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Take a Soul-Cation

Have you ever come back from a vacation feeling like you need a week to recover from it? It can be easy to pack so many activities in your getaway that you end up feeling frazzled and stressed from trying to do it all. This leaves you exhausted right when you need to be getting back to your normal routine.

If that is the case with you, consider taking soul-cation. A soul-cation is just what it sounds like – a retreat for your mind, body, and soul to allow you to refresh and rejuvenate. And it doesn’t have to be very long to be impactful. Even if it’s just a few days or a weekend, taking time to disconnect can go a long way in improving your overall well-being.

  • Set time aside on your calendar to prepare before leaving and to catch up when you return. Meet with those who will be covering for you to discuss any open items. Ensure you give them resources if questions arise while you are out.
  • Be clear about your intent to completely disconnect from work while you are away. Set an automatic email response stating that you will not be checking emails or voicemails, and list appropriate contacts for any issues that may arise.
  • Don’t take it with you. If your company provides you with a laptop, leave it at home.
  • Turn off your work email and calendar reminders on your phone. Taking a break from those notifications is key to being present in the moment while you are away.
  • Have family and friends hold you accountable for being present during your time off. Tell those you are traveling with that you intend to disconnect from work while you are away and let them pull you away if you do happen to glance at work emails.

It is often helpful to plan your vacation activities, but while you are planning, consider how you want to feel when you return. Build in time with no structured activities, or schedule time to be pampered at a local spa. Give yourself permission to really take time off. You may find that you are a better version of yourself when you get home.

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