Take a Break on your Holiday Break: Finding Balance While On Vacation

We’re a nation full of workaholics. According to a recent report from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the United States ranks 29th of 34 countries in the category of work-life balance. That’s just ahead of a country that has actually created a word for “death by overwork.”

With the advent of credit card commercials craftily using adorable children to tell us to use #onemoreday and the horrifying new term ‘work-cation,’ the notion of taking time off is becoming more and more blurred. Of course, we could get in to the conversations about how much less vacation time Americans have than other countries or how many hours we work (all good points); but we’re not the best or the worst at either of those, so let’s talk about what we can do with what we do have.

At Turner PR, we’re lucky – we live in Denver, where work-life balance is pretty much an expectation. But – while handling PR in a 24-hour news cycle – that doesn’t mean it’s easy to find. As the holidays commence, here are a few tips for really enjoying time away from the office.

1. It’s your responsibility…and your time. In an increasingly busy work environment, you need to set the boundaries. If checking your email makes you feel better, do it – but don’t do it compulsively. To keep a balance, you can respond only to urgent items or set one time during the day to check it, and stick to that. I always remind myself that anyone I’ve been working with (colleagues, clients, media) has my cell phone number, so if there’s something absolutely urgent, they will have a way to reach me.
2. You’ve been given vacation time for a reason. To USE it. (And enjoy it). While the barrage of emails you know you’ll have when you return may make it seem like a vacation isn’t worth taking, it is. Whether it’s a mental health vacation on your couch or a bucket list trip, be sure to put the devices away most of the time and really be present. Your family, friends, partners, and most importantly your SELF will notice; and they will appreciate it.
3. Make it work. You need days off to rest your mind and recharge yourself for work. You’ll be a better employee when you do, returning with fresh ideas, new perspectives and a refreshed outlook. If you can’t let it go, you can essentially consider vacations work anyway… (Think about it. They’re paying you + you’re becoming a better employee = work. Done.)
4. Dream on. The more you look forward to something (does a beach with an umbrella cocktail sound way better than crazy Aunt Jo at Thanksgiving? Or are you looking forward to some QT with the fam?), the more likely you’ll be to take the time to enjoy it when it happens. I have the same philosophy on Tiramisu.
5. Frankie says, “Relax.” Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither will your work-life balance be. Ultimately you need to do what works for you and what will truly make you the most relaxed on your vacation. And if that means brief interludes of pairing your laptop with a glass of wine or checking your phone with your cappuccino, then do.