Summer reservations against a hard disconnect exist no more. As digital and mobile devices weave deeper into everyday business, the pandemic and new work models have exposed a simple truth: constant connectivity is no longer optional for many teams.
Fernando, a global trader handling raw materials for a multinational, sees this shift clearly. The horizon of the workday is blurring, and his role now lives at a flexible location with a wash of connectivity. On a recent vacation, this flexibility translated into roughly an hour of work-related connection per day, a tiny window that still lingered on the mind as a tradeoff between freedom and duty.
On one hand, Fernando recognizes clear gains from this tech-enabled posture: faster execution, tighter integration of devices into workflows, and the undeniable speed of digital communications. In the workplace, responses arrive in seconds, and immediacy is the new baseline.
Yet deliberate guidelines for device use are not always the norm. A psychologist, Mónica Ortiz, points out that the holiday period could be a natural time to reclaim moments for life away from screens. Practical steps can help, such as scheduling a power-down for the phone when possible, because if the device stays on too long, the urge to stay connected grows stronger.
Many of our automatic habits pull us toward notifications we didn’t even realize we were chasing. The culture of constant work remains pervasive, with society often linking commitment to productivity and overwork with positive traits.
A study from a national employment service shows that overtime remains a fact for many workers, with substantial portions going unpaid. While the percentage details vary, the broader message is consistent: extra hours are becoming a regular part of the work equation, often unrecognized as extra effort or stress.
From his own experience, Fernando notes that time and attention spent outside ordinary work hours is sometimes a voluntary choice. It may feel like a sacrifice, yet it can also serve as a coping mechanism or mood regulator during tough periods.
In this context, Estefanía López emphasizes stepping away from the prevailing productivity narrative. A true break is essential, especially during holiday periods, to slow down, disengage from emails, and resist over-planning. It is important to rise with no strict plan, improvising and savoring a lack of structure as a real reset for the mind and body.
The cost of not disconnecting
Mental health experts warn that accumulated stress can lead to lasting discomfort. Emotionally, some forms of imbalance may develop, and the integration of devices into daily life often contributes to such overload. Clinicians report patients who struggle to detach from work because mobile devices keep the push notifications alive.
When there is no clear boundary, personal relationships and family dynamics tend to suffer. Behavior in social settings can shift for the worse, and the health toll can go unnoticed because it blends into everyday life. The risk isn’t just professional; it seeps into personal well-being and social participation.
Left unchecked, the pressure to stay connected can become normalized within society, masking the damage it does to health and balance. Some experts stress that intentional self-care is a form of resistance against a culture that overvalues constant availability.
Burnout and its wake-up call
In recent years, burnout has been recognized as a real health concern affecting both body and mind. The fatigue associated with long hours and constant mental load is not just about losing energy; it also signals a broader risk to productivity and overall well-being. Businesses occasionally fear that attention to employee health could come at the expense of performance, but that fear is misguided when viewed through the lens of sustainable work life. Critics argue that health investments should be about well-being first, with productivity following naturally.
There is a growing call for a kinder approach to work that prioritizes balance. Mindfulness practices, sometimes described as a modern form of spirituality tied to work, offer practical avenues for relief. Existing labor regulations and workplace policies can support such shifts, helping workers reclaim time and space for themselves without sacrificing career goals.
Policy and practice
Legislation around personal data and digital rights has begun addressing the right to digital disconnect in the workplace. This right describes the moment an employee steps away from digital devices and corporate software after working hours, restoring personal boundaries. Even with formal rules, the trend toward longer and more flexible work arrangements can create new forms of techno-stress, extended workdays, and continuous connectivity.
As telework expands, these concerns gain new urgency. The challenge is not simply to enforce a rule but to cultivate healthier norms that respect time off, rest, and the human limits that sustain long-term performance and happiness.