to think about what matters most to you . A cuddle with your partner, a nice breakfast with your kids, or reading that novel that’s been sitting in your closet for months? This will allow you to reflect on your life, what you enjoy, and what you might want to adjust.