Take advantage of vacation time
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Stepping away from work to take time off can be stressful. In fact, according to the , nearly three quarters of all education professionals in the U.S. take less time than theyâre offered.ĚýĚý
If youâre feeling worried about leaving work behind, here are some tips to help you feel more confident and prepared to enjoy your vacation time.Ěý
Signs you need a break from workĚý
People may avoid taking time off for a variety of reasons, but there are usually some telltale signs that itâs time to step away. Here are a few to consider.Ěý
- Youâre feeling stressed, cranky, on edge or depleted more often than not.
- You find yourself working during the day and thinking about work at night.
- Minor inconveniences become major annoyances (at home and at work).
- You feel caught in a cycle of working during the week and catching up on chores or personal responsibilities on the weekends with little time to relax or enjoy life.
- The things you used to enjoy doing at work donât excite you anymore.
- Youâre feeling cynical or jaded about your work responsibilities and/or colleagues.
- You dread coming into work or signing in online.
- You feel like youâre missing out on quality time with the people you love because youâre so focused on work.
- Most of your conversations are dominated by work-related topics.
- Youâre experiencing symptoms of burnout.
If any of these apply to you, donât worry. Youâre not alone. In fact, this shows just how crucial time off can be in preserving and improving your well-being.ĚýĚý
The benefits of taking time offĚý
Taking time off can help relieve many of the feelings and concerns listed above. Studies also show that vacation time can promote wellness in a variety of ways, including:Ěý
- Reducing stress
- Decluttering your mind
- Improving your motivation
- Improving your mental and physical health
- Increasing job satisfaction
- Increasing energy and mental capacityĚý
In addition to these benefits, time off can also help you reconnect with who you are outside of work. For instance, it may give you an opportunity to spend more time with your family or friends, enjoy hobbies you may have been neglecting and have worry-free fun.Ěý
Itâs also important to know that you donât need to have a big vacation planned to take time off. You can take PTO for âno reasonâ or just because. Youâll still reap all the same benefits. Just be sure to spend some time doing the things you enjoy, rather than dedicating all of your time off catching up on housework or other nagging responsibilities.ĚýĚý
Clarify your goalsĚý
Taking a step back from work is important. However, itâs also important to know what you want to step towards while youâre away. Clarifying what you want to do (or not do) can help you make the most of your time off. Here are some questions you can ask yourself to get more clarity:Ěý
- Do you want to relax and unwind?
- Do you want to spend time in solitude?
- Do you want to do something adventurous or go exploring?
- Do you want to learn or try something new?
- Do you want to enjoy a hobby?
- Do you want to spend time with friends or family?Ěý
You may also want to do a combination of these things. Whatever you choose to do, itâs important to be realistic about the time and resources that are available to you. This means you may not always be able to have a âperfectâ vacation. Instead of expecting perfection, allow for flexibility and embrace spontaneity.Ěý
Prepare to leave the officeĚý
Does the very idea of leaving work behind stress you out? Here are a few ways you can set yourself and your team up for success while youâre away.ĚýĚý
Plan around major events. Do you have a wedding or family reunion coming up? If you have events that you know are going to require time off, be sure to put them in your calendar and submit a PTO request in advance.Ěý
Account for busy seasons. Do you get busy around the same time of the year? Do you have major deadlines or projects coming due? Think through your workload and try to avoid taking time off during peak times of the year. This can help alleviate some of the stress of leaving your responsibilities behind. You can also check with your co-workers to try and coordinate time off so there is someone who can take over whenever someone is out.ĚýĚý
Call for backup. If you plan to take time off, try to let your supervisor and colleagues know in advance. This can help you work together to ensure things keep moving forward while youâre gone. Work with your supervisor and team to determine who can answer questions or take over urgent needs that might come up while youâre away. Schedule time to meet so you can update them on issues or projects that may need their attention. Be sure to remind them at least a week in advance before you take off.ĚýĚý
Reschedule meetings. If you have meetings on your calendar for the dates youâre planning to be out, let the other attendees know. If someone else has invited you to attend a meeting, you may want to ask them to reschedule or to provide you with notes that you can review upon your return. If youâre the person who generated the meeting, let people know that you wonât be in attendance or send a cancellation notification to the other attendees.ĚýĚý
