Just thinking about checking your email sets off work-related thoughts, right? But here's the thing: you've taken trips before, and at some point, you've forgotten your phone or gone without WiFi, and the world has been totally fine without your swift responses, right? So why wait until the end of your vacation to remember that simple fact?
"Guests are often so attached to their cellphones, they're unable to be present and connect with their surroundings," said Natsuda Dumrongpanich, director of Gem Spa at Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach.
"Setting your phone aside lets you feel more relaxed and able to connect with fellow vacationers — so you can develop meaningful conversation and even friendships." Since it's not totally realistic to completely disconnect, she recommended setting aside one or two designated times to check email (preferably on your laptop, so you don't get drawn in). We're calling it now: you'll have a few messages to answer, a few to star for later, and a big feeling of, "Oh, right — I'm on vacation and everyone in the office understands that."
