Trying to take time off has been especially challenging during the pandemic because it’s hard to figure out how to use time off when I can’t go anywhere or do anything wildly different without endangering my family. In academia, there’s also eternally something to do, so to take time off you just have to figure out a spot to pause in your to-do list. Yet it’s essential to give ourselves breaks to recover and get away from the computer, whether to come back slightly less burned out, or better yet, a bit more creative and resilient.

In the times I have managed some breaks from work, I was reminded that I need to take my own commitment to time off seriously and spend time preparing myself and others to ensure the time off happens. I recommend reading Dr. Sakars blog post about being out of office also.

Step 0) Block off my calendar for the away dates, including blocking days with no/minimal meetings the day before and a few days after the vacation, for wrapping up loose ends or starting to catch up.

Step 1) Tell people who rely on me 2-3 weeks in advance that I’m taking time off, and the date by which they need to send me anything they want feedback (at least 1 week before vacation).

Step 2) Put my upcoming away dates it in my email signature)

Step 3) Set up my away message starting the day before I go on vacation, so I have time to finish up all the “last minute things”, and stretch for a day after my return to give me space without meetings to catch up on emails.

Step 4) Completely delete outlook, slack, twitter and teams from my phone.

Step 5) If that’s not enough external help, ask my spouse to implement some parental setting on our router preventing me from accessing working email.