The festive season is a great opportunity to recharge after a long, demanding year. For many professionals, the Christmas break is the longest continuous stretch of downtime they’ll get until the summer. Yet despite this, a large portion of UK workers struggle to actually switch off. They check emails, respond to messages, or get consumed by end-of-year tasks . The result? They don’t reap the full mental and emotional benefits of their time off and can return to work feeling more stressed than before they left.
The good news is that if you plan your break with intention and can truly disconnect the benefits extend far beyond the holidays themselves. Here’s how to make the most of your Christmas break without coming back to work feeling out of control.
If you are in search of a new role or your next hire contact us.
Why Switching Off Really Matters
At its core, taking time away from work isn’t just about physical rest. When you genuinely detach from work duties and communication, your brain can shift out of “stress mode” and into recovery . Clinical studies show that holidays reduce perceived stress and anxiety, improve mood, and enhance clarity of thought .
Despite this, many employees don’t use their leave as intended. Research in the UK reveals that 57% of workers admit to working either ’sometimes’ or ’often’ while on booked annual leave, and only 37% feel encouraged by their employer to disconnect fully . The youngest workers are particularly prone to this, with 74% of 18-24 year olds reporting they work during holiday time.
This trend matters because the boundary between work and life remains vital to mental wellness. Poor mental health is one of the leading causes of work-related absence in the UK , with burnout and overwhelming stress increasingly common . Around 828,000 UK employees suffer from work-related stress, depression or anxiety each year, and over a quarter say they can’t switch off in their personal time .
Start Early: Prepare Before You Leave
You can set the tone for a stress-free festive break long before your out-of-office goes live:
Wrap up key projects proactively. Leaving loose ends often increases anxiety while you’re away and makes your first day back harder. Prioritise what truly needs finishing; anything that can wait should be scheduled for your return.
Communicate clearly. Let clients and colleagues know your exact leave dates, and who to contact in your absence. Clear expectations reduce the number of last-minute touchpoints.
Use your out-of-office wisely. A thoughtful message sets professional boundaries and signals to clients and contacts that you’re taking a real break. Include your return date and, if possible, a secondary contact for urgent issues.
Structure Your Free Time (But Loosely)
Once the break begins, don’t leave your days unplanned or overloaded. True downtime is about balance.
Schedule restorative routines - late breakfasts, walks, gym sessions, social time with friends, catch ups with family.
Mix activity with calm. While it might be tempting to fill every moment with parties and trips, over-scheduling can ironically lead to holiday fatigue rather than refreshment. Leisure participation even simple social activities, moderates stress responses and supports psychological recovery .
Embrace digital boundaries. Decide when and how you’ll check work apps if at all. Many professionals find success with a “no screens before lunch” rule or designated tech-free evenings.
The Science of Recovery: What Research Tells Us
It’s not just anecdotal: the psychological benefits of disconnecting from work during holidays are well-documented.
A major meta-analysis focused on vacations found broad improvements in well-being, including increases in positive mood and reductions in negative affect following periods of rest .
Other research indicates that how you experience your break matters. Activities that foster relaxation, choice, and mastery (such as choosing what to do, not being rushed, engaging in hobbies) lead to stronger recovery benefits .
There’s also evidence that holiday effects can linger. A recent study noted that positive emotional states from holidays can persist for over six weeks post-break, especially when workers fully disconnect and engage in enjoyable activities .
Avoid the “Holiday Letdown” Trap
Paradoxically, the end of a break can also trigger stress. Sociologists and psychologists have long observed a post-holiday low mood often dubbed “Blue Monday,” where motivation and mood dip in mid-January due in part to returning to routine and unrealised New Year resolutions.
To prevent this:
- Ease back in. If possible, avoid scheduling heavy meetings or deadlines on your first day back. Leave space to settle in.
- Keep healthy habits alive. Maintain the good routines you started over Christmas, like morning walks, journaling, or hobby time into January.
- Set achievable goals. Replace vague resolutions with specific, small targets you can realistically achieve week by week.
Supporting Your Team to Switch Off
For leaders and hiring managers, the Christmas break isn’t just an individual matter, it’s a workplace culture issue. Too many employees feel guilty about taking annual leave, pressured to be constantly available, or simply unsupported in their efforts to rest . Encouraging a culture where downtime is respected helps everyone come back more energised and productive.
Here are practical ways organisations can help:
- Reaffirm leave policies, emphasising that staff should not be working while on holiday.
- Train managers to coach teams on workload handover and responsible boundary-setting.
- Celebrate disconnecting - share tips and stories internally about how colleagues are resting.
Making This Christmas Count
As recruiters we know that careers flourish when employees are healthy, balanced, and engaged. A holiday that’s truly restful and structured to minimise strain, brings benefits for mental health, workplace productivity and long-term job satisfaction.
With careful preparation, intentional rest habits, and support from employers, this Christmas can be a genuine reset not just a pause button you never quite hit.
Take this time to recharge fully, so when you return to work you feel ready, in control, and better equipped for the year ahead.
Looking for guidance on managing team wellbeing during the festive break? Or help hiring professionals who value work-life balance? Get in touch with the experts at Platform Recruitment and explore our live roles across sectors where healthy work cultures thrive.
Scam Alert