Finding Holiday-Mode Every Day

Hi there,

It’s Summertime. 

And even the most casual Fresh Prince fan will know what that means: it’s time to sit back and unwind.

But do we really have to wait until July rolls around to breathe a collective sigh of relief as we switch on the Out-of-Office? 

Isn’t it possible to find a slice of holiday-mode every single day?

We all know it. And the research shows it. Taking micro-breaks every day is good for our wellbeing and actually enhances productivity*.

But we live in a society built around having more, doing more and achieving more. We are constantly placing expectations on ourselves to keep up. 

And those pesky expectations goad us into ploughing on (and on, and on)….But the more we understand wellbeing and recovery, the more we know this is a false economy. 

So, this summer, I wonder if you can give yourself permission to leave some of those expectations behind. And instead, spend your time reflecting on how to extend that holiday-mode into your daily life all year round.

Here are some things to consider.

1) Notice what holiday-mode is to you.

First things first. You need to know exactly what helps you disconnect. It might be getting out in the fresh air, enjoying a few minutes of a favourite hobby or trying a new and interesting snack. When you are already in holiday-mode, it’s easier to spot it. So, if you are heading off soon, watch out for the moments you feel most at ease...and take note.

2) Get the schedule out.

Block out specific break times in your daily schedule. Treat them as non-negotiable appointments with yourself. You can even set reminders or use productivity tools to ensure you don't overlook them. 

3) Put 'take a break' on your to-do list.

Addicted to ticking items off your ‘to-do’ list? That'll be the hit from the brain’s reward centres with every swoosh of that satisfying tick. But I’ve found a way to play the system: I always include items that force me to take a break. Think chats with friends, walks around the block, a game of Worldle. You'll still get that dopamine hit when you tick it off the list, but you'll also get the longer-term effect of the micro-break investment.

4) Talk to your manager and team.

It's a good idea to talk to your manager and team to make sure they are on board with the idea of switching off for brief intervals during the working week. Obviously, they should be. But we all know the reality of the always-on culture. The good news is that employers are increasingly aware of the need to support wellbeing – so hopefully yours will be all for it. Maybe you could even work together to factor micro-breaks into your day-to-day team schedule?

5) Leave room for flexibility.

Your work day is dynamic. So set your mindset to be ready to adjust your plan when needed. This is why knowing what brings you a little boost of holiday-mode is so important: when you find yourself with a cancelled meeting or a few minutes to spare, there'll be no need to deliberate. You'll know exactly how to channel those sit back and unwind vibes.

By the way, there’s nothing wrong with wanting more. We’re all human. Goal orientation is part of our nature. But our modern world nudges this tendency into overdrive. So, it's worth the reminder to have some rest – even fun – along the way.

Bye for now,

Erin

* Research published in periodicals like the Journal of Organizational Behaviour and the Journal of Applied Psychology have shown that punctuating your working day with little breaks can support your wellbeing and productivity. Here’s an open-access meta-analysis of this area's main research papers.

This newsletter is part of a series to help you find ways to change your experience of work for the better. Subscribe and you'll find it in your inbox each month.