We’re all going on a... healthy holiday

Going on holiday should be an exciting time. However, the pressure of preparing for your time away can create a cloud over your well earned break.

For many workers ñ especially those in supervisory and management positions - the lead up to a holiday can really put the pressure on, with the result that they can feel stressed and worn out before they have even reached the airport. Employees often have a lot to do in the run up to a holiday and find they are working longer hours to ensure all their tasks are completed before going away. This can lead to over-stressed workers who canít wind down on holiday. Some even feel it would be easier to not take time off at all. The impact on employer and employee is apparent, but it also affects families.

However, leading health and wellbeing provider, FirstAssist believes that, with a little thought and planning, workers can alleviate pre-holiday concerns and ensure they have a happy, relaxing and most importantly stress free holiday.

ìThe key to a stress-free holiday is to learn to relax in the lead up to time offî claims Dr Les Smith, Group Medical Director, FirstAssist, ìAllow plenty of time for handovers so you can feel confident your colleagues will be able to progress tasks in your absence and resist the temptation to contact the office once awayî.

To help both employers and employees take the worry and stress out of holidays, FirstAssist recommends some top tips to ensure the lead up to a holiday and the break itself is anxiety free.

A Stress Free Holiday - Tips from FirstAssist

Preparation is Key - For managers a looming holiday can be a time for worry, but this neednít be the case. Ensure staff can manage the extra workload by preparing them well in advance. Allow plenty of time to give adequate briefs and leave clear instructions for colleagues to follow

Doctorís Orders - Once away, donít let work worries interfere with the holiday. While emails have made life easier, itís too tempting to check on work progress while away so leave laptops, blackberries, mobile phones, anything that could tempt you to contact the office, at home. Doctors advise a clean break from work while on holiday

Have a Nice Flight - Before you travel, consider the length of your flight, remember to keep active and drink lots of water to avoid D.V.T and bring something along to keep the kids entertained. And If youíre flying with a baby, ensure you bring the right equipment and if possible try and book a seat with more room

Keep the Kids Happy ñ Think about the people youíre going on holiday with. If itís the family think about the kids and ensure the holiday will appeal to everyone ñ maybe spend a day at a theme park in exchange for a day of sight seeing

Plan Ahead - Do some research into the area youíre visiting, it wont do to arrive in the middle of the monsoon season or the height of a religious holiday

Stay Well ñ Donít let the holiday be disrupted by the nightmare of running around trying to find a doctor and then possibly having to pay for the consultation all because you forgot to pack the prescription medicines. However If itís more than just forgetting the medication itís worth ensuring the country your visiting will be able to accommodate you should medical attention be required. The World Health Organisation records the number of doctors per 100,000 people in different countries and reveals there are only 13.2 doctors for every 100,000 people in Kenya, for example. While the average for developed countries are 361.1 per 100,000[i]. It doesnít matter where in the world you are, you can still fall ill or have an accident. The only difference is that, if youíre away from home it could feel more frightening

Stay Alert ñ Of course in some areas of the world, personal health risks arenít just about falling ill. It may seem scary but crime, terrorism and war are issues that you must be prepared for. Travellers should also be aware of muggings and car jacking which are prevalent in some holiday destinations. It may be worth doing some research before you travel

Insurance ñ Boring maybe ñ but important definitely. Although very few people would venture abroad without insurance how often do you carry the contact number on you while out and about or keep it safely tucked away in the hotel room? Thereís no point having insurance if you canít use it

ìWith these tips and a little planning and preparation a break from work will be exactly that, with no need for stress or worryî confirms Dr Les Smith, ìand with the necessary preparation done before leaving work, employees can avoid working themselves into a frenzy and enjoy a much deserved holidayî.