Going on holiday is the best part of the year, isn't it? After working hard for months, you can finally escape to a holiday paradise. But according to a survey by recruitment agency Office Angels, 86 per cent of people get bored on holiday or don't know how to relax. A bizarre thought, but it's a common problem and it's known as SOW...

What is SOW?

SOW is Summer Office Withdrawal Syndrome or, in other words, the inability to take a break and forget about work. Instead, you find your thoughts creeping towards your in-tray, meetings you might miss and ruthless co-workers using your absence to get 'in' with the boss. In their survey of 1,500 office workers, Office Angels concluded that the prospect of so much free time is a challenge to many people:

• Over 50 per cent admit it takes them three to four days to unwind, even on a one-week holiday
• 25 per cent use their mobile phone to access their work voicemail
• 68 per cent find it difficult to manage so much unstructured time
• 62 per cent worry about lack of things to do
• 45 per cent admit they miss the 'buzz and banter' of office life
• 40 per cent stress about not getting a good spot by the pool
• 10 per cent fret about sleeping in and missing the inclusive breakfast

You might think SOW only affects high-flyers (and yes, they are more susceptible), but anyone in a pressured job is at risk. Not having free time in your daily routine can make you thrive on 'action' instead. Occupational psychologist, Peter Gerstmann says: "There's nothing unusual about taking a few days to unwind, especially if the individual has been busy, or is preoccupied with work thoughts. But if possible, people should go away for two weeks once a year. One week is fine for a 'holiday top-up' but as a main break from work, it's not enough."

Why is SOW so common?

The presence of SOW is hardly surprising. Work culture is defined by 'presenteeism' - taking a genuine sick day can be frowned upon. Many employees think they are too busy to go away. According to the Office Angels survey, employees are taking less holiday and shorter lunch breaks because they're scared that time off will affect their career prospects. Workers feel that they should work long hours in order to 'deserve' their annual leave. The current climate of 'downsizing', 'cost cutting' and 'increasing efficiency' only reinforces this impression.

How you can deal with SOW?

To enjoy a worry-free holiday, try these tips:

• Make a list of work-related issues that could crop up in your absence and talk to your colleagues and boss about who can do what. Create a simple handover document listing useful names and numbers (not yours!). Leave work which is non-urgent.


• The prospect of hundreds of emails and voicemails on your return can be stressful so let people know that you will be away. Set up an automated out-of-office reply for your emails and amend your voicemail message, stating when you will be back and who to contact in your absence.


• If possible, don't leave your mobile number for colleagues and don't take work with you. Both defeat the purpose of a holiday - to relax. And you'll annoy poolside sunbathers - they don't want to hear about Document 4.1.


• Don't schedule important meetings the week before or after your holiday. Give yourself breathing space either side so that you feel the full benefits - no point in getting stressed the day you leave or on your first morning back.


• If you can't go away, try a 'balcony holiday' - what the Germans call taking time off work and staying at home. You can still be 'officially' on holiday, visit friends and family, sleep in, but still able to deal with urgent business. But make sure you go away at least once a year.


• Tell yourself that you deserve a holiday and you're entitled to forget about work. Going away is essential to your well-being - you have the chance to think about your life from another perspective, meet new people and, see different places. Creativity and efficiency can only be maintained if you recharge your batteries now and again.


• Peter Gerstmann recommends taking your watch off once you arrive at your destination. "It's surprising how quickly you get used to it and it helps with unwinding." He also suggests avoiding Internet cafes - you can catch up when you get back home.


• And lastly, don't overdo it by trying every activity on offer and binge-drinking on your first night. Unwinding is good, but unwind slowly. And if you do lead a stressed life back home, there's nothing wrong in enjoying a holiday when all you do is swim, sip cold beers and watch the sun go down - just make sure that laptop is nowhere in sight...