Don't Let Work Take Over Your Holiday Season — Prepare to Log Off and Be Present With These 5 Tips

With the holiday season fast approaching, many people are reading to take a vacation — mentally AND physically. But this isn’t so feasible for some people. There are industries where the holiday season is a super busy time. And there are businesses that need all hands on deck.

No matter what your niche, you deserve a break. Here’s how to stay present, get your work done and still get that much-needed rest.

1. Start planning early.

As much as you can, start planning for time off now. Check in with your manager to see what kind of support they will need, and discuss your plans for the holiday season. Whether you’re taking off a day or two weeks, you should have a plan for how you’ll manage your workload. This will also allow you to get as much done as possible and ensure you’re in the best position to take a break.

2. Leave your personal planning to your personal life.

You probably have other activities to prepare for outside of work, but they should not interfere with your professional life. This is a time when you need to be productive to ensure you’re able to fully unplug when you DO take time off. You don’t want to engage in personal/work multitasking because you’ll get less done overall and ultimately be more stressed during your break.

3. Take care of yourself physically.

Now is a time to take up healthy practices, if you’re not already doing it. Exercise, healthy eating habits, proper sleep and mindfulness sessions will allow you to stay alert and bring your best self to work. Even taking walks every day will help you clear your head. You should always be prioritizing your well-being.

4. Make a to-do list.

Staying organized is key. At the end of each day, start preparing for the next work day by making a checklist of items you need to accomplish. This will help you know what you’ve already done and what you still need to do. It will also help you avoid overworking in the days leading up to your break — while you certainly want to get as much done as possible, you don’t want to burn out.

5. Fully unplug (if you can).

You will be more likely to relax and truly get the rest you need, as well as enjoy the holidays if you’re celebrating, if you’re able to put up an o/o/o message and completely unplug. Of course, this may not be possible for every professional, but if it is for you, you will certainly thank yourself later.

Here’s to a wonderful holiday season!

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This article reflects the views of the author and not necessarily those of Fairygodboss.

What's your no. 1 piece of advice for being present during the holiday season? Share your answer in the comments to help other Fairygodboss members!