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These days, being able to take a “real vacation”, away from work obligations, has become increasingly challenging. It’s not uncommon for professionals to feel pressured to stay connected to work, respond to emails and answer calls, even during their time off.

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We all know at least one classic example of this description. See if you can recognize it: for more than a decade, “Miguel”, a fictitious name, traveled with his family, but was never able to really disconnect from work, as he found himself constantly checking emails and answering calls, his mind oscillating between the paradisiacal setting in which he found himself and the latent concern about the company’s objectives, the pending processes… This inability to get away from work eventually led to physical and mental exhaustion, damaging not only his professional life, but also his interpersonal relationships.

The importance of a vacation without professional distractions is often underestimated. Studies show that disconnecting from work is crucial for recharging energy, reducing stress and increasing motivation. Vacations are an essential period for mental rest, allowing professionals to return to work more motivated and productive. It is therefore essential to adopt measures that ensure a real disconnection, during this time.

To ensure that your vacation really is a period of rest, it’s important to have a conversation with your manager beforehand. This conversation should focus on how the vacation can bring benefits to your work once you return, namely by providing greater assertiveness and renewed energy to face new challenges. It is also important to prepare a plan to cover your absence. This plan can include delegating tasks to colleagues or subordinates and defining who should be contacted in the event of an emergency.

Informing colleagues and work partners about your absence is another crucial measure. As soon as the vacation is confirmed, sending a reminder by email or calendar to everyone involved can help avoid surprises and ensure that everyone is prepared for your absence. This ensures that expectations are adjusted and that work continues smoothly while you are on vacation.

It’s also crucial to let those responsible for the regular meetings you usually attend know that you won’t be able to take part. Instead of simply declining invitations, let them know in advance that you will be absent and if there is anything that needs to be done before you leave. This demonstrates responsibility and helps ensure that continuity of work is not compromised.

Making effective use of the email’s auto-reply message is also a good option. This message should be clear and assertive, indicating that you will not be available and directing contacts to other people who can help during your absence. This clarity helps to establish boundaries and avoid unnecessary interruptions.

According to a MyPerfectResume study of employees in the USA: 82% work while on vacation; 75% of respondents have worked while on parental leave: 70% take calls from clients or colleagues while on vacation; 42% take vacation days specifically to work; 40% of respondents have worked while on medical leave; 37% work while on vacation because they “simply enjoy being on topic”.

Before you go on vacation, it’s good practice to send a final reminder to all your colleagues and business partners. This reminder serves to reinforce that you will be away and to ensure that everyone has the necessary information on how to proceed during your vacation. This minimizes potential interruptions and problems that may arise.

Complying with and respecting these limits while on vacation is essential. Resisting the temptation to check emails or take work calls is crucial to ensure that your time off is truly effective. This allows you to return to work with a new energy and willingness to face challenges. If you need to make a call or check emails, set a specific time of day (or week).

In short, vacations are an essential part of professional and personal life. Setting and respecting clear limits allows you to make the most of this time, ensuring a more productive and balanced return to work. By valuing vacations as a vital tool for well-being, we also value our professional dynamics, because true wisdom lies in stopping before you are irretrievably exhausted.

Article written by Sérgio Almeida, in partnership with Vida Económica.