Create automatic replies: Set up an out-of-office email notification before you leave. This lets people know who to contact in your absence and when you plan to return to work. You can also include information about when people can expect a response. For instance, you may say something like, âI will get back to you within five business days of my return.â Just be sure to turn off or schedule an end date for automatic replies when you get back to the office.ĚýĚý
Leave work behindĚý
Allow yourself to take a deep breath and relish in the fact that you donât have to go to work. Resist the urge to check or respond to work emails, phone calls or messages. Turning off your notifications for Outlook and Teams can help you avoid looking at or responding to every incoming message.Ěý
If you need to stay connected to work, set boundaries with your supervisor and co-workers. For instance, you may set the expectation that you will only check messages during certain hours of the day. This could mean that you only answer emails and other requests for one hour in the morning. Itâs also important to remember that you can lean on your team and designated backup person for support. You donât have to do everything yourself, especially while youâre on vacation or taking time for yourself.ĚýĚý
Shifting your mindset around work doesnât always come easily, and you may need to remind yourself that you are not obligated to work during your time off. After all, thatâs the whole point of taking time off.ĚýĚý
Supervisors play an important role in when and how people take time off. Here are some ways that you can help your team take advantage of their vacation days.Ěý
Encourage time off. If you notice that your team members rarely take time off, you may want to start encouraging them to do so. It can also be helpful to sit down with employees individually to figure out how you can support them in a way that allows them to take PTO.Ěý
Add time off as a goal. Consider making time off a part of your teamâs annual performance goals. While it may seem radical, it can also help promote a culture of self-care and ensure that people are taking the time they need.ĚýĚý
Set expectations. Your team members may feel like they need to stay connected, even when theyâre away from the office. Try setting expectations around answering emails, phone calls, messages or requests while theyâre away. Remind them to avoid doing work activities and encourage the rest of your team to avoid reaching out while someone is taking leave.Ěý
Manage coverage. Itâs important to manage your teamâs workload, especially if people are going to be out of the office. Ensure your team knows there will be someone to cover for them so they donât feel responsible for tasks while theyâre gone. Keep in mind that you may need to distribute work across multiple team members to ensure others donât feel overwhelmed by the additional responsibilities.Ěý
The Faculty and Staff Assistance Program (FSAP) can help advise and support managers and supervisors on a variety of topics, including team culture, dynamics and conflict.Ěý
Make the transition backĚý
Do you ever feel like you need a vacation from your vacation? You can help make the transition back to work smoother by easing into it. Here are tips to consider.ĚýĚý
Take an extra day. If youâve been traveling, consider taking an extra day to recuperate. This will give you a chance to settle back into your normal routine, which can make the switch back to everyday life a little less jarring.Ěý
Create a buffer. The first day back can be overwhelming. Give yourself a buffer day to simply catch up. Consider blocking off your calendar so you have time to look through your inbox and get an idea of what happened while you were away. This can also help you to identify what areas may need your attention in the coming days or week.ĚýĚý
Work remotely. If you have a hybrid schedule, consider working your first day back from home. Just be sure to check with your supervisor first.ĚýĚý
Catch up. Consider scheduling meetings with your co-workers, supervisor or direct reports to reconnect, catch up and get status updates. This will allow you to work together to identify any potential issues that came up and prioritize next steps.ĚýĚý
Ask for help. Donât feel like you have to do it all just because youâre back at work. If you need help getting up to speed or catching up on projects, itâs okay to ask for help.ĚýĚý
Additional resources
- WorkWell can help you explore wellness services available to all staff and faculty, including free workshops, presentations and more.
- Faculty and Staff Assistance Program (FSAP) provides free counseling services and workshops to help faculty and staff address mental health concerns, learn about various wellness topics and find support. FSAP services are free to all eligible faculty and staff. Additionally, you do not need to take PTO or sick time to utilize these services.
- Have extra vacation time that's set to expire? Consider donating it through the Leave Sharing Program by June 30.Ěý