‘It’s hard to get away from work,’ is what we hear our new clients say often.

Between their phone buzzing with Teams notifications, them checking emails to make sure everything goes smoothly, and the occasional call coming in, for many there’s hardly a day where they don’t think about work while on vacation. I’ve been in this exact situation myself. I remember times when vacation days were more like 4-hour workdays.

Before we take a closer look on why this is, I want you to check in with yourself. When you’re completely honest with yourself, how much is work occupying your time and mental space while you are out of the office? Are you checking emails? Are you taking calls? What else are you doing that keeps work present in your mind?

I’ve learned that taking a break from work is not just a luxury; it's a necessity, especially for high-achieving women leaders. The pressures of leadership roles, the challenges you face due to biases, and the multiple roles you may play due to added family responsibilities, can take a toll on your mental and physical well-being, making it crucial to unplug and recharge.

Let’s discover how you can successfully unplug from work while on vacation without feeling guilty.

1. Why Unplugging on Vacation is so Important for Women Leaders

Most women have been conditioned to serve, nurture, and support others. They’ve learned in their early years that putting themselves first is being selfish and that being selfish is met with disapproval and negative consequences. That’s why so many women leaders feel guilty about taking time for themselves, disconnecting, and not being available for work during time off. Can you relate?

Because subconsciously, disconnecting is not considered a valid option, they’re not taking the necessary steps that would allow them to detach and focus on their rejuvenation. They’re either not preparing effectively, they’re lacking assertiveness in what they’re communicating, or they’re not fully following through themselves.

With that, your vacation can quickly turn into a remote work experience that may look something like this: Instead of enjoying your days actively participating in vacation activities, you’re checking and responding to emails, taking work-related calls, and participating in meetings that could have been postponed or handled by someone else.

While you feel it’s only a short time that you’re spending on work every day, others see you glued to your devices, neglecting self-care, and missing quality time with your family and friends. Even when physically present, you’re mentally tethered to work, leading to a lack of meaningful interactions with loved ones.

The problem: It’s costing you more than you might think!

Your mind being occupied with work while on vacation can lead to disappointment and frustration among your family and friends, putting a strain on your relationships. Even when you’re surrounded by the most understanding people, having to juggle work with spending time with family and friends, adds pressure and is typically not satisfying.

On top of that, sacrificing your vacation time is negatively impacting your well-being and leadership effectiveness. You need time off to recover from stress. Without a proper break, you miss the full benefit from taking time off, and research shows that the benefits you did get from your vacation will disappear faster, meaning you will be just as stressed as before you left, in usually just a few days. This can lead to chronic stress and burnout. It limits your creativity and impairs your focus, which in turn decreases productivity and diminishes leadership effectiveness. Moreover, it sets a poor example for your team and decreases resilience. In essence, not taking vacation seriously can negatively impact both your personal well-being and your professional performance.

2. Why Disconnecting is so Hard for Women Leaders

Women leaders often struggle with unplugging due to a combination of external and internal pressures.

High expectations from colleagues and superiors create an environment where constant availability is the norm. People are simply expecting you to be available and are used to being able to reach you anytime. Work culture and societal norms further reinforce the idea that being always on is essential for your success.

While these challenges are real, they are all manageable with proper attention and preparation. Yet many women leaders struggle with navigating these challenges for reasons that lay deeper.

Their own expectations, the pressure to continuously perform at their best, and the related desire to stay informed about ongoing projects can make it challenging to step away from work.

But there are important reasons that go even deeper. We’ve already talked about the feeling of guilt, and how it can be overwhelming for women leaders. In addition to guilt, there is fear, and that fear can be paralyzing. Many women leaders fear missing out on important decisions or opportunities. They fear that if they’re not available or not in the loop, what they have worked so hard for could be taken away from them, or someone else could take their space in line for the next promotion. Guilt and fear make women leaders reluctant to disconnect. Can you relate?

Imposter syndrome can exacerbate this, as you may feel you need to overcompensate to prove your worth. The desire to feel needed and important keeps you tethered to your role. What if everything works perfectly in the office without you? What if you’re not even needed? You can’t let that happen, so you won’t. Having your personal identity closely tied to your professional success, makes it very hard to step away from your responsibilities.

Which of the above reasons resonate most with you?

3. Three Key Steps for Women Leaders to Successfully Unplug While on Vacation

Taking a break from work and truly unplugging while on vacation is essential for maintaining your well-being and leadership effectiveness. However, achieving this requires a deliberate approach. Here are three key steps to ensure you can disconnect fully and return to your role rejuvenated and ready to lead.

Step 1: Be Aware

The first step in successfully unplugging is becoming aware of the specific external and internal challenges you face. Understanding these obstacles is crucial because it allows you to address them head-on rather than letting them undermine your vacation.

Being aware of your challenges helps you identify the root causes of your difficulty in disconnecting. This awareness empowers you to develop targeted strategies to overcome these obstacles. It also provides a sense of control, as you can now anticipate potential difficulties and plan accordingly. In essence, awareness is the foundation of your ability to unplug, as it enables you to address both the visible and hidden barriers that keep you tethered to work.

Step 2: Prepare

Preparation is key to managing the external challenges that come with taking time off. By proactively addressing these issues, you can create a supportive environment that allows you to disconnect without worry. Here are 3-5 things you can do to prepare properly:

1. Set Boundaries: Establish clear boundaries for your availability during your vacation and communicate your boundaries effectively.
2. Inform Clients, Peers, and Supervisors: Let your clients, peers, and supervisors know about your time off well in advance. Provide them with all necessary information and contacts for any urgent matters.
3. Delegate Tasks: Delegate your tasks to trusted team members before you leave. Ensure that they have all the resources and information they need to handle your responsibilities effectively.
4. Create an Emergency Plan: Develop a plan for handling emergencies. Designate a point of contact who can reach you in case of a critical issue.
5. Manage Expectations: Use tools like automated email responses to inform people that you are on vacation and when they can expect a response. This helps manage expectations and reduces the pressure to check emails constantly.

Preparing in these ways will help you address the external pressures that might otherwise disrupt your vacation, allowing you to relax more fully.

Step 3: Transform

The final step is to transform the limiting beliefs that are behind your internal challenges. These beliefs often stem from deep-seated fears and insecurities, such as the fear of being seen as less dedicated or the belief that your worth is tied to your professional success. Transforming these beliefs is essential for allowing yourself to truly unplug and rejuvenate.

Because correctly identifying and transforming limiting beliefs can be difficult to do by yourself and is most effective when guided by a professional coach, we developed a proven process that involves guided introspection, mindfulness practices, and cognitive restructuring techniques. By engaging in this process, our clients can replace limiting beliefs with empowering ones that support their well-being and effectiveness. This transformation not only makes it easier to unplug during vacations but also enhances their overall leadership capabilities by fostering a healthier, more balanced approach to work.

Conclusion & Next Steps

Taking a break from work is crucial for high-achieving women leaders. By avoiding common mistakes, understanding the benefits of unplugging, and following the three steps to a successful vacation, you can return to your role more refreshed, energized, and effective. Remember, the more successfully you recharge on vacation, the longer the benefits will last.

Ready to transform your vacation into a true break from work?

Get the Ultimate Unplug-on-Vacation Checklist for Women Leaders (FREE)!

Click HERE to Download our Ultimate Unplug-on-Vacation Checklist for Women Leaders (FREE!) so that you can have a stress-free vacation that rejuvenates your mind and body, strengthens your relationships, and boosts your leadership success!