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Free Wi-Fi is a fantastic hotel amenity — unless you’re the type of person who can’t step away from work. If that’s you, falling into the trap of “just checking one email” will derail your vacation. 

There are plenty of reasons that it’s hard to leave work behind, even when you’re surrounded by beautiful scenery or incredible opportunities for adventure. Maybe your team is short-staffed, or maybe you have trouble letting go of control over a project that’s “yours” because you’re afraid it will create headaches when you return.  

Whatever the reason, there’s a solution that lets even the most extreme workaholic stop and smell the roses.  

Your Vacation Problem May Be a Staffing Problem

The first step to relaxing is this: Understand that being the only one who can do the job may seem like a compliment, but in reality it’s a staffing issue and a burden. Start a serious conversation with your boss about how you can get some real backup for when you need to leave. 

There are two possible fixes. The simpler solution is to train others on your team to cover your role, so that at least two people know how to perform even the most complicated tasks. Of course, building in backup only works when there’s already another capable and qualified person on your team. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. 

When there’s nobody else who can realistically take over your job while you’re gone, it’s time to think about the second fix: your company’s staffing plan. After all, if a single employee can’t take a week off without the team falling apart, that’s a red flag for a larger underlying problem. 

Luckily, Indeed can ease the pain of the hiring process. Employers can post up to three jobs for free each month. And right now, eligible employers can get a $200 credit to post a Sponsored Job, helping them reach more potential candidates*. 

While you may wish you could snap your fingers and cross-train or grow your team, both of those are longer-term solutions. But you can take steps immediately to make your vacation a true getaway. 

1. Give your backup real decision-making power.

Picture this: You’ve just gotten to the top of the mountain you’re hiking. You pull out your phone to take a photo, when you see an email asking you to sign off on something. Before you leave, abdicate responsibility by spelling out exactly what your backup can approve on their own — a budget cap, a client email, or a deadline extension — so they’re not stuck texting you for every judgment call.

2. Run a trial handoff. 

A few days before you embark on your adventure, let your backup handle tasks while you’re still around. Gaps in the handoff show up on a Tuesday afternoon, not while you’re at the airport.

3. Record a five-minute video walk-through. 

The last thing you want while you’re lounging at the pool or watching the tide roll in is to answer work-related questions you know you answered in your handoff notes. So instead of leaving pages and pages of written instructions, try recording yourself talking through open projects while sharing your screen. It’ll probably take less time than typing it all out, and it may be easier for your colleague to remember a short video than a bulleted list — meaning fewer questions for you.

4. Delete your work apps.

When you’re done packing your suitcases, give yourself a little help mentally switching into vacation mode by deleting any apps that you don’t need during your time away. It’ll give you the extra push you need to remove the temptation to check in on work. Muting isn’t enough, since the icon is still one tap away.

5. Don’t rush back in. 

Knowing you’ll be walking into back-to-back meetings with an unread inbox will get in the way of your getaway even before it’s over. Instead, carry your vacation vibes forward by blocking your calendar the morning you’re back, not just the days you’re away. Give yourself at least two hours to catch up first.

Plan and Build Your Team

A little planning can make your next trip easier, but building a team with enough depth to keep things moving when someone steps away is what makes unplugging truly possible year-round. Go ahead and log off. That Wi-Fi password will still be there when you get back.

If you’re ready to book your vacation, visit Indeed to start building your team. 

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This story was paid for by an advertiser. Daily Passport’s editorial staff was not involved in the creation of this content.