How to Actually Relax on Holiday (Even When Your Mind Won’t Switch Off)

You’ve booked the time off. Your out-of-office reply is on. You’re finally at the airport, suitcase in hand, ready to unwind. But your brain?

Still stuck in work mode.

Still replaying conversations, going over to-do lists, and worrying about things that can definitely wait.

If that sounds familiar, you're not the only one.

"I was by the pool with a cocktail in hand… and all I could think about was my inbox!"

That’s what one of my hypnotherapy clients told me recently. And it’s something I hear a lot, especially during the summer months. We go away hoping to relax, but our minds don’t always get the memo.

Instead of switching off, your brain keeps racing. You might even feel guilty for not being more productive.

So, why does this happen, and how can you actually help your mind and body relax when you’re away?

Why You Can’t Switch Off on Holiday

When you’ve been running on stress mode for a while, your brain doesn’t automatically know how to stop. Our nervous system is wired to prioritise safety, which often means staying alert and busy, especially if that’s been your default for weeks, months or even years. So when you suddenly stop and try to relax, your brain can struggle. It feels unfamiliar, even unsafe.

This isn’t your fault. It’s not a personal weakness. It’s simply a pattern your brain has learned over time, and the good news is, it can learn a new one.

5 Simple Ways to Help Your Brain Unwind on Holiday

Here are five gentle but effective ways to support your mind and nervous system to shift out of overdrive and into rest.

1. Let go of the pressure to relax

Ironically, trying hard to relax can make it harder to do so. Instead of thinking ‘I should be feeling relaxed by now’, try this gentler approach:

"I'm giving myself space to decompress. My system will slow down in its own time."

This mindset shift removes pressure and creates room for your body to recalibrate naturally.

2. Create micro-moments of stillness

You don’t need to meditate for an hour or do yoga by the sea. Simply find small, quiet moments throughout your day.

• Sip your morning drink slowly, without distractions

• Watch the clouds pass

• Feel your feet on the ground.

  
  

These micro-moments signal to your brain that it’s safe to be still, and slowly, your stress response begins to soften.

3. Use gentle movement to reset your nervous system

Movement can be incredibly grounding. You don’t need to hit the gym if that's not your thing. Just move in ways that feel good.

• Swim in the sea or pool

• Stretch on the balcony

• Go for a slow walk.

  
  

Movement helps discharge excess adrenaline and reassures your body: "It’s OK. We’re safe now."

4. Let your thoughts out, then refocus

If your brain feels noisy, try jotting down your thoughts. Not to analyse them, but simply to let them land somewhere outside your head. Then gently ask yourself:

• What’s already going well?

• What’s helped me cope in the past?

  
  

By shifting your focus from worry to strength, your brain begins to redirect its energy towards calm and clarity.

5. Imagine what rest feels like for you

Don’t aim for a vague idea of relaxation. Instead, ask yourself:

"If I felt more rested tomorrow, what might be different?"

Maybe you’d smile more easily. Sleep a little deeper. Feel less reactive.

Imagining small, realistic shifts helps your brain start noticing signs of rest already happening because it’s wired to find what you focus on.

Real Rest Is a Skill, Not a Luxury

In a world that praises busyness, taking time to rest can feel unfamiliar, even wrong. But rest isn’t laziness. It’s essential for your wellbeing! And like any skill, it gets easier with practice and the right support.

Hypnotherapy Can Help You Switch Off On Holiday and Beyond

If your mind feels stuck in overdrive, even during downtime, Solution Focused Hypnotherapy can help. It gently guides your brain out of stress mode and towards a calmer, more balanced state.

Whether you’re struggling with sleep, overthinking, anxiety or just want to feel more present in your day-to-day life, hypnotherapy offers a powerful and practical way forward.

Ready to Reset?

You don’t have to wait until burnout to get support. In fact, the best time to seek help is when you notice your mind won’t settle – even on holiday.

📞 Book a free 30-minute consultation to learn how Solution Focused Hypnotherapy can help you feel calmer, clearer and more in control – wherever you are in the world.