Summer is vacation season. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that we all need time to step away.

Not just to prevent burnout, but to do our best work. Taking time away from work has been shown to reduce stress, improve focus, boost creativity, and help us return with fresh perspective. Sometimes the most productive thing we can do is disconnect.

But for many of us, “time off” doesn’t always feel like time off.

We’re checking email from the beach, wondering what’s piling up back at the office, or thinking about everything waiting for us when we return.

The irony is that most vacation stress doesn’t happen on vacation. It happens before we leave and after we come back.

The good news is that with a little planning, you can dramatically reduce that stress, for yourself and your team. Here are a few habits that can make a big difference.

1. Start Communicating Earlier Than You Think You Need To

One of the biggest mistakes people make is waiting until the week before vacation to let everyone know they’ll be away.

Instead, put your vacation on your calendar well in advance and remind colleagues as it gets closer. This gives people plenty of time to ask questions, request information, or wrap up loose ends before you leave. The goal is to avoid the last-minute scramble that inevitably happens the day before you’re out.

This becomes even more important if you’re a people leader. The more people who rely on you, the more intentional you need to be about giving them time to prepare before you’re away.

2. Plan Coverage (i.e. Don’t Leave People Guessing)

The true power to unplug lies in how well you’ve planned before you leave.

If you’re a manager, create a process that normalizes vacation coverage. Decide ahead of time who will cover what, talk through common issues that could arise, and review important processes or FAQs together. When everyone knows the plan, people feel more confident making decisions, and you’re far less likely to be interrupted while you’re away.

It’s also helpful to define what actually constitutes an emergency. Rather than saying, “Call me if anything urgent comes up,” provide examples of the situations that truly warrant interrupting your vacation and those that can wait until you return. The more clarity you provide upfront, the less likely people are to reach out “just in case.”

3. Turn Vacation Coverage Into a Leadership Opportunity

Vacation coverage isn’t just about keeping work moving. It’s also an opportunity to help people grow.

Who could benefit from taking ownership of a project for a few days? Who’s ready to practice making decisions with a little more independence? Giving someone temporary responsibility in a low-stakes environment is often one of the best ways to build confidence and develop future leaders.

4. Model the Behavior You Want to See

One of the biggest barriers to unplugging isn’t policy… it’s culture.

If leaders answer emails from the beach, apologize for taking time off, or constantly check in, employees notice. People don’t truly feel comfortable disconnecting unless they see their leaders doing the same.

If you want your team to take restorative time away from work, model that behavior yourself. After all, if taking on more responsibility appears to come at the expense of your well-being, why would anyone aspire to the next leadership role?

5. Make Your Out-of-Office Message Crystal Clear

A good out-of-office message leaves no room for interpretation.

Clearly state when you’ll be away, when you’ll return, whether you’ll be checking email (my recommendation is not to), and exactly who people should contact in your absence. The clearer your message, the more confident people will feel about where to go for help while you’re away.

6. Be Intentional Before You Leave and When You Return

One of the best gifts you can give yourself is protected time before you leave and when you return.

Before vacation, set aside time to wrap up loose ends, communicate with your team, and leave things in good order. Then, before you leave, block your calendar for the morning—or even the first day—you return. Protect that time for catching up on email, reviewing projects, and getting your bearings before jumping back into meetings.

Knowing you’ve built in time on both ends of your vacation makes it much easier to truly disconnect. Instead of worrying about what’s waiting for you, you can relax knowing you’ve created space to prepare before you leave and catch up when you return.

The Real Reset

One of the biggest misconceptions about vacation is that changing locations is what helps us recharge.

IT’S NOT.

The real reset comes from stepping away mentally. If we’re still checking email, solving problems, or worrying about work, our brains never fully recover.

Vacation isn’t time away from doing good work. It’s one of the things that makes sustained good work possible.

So before you pack your bags, spend a little extra time preparing your team and your calendar. A few small actions before you leave can make all the difference in how you feel while you’re away, and how you feel when you come back.