Should You Really Unplug During the Holidays?

Should You Really Unplug During the Holidays?

It’s tempting isn’t it? To turn your phone to airplane mode during your holiday feast and keep it that way while you clean up, unwind, and relax with the people you love? Absolutely it is. And if you look to a few experts, this time away from work is also healthy.

But there’s a different point of view that might not be considered. In fact, it might make you more stressed out and overwhelmed the more you unplug from your work during the holidays.

Rejuvenation or Results?

In a perfect world, you’d turn off all notifications on your phone and set up an auto-responder so people know not to bother you while you’re gone. But this isn’t a perfect world and the thought of completely disconnecting is enough to get your heart beating faster than it will as you rush your way through store after store finding the perfect gift this year.

Being out of touch isn’t a healthy break from work; it’s added pressure for when you return.

Many times, professionals prefer to keep a pulse on what’s happening back in the office. This way, they won’t have lingering worries about everything collapsing under their leave. They won’t worry about stress about what type of work awaits them when they get back into the office. By staying plugged in, they actually minimize stress by knowing what’s happening and realizing that things are chugging along just fine in their absence.

Personality Plays a Role

Like everything in this world, there’s no one size fits all formula.

For some people, this holiday season will feel a little more jolly when they’re plugged into work and engulfed in the chaos of the busy season. For others, it’ll feel more like an overwhelming wave of stress washing over them. What will it feel like for you? That’s for you to decide.

Recognize your personality traits. Do you prefer to be plugged in and connected? If so, don’t try to listen to advice about disconnecting. Connect! But if you don’t, recognize that you need a break and don’t try to stay in touch for the sake of it.

Everyone’s personal preferences are different. Understand your personality and the personalities of your team members, so you can minimize the amount of stress your entire team feels during this busy time of year.

What’s Right for You and Your Team?

The only perfect solution is to adapt to the people who play critical roles in your firm. But remember, if you allow your team to fully unwind, you’re risking a lack of connection when you need it the most.

Apps, like our online scheduling app, offer an excellent middle ground to appeal to both personality types. Instead of giving full responsibility to one person in the company to manage the schedule 24 hours a day, you can spread the responsibility around to others in your business. Employees can take control of when they work and when they don’t. Other employees can pick up shifts and work to get more money if that’s their preference.

The point is to follow what’s right for your team. Give as much flexibility as possible so everyone can get the restoration they need, even if that means not unplugging now and then.

Author Profile Jon Forknell is the Vice President and General Manager of Atlas Business Solutions, Inc., a software marketing company specializing in employee scheduling software, including ScheduleBase employee scheduling software, and other business software solutions. In the past, Jon has been recognized by the U.S. Small Business Administration as a SBA Young Entrepreneur of the Year. Atlas Business Solutions was named as one of Software Magazine’s Top 500 Software Companies in 2004 through 2007 and again in 2010, 2013 and 2014.