For many Minnesotans, the warm weather and sunshine often stirs up feelings of renewed hope and energy. Whether it’s taking a half day on Fridays or planning a fishing trip over the weekend, there is something about the longer days that makes us crave a break from reality, so we can finally relax and savor a carefree moment.

In a previous blog post, we discussed the mental health benefits of a staycation and how you don’t have to travel far from home to enjoy a break in routine. In fact, according to an article in Psychology Today, “…a single multi-week vacation is no more refreshing or revitalizing than a couple of days or long weekend at a nearby getaway spot.” The article goes on to argue that it’s actually the anticipation of a break from the norm that creates a positive mood and an “optimistic frame of mind,” rather than distance.

Why is Spring Break Essential to Your Mental Health?

Staycations and mini-holidays help you avoid mental “burn out.” And as we all know, burn out and creativity don’t mix well together. By allowing our minds and bodies to unwind, relax, and create some distance from the daily stress of scheduling, entertaining, and maintaining close attention to details, we’re able to reset our state of mind. And if we allow ourselves this experience, we may even discover some new inspiration along the way, which will benefit us both personally and professionally. According to Forbes, having new experiences and meeting new people helps rewire our brains to learn new things, which helps boost our confidence and creativity. Of course, as mentioned before, this can all be achieved by visiting some attractions and venues in your local area, such as nearby museums, beaches, hiking trails, restaurants, and more!

Tips on How to Unplug From Work

Taking some much needed PTO may sound simple enough, but for many self-identified workaholics, the idea of turning off your phone and disabling your email notifications is easier said than done. To help you unplug and reboot your mental health and wellness while on spring break, here are some effective tips to try:

  • Uninstall Email and Any Work-Related Apps on Your Smartphone: This tip comes from TravelandLeisure.com. And though it may sound extreme, it’s the best way to eliminate your temptation to check emails or the status of a project, while you’re supposedly “out of office.”
  • Have Your Significant Other Change Your Passwords: Planning a trip with a girlfriend or husband? Ask this trusted individual to change the passwords on your phone, so you can’t access your accounts. This is a great trick if you’d rather not uninstall your apps but still want to avoid the temptation of checking your emails while on vacation.
  • Have Someone Monitor Your Emails: If your job includes managing various projects and people, it’s good practice to choose a trusted colleague to monitor incoming calls/emails in your absence. Knowing that someone is there to handle any issues that arise, may help ease your mind and keep you from checking in everyday. And if an emergency situation does occur, your colleague can alert you right away. Of course, if you’re not a brain surgeon or NASA engineer, it’s likely you won’t have to worry about a life or death situation at work while you’re away, so sit back and relax while someone else takes over for a bit.

Taking a mental health break is fundamental to your wellness! And for those who still feel guilty about taking time off from work, think of it this way: To perform well at work, you need to allow yourself time to rejuvenate. And remember, you don’t have to plan a trip across the country to enjoy the benefits of a break in routine. You just need to allow yourself the time to enjoy one.

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