How About This Holiday Season You Relax

I’ve heard a lot of HR friends saying they can’t believe it’s the end of the calendar year already. There’s still so much to do before year’s end and they’re not sure how they’re going to enjoy that family holiday with so much looming over their heads. How can they relax when their to-do list is long and the office is quiet—a prime time for getting stuff done without interruption.

But before you change your plans to include a few days “switched on”, I’ve asked a few of my colleagues at ChapmanCG what they do to unwind over the holidays.  And here’s what they had to say:

1. I like to catch up on my favourite podcasts. I find it relaxing to listen to the episodes I’ve missed throughout the year. Some of my favourites include Serial by This American Life, The Future of Work by Jacob Morgan, TED Talks and Meditations by Tara Brach. – Fiona Jury
2. I usually spend Christmas with family and friends, but then I like to take the following week to travel somewhere and spend some quiet time with nature, usually mountains or lakes, to recharge before the start of new year. I prefer locations without an internet connection, but it’s getting harder to find those each year. – Lavanya Ullas
3. Indulge in some really good books. I love to read, and the year is often so busy that I don’t get to read as much as I’d like to. I bookmark reading lists/ recommendations throughout the year to save up for holiday reading. I'll read a book a day if you'll let me! – Anna Taylor
4. I make a point to spend some quality time with family—kids and parents. We play games, travel together, and I try to just be present with them! – Katherine Qu
5. The quickest way for me to forget about work is to play with the kids as they live in a completely different world. Taking them to the park, zoo, indoor playground and seeing them smile brings me great joy. – Yan Sen Lu
6. After a few quality days with the family, going to our favourite places, I find that I’m much more relaxed. Sometimes, it’s sitting by the pool with a favourite book, yet others it’s lazy days at the beach, in our backyard or the bush. These next few days are the perfect time to let down my guard, indulge and simply enjoy myself. The key for me is to take advantage of this “circuit breaker”, to slow down so that I can rediscover what is important. – Paul Jury  
7. The holiday season is a time for nothing but lazy days in my house. Schedules are forgotten, and I try to focus on just being in the moment. I try to say “yes” more to the kids—we read when we want to, play a game when we want to, watch a bit of TV when we want to. I relax by letting go of the to-do list and not checking my phone. – Natasha Oliver

If you’re taking a break this holiday season, make it a mindful one and switch off. Get the most out of this time to relax and recharge. 2018 will be here soon enough.

From all of us at ChapmanCG, Happy Holidays.