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How to make the most of your holiday days in 2020

For those workers who want to maximise their holiday this year and really make the most out of their downtime away from the daily grind, here are some top tips.

The first few months of the New Year are a perfect time to review the holidays you’ll be taking throughout 2020. 

As holidays are vital for our mental and physical wellbeing, it’s important that you make the most of your time off so you can return to work feeling truly relaxed and rejuvenated. 

For those workers who want to maximise their holiday this year and really make the most out of their downtime away from the daily grind, here are some top tips. 

Organise your trips around the bank holidays 
Many organisations offer around 20 days of annual leave, excluding Bank Holidays, which staff are given as standard. If you want to extend your holiday days and really make the most of the opportunities you have, then consider booking your days off strategically to give yourself the most annual leave possible. 

Remember that the Early May Bank Holiday has been changed to Friday 8th May this year, to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day. Being organised will make your holidays feel longer and give you the time to do everything you desire. 

Leave detailed handovers so you don’t return to a mess
For many workers, the scariest thing about returning to work is the amount they’ll have to catch up on. This can leave many staff feeling anxious during their time off. To avoid this, you should try to leave detailed handovers for other team members so that they can manage your workload efficiently while you’re away. Take the time to explain all the points on your handover so that you can leave safe in the knowledge that you won’t return to a messy workload.  

Set an out of office 
Once you’ve explained your handover and are due to head off on your exciting holiday, you should make sure that you’ve set an out of office so that you can be sure that everyone who contacts you is aware that you’re not available and who they can contact instead. 

You could even set your out of office on a timer, so that it will come into effect at a set time. Having an out of office set will leave you to enjoy your holiday without worrying about a build-up of emails to deal with when you get back. 

Don’t feel guilty about switching off
It’s understandable that some staff may feel guilty about taking a short break from work and want to stay connected to their job even while they’re on holiday. You may choose to access your emails on your phone, check in on a project or even take calls during your time off. 

Working while you’re out of the office is a bad idea, as you will end up neither working to a high standard nor enjoying a restorative break. Make sure that you take proper time off so that you can let go of all of your daily stresses and return to work feeling calm.  

Plan rejuvenating long weekends: Take a short cruise
Invigorating, revitalising holidays don’t necessarily have to be long, complicated adventures involving lots of travel and exciting escapades. Going on 3 day cruises an increasingly popular and budget-friendly way to make the most of a short vacation. If you are looking for the perfect city break or weekend getaway, a 3 day cruise gives enough time to relax and unwind on the ocean alone or with your loved one. 

And with cruise lines now offering a variety of fun activities to do on cruise ships and beautiful destinations to visit, taking a short cruise is more accessible and easier than ever. A 3 day trip might not seem like a lot of time, but sailing free of concerns could be one way to recharge before you head back to work.

Travel to relaxing destinations 
There are a wide range of locations around the world that offer exciting holiday experiences that you’ll never forget, but for those who want to return to work feeling rejuvenated and refreshed, a relaxing holiday to one of the world’s most tranquil holiday destinations is in order. If you want a little excitement and adventure in your life, then make sure that you also take some time to unwind afterwards so that you don’t wear yourself out. 

Short excursions will make you feel like you’ve done a lot during your holiday
Taking a holiday can be a minefield, as it can be easy to fear that you’re missing out on something, or else that you’re doing too much and won’t be able to rest at all during your trip. One great way to avoid this is to plan short outings during your holiday so that you feel like you’ve achieved something whilst at the same time still giving you plenty of time to relax and chill out. 

Remember that you don’t have to go abroad
Most workers want to take an international holiday so that they can see more of the world, but you don’t have to go abroad to have a great time. You could enjoy a staycation that gives you all the benefits of taking time off work without the hassle and expense that comes with travelling abroad. Staying at home for your time off work will give you the opportunity to catch up with old friends, visit local attractions you’ve not had time to see previously and generally relax. 

Book your holidays in advance to give yourself something to look forward to
In some cases, it can be cheaper to book your trips near to the date of departure, but this may leave you feeling anxious and scared that you won’t have a great time during your days off. As such, it’s often better that you book your trips in advance to give yourself something to look forward to and feel excited about throughout the year. 

Have realistic expectations 
Going on holiday is an exhilarating experience, but it can be easy to set high expectations that don’t come to fruition. To avoid feeling disappointed by your vacation, make sure that you reign in your expectations and don’t imagine that things will be much more thrilling than they are. Managing your expectations will lead you to enjoy a great holiday and not stress yourself out before or after.

Give yourself a day off after you return from your trip 
It can be hard to return to work after a long holiday, especially if you had to travel home the day before. As such, you should take an extra day off as a buffer between travelling back home and unpacking and your returning to work. This approach will make you feel more relaxed and allow you to ensure that you continue to enjoy all the benefits of your restorative break long after you get back into your hectic everyday life. 

Create a manageable workload that you don’t need to recover from
Everyone needs a holiday during the year, but if you notice that you regularly need a break from your job, or are suffering from the symptoms of a burnout, then it might be time to reevaluate your workload. You shouldn’t feel overwhelmed and in need of a break all of the time, and if you are then you’re definitely taking on too much work. Talk to your supervisors and review your workload to see where it can be streamlined so that you feel less stressed. 

Holidays are crucial for keeping you feeling sharp and ready to work to the best of your abilities. These tips should help you to really appreciate your time off and return to work refreshed and ready for whatever life throws at you! 

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