Mo Shapiro’s Ten top tips for a ‘free range’ holiday  

It would seem that never have our holidays been so important after a new survey from Keycamp reveals that Brits are turning into a nation of battery workers.  More and more of us are spending hour upon hour cooped up in the office, while 1 in 20 of us don’t even get to see our kids during the working week because we’re leaving for work and arriving home while they’re in bed. To help you make the most of that valuable holiday time and help escape that busy-busy work mode mentality, Keycamp has teamed up with leading psychologist and broadcaster Mo Shapiro to give you ten top tips on having a fully switched-off holiday.

1.   Clarify what you can and can’t do before leaving work and write a ‘back from hols’ list.  Then let go.

2.   Leave the Blackberry at home or if you really do need to check in on work – allot yourself an hour everyday where you will respond to emails and queries.  For the rest of the time, switch it and you off!  If you find yourself thinking abut work outside the allotted hour, interrupt the thought by clapping your hands or pinching yourself and putting your focus back onto whatever is happening NOW in the holiday.

3.   You know how to prioritise and separate different projects at work, use these skills to prioritise you and the family and put work to one side.

4.   Have some way of distinguishing between work and holiday mode – different clothes, different shoes – something that tells you are on holiday now.  Create a holiday travel outfit that helps put you in the holiday mood as soon as you leave the house.

5.   Explore your new location as soon as you can.  Challenging one another to find the best beach, craziest shop front or whatever criteria you and the family choose.

6.   Every day make sure you have a long, leisurely meal, cooked in or out, and take it in turns to shop for and cook it.

7.   Lack of stimulation can create an environment in which you can become ‘bored sick’.  So create activities to keep you interested and curious about your holiday destination. And tempting as it maybe, don’t flop onto a lounger as soon as you arrive – instead break yourself into the holiday gently – taking a gentle swim or a leisurely bike ride.
 

8.   Find things to make you laugh – it’s a great way to unwind and creates endorphins which make you feel better.  Maybe even have a prize each day for the funniest story, best painting or best poem about the day/ holiday.
 

9.   Think about what you want from the holiday – then ask each member of the family and let everyone have what they want on one day while the rest of you fit in.  Pre plan activities before you travel and enjoy anticipating the fun as you do so.
 

10. Tell yourself that this holiday is much needed rest and recovery time.  Time to recharge your batteries and keep you fit.  At work you may well be running on high pressure, so you need renewal time to prepare you for next challenge.