Jingle bell rock your Christmas break! A guide to unplugging and recharging

'Twas the night before Christmas... and you can’t stop checking your phone in case you’ve missed an important email or message!

OK, maybe this feels like an exaggeration. But maybe it’s not far off the mark.

Having burnt out when I ran my garden design business, I am now very careful about completely switching off over the Christmas holidays.

I was interviewed recently by a journalist for advice about switching-off over Christmas for self-employed workers who find it hard to not work, but really need a break. He struggled to stop me talking as I had so many suggestions! I thought it worth sharing a few of them with you so that you get the benefit of some genuine downtime, no matter how long you’re planning to take off, and get to feel much more refreshed to embrace your business with enthusiasm all over again in January.

1. Prepare to switch off

Create an exhaustive To Do List of everything you want to get done before you finish for Christmas. Get it all out of your head and onto paper. Then your unconscious mind won’t need to keep nagging you.

What is genuinely urgent and needs to be done before your Christmas break? What can wait until your official return to work?

Assign a time and deadlines and stick to them. Then down tools and do no more.

Research shows that doing a little bit of work here and there over your holiday period is completely counterproductive to switching off and you will not get the same benefits from your not-quite-a-break.

2. Buy a second mobile phone for work

This for me is non-negotiable. I didn’t work weekends when practising as a garden designer, but my clients thought a lot about their gardens at weekends and thought nothing of phoning or texting on a Saturday or Sunday.

But it was a corporate client, when I was a freelance corporate communications consultant, who pushed me over the edge into buying a second phone because he rang me on Boxing Day for a document I had already sent him. I didn’t answer the phone, but he had punctured my holiday head bubble and that took its toll.

You can get a perfect, reconditioned handset for a lot less than ￡100 and a SIM only contract for less than ￡10 per month.

3. Take some time just for you

Christmas for many can be a very busy holiday with not as much downtime as you imagine or hope. Demands and expectations of family and friends can feel like a big deal at Christmas.

It is absolutely acceptable to get some time to yourself too to do exactly what you want to do.

Plan to do something special with that time so that you are less likely to give it away.

For me. I’ve got four crime novels lined up (they’d better be good!), and I’ve booked a special afternoon tea with a pal, so that’s a lot of guilt-free me-time I’m looking forward to ??

You may need to set expectations with others and some negotiation may be required, but it will be worth it.

4. Do something that takes you completely out of yourself

This is known as ‘deep play’. Something you can really focus on, that’s completely absorbing and gives you pleasure. It might be creative. It might give you the chance to learn something new or develop your skills.

Some of the more traditional examples of deep play could include crafting, crocheting, woodworking, dancing or painting, but deep play can be found almost anywhere, if you look.

For example, I’m hosting a 1920s-themed murder mystery party on New Year’s Eve and, in my book, that most definitely counts as deep play!

I wish you a super restful break this Christmas and look forward to seeing you bright and perky on the other side for a fun, fulfilling and flourishing 2024!

Lorna X