How to Unplug on Vacation and Why It's Important
As people living in the technological age, we are consuming an unprecedented amount of digital information from our TVs, radios and the internet. There is our conscious consumption like when we’re on social media, listening to podcasts and responding to emails, and then there’s all the information scrolling by that reaches our subconscious minds. We are exposed to thousands of ads every day.
In addition to information overload, all that stimulus and blue light from our screens can disrupt our sleep.
It’s no wonder we’re so exhausted!
So, in walks “vacation”. Prior to the internet and cell phones, it was much easier to “unplug” when we went on vacation. Now, with so many destinations being wired, we have to be more intentional about it.
I just came back from a five-day vacation and these are some of the things I did to make it easier for me:
Inform key stakeholders: I am a solopreneur, so believe me when I tell you that I know it’s hard to go completely offline for a week. I struck a deal with myself by checking email just once a day, which allowed me to fire off quick responses that I could follow up on when I returned. However, I emailed all my key clients and prospects that I would be away and when I would return. Doing this a week before vacation has the added benefit of giving the people you’re informing a slight sense of urgency to reply or wrap up any business you’re working on before you leave.
Set an Out of Office message-A thoughtful message can do more than inform people of the dates you’ll be away; it can help you maintain momentum. My message included links for scheduling a call with me for when I got back. Once I started using Acuity to schedule sessions with clients, I found it useful for other types of meetings as well. Since scheduling is a tedious time suck, I find this tool to be an absolute life saver. Pro-Tip: Make the day you return “unavailable” so you have time to re-enter and plan for scheduled calls.
Block your social media: If you go on social media incessantly, you might find staying off while on vacation difficult. You may even discover yourself 30 minutes down a rabbit hole before you even remember your commitment to take a break. Find an app that allows you to block your frequently used accounts for a set number of days. I use “Stay Focused” because it’s pretty easy to use and gives me important insights about my daily phone and application usage. When I first got it I was shocked at how often I logged into my phone, often to do something mindless.
If you find unplugging on vacation to be excruciating, that might be a sign that you could really benefit from doing it. It doesn’t have to be all or nothing, but the time away is sure to do you some good. Find some ways that work for you to set some healthy limits and enjoy your time off!
If you need help creating more work/life balance and using your time in a way that helps you achieve your goals and live the life you want to live, give me a holler.