UP FRONT | TRAVEL BETTER
Digital Detox How to unplug from work and savor your vacation BY BRAD COHEN
SO YOU’VE DECIDED to take that trip to Thailand? Well, that’s a good first step, considering that almost half of Americans don’t take any vacation. Anywhere. Ever. And the ones who do often spend far too much time staring at the screens on their various devices. But how do you actually take a vacation, and not just relocate your office to a far-flung destination? How do you avoid the emails, and phone calls, and siren call of social media? Devise a plan before you leave. Here is a step-by-step guide to successfully leave work behind while you’re away:
1
BE REALISTIC
2
WORK AHEAD
3
STAY ACTIVE
Decide how much time you actually need to spend online to avoid getting fired, then set a goal before you leave.
Answer all the emails that have been piling up in your inbox and let any important clients know you’ll be out of reach. A clear inbox will lead to a clear mind while you’re gone, and it will make your return less overwhelming.
If spending your vacation completely off the grid isn’t your thing, you can plan a trip that makes it easier to leave your phone in your room. There’s only so much time you can spend on technology when you’re surfing or skiing all day.
18 GO ESCAPE | WINTER 2019