The holidays are the most wonderful time of year – but it can also be a very stressful time at work. With Q4 deadlines and personal obligations for the holiday season, how can you decompress for a fresh start to the new year?
Emily Brockway and Marc Escapa of Noken, a new travel service that curates balanced trips, with a mix of popular spots and hidden gems so that you can discover a new country in the best way possible, are no strangers to work culture that can require the “no days off” mentality.
Just in time for holidays, we sat down to speak with the two cofounders who lent their insight into the 6 best tips on how to take time off this busy season. See their expert advice below…
1. Decompress to do better work.
Research shows that you will be more focused, productive and creative with the more downtime that you take, so don’t overwork or overcommit yourself this holiday season. Planning ahead and setting boundaries for yourself will only set you up for success in the future.
2. Prepare in advance.
Don’t wait until the last minute to try to organise your life before the holidays hit. Make a list of everything you need to do this month for yourself (did you buy a gift for everyone on your list?) and for your career (will you meet your EOY deadline?) so you can sleep peacefully without waking up in the middle of the night to remember to do something.
3. Make your personal obligations as important as your work obligations.
Juggling separate personal and professional to-do lists can be challenging, especially during the holiday season when work deadlines can interfere with commitments to special time with family and friends. However, if you combine your personal calendar items with your professional ones to visually create equal urgency and importance, you’ll be less likely to bail on that Christmas party for a work obligation.
4. Turn off your notifications.
Between email and social media, push notifications are a great way to stay up to date on the latest news and work updates but can be distracting and stress-inducing when you’re out of office. Put your mind at ease and switch your phone on “Do Not Disturb” mode so you can enjoy your time with loved ones notification-free.
5. Connect with your larger purpose.
The stressors of your work life are temporary and nobody ever looks back on their life remembering the nights they chose to finish a project over making memories with loved ones. Find things that connect you to a bigger force or purpose in life, these strong connections can help provide perspective during tough times.
6. Use your vacation days + treat yourself to a getaway.
While millennials are known for their love of travel, almost half of millennials don’t use their full paid time off each year. Don’t lose your vacation days this year! Noken is an awesome travel companion that gives you a dynamic itinerary accessible throughout your trip via its mobile app. Use Noken this holiday season to treat yourself to an international getaway without the heavy lifting of planning–so it’s one less thing you have to do before you put up your out of office message and take off to reset for the New Year.
