The holiday season is just around the corner, and for busy people, it presents a unique opportunity to unplug, unwind and recharge. Especially if you’ve had a busy year so far.

It's important to strike a balance between your work and your personal life. The holiday season provides a perfect opportunity to take a well-deserved break, recharge, and spend quality time with loved ones.

When it’s your own business or you have a certain responsibility for the business, it’s tempting to keep working or check-in every now and then.

Here are a few ways you can prepare to wind down and relax as you take a break from work during the holiday season.

Plan Ahead and Delegate

To create a smooth transition into your holiday break,

• Plan your work schedule in advance.
• Identify tasks that can be completed ahead of time.
• Delegate responsibilities to capable team members or employees.

This will help you feel more confident, knowing things are in good hands while you're away.

Set Clear Boundaries

As the holiday season approaches, it's important to establish clear boundaries between work and personal life.

• Provide advanced notice of your availability to your team members, letting them know when you'll be taking time off.
• Encourage everyone to wrap up pending matters before your break and provide alternative points of contact for any urgent situations. No, that doesn’t mean ‘call my mobile if it’s urgent’!
• Keep your last week relatively free of commitments so you have time to clear the decks and complete any handover.

Complete Important Tasks

Take some time to plan ahead and assess your pending tasks and priorities.

• Focus on completing important projects or tasks that cannot be left unfinished.
• Renegotiate any deadlines or defer less important tasks until after you get back.

By tying up loose ends and wrapping up important matters, there’ll be less need to put in long hours to clear all your tasks, so you can transition into your holiday break, feeling calmer and more relaxed.

Inform and Communicate

Provide clear communication about expectations and deadlines for your team, both before you go and while you’re away.

• Ensure your customers, clients, and key stakeholders are aware of your upcoming break.
• Send out an email or message with the relevant details, such as the dates you'll be away, deadlines for requests, information and and alternative contacts.

Being proactive communication helps to manage expectations and minimize potential last minute requests before your break.

Embrace Automation and Technology

Technology can help to automate certain aspects of your business operations.

• Set up email autoresponders to inform people of your absence with the appropriate alternative contacts.
• Use project management software to streamline workflow and collaboration.
• Schedule social media posts in advance using social media management tools,
• Use scheduling software so people can still book time with you, even though you’re away.

By automating routine tasks, you'll be able to relax and unwind during your break.

Disconnect from Work

Step away from the laptop and smartphone. Give yourself permission to disconnect from work completely during your holiday.

• Avoid checking work emails or responding to work-related messages. If you must, keep this to a minimum. A brief check-in to keep things ticking over but avoid getting sucked in!
• Create a clear separation between your personal and professional life, allowing yourself to fully immerse in the holiday spirit and spend quality time with family and friends.
• If you’ve planned to work while you’re on holiday - it is after all one of the benefits of remote, virtual working - keep it to a minimum, so you don’t get distracted or undo the whole purpose of a holiday.

It’s more important that you take time to switch off, unplug, unwind and recharge.

Engage in Self-Care

That said, prioritise activities to help you relax and recharge while you’re away.

• Relaxing activities such as reading, mindfulness or meditation, spending time in nature, or
• Something more active - an invigorating walk or hike, team activities, water sports … etc.

A change is as good as a rest, especially if it’s something you enjoy and it makes you feel good.

However long your break, make self-care a priority. It will contribute to your overall sense of wellbeing and ability to return to work rejuvenated.

Spend Quality Time with Those Around You

The holidays are a time to connect or maybe reconnect with the important people in your life and create lasting memories and experiences.

• Make sure you’re spending quality time with family and friends, not thinking about or distracted by work.
• Engage in meaningful conversations, absorb the local culture and traditions, create space for relaxation and enjoyment.
• Switch off notifications.
• Delete, mute or block distracting apps while you’re away.

It can be difficult to switch off when we’re so used to being on 24/7 but give it a go.

Winding down for the holiday season and taking a break from work is essential so you can recharge make the most of your break.

By planning ahead, setting clear boundaries, completing important tasks and communicating you’ll be more relaxed as you head off.

Disconnecting from work while you’re away and making the most of your downtime, you'll be able to relax and feel the full benefit of being able to unplug, unwind and recharge.

You’ll return to work with renewed energy and enthusiasm, ready to make the most of the rest of the year.

Enjoy your holiday break, if you've got one planned. If you haven't, why not plan a long weekend away instead or as well.