Summer holidays are fast approaching, but thoughts on a tropical drinks poolside may be tempered by memories of constantly buzzing phones and anxiety about work.

Some people are able to completely switch off from work during their annual leave while others might as well be working remotely, much to the annoyance of their loved ones.

Fear not if you're one of the latter. Guy Thornton, founder of aptitude testing platform PracticeAptitudeTests.com, has shared his top tips for helping workers to fully disconnect and make the most of their time away this summer.

1. Create clear work boundaries and set expectations before you go

If you struggle to switch off while on holiday, it’s essential to set clear boundaries before you leave, as well as any expectations. 

This means making sure your team knows your plans well in advance, so colleagues have time to ask questions or get support on anything they may need while you’re away.

That way, you’re less likely to find yourself answering emails while you could be sipping a piña colada.

2. Set up an out-of-office reply

An easy way to create distance from work while you're away is to set up an out-of-office reply on your email.

This lets managers and anyone else who tries to contact you know that you won’t be checking your inbox during the dates you've specified, and that someone else is available to help if needed.

Once this is set up, remind yourself that people will see your out-of-office response. Trusting that your message has been received can help you resist the urge to check in while you’re on annual leave.

3. Switch off all notifications

With workplace apps like Slack and Microsoft Teams constantly pinging, it can be even harder to separate work from your personal life while you are on holiday. 

To truly switch off, silence all notifications. Your colleagues will have your contact details if there’s an emergency.

If muting notifications isn’t enough, consider deleting any work-related apps altogether for the duration of your holiday.

4. Plan how you’ll use your free time

We often plan our careers in great detail, but rarely do the same for our downtime.

When you're on holiday, you’ll have pockets of free time that don’t exist in your usual routine.

Fill that time with activities that help keep your mind off work.

Whether it’s reading a book by the pool, going for a walk or planning a day trip to the beach, having things lined up will make it easier to stay present and avoid reaching for your phone or laptop.

5. Plan your return to work

Before you switch on your out-of-office and log off, take time to plan your return to the office.

Make sure any ongoing projects are in a good place or clearly handed over.

Schedule catch-up meetings with your team to get up to speed on anything that happened while you were away.

Having a plan in place can make your return feel less overwhelming and allow you to truly enjoy your time off, knowing you’ll be stepping back into a manageable workload.

(Pic: Getty Images)