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Hannah Flynn reports.
1.Lay some ground rules before you leave
Realistically, any pharmacist going on holiday will have a locum covering them while they are away.
Pharmacy owners will have organised cover for the other aspects of their role, says Cary Cooper, professor of organisational psychology and health at Lancaster University Management School. It helps if you use a locum you know and trust with your pharmacy.
However, professor Cooper acknowledges that, even with everything in place, things will go wrong. Therefore you must put some ground rules in place before you go.
"Whoever is taking over must not call you unless there is a real emergency," he says. You must outline to all of your staff what constitutes a "real emergency" before you go.
2. Don't take your phone or laptop
"Instigate a no email and no mobile rule for your holiday," professor Cooper advises."If you log into your emails and see that something has gone wrong it may upset you. Professor Cooper says many people find it hard to switch off when they have their laptop or mobile phone with them. He suggests considering whether there is any real need for taking either of them, or if there will be facilities available where you are going that will allow you to get in touch in the event of an emergency.
3. Take at least two weeks off
Professor Cooper advises it will take at least two days to wind down once you have arrived at your destination, so if you spend a day travelling either way on a one week holiday you will only have three days to relax.
"Take a reasonable length of time off, at least 10 days. You want to maximise the amount of time you have to just enjoy your holiday," he says.Of course, your ability to do this will depend on how many days holiday a year you are entitled to and able to take off. But, instead of spreading out holidays thinly, try to ensure you have at least one two-week break a year so you can make sure you have time to switch off.
4. Spend time with your family
You need to make sure you make the most of your time away from work, and devote time to the people you don't get to spend time with during your working week.
If you are with your family make sure you spend as much time with them as possible, and if you are with your partner make sure the two of you do as much together as possible.
Professor Cooper says spending time with your group means there is little time to get distracted and think about work.
5. Don't dwell by the pool
"It is very important to keep active so you can keep your mind off work," says professor Cooper.
He suggests limiting time spent by the pool, as lingering there could allow your mind to wander. Instead, he suggests keeping as active as possible. "If you just lie by the pool being sedentary then this makes you think about things. I am not saying don't take some books to read, but make sure your rest time is spent around and with other people. Do things that will make you take your mind off work."
Activities professor Cooper suggests doing include walking and exploring the area you are in. Check out what other activities are available before you go, too.
How do you switch off on holiday?
"I get myself involved with all the sights and places I am going to see and make sure I tell myself to try to not think about work."
Aina Osunkunle, K and A Pharmacy, Gateshead "When you are on holiday you need to make sure people know not to contact you and that helps to switch off."
Amish Patel, Hodgson Pharmacy, Dartford "Normally I do something that involves an adrenaline rush, like scuba diving or skiing, to keep my mind off work. Anything like that helps."