How to holiday like a Focus Tiger?
By tuning into the three essential forms of recovery: physical, psychological, and social.
When you give intentional attention to each of these, your holiday becomes more than just time off. It becomes a true reset. You’ll return to work not just rested, but genuinely recharged and focused.
The Benefits of the Three Forms of Recovery
Taking time for physical, psychological, and social recovery isn’t just a luxury; it’s a powerful way to reset your brain’s reward system. When we slow down, we allow dopamine levels to rebalance, reducing the overstimulation that comes from constant inputs like screens, stress, and multitasking.
Physical recovery restores energy and supports deep, restorative sleep.
Psychological recovery gives your brain the essential space for reflection, creativity, and emotional processing.
And social recovery, through meaningful connections, lowers cortisol levels and boosts oxytocin, helping us feel safe, grounded, and seen.
Together, these three forms of recovery gently shift us from the fleeting highs of “fast dopamine” to a more stable, sustainable state of lasting motivation, sharpened focus, and inner clarity.
Creating a “Soft Landing” for Your Holiday
Before you shift into holiday mode, give yourself permission to close open loops and mentally sign off.
One helpful way to do this is to use our Stop-List-Out mini-tool:
1. Decide when your workday (and workweek) ends – and actually stop then. Pro Tip! Inform your colleagues when you’re switching into holiday mode to prevent unexpected contact.
2. List your unfinished tasks and thoughts to ensure a smooth catch-up after your holiday.
3. Leave your workspace physically. Close your laptop and clean your desk.
Pro Tip! Putting your laptop away physically can help you log off mentally, too.
4. Take a short walk. It signals your nervous system that you’re moving into a different rhythm.
5. Avoid checking work emails or messages after you’ve signed off. Protect the boundary you’ve just created.
Examples of Supporting Your Recovery
- Bring your morning coffee outside, but let your phone stay in.
- Paint, draw or do something creative with your hands.
- Delete all nonessential apps.
- Move without performance goals.
- Hangout with your dear ones.
- Set healthy boundaries and…
- Create time for yourself (perhaps try starting a meditation practice?).
- Take naps outside – enjoy all the wonderful sounds of the nature.
Experience the mindset of a Focus Tiger.
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