Anand Dorairaj talks about how ‘workations’ may lend a fun element to your job
Not long before the global pandemic hit us — reappraising the way we think about work and leisure — the prospect of working from home, even if it were only fortnightly, was an exciting proposition. The benefits of skipping the endless commute to the workplace, attending meetings while virtually donning your favourite pair of pyjamas, and aligning your tasks around your chores or sleep cycle, would always outdo the regularly inconvenient humdrum of life otherwise.
But COVID altered our lives and beliefs in so many unexpected ways. The novelty of working from home started to fade away in a matter of a few months after offices were shut. The makeshift work desks at different corners of homes eventually blurred the personal-professional boundary, triggering overwhelming sentiments of ‘living at work’, burnouts and ‘Zoom fatigue’, resulting in monotony, lethargy and reduced productivity levels.
The sustained monotony of working from home has also proved to be detrimental to mental health, particularly impacting professionals who have been living away from families. However, since large companies are looking at the remote working structure as a more permanent solution for its obvious pros and considering how the third wave of COVID-19 is just around the corner, as per experts, we may have to find ways to mix things up and make working from home a sustainable and agreeable process.
The solution — A ‘workation’
Experts swear by the mantra of rotating your workspace, so your day feels more varied. Initially, professionals tried to mix things up depending on the amount of space at their disposal. But as they ran out of options, a few took it to the next level by hiring a space in the outdoors — to work!
And that’s how the term ‘workation’ was coined. Workation = work + vacation. It’s combining business with leisure. It’s attending Zoom calls against the enviable backdrop of a waterfall. It’s scheduling emails while sunbathing at a beach. It’s creating campaigns while sipping a cup of hot cocoa at a rustic cafe somewhere in the hills. It’s hitting targets while hitting the roads.
A workation allows you to take your office along with you on your vacation. When you work from the hills or beaches, you integrate the elements of leisure into it, giving yourself time to unwind and rejuvenate whilst delivering on your daily targets. The idea of taking a road trip to a nearby destination — to relocate for a few weeks or even months — has proven to do wonders for your productivity, boosting motivation and striking a perfect work-life balance.
Smart marketing by the travel and hospitality sector
With the workation fad doing the rounds, hotels and homestays near metro cities have introduced ‘Workation Packages’ to cash in on the trend. They have bolstered their infrastructure to offer the best remote working experience — contactless check-ins, high-speed internet (even on the beaches and open spaces), comfortable work desks, in-room dining services, and babysitting services for kids. They are training their staff rigorously on the COVID SOPs to ensure compliance with all social distancing and safety measures. To promote longer workations, they are rolling out lucrative offers with slashed tariffs on long-term rentals and extended stays.
The workation-readiness isn’t limited to the hospitality sector. The travel industry, which was equally affected by the pandemic (if not more), is all geared up to facilitate safe commute to workations, which are usually in smaller towns located a few hundred kilometres away from densely populated urban spaces. The safety benefits and convenience offered by car rentals coupled with the charm of a classic road trip after months of confinement is what’s making car rentals the preferred choice of travel among workationers. After all, who does not want to be pampered by a doorstep pickup and drop, with a chauffeur-driven car at your disposal?
If you are based in any one of the metropolitan cities and can’t wait to get away from the hustle and bustle, listed below are some brilliant recommendations located amid picturesque attractions:
Bangalore
Kabini: Witness the wild waking from slumber in their natural habitat at any one of Kabini’s jungle lodges. After a busy workday, unwind by opting for an evening safari ride for the ultimate wildlife experience.
Honnavar: Don your favourite beach shorts and cabana-style shades to answer your Zoom calls amidst the clean yellow sands and turquoise waters of Honnavar.
Dandeli: A visual retreat for nature and adventure lovers, the rustic jungles and idyllic waterfalls of Dandeli will serve as your picture-perfect workstation.
Sakleshpur: Nestled amid the Western Ghats, this gorgeous hill station will overwhelm your senses with its vast aromatic tea and spice estates. You can also treat yourself to trekking and camping activities after a fruitful work week.
Mumbai
Igatpuri: A hidden paradise tucked in the Sahyadris, it will be the perfect workation for mountain lovers.
Jawhar: Lush greenery, pristine lakes and waterfalls, breathtaking treks and dense forests — it is a land of serenity still unexplored and offbeat.
Velas: Known for its Olive Ridley sea turtles, it is a paradise for beach lovers. After an exhausting day at work, unwind by trekking your way to the cliffs and witness the picturesque sunsets at the Velas beach.
Goa: Delicious seafood, unparalleled nightlife, alluring beaches, cosy cafes, affordable stays, it is already a favourite amongst workationers!
Delhi
Pushkar: Why work from home when you can work from a majestic palace! And once you have pampered yourself with all the royal treatment, work from one of the desert camps in the place .
Jim Corbett: Book a cottage with large windows with a view of the stunning jungles of Jim Corbett. Listen to the sounds of birds cooing or river flowing nearby and the occasional roars of the Royal Bengal Tiger to chill your spines. This one’s not for the faint-hearted!
Mussoorie: Travel back in time to the colonial town of Mussoorie. Work against the majestic backdrop of the Garhwal Himalayas and rejuvenate your senses.
Jaipur: Spend your evenings witnessing the ancient forts, admiring the old-world charm and enjoying the delectable Rajasthani cuisine in the Pink City.
Kolkata
Sundarbans: Find your inspiration for work in the wilderness. The trees, the forests, the streams, and the unique fauna of Sundarbans can inspire you. Take a relaxed break cycling or taking nature walks or go for wildlife photography.
Lachung: Work amid pine forests, rhododendron sanctuaries, snow-capped peaks, rustic cottages, hot springs and rich biodiversity.
Falta: The serene river town of Falta is surrounded by lush green landscapes and has a fascinating history associated with it. Unwind after work exploring its fort and port or go for a tranquil ferry ride.
Kalimpong: Experience the charm of working amidst rolling hills, picturesque valleys, magnificent monasteries and rich diversity of flora and fauna.
Escape the monotony of home and head out to refresh your mind and soul while working from outdoors.
(The author is the VP, head of growth at Savaari Car Rentals, the largest chauffeur-driven car rental company in India in terms of geographical reach.)