Does this blog title seem crazy to you? Then, you may be one of those lucky people who can switch off their work brain the second they leave their job. Believe it or not, this is not the case for everyone.

With holiday season coming up, we’re willing to bet you have a day or two out of the office designated to spending time with family and unwinding. And, of course you’re looking forward to it. But if you’re a workaholic or someone who just can’t get work out of their mind when they get in their front door, you’re also probably plotting out exactly what you’ll be doing when you get back from holiday.

Can you finish that project before leaving? What if you don’t? Can you work on it over the holiday? Will you be on track when you get back or will your headspace have changed? Stop right now.

While work is an important part of everyone’s life, it’s not everything, and on your days off it shouldn’t be anything. But how do you get your mind to that blissful place of rest?

Let’s Start With Science

According to scientific studies, our reliance on electronic devices makes it hard to switch off. Whether you’re an entrepreneur or are employed by a larger company, the type of person who can’t stop thinking about work will have work ingrained in their technology. Even it’s just scheduling plugged into your calendar, that’s enough to take your mind where it shouldn’t be.

The Zeigarnik Effect refers to people who can’t completely forget about something when it is left incomplete.

The best thing you can do to start relaxing, is ditch the technology. So, put down your smartphone and pick up a book instead. Or go for a walk. Or go to the gym. Pick something you can immerse yourself in and you’ll feel more relaxed right away. Keep it up and you may never want to get back to the rat race again!

Some Non-Scientific Advice

Loving your job, being invested in it and excited about it is not a bad thing. But when you’re harming yourself mentally you’re going too far.

The best thing you can do before going on holiday is get everything done. Avoid that Zeigarnik Effect by not leaving yourself with unfinished tasks to fuss over. Preparation is key. Preparing others is also important.

If you’re the only one going away, the worst thing that can happen is getting a coworker’s casual question sliding into your personal texts or email. You’re on holiday and helping others out back in the office is not included!

Finally, if you’re not a naturally relaxed person that’s not the worst thing in the world. You thrive on your to-do lists, so give yourself some new lists for your holiday time. Replace “respond to all emails before noon” with “finish one book by the end of this holiday” and you’ll be well on your way to accomplished bliss.

Now get off your computer and go enjoy your holiday!