Thanks largely to technology, the line between work and personal life is getting fuzzier. Ditto for the line between work and vacation. And don't think for a moment you can totally unplug on your camping trip: 3/4 of campsites in the U.S. now have WiFi. Being reachable at the summer cottage or while camping might be a huge pain in the Blackberry for some of you, however, according to an Accenture survey, close to 75% of professionals take work with them on vacation anyways.

And for many people,it's the least stressful option. Taking a total digital hiatus may sound like heaven, and for many of us, it would be a fabulous idea. But what if not being reachable or not attending to the odd important business matter ends up causing you more stress in the long run? Some of the most successful people I know are able to balance holidays and work without necessarily creating an iron wall between the two. And they say they prefer it that way. After all, they point out, what would you rather do: stay glued to your office all summer or take the occasional call or commit to 15 minutes of work per day while enjoying the breeze from your favorite seaside sanctuary? 

 

If you do decide to stay partially connected, the key is to prioritize, still set some firm boundaries, and, perhaps most importantly, stop feeling guilty about it! If you are doing it for the right reasons, then accept the fact that it's totally okay to blend work and play and that everyone's notion of work/life balance is different (if it exists at all).

 

Conversely, if you decide to play 100% unplugged, you might want to check out these great tips on how to do so effectively in the most recent issue of Fast Company magazine: How to Disappear.