15/07/2025
And Relax…….if you remembered to slow down first.
This is the time of year when we’ll start to see a lot of these kind of photos, people are celebrating some time away from their usual demands and responsibilities – and they deserve that.
It’s also the time of year you’ll often hear people say they didn’t really appreciate their holiday enough—or that just as they were starting to relax, it was time to come home. That’s usually because they didn’t slow down before they left.
Going on holiday without decompressing first is like slamming the brakes on in a car when you’re still going at full speed. You don’t stop straight away—you need time and space to slow down.
Our mind’s are no different. If you go straight from a hectic routine into a holiday, chances are you’ll take the stress with you.
So, if you can, try easing off a bit in the days before you take some time off, Here are some ideas to start you shifting your mindset to holiday mode:
1. Start Delegating Early
Don’t save handovers for your last day. Clear your plate early to avoid last-minute panic.
2. Block Off Your Final day
Keep your last day light — wrap up, don’t wind up.
3. Say no to last-minute meetings & social overload.
Over committing = overload. Leave breathing room in your calendar.
4. Set a Daily “No Screen” Window
Start easing out of work mode before you go offline.
5. Create a Pre-Holiday Ritual
A calming routine (walk, bath, reading, breathwork) tells your mind: we’re slowing down.
6. Crack open a book If you’re saving a book for holiday, buy two and start one now. If you’re compiling playlists, have a pre and post holiday list too.
7. Don’t crack open a bottle!: If it’s going to be a boozy holiday, don’t fall into the trap of getting into the spirit too soon. This type of “winding down” really disrupts the body’s ability to rest.
8. Write two To-Do Lists: 1) Pre-holiday tasks 2) Post-holiday brain dump. This can bring mental clarity and peace of mind.
9. Fix your sleep Now : Go to bed earlier. Don’t wait until day 3 of holiday to feel rested.
10. Start Packing Early
Even small amounts of preparation clears mental clutter — and avoids last minute chaos.
Finally, Visualize Your Calm:
Whether you are jetting off, or spending some time at home, picture that moment you finally let go. Start to take your foot off the pedal and give yourself that mental stopping distance—so you can truly relax when you get there.
