Your work identity can make it harder to switch off
We all know people who are mentally "on holidays" even before the holidays have started. But for others, switching off from work is not so easy. Why? One factor is our identity mix. We all have multiple identities, but the range and relative importance of our identitiesIf work-related identities occupy a central place in how we see ourselves, they're likely to shape our thinking and behavior beyond work hours — including during holidays. In other words, we stay mentally connected to work not because the boss or the job necessarily requires it, but because it's hard to imagine other ways of "being ourselves"..
At the same time, introduce cues to activate other identities. For instance, if you're a tennis player or an aspiring artist, keep your gear visible so your brain is primed to focus on those aspects of your self.