9 Ways to Unplug and Recharge for Accounting Professionals

As the tight deadlines become overwhelming, it's no surprise that accounting professionals are under immense pressure to meet client demands and complete financial reports accurately and efficiently.  

The constant influx of work often leads to stress and eventually burnout, taking a toll on their physical and mental well-being.   

Understanding the Need to Unplug 

Accounting professionals must recognize the critical need to recharge and unplug. It involves detaching from electronic devices such as phones, laptops, TVs, and anything else that hinders them from fully experiencing the moment. 

There's a timeless saying that reminds us to "Take time to smell the flowers, to hug a tree, to listen to the birds sing, to simply be." This reminds us to slow down, embrace the present, and live in the moment. 

And as someone who’s working for over a decade as a professional accountant, I always remind my team to unplug, especially after the busy season. 

You just have to properly communicate it well, ahead of time to your team, colleagues, and clients to ensure a seamless transition during your vacation. 

By taking the time to rest, you can better combat stress, prevent burnout, and protecting your mental health amidst the demands of the profession. 

 Read: 6 Time Management Tips for Busy Accountants 

Ways to Unplug and Recharge for Accounting Professionals 

To help you to unplug and recharge, you may consider the following tips: 

1. Plan your trips

First and foremost, before you unplug and recharge it is only ethical if you plan your trips ahead. 

My leadership team and I usually send calendar invites as holiday reminders during Q1 for the whole year's planned trips. While there may be some adjustments, they are minimal and we ensure to provide enough notice.  

In addition, I also make sure to provide my team with a list of tasks, including Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), along with assigned responsibilities. 

This allows my team to review and practice before my holidays and feel confident enough to handle specific tasks that require specific ways to resolve. To know more about D&V Philippines' business continuity plan, you may read this article. 

2. Properly Transition your Work

Transitioning your work before going on a vacation ensures that someone will take care of your essential tasks. Your team will not disturb you and at the same time, there will be fewer items to catch up on once you are back. 

3. Create a Travel Fund

If you want to enjoy a worry-free vacation, consider saving for a travel fund. You can start it by setting aside a fixed amount monthly.  

Doing this will ease the financial burden of a one-time cash outlay and help manage your expenses since you can already allocate a fixed budget for each trip. Of course, you can be flexible as needed. 

4. Don’t Be Pressured

It is important to remind yourself, not to be pressured to have that perfect vacation. Since, if you expect too much and compare yourself, it tends to take away the joy from your travels. Just enjoy your journey despite the mishaps and disappointments. 

5. Connect with Nature

It has been proven through studies that connecting with nature has many benefits not just for your physical well-being but also for your mental and spiritual health. 

Going on long walks and being exposed to green spaces reduce anxiety and depression, promote a healthy immune system and boost one's happiness. 

You can plan a weekend to go visit a place surrounded by trees and greenery. This way, you will be able to breathe fresh air, relax and simply exist.  

This is also a great opportunity to engage in activities that will encourage a connection between your body and nature. Once you are refreshed, working will become easier. 

6. Reading Breaks 

A mental break is also possible even when you are indoors through reading. Find a good book that you know you will enjoy as reading allows you to indulge and be transported into fantasy land or different dimensions.  

This will also exercise your creativity and imagination and is a good way to keep your mind active while your body rests. Try to find a spot where you will feel comfortable and will help you emerge in an undisturbed reading experience.  

You may even create a playlist that enhances the mood while you are reading like instrumental music or ambient sounds as it doesn't interfere with the text. A good cup of hot beverage is also a good mood enhancer while reading and gives you a homely feeling. 

Read Next: Creating Harmony: 9 Tips for a Balanced Lifestyle 

7. Do Arts and Crafts 

Connecting to your artistic side has many advantages for your well-being. It crosses cognitive, emotional, and social areas, making it a worthwhile and fulfilling activity. It also promotes unconventional thinking, curiosity, and the development of original forms of self-expression.

Engaging in creative hobbies like painting, crafts, or sketching can reduce stress. These hobbies demand a concentration that helps shift attention from daily stressors and improves relaxation. 

8. Spend More Time With Your Loved Ones

Surround yourself with positive energy or people by spending time with friends or family. Engaging in meaningful conversations or enjoying shared activities can provide a sense of connection and support.  

Doing this is also crucial for promoting calm and mental well-being. A better and more balanced lifestyle may be achieved by establishing deep relationships and scheduling time for people who uplift and encourage you. 

9. Exercising

Frequent exercise releases endorphins, which are the body's natural mood boosters, and is, therefore essential for emotional health.  

Stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms are all lessened by physical exercise. It improves sleep quality, raises self-esteem, and sharpens cognitive function.  

In addition to offering a constructive platform for expressing emotions, exercise promotes general mental health and resiliency in the face of stress. 

Simple exercises that can uplift your mood like breeze-walking, stretching and running can be a part of your daily routine that can help change the tone of your entire day. 

The Bottom Line 

Unplugging and recharging is so important for our mental and physical well-being.  

We all know how demanding the accounting profession can get, but it is still important to pause, breathe, and make some room for yourself to rest.  

At the end of the day, looking after yourself is really about doing what's best for you. This self-care boosts your mood and makes you more productive at work. 

Remember, taking care of yourself isn't just for your own benefit—it helps everyone around you by making you a better team player. 

Choose The Right Employer 

If you are seeking an employer who prioritizes a positive work environment and places a high value on employee well-being, then consider joining the D&V Philippines.  

You may visit our recruitment page to discover the various positions currently available within our organization. 

You can also download our whitepaper Employees to Partners: How D&V Philippines Invests in its People to learn about our employee-centric approach and how we can assist you in achieving your career goals.   

— 'In collaboration of Angelica Garcia, a content specialist at D&V Philippines'