Summer holiday tips for stressed employees

An upcoming summer holiday can be an extra source of stress. There's work that should be done in advance, and you'll have to make up for lost time when you're back - not exactly ideal conditions for relaxation.

How can employees start their long-awaited break as stress-free as possible, and then carry a positive mood long into their return to the workplace?

It starts with pre-holiday planning, says Nicole Ottersböck, a social scientist at the Düsseldorf-based Institute of Applied Industrial Engineering and Ergonomics (ifaa). She advises notifying colleagues and/or customers/clients of your planned absence a week or two beforehand.

A prioritized to-do list will make clear what definitely needs to be done ahead of your holiday. And a preset out-of-office notice will let all important parties know who'll be filling in for you and when you'll be back - in case something comes up while you're away.

To return to work refreshed, you've got to truly unwind during your holiday. It's a good idea to switch off your smartphone from time to time. Not checking your emails for a while will afford some mental relaxation, help you to "power down" and enjoy your holiday activities - or lack thereof - more mindfully.

Experiences in nature are especially conducive to stress relief, says Ottersböck, adding that picking a holiday destination fairly close to home will reduce travel stress.

Holiday returnees should try to ease back into the job gently. Keeping your appointments diary as empty as possible on the days after your return will give you more time to gain an overview of the state of play.

To preserve the recuperative effect of your holiday longer, Ottersböck also advises consciously making time for breaks - something that's often neglected post-holiday. And placing a souvenir of your time off on your desk can help you to hold on to a little of that laid-back feeling you hopefully had.