The vacation doesn't have to be perfect

Plan every day of the vacation or take it as it comes? There is no right or wrong when it comes to how to spend the leisure time, says psychologist Louise Lind. One should consider whether this desire to maximize the vacation actually allows one to enjoy it as well.

» Updated: July 16 2024

» Published: July 09 2024

The vacation doesn't have to be perfect
Photo: Hasse Holmberg/TT

Share this article

Plan every day of your vacation or take it as it comes?

There are no right or wrong ways to spend your leave, says psychologist Louise Lind.

One should consider whether the desire to maximize the vacation actually allows you to enjoy it as well.

Four out of ten officials report that they are expected to be available for work during their vacation, according to a survey by Unionen.

There is some research that indicates that it's not always bad to attend a meeting during your vacation. However, there must be factors such as flexibility so that it doesn't become a burden. It must always be entirely voluntary to work, says Louise Lind, psychologist and research and development manager at Mindler.

Good example

The survey also shows that managers' behavior has great significance.

As a manager, one should set a good example that helps employees make wise choices. It's important that if you as a manager tell your employees to take time off and rest, you don't do the opposite yourself.

Last year, the Swedish Social Insurance Agency released its report showing that stress-related sick leaves are increasing.

Louise Lind believes that recovery is needed throughout the year, not just during vacation.

Our body is not designed to stress for eleven months and then recover in one month. Our body is designed to exert itself and rest alternately.

Evaluate your vacation

According to the Vacation Act, you have the right to four weeks of consecutive vacation, but some people divide it up. Louise Lind thinks it can be difficult to wind down when the vacation finally comes if the time before is stressful.

Then the first week will probably just be about trying to get your brain to start unwinding a bit. Then it's definitely good with consecutive vacation. But it's hard to say that everyone should have it.

Daring to put yourself first and doing what you think is best for yourself is, according to Louise Lind, a good method to avoid overdoing it during your vacation.

If you feel that your vacation is the only chance you have all year to unwind, it may be a signal that you lack recovery. You can't say "this is how you should spend your vacation" but what I can send with is that there will be more vacations. Evaluate this vacation and you'll have a small hint for next summer.

Psychologist Louise Lind provides tips on how to think before, during, and after your vacation:

Air in the schedule

The week before your vacation, it may be good to try to have more air in your schedule and not schedule all important meetings there.

Recovery activities

Recovery looks different for everyone. During your vacation, there are several activities to wind down. It can be anything from tinkering in the garage to knitting or going out for a run.

If you have a job where you are very physically active, maybe activities that aren't physical are better suited.

Recovery doesn't have to be an all-day activity. It can be enough to chill in a hammock for 15 minutes or drink a cup of coffee outdoors.

Set aside time

Once you're back at work, it's good to go into your calendar and set aside some administrative time to catch up, avoid a rough start.

Evaluate

Evaluate your vacation. Do what you've planned, sit down and evaluate, and then you'll have a small hint for next summer. The vacation will come again – it doesn't have to be perfect.

Tags

Author

TTT
By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

More news

Sweden Proposes Registration and Catch Reporting for Recreational Fishing
3 MIN READ

Sweden Proposes Registration and Catch Reporting for Recreational Fishing

SSU Chairman Apologizes for Wearing Controversial Scarf
2 MIN READ

SSU Chairman Apologizes for Wearing Controversial Scarf

Elk Hunt Begins with Increased Quota This Year
2 MIN READ

Elk Hunt Begins with Increased Quota This Year

Man Seriously Injured in Motorcycle and Car Collision Near Söderköping
1 MIN READ

Man Seriously Injured in Motorcycle and Car Collision Near Söderköping

Customs Seize Over 1,200 Counterfeit Labubu Dolls
2 MIN READ

Customs Seize Over 1,200 Counterfeit Labubu Dolls

Live Object Disarmed in Eskilstuna Villa Area Evacuation
1 MIN READ

Live Object Disarmed in Eskilstuna Villa Area Evacuation

Swedish Foreign Minister Affirms Genocide Principle Amid Gaza Concerns
2 MIN READ

Swedish Foreign Minister Affirms Genocide Principle Amid Gaza Concerns

Swedish Government Proposes Halving Food VAT from April
1 MIN READ

Swedish Government Proposes Halving Food VAT from April

Uppsala University Proposed for New Police Training Program
1 MIN READ

Uppsala University Proposed for New Police Training Program

Teen Acquitted of Rape by Court of Appeal in Lycksele Case
1 MIN READ

Teen Acquitted of Rape by Court of Appeal in Lycksele Case

Andersson Vows to Halt Gang Recruitment if Social Democrats Win
2 MIN READ

Andersson Vows to Halt Gang Recruitment if Social Democrats Win

Slussen Bus Terminal Opening Delayed to Autumn 2026
1 MIN READ

Slussen Bus Terminal Opening Delayed to Autumn 2026

SMHI Issues Yellow Warning for Heavy Rain and Flood Risk
1 MIN READ

SMHI Issues Yellow Warning for Heavy Rain and Flood Risk

Teen Sentenced for Attempted Murder in Eslöv Bus Stabbing
1 MIN READ

Teen Sentenced for Attempted Murder in Eslöv Bus Stabbing

15-Year-Old Killed in Stockholm Car Explosion Linked to Bomb Plot
1 MIN READ

15-Year-Old Killed in Stockholm Car Explosion Linked to Bomb Plot

Faulty Vaccine Storage in Dalarna May Have Reduced Effectiveness
1 MIN READ

Faulty Vaccine Storage in Dalarna May Have Reduced Effectiveness

Most Older Swedes Report Good Mental Health but Group Differences Exist
1 MIN READ

Most Older Swedes Report Good Mental Health but Group Differences Exist

Hagvidson Profits Millions While Rationing Butter at Preschools
1 MIN READ

Hagvidson Profits Millions While Rationing Butter at Preschools

Three Men Charged in Kramfors Stabbing Murder Case
1 MIN READ

Three Men Charged in Kramfors Stabbing Murder Case

Erik Sturegård Responds to Criticism of Sweden's Public Health Agency
1 MIN READ

Erik Sturegård Responds to Criticism of Sweden's Public Health Agency