Summer vacation’s just around the corner. You’re counting the days, dreaming of beaches, mountain cabins, or just turning off email notifications.

But here’s the kicker: if you don’t plan your rest like you plan your work, you might come back just as tired, or worse.

High performers don’t just work smart. They rest smart. Here’s a simple checklist to help you avoid the burnout trap and actually recharge so you can return sharper than ever.

1. Before You Leave

• Wrap, don’t cram: Avoid stuffing your last week with unfinished to-dos. Tidy your task list instead of adding to it.

• Delegate and document: Make sure someone knows what to do if things blow up while you’re gone. A short doc is better than long explanations later.

• Make yourself unnecessary (in a good way): Ensure everyone has what they need to operate without you. Set clear responsibilities, access to resources, and fallback contacts.

• Wind down early: Start slowing your pace a few days before you leave. Avoid a full-throttle Friday-to-vacation jump.

• Reflect: Jot down what’s working and not working right now, future you will thank you post-vacation.

2. During Vacation

• Set controlled check-in windows (if needed): If going fully offline isn’t realistic, designate a short, predictable time to review messages, ideally once a day at most, and never during peak rest hours.

• Don’t overschedule: Avoid turning your vacation into a checklist. Rest isn’t something to “accomplish.”

• Capture clarity: Great ideas often pop up when you’re relaxed. Keep a small notebook for those flashes, no pressure to act on them.

• Sleep, move, enjoy: Do the simple things. Sleep in. Walk a lot. Laugh. Let your nervous system breathe.

• Feel the contrast: Pay attention to how different life feels when you slow down, it’ll help you make smarter choices later.

3. Coming Back

• Block your first day: No meetings. No big deadlines. Give yourself a decompression day.

• Review with clarity: Remember that list you made before leaving? Revisit it with fresh eyes. Prioritize, don’t panic.

• Start with momentum, not intensity: Tackle something meaningful but manageable. Reignite focus, not stress.

• Share insights: If vacation gave you perspective, talk about it with your team. Culture is built on shared awareness.

• Adjust course if needed: Use that refreshed mind to realign your direction, not just return to autopilot.

Final thought

Taking time off isn’t the reward. It’s part of the strategy. Rest like the best, and you’ll come back not just recharged, but ready to lead.