How to feel like you’re on holiday everyday

Why do we take holidays? What is it about getting away from everyday life that helps us switch off, recharge and gain a different perspective?

For many of my clients, the main motivations are releasing stress and escaping from the daily grind of endless work meetings and messages. The thought of reclining by the pool with a cocktail is the beacon of hope that makes all the everyday drudgery of our busy, competitive lives worthwhile.

The problem with that is, it doesn’t last. As many of us have discovered, trying to force ourselves to relax and make the most of a mere week or two away is in itself stressful. By the time we finally manage to switch off, it’s time to go home again.

It also prevents us from living in the moment, because we are always anticipating a future reward for our hard work rather than enjoying what is right in front of us.

This attitude can contribute to feeling exhausted or as though rest and enjoyment have to be earned, rather than treating ourselves with compassion.

But is there another way?

Yes! What if, instead of seeing holidays as a process of physically getting on a plane and staying in a resort, we look on them as an opportunity to recharge ourselves psychologically and spiritually?

If being on holiday is primarily a state of mind, that means we don’t actually have to go anywhere to experience it. We just have to carve out some time for ourselves to bring that ‘holiday’ feeling of freedom and openness to new experiences into our day-to-day lives.

From a Buddhist point of view, we are breaking the cycle of constantly craving being somewhere else. Instead, our holiday paradise is right here.

But wait, I hear you say. Isn’t that just slacking off?

Not at all. With flexible and remote working now part of working life for many people, there may be more opportunities to think creatively about how we balance work and downtime. Making space for regular breaks and activities we enjoy can also help us think differently about our relationship with work and rest.

That’s before we even get on to the environmental benefits of taking fewer long trips.

Five steps to bring the holiday feeling into your everyday life

1. Take weekends away – or enjoy a day out

This spreads out ‘holiday’ time so you are not focused on just one summer break and can create opportunities to switch off throughout the year.

If you are lucky enough not to have to work weekends, use them for camping trips, visiting friends or simply exploring somewhere closer to home. If you do find yourself always composing emails on Saturdays or Sundays, look at delegating more or adapting your work pattern.

2. Meditate

When we truly relax on holiday, we may feel a sense of time stopping, as if we’ve left all our daily deadlines behind.

Meditation can offer an opportunity to pause and bring our attention back to the present moment. It doesn’t have to mean sitting cross-legged surrounded by candles (although that is great), but can be as simple as focusing on your breathing as you walk down the street.

3. Take short work breaks

Stepping away from your desk for 10 minutes may not sound like much, but taking regular breaks can allow you to step away from your work and reset your attention.

Whether you work from home or elsewhere, consider how you can create some space away from your screen during the working day.

4. Get outdoors

From trips to the beach to hiking in the forest, most holidays involve getting out and about. But is there somewhere closer to home where you could go to be among nature?

Taking regular walks or cycle rides in parks near our homes can be an enjoyable way to get outside, step away from everyday demands and notice what's around us.

5. Explore local museums and culture

One of the joys of travel is discovering something new about another culture. Yet it’s not really the travel that makes this possible. It’s having an open and curious state of mind.

If you love exploring museums and galleries on holiday, there may be plenty close to home that you’ve overlooked because they’re not in an exotic location.

Creating more space in everyday life

Do you want to build a lifestyle where you are putting yourself and your family first while still working towards your professional goals?

Coaching can provide space to explore what you want from your life, consider your priorities and think about changes that could help you create a better balance between work, rest and the things you enjoy.