Why Disconnecting on Vacation Might Not Be Enough to Avoid Burnout

16 November 2025

Ah, vacation—the magical time of year when you pack your bags full of excitement, leave behind your soul-sucking email inbox, and declare to the universe, “I will relax!” But then, somehow, despite all your efforts to unplug, you return home just as drained as before.

What gives? Shouldn’t sipping piña coladas on a pristine beach cure all burnout symptoms? Turns out, simply disconnecting from work on vacation might not be enough to hit the reset button on your mental well-being. Let’s dive into why that is—and what you should be doing instead.

The False Promise of "Unplugging"

There’s a common belief that burnout is like a smartphone battery—just turn it off for a while, and voilà, it’s fully charged again. If only our brains worked that way! In reality, burnout isn’t just about stress from doing too much; it’s also about how we engage with our work and life.

Unplugging for a week or two might give you temporary relief, but if you're running on empty before you even board the plane, a vacation is more like putting a band-aid on a broken leg. It might make you feel better for a moment, but the underlying issues remain.

Your Brain Might Be on Vacation, but Your Stress Isn’t

Ever had this happen? You’re lounging by the pool, drink in hand, but in the back of your mind, you’re secretly wondering if Steve from accounting managed to handle that report you left unfinished. Or worse—you're mentally composing emails you swore you wouldn’t check.

The problem isn’t just work; it’s that your brain is still wired to be on. Chronic stress has a nasty habit of sticking around, even when you remove yourself from stressful environments. It’s like trying to sleep while your neighbor’s dog barks all night—you might be in bed, but you’re definitely not resting.

The Trap of "The Perfect Vacation"

Another sneaky burnout culprit? The pressure to have the perfect vacation.

You tell yourself, This has to be the most relaxing trip ever. You meticulously plan activities (because unstructured time is terrifying), pack a dozen “relaxing” books you swear you'll read, and then schedule your days down to the minute.

By the time you're done planning, your itinerary looks like a boot camp for leisure:

- 7:00 AM – Sunrise yoga (must achieve inner peace)
- 8:30 AM – Breakfast (but nothing unhealthy, because self-improvement never stops)
- 9:00 AM – Explore local culture (maximize enlightenment)
- 12:00 PM – Lunch (but make it Instagram-worthy)
- 1:00 PM – Beach relaxation (must feel at least 73% more chill than yesterday)

Before you know it, your entire vacation becomes another to-do list. And let’s be real—if you’re forcing relaxation, are you actually relaxing?

Why Burnout Starts Before Vacation and Sticks Around After

Burnout doesn’t magically appear out of thin air—it brews over time, like a terrible slow-cooked stew. If you’re already running on fumes before you step on that plane, a vacation isn’t going to magically fix what’s broken.

When people return to work feeling just as exhausted as before, they often assume the vacation wasn’t good enough. But the reality? The problem was never the vacation—it was the lifestyle leading up to it.

Instead of treating burnout like a problem you can "pause" with time off, try shifting your focus to long-term strategies that prevent burnout from creeping in at all.

How to Actually Recover from Burnout (Without a Plane Ticket)

1. Stop Overloading Your Schedule

If your calendar looks like Tetris on hard mode, that’s your first issue. Burnout thrives in a space where every single moment is accounted for. Leave room for nothing. Yes, nothing. (It’s uncomfortable at first, but trust me, your brain needs it.)

2. Set Boundaries Like a Boss

No, you don’t need to answer emails at 10 PM. No, you don’t have to take that extra project just because Linda asked nicely. Protect your time like it's the last slice of pizza—because once it’s gone, it's gone.

3. Find Joy Outside of Productivity

Not everything you do needs to have a measurable outcome. Hobbies aren’t only valid if they turn into a side hustle. Paint terribly. Dance awkwardly. Read books with no educational value. Whatever makes you feel human again.

4. Prioritize Actual Rest

Scrolling TikTok for three hours in bed isn’t rest—it’s digital numbing. Real rest includes quality sleep, mindfulness, and doing nothing without feeling guilty about it.

5. Incorporate Micro-Breaks Year-Round

You don’t need to wait for a two-week vacation to relax. Take a random Wednesday afternoon off just because. Eat lunch without multitasking. Go outside for five minutes. Mini breaks can be lifesavers.

The Bottom Line

Disconnecting on vacation is nice, but if you’re treating it as your only burnout prevention strategy, you’re fighting a losing battle. Burnout doesn’t disappear just because you escape it for a week—it needs long-term, intentional care.

So, rather than planning the perfect vacation as your burnout cure, focus on building a life you don’t constantly need to escape from. Because let’s face it—unplugging won’t save you if you’re still running on empty.

Now, go forth and actually relax. You deserve it.