Out-of-office on? Time for a pre-holiday chill-out plan – that lasts…

It’s thought the average person doesn’t properly switch off and relax on their holiday until the third day, at around 7.30pm.* And it’s not surprising, at all. ‘Most people are running their lives at a million miles an hour and when your thoughts are revved so high, it’s not unreasonable that it takes a little while for them to slow down,’ says Domonique Bertolucci, life strategist and author of The Kindness Pact (domoniquebertolucci.com). ‘To get the most out of your holiday, you need to learn strategies to help your mind switch into neutral as fast as possible.’

Turn off work emails

If you get work emails to your phone (but still want to use your phone on holiday), make sure you deactivate your email alert. And don’t forget your out-of-office message. ‘Add a line to the message saying you will be returning messages on a date that is (at least) two days after your return date,’ says Domonique. ‘That way you buy yourself some time to catch up and won’t go from being relaxed to exhausted on your first day back.’

Get mindful

Start the switch-off on your way to the airport with some relaxation or meditation – you can listen to free guided meditations online from sites such as chopra.com or apps like Insight Timer. Or, you could just focus on the sights and sounds of your journey – look out of the window, take note of other people and be in the here and now. You’re so mindful right now!

Make a pre-holiday playlist

Create a music playlist that’s themed to your destination (salsa or flamenco music for Spain for example) to get you into the right mood and listen to it on the flight. ‘Before you head back from your holiday, add any other tracks you’ve enjoyed listening to while on holiday so you can quickly recreate your holiday mood when you get home,’ says Domonique.

Try something new

If you’re not a laze-around kind of person, book yourself on a course where you get taught something new (don’t try to teach yourself as that could leave you more stressed) and to distract you from work. Try pilates or perhaps a raw food course to benefit your mind and body.

Book a massage for when you arrive

‘Nothing signals the beginning of relaxation of a holiday like a massage, so book it for the morning of your first day if they’re available,’ says Domonique. ‘The beauty of this is that your post-massage buzz won’t be ruined by a stressful commute or work email 10 minutes later.’ That relaxed feeling will continue for the rest of your holiday.

*Survey by www.sunshine.co.uk – http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-2681510/Brits-reveal-precise-moment-begin-switch-holiday.html