3 STRATEGIES TO TRULY UNPLUG FROM EMAIL DURING THE HOLIDAYS

Taking a break is crucial. We all need time to recharge at the end of the year.

That's why, when I head off on holidays, my goal is to disconnect from email entirely.

Easier said than done, especially for business owners like myself or those in leadership roles. That's why we need a plan – not only to manage others but also ourselves.

Here are 3 smart strategies to help you step away from your inbox during your holidays. These can be applied at any time in the year, not just over the New Year's break.

Feel free to use one or, ideally, all of these to help you disconnect without guilt over summer.

1. Set Out-Of-Office

No surprises here. Before wrapping up, set an 'out-of-office' message to let others know you're unavailable.

If possible, include the name and email address of a staff member who can handle urgent requests, providing peace of mind that important matters will be managed in your absence.

To take it a step further, let others know you won't be responding to emails upon your return. Instead, your plan is to archive them in bulk.

It's not about being dismissive but acknowledging the importance of making space for long-term productivity. Return with a sense of calm rather than being on the back foot from the moment you get back.

2. Fake the Date

Even with an "out-of-office" in place, it's hard to rest knowing your inbox is growing by the day. I start thinking about work a few days before I return, somewhat dampening my time off.

To manage the psychological pressure of an overflowing inbox, I let everyone know I'm returning to work a day later than planned. For instance, if my return date is Wednesday, January 15th, my "out-of-office" return date is Thursday, January 16th.

This provides the psychological margin needed to let go of work entirely when on holidays. I return to a meeting-free calendar and lots of space. I use "delayed send" when replying to emails, scheduling responses for 8:31am the following day to avoid triggering a barrage of early responses.

This way, my inbox is at zero, and my plan is in place, without scanning and responding to emails during my precious weeks of annual leave. Plus, others think I'm incredibly efficient, receiving a response first thing when I return!

3. Delete Gmail From Your Phone

My third strategy is about managing addictive habits.

As a business owner, I check the Gmail app on my phone more than I need to. I find myself compulsively opening email whenever I have a spare moment, even if it's counterproductive.

To fully unplug and break the addictive cycle of scanning emails on holidays, I delete the email application from my phone. I do this whenever I have a significant amount of annual leave, say more than two weeks.

Deleting the app doesn't erase my data; it simply stops me from habitually reaching for my phone to open email. I also turn off my phone to enjoy as much time unplugged as possible, resulting in a substantially slower, more restful time away from work.

Space, Not Guilt

I understand it's challenging to disconnect from the work pressure, especially for business owners and those in senior roles.

There have been times in my career when full unplugging wasn't possible – during the start-up phase of my business, when team members were away, or when managing the intensity of a major project.

My intention is not to add guilt if you can't fully unplug – if you need to scan your inbox once a day on leave, then do so. Just ensure it's for the right reasons, and have a solid plan to manage your inbox without detracting from your ability to rest deeply and fully unwind.

Make a Plan to Unplug This Summer

As many of us enjoy an extended break over January, I encourage you to savour a true break from work.

Do you need to set a 'brave' out-of-office message? Should you return a day later than expected, working from home to process your inbox to zero? Or do you need to unplug completely, deleting your email app to reduce the temptation to scan work while on holidays?

Take a moment to create a plan and make space this summer for deep rest.

If you want to dive further into strategies to manage email when on leave, check out my video on YouTube: How To Have The Best Vacation EVER!