The business approach to an effective holiday.

How to have a stress free break from your desk without checking your blackberry every minute and worrying about next week's report that needs to be filed!

Apart from 20 precious days holiday per year most of us are familiar with life in the fast lane the rest of the time.  Now thanks to the power of Blackberry and Mr Jobs (not to mention Android and the new Nokia out this month) even during those 20 days we can be sure that our boss is never more than an email away.  So how can busy minds that are programmed to function 24 hours a day 7 days per week learn to switch off for those precious few days away in the sunshine?

1. Leave the office behind.
Dr Dov Eden, Business administration lecturer at Tel Aviv University says that leaving objects that remind you of the office behind can get you into the holiday mood.  "Create a physical separation from your office - it'll help to free you up".

2. Train your brain to relax.
Use the  opposite side of your brain to the one you use when you are working (your left hand side of the brain).  Train your right hand side to focus on "holiday thinking" by doing things with your left hand.

3. Stretch.
During long flights roll a ball under the soles of your feed, then extend your legs and stretch them out.  Stretching muscles helps to raise levels of endorphin that in turn lowers stress caused by long flights.

4. Review your routine
Rather than sticking to your normal daily routine of shower, breakfast swim, try mixing it up and going for a swim in the ocean as soon as you wake up.  By disengaging from your normal routine you will switch off and unwind faster.

5. Sun Lounger meditation
This one is simple, ten minutes a day will see your stress levels drop off.  Unfocus your eyes and concentrate on taking five breaths in and out counting to four on each inhale and exhale.  On your fifth breath close your eyes, keep breathing steadily and focus on the rise and fall of your body as you inhale and exhale.

6. Plan more fun!
Occupy the "planning" part of your brain, the bit that is worrying about next week's presentation, with planning activities.  Research local delicacies, and day trip to distract you meaning that "planning" part of your brain will be distracted leaving you to enjoy the local sites and fully chill out in the sunshine.

7. If like me you haven't got time to escape from your desk for a holiday use the above image as the backdrop for your computer, practice sun lounger meditation, and start planning some fun for next weekend!