6 Ways to Be Productive on Vacation
Many business owners, especially women, could use a break. March 30 is Virtual Vacation Day so how about taking some time off?
Originally Virtual Vacation Day was supposed to encourage people to “travel” online, without leaving home or even *shudder* taking time off work. But let me ask you… what kind of vacation day is THAT, where you’re still working?
Why virtual vacation doesn’t work
If you think about it for a few seconds, I think you know what I’m about to say. Looking at a beautiful place or work of art online is… nice. Better than looking at a spreadsheet, right?
But you’re still looking at a screen. (And even if you have the luxury of a virtual reality headset, we all know the technology isn’t there yet.) That’s not relaxing. When you don’t deliberately take time off work, you’re still half at work when you’re looking at pretty pictures.
Not to mention that you’re not immersing yourself in a different culture, the way you do when you physically travel. You’re not able to experience the scents and sounds of a different way of living, or see how other cultures organize themselves.
So what exactly are you experiencing when you “vacation” virtually? Scrolling through different pictures? Wishing you were somewhere else?
Taking a vacation day as an entrepreneur
I’ll admit that when I was in corporate America I would take sick days when I was not actually sick. (Gasp! I see you clutching your pearls.) What I needed was a mental health day. A break.
Whatever I was doing at work was wearing me out, and the two-day weekend just wasn’t enough.
Since I started working for myself I’ve consciously set aside more time for rest, and as a result I haven’t needed so many mental health days.
Americans often don’t take all their paid vacation… assuming that they’re lucky enough to have any, of course. Many don’t get vacation days. Most of the rest of the developed world gives workers a month (or more) of paid time off. What would you do if your company paid you a month’s salary and you didn’t have to work?
Maybe you think that a month off is ridiculous. But bear in mind that countries where longer vacations are standard consistently score higher on things like happiness and quality f life than the US does. Think that’s a coincidence?
At any rate, hopefully a day sounds reasonable. And I tempted you by implying that you could be productive on your time off. You might have imagined I’d tell you how to pretend that you’re taking some time off when in reality you’re frantically checking your emails.
But what I’m specifically not referring to is work. Hustle and grind. Vacation is a break, not the same-old, same old.
In reality, when we’re talking neuroscience and how the brain works instead of modern American work culture, productivity means giving your brain what it needs to flourish. There are a whole lot of things that your brain likes, wants, and needs. Feeding your brain this stuff is what makes you more productive.
Because remember, productive does not mean “busy”. In fact, it’s the opposite of that.
Productivity is accomplishing the important things in a reasonable amount of time, and then tending to your brain. If it’s good for your brain, it’s good for productivity.
Checking emails and phone notifications may release some dopamine due to the variable reward effect. That’s the exact same thing that happens when you gamble. Do you want to treat your office like a casino?
Sitting slackjawed in front of the teevee in your recliner with your favorite bevvie in hand isn’t good for the brain either, although a lot of people think of vacation as being exactly that. But human brains don't really want to consume entertainment with no engagement.
So what does your brain want, you ask?
What your business owner brain wants and needs
Here are some ideas for your vacation day that will help you fill up your productivity tank. The only requirement is that whatever you decide to do is something you enjoy.
1. Get outdoors in nature
March 30 is a good day for vacation, because in most of the country the weather should be reasonable. It might be raining, but shouldn’t be too cold or too hot. Put on your raincoat, you won’t melt.
Brains like nature. As a species, we’re used to a variety of natural vistas, and the engineered environments that most of us live in just aren’t cutting it.
Nature can be whatever is outside your door. You don’t have to go anywhere special if you don’t want to (or feel that you can’t.) The woods behind your house, the park by your office, or in my case, the foothills behind me, will all do the trick.
2. Move your *ss
You can do this in the gym, but honestly, if you get outside and get a move on, you get a two-fer bonus as far as your brain is concerned. You don’t have to run a marathon or climb a mountain - if you don’t want to. If you do, then absolutely have at it.
Otherwise, go for a nice walk, jog, bike ride, swim, play hackysack (does anyone still do that anymore?), whatever. It doesn’t have to be for a super long time, but if you find you’re enjoying yourself, then go longer.
If you don’t like walking, then don’t go for a walk. Wanna play hopscotch or jump rope or hula hoop for a while? Do it. Some kinds of yoga will work, but not all.
Your brain needs oxygenated blood to be productive, and it gets that from you moving around.
Humans survived as a species because we cooperated with one another. I know that goes against the whole bootstraps thing, but again, we’re talking science and facts, not fictitious culture.
3. Phone a friend
Humans survived as a species because we cooperated with one another. I know that goes against the whole bootstraps thing, but again, we’re talking science and facts, not fictitious culture.
Introverts need socializing too. Call someone you haven’t talked to in a while, and maybe encourage them to take a vacation day while you’re at it! You don't need a real purpose for the call, other than to catch up and see what’s new.
Do not try to sneak a work conversation or networking in here! Call a friend who is not a colleague or former colleague and have a chat. Also, texting doesn’t count. The human brain does not recognize that as connection: it’s just more typing.
4. See a friend
Even better is seeing someone in the flesh! But if you’re separated by thousands of miles, then you'll have to rely on a phone call. On the other hand, if you’ve got buddies in town, why not get together with one or more of them?
If you REALLY want to give your brain a boost, then invite a friend (or two) out for a walk! That’s three - count ‘em, THREE - things your brain loves. Ooooooh. Super productivity tank filler!
5. Play music
Best if you’re actually playing an instrument, no matter how badly. (Pass out earplugs to the neighbors if you need to.) Just having it on your stereo or streaming bar is better than nothing. Attending a concert or supper club with music also gives you some social benefits.
6. Do your craft or hobby
Whatever it is, have at it! All crafts have a variety of benefits, depending on what you’re doing. And ones where you don’t really have to pay that much attention can give your brain a break while you’re doing something fun.
7. Help someone out
Actual help, not donating to someone’s GoFundMe or Patreon. Could be an elderly neighbor struggling with groceries, someone you know who needs a ride somewhere, mentoring someone in your field, introducing a colleague to someone you think they should know, or even buying a sandwich for the unhoused person you meet on the street.
They get help, and you get happy neurochemicals. The human brain rewards us when we help someone, because cooperation is how we survived.
You might have noticed that none of these productivity boosters involve a screen. And yes, there’s a reason for that. If you’re not using your phone to call someone, put it down. Close your laptop. Although tech does make some tasks easier, your brain prefers you to take tech breaks too.
Recap:
Virtual vacation is meaningless, but actual vacation is good for your brain. Instead of doing nothing, which may feel relaxing but doesn’t really make your brain any happier, do things that your brain likes. And you’ll even boost productivity when you get back to the office.