How to Disconnect from Work During the Holidays

The holidays are a time to rest, recharge, and spend time with loved ones. But figuring out how to disconnect from work during your time off can be tricky. Constant connectivity and unfinished tasks can blur the lines between personal and professional life, making it hard to relax. (Don’t worry, we’ve all been there.)

But unplugging from work over the holidays—or any break, for that matter—is vital for your mental health and preventing burnout, according to Millie Huckabee, LCPC, a therapist and founder and CEO of Sage Therapy. “Taking the time to rest allows us to recharge mentally and emotionally, boosting creativity, focus, and long-term motivation—benefits that enhance both personal wellbeing and professional performance,” she says.

Huckabee shares her most helpful tips for unplugging from work so your holidays are, well, actually a holiday.

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1. Set boundaries

Burnout is common: A 2021 American Psychological Association survey found that three in five American employees reported negative consequences of work-related stress, such as lack of interest or motivation, low energy, and emotional or physical exhaustion.

There are so many reasons we might feel burnout, but it can often occur due to constant digital connectivity. Having our work emails on our phones doesn’t always help, right? Being plugged into our work life even when we’re at home or on a vacation makes it easy to forget the boundary lines between our personal and professional lives.

Huckabee’s recommendation for how to disconnect from work? Set healthy boundaries. “Shifting gears isn’t always easy,” says Huckabee. “Clear limits communicate your needs and protect your well-being.”

So when the holidays roll around and you’re ready to go OOO, let your colleagues know when you’ll be unavailable and when you’ll return. This not only sets expectations but also alleviates the guilt of stepping away. Plus, if you’re a manager, being a role model in setting work boundaries enforces the importance of work-life balance for your employees, too.

2. Plan ahead

Creating boundaries is easier said than done. That’s why advance preparation is key to enjoying a stress-free holiday, according to Huckabee. While it’s important to set boundaries and communicate them with your colleagues, it’s also just as essential to give your team time to make up for your absence (such as when you’re on vacation). Planning ahead also helps you ensure that you’re meeting all your deadlines before you step away.

“Inform colleagues of your plans, wrap up projects, and confidently reinforce your boundaries,” Huckabee says. “Taking these steps in advance reduces stress and ensures you can fully enjoy your time away from work.”

Start by identifying which tasks must be completed before you leave and prioritize accordingly. Delegate tasks where possible, send important emails ahead of time, and schedule pre-holiday check-ins with coworkers to ensure everything is aligned before your break begins. This will also help reduce any work guilt that you might have for taking time off work. (But, remember, it’s nothing to feel guilty for!)

3. Set an out-of-office message

An automatic out-of-office message or a change in your “Slack” status does more than inform others of your absence—it also reinforces your boundaries, making it an essential tool for learning how to disconnect from work after hours, says Huckabee.

Your message should include:

• The dates you’ll be unavailable
• When they can expect a response
• Who to contact in case of urgent matters

This proactive step reduces interruptions and helps you disconnect from work without worrying about what’s piling up in your inbox.

4. Pause or remove work apps from your phone

Let’s be real, many of us check our emails like it’s any other social media app. But having access to work in the palm of your hand is a significant barrier to unplugging, according to a March 2020 study in Frontiers in Psychology. Nonstop notifications and the temptation to “just check” work emails can pull you back into a work mindset.

One simple but effective strategy for how to mentally disconnect from work is to remove work-related apps from your phone, or, at the very least, pause notifications during your time off.

If deleting apps feels too extreme, try using your phone’s “Focus” or “Do Not Disturb” mode or the offline feature in Gmail to block work-related distractions. Commit to checking email only on a set schedule—or, ideally, not at all when you’re enjoying time with your loved ones during the holidays.

5. Engage in screen-free hobbies

If work often has you glued to your screen, limiting screen time and engaging in offline hobbies can help you transition into vacation mode. “Enjoying meaningful activities helps you shift out of a work mindset,” says Huckabee.

Whether it’s baking, crafting, hiking, or reading, these activities encourage you to make the most of the holidays without feeling like you’re still stuck to your computer. What’s most important is to find any enjoyable activity that you can do alone or with your loved ones that doesn’t require the use of the internet. If the devices are out of sight, they might actually end up being out of mind.

6. Focus on your relationships

Work can wait—the holidays are instead an opportunity to strengthen relationships with your friends and family, says Huckabee.

“Use the holidays to connect with loved ones and step away from work,” says Huckabee. “[This] fosters deeper relationships that contribute to overall happiness and longevity.”

Plan quality time, attend events, or consider scheduling phone calls or writing letters to stay connected if you’re unable to see your loved ones in person. The holiday season is a time for rest, joy, celebration, and connection, and it’s important that we focus on those values while we have the time off.

7. Be present

Presence is the ultimate goal of unplugging.

“Fully engage in moments of joy, whether you’re spending time alone or with others,” says Huckabee. Staying in the moment—like putting down your phone to devote your full attention to friends and family or savoring a holiday treat—can help you stay grounded, feel more present, and resist the urge to think about work.

Remember: Work will be there after the holidays. Allowing yourself to step away can help you fully enjoy your break, spend time with the people you care about, recover from burnout, and return to work feeling refreshed and renewed.

The bottom line

Unplugging from work during the holidays is more than just a break. It’s a chance to reset that can benefit your mental health, deepen relationships, and help you feel relaxed before the busyness of work starts up again, according to Huckabee.

Maximize your time off by setting clear boundaries, planning ahead, and immersing yourself in meaningful activities and interactions. These expert-backed tips for how to disconnect from work while on vacation will not only help you enjoy a more peaceful holiday season, but will also allow you to return to work recharged, confident, and ready to take on the year ahead.