The festive season is a time to relax, have fun and spend quality time with family and friends. However, for many busy professionals, work responsibilities can creep in and steal away time that should be used to recharge.

It’s easy to feel guilty about taking time off or worry that work will pile up while you’re away, but it’s essential to take time out for your mental wellbeing and professional performance. Allowing yourself time to switch off helps you return to work recharged, refreshed and ready to take on new challenges.

With a little planning, you can enjoy a stress free festive break without letting work take over!

Tips to enjoy the festive season without letting work take over

5 tips to enjoy the festive season without letting work take over:

Set clear boundaries for yourself and others.
Plan strategically ahead of time.
Treat your time off like a non-negotiable appointment.
Define ‘must do’ vs ‘can wait’.
Mentally close the door on work.

Set clear boundaries for yourself and others

Setting clear boundaries is essential if you want to truly switch off and enjoy the festive season. Let your colleagues and any clients know your ‘out of office’ dates in advance so they understand when you’ll be unavailable.

You might also want to set up an automatic reply on your emails to let others know when you’ll be back and who to contact in your absence. It’s also important to resist the urge to check your emails as doing so often leads to slipping back into work mode.

If you have any work related apps or chats on your phone, it might be best practice to mute them or temporarily delete them until you return back to work.

Plan strategically ahead of time

Planning strategically ahead of time can eliminate potential stress before your break starts. Start by identifying your key priorities and setting clear deadlines so you can wrap up important tasks before your break.

Delegate any ongoing responsibilities to colleagues working through the holidays and make sure they have everything they need to keep things running smoothly. This will help you mentally switch off and trust that everything's under control. It may be a good idea to tidy your workspace and clear your inbox before you leave, you’ll thank yourself when you return!

You may also want to schedule some catch up time in your calendar for when you return. This will allow you to ease yourself back into work, feeling organised and refreshed which can improve workplace morale.

Treat your time off like a non-negotiable appointment

Over the festive period it’s important to treat your time off like a non-negotiable appointment. While work is important, so is your mental health. Your time off is just as important as any meeting or deadline so it’s important to treat it that way.

Avoid the temptation to squeeze in ‘just one more task’ or respond to messages out of habit. Prioritise personal activities during your break, whether it’s spending time with family, pursuing a hobby or just relaxing, and treat these as fixed appointments.

Give yourself permission to fully switch off and enjoy the festive season so you can return in the new year feeling refreshed and ready for what's next.

Define ‘must do’ vs ‘can wait’

Define ‘must do’ vs ‘can wait’ to effectively organise your workload and figure out what needs to be completed and what can wait until you return to work. ‘Must do’ tasks are urgent and should be completed before you leave, such as meeting deadlines, handing over responsibilities or resolving issues that could cause problems if left unattended.

On the other hand, ‘can wait’ tasks are lower-priority jobs that can wait until you return as they won’t cause any immediate disruption if left until later.

Defining ‘must do’ vs ‘can wait’ means you can prioritise your time on work that needs to be done urgently to reduce any last minute stress and leave work knowing that everything is under control.

Mentally close the door on work

When you go on annual leave for Christmas you should mentally close the door on work. Allowing yourself time to completely switch off and enjoy your time away from work is important for your mental health. It’s also extremely effective for your work productivity in the new year.

After an effective break, you’ll come back into work refreshed, recharged and ready to work!

Author Bio -

Hi, I’m Eva, Marketing Assistant at Spencer Clarke Group. Spencer Clarke Group is an award-winning recruitment agency that supports businesses with their staffing needs and helps professionals find their dream job. I write content for Spencer Clarke Group's Career Hub, providing expert insights and career advice for both employers and jobseekers. In 2025, we were named Best Recruitment Marketing Team, Best Public Sector Recruitment Agency and Best Temporary Recruitment Agency at the Recruiter Awards!