Give yourself The Gift of Rest
Why Taking a Break Before the New Year is Essential
As the year winds down, it’s easy to get swept up in the rush.
But end-of-year deadlines aren’t the only reason you’re feeling depleted- you can also blame the copious amounts of festive drinks, the twenty-two dozen gingerbread cookies you decorated, and your cousin’s cousin’s daughter