How to set yourself up for an enjoyable break

Many of us plan or have already started a break! Why does it feel that you need at least a week or two in order to wind down before you can enjoy the break?

Here are some simple steps you can take to ensure your break is enjoyable and that you get the rest you definitely deserve.

Celebrate how far you have come

Celebrating how far you have come means acknowledging your growth, resilience, and achievements (big or small). It gives you a moment to reflect on all the challenges you overcame and lessons learned and in doing so it boosts your confidence. We often focus on the to do list and everything that still requires attention. Now is the time to celebrate and be grateful for all your successes.

Disconnect

It is perfectly fine to let go of your laptop, tablet and phone! Put your phone on silent, turn off work notifications, and step away from screens. Your brain associates all the technology tools with work and by spending so much time on them during your break means that your mind is not allowed to switch off. Limit your screen time and steer clear of constantly checking on work emails.

Spend time outdoors

Spend some time outdoors, even if the weather is bad! Research has proven that nature improves your physical and emotional well-being and as little as 15 minutes a day will improve your mood and reduce stress and anxiety.

Laughter is the best medicine

Laughter is one of the most potent medicines known to us and best of all: it is completely free of charge.

Laughter effectively fires up and then cools down the stress response, lowering levels of stress hormones like cortisol and epinephrine and leading to a relaxed feeling. It is this relaxed feeling that is needed to ensure you enjoy your break.

Find something to laugh about and if all fails, pretend to laugh until it crosses over to an actual laugh.

Do something different

Doing something different from your daily work for relaxation is super beneficial because it allows you to mentally switch off from work-related thoughts and stressors and it stimulates different brain areas.

Your job likely uses a specific set of skills and brain functions, while hobbies and different activities activate neglected parts of your brain, which improves cognitive flexibility and overall mental well-being.

The challenge is on!

I wish you and yours a wonderful festive season and may 2026 be everything you need to be happy and content.