Over 80% of professionals who’ve gone on “workation” say they became more productive and creative as a result, the BBC reports. Workations allow organizational leaders and employees alike to take their work with them on vacation—whether that means working from a laptop on a tropical beach or brainstorming ideas on a mountain hike, for example. Professionals can, therefore, enjoy a break from the stress and monotony of their daily routine, and yet still get work done. But, there is a downside—workcations can easily lead to burnout if you’re not careful. Fortunately, a well-planned schedule that strategically balances work with vacation time can help professionals enjoy the best of both worlds.
Fuel creativity through travel
Research from Harvard University finds travel puts people in a positive headspace—which is the best brain state for creative thought. When you’re happy and stress-free, ideas and inspiration tend to come easily. This creative mindset can positively impact your bottom line, as 67% of organizations with creative leaders have above-average organic revenue growth, McKinsey reveals. In comparison, the daily office grind can get repetitive and monotonous fast, and the lack of new stimuli makes it easy to slip into auto-pilot mode where you no longer approach work with curiosity or creativity. A workation that introduces you to new places, people, and experiences is just what’s needed to get those creative juices flowing.
Workations regulate stress hormones
Over 80% of workactioners also said their break helped them manage chronic stress. Professionals who experience work-related stress likely have elevated levels of cortisol and epinephrine. These stress hormones typically cause brain fog and impair decision making, which is when performance really starts to slip. But, the change of scenery and routine offered by a workation helps regulate these hormones. The body and mind relaxes, and you return to a healthy baseline ready to get your best work done.
When it comes to destinations, beach getaways have been proven to be ideal for a workation, with science showing that just looking at the ocean can help you slip into a gentle, meditative state. This relaxes your body and declutters your mind, so you can truly be in the present moment. In particular, CNTraveller has named Sausalito—a coastal village in the San Francisco Bay—as one of the best beach towns in the U.S., perfect for remote work and relaxation alike. In fact, many Sausalito hotels offer stunning Bay views, so you can see the ocean without even leaving your room. There’s something really peaceful about the ability to look at the water whenever you want, and this can keep you calm and focused as you work.
How to prevent workation burnout
The whole point of a workation is to balance work with relaxation, so don’t spend the whole time beavering away behind a screen. That’s a fast track to exhaustion—and 41% of employed Americans already experience post-time-off burnout as they failed to adequately de-stress on vacation. So, set clear working hours for your workation, and allow employees to do the same. Colleagues and team members should be informed of these hours, and understand you (or your workationing employees) will be unreachable outside of these times. It’s also useful to set achievable work goals and plan tasks accordingly. This makes it easier to restrict work to work hours. You can then spend your free time exactly how you want, and make the most of the vacation side of your break.
Work is important, but so is stepping away for a change of scenery and some much-needed relaxation. When work hours are planned thoughtfully, workations let professionals strike a better balance between work and personal time, which makes it easier to maintain a healthier and more fulfilling lifestyle.
Nina S. Blake is a writer with a research journalism background, who is always eager to explore new niches and tackle diverse subjects.
