Disconnect to reconnect
Holidays are not just supposed to be a change of location, but a change of mode. You don't necessarily have to fly halfway around the world. Sometimes you just need to turn off notifications and turn yourself on. Offline mode is rarer today than last minute flights. Yet it's the digital detox that is the first step to true relaxation.
Research shows that our brains never fully rest when we have our phones with us. On average, we check it every seven minutes, which keeps the body in a state of mild stress.
Try on vacation:
- Offline windows - for example, leave your phone in your bag during breakfast, a walk, a spa session or an evening out.
- Relax in the experience - if cutting out completely seems unrealistic, treat yourself to an activity that makes you forget about the world around you.
Switch to “here and now” mode. Find adrenaline, romance or original trips with Allegria - The Experience Company. If you want to discover new places in the Czech Republic, try SkvěléČesko.cz, where you'll discover local tips, peace and space to slow down.
How to leave without stress and return without panic
The key to true rest is preparation. Not just your suitcase, but yourself. The stress of the last few days before a holiday can easily disrupt the whole holiday.
Practical tips:
- Deadline in advance - plan your last major work tasks at least 3 days before departure.
- Transition mode - on the last day before vacation, deal with the little things, not the big decisions.
- Extra day after you return - if you can, don't return to work the next day. Give yourself a day to acclimatise and get back to normal.
Not sure what to expect from your holiday? If you're confused, perhaps a one-to-one session with a coach will help. With Coach on the Wire or the Society of Professional Coaches, you can clarify your priorities and set up your holiday to meet what you really need.
Balance can be found in rest
Active or passive? Both have their place. Passive rest means giving your body and head a break - sleep, wellness, time without stimuli. Active recovery is about movement that doesn't exhaust you, but refreshes you.
If a bubbling jacuzzi and tranquility is your ideal switch-off, visit the Infinit Wellness Centres or treat yourself to a personalised treatment with Relax Days Wellness and Spa, combining massage, sauna and experiential stay.
On the other hand, do you like to recharge your energy through movement? Try a light hike, a bike ride or a leisurely swim in nature. Sometimes a few hours outdoors is all it takes to switch your body and mind from stress mode to the joy of movement.
What our body needs as much as sunscreen
Sun, water, heat. A great combination, but also a burden on the body. Prevention starts before you go outside.
What you may not know about sunscreen:
- UVA rays penetrate deep into the skin, causing premature ageing and promoting the formation of pigment spots.
- UVB rays cause sunburn and skin irritation.
- The SPF number indicates how much longer you can be in the sun without damaging your skin. For example, SPF 30 theoretically means staying 30 times longer without burning, but only if you use enough and renew the cream regularly.
Moisturising your skin and body before sunbathing helps to minimise the risks.
Remember:
- Drink plenty of water (not only on the beach).
- Hydrate your skin before going outdoors.
- Rest regularly in the shade.
Whether you're heading to the seaside, the mountains, or staying in the Czech Republic, consider getting vaccinated:
- For exotic destinations, vaccination against hepatitis A and B or typhoid is recommended, for example.
- The risk of tick-borne encephalitis increases when staying here. You can enjoy your summer trips to the countryside with greater peace of mind knowing that you are protected.
Visit the Avenier Centre or the Vaccination and Travel Medicine Centre and prepare for your adventures early. In addition, you can get a preventive health screening - for example, at Asklepion, Altoa Premium Health Care or the vo2max Clinic - so that health complications don't catch you by surprise in the middle of your holiday.
Holidays that stay in the body and head
Rest is not a weakness. It's a way to be more productive, healthier and happier. We often see vacation as just a “reward” for work, but it's really about necessary maintenance of body and mind.
Vacation can be a profound reboot when you set it up consciously. Allow yourself to slow down this year so that the holidays stay not only on your calendar, but in your body and mind as well.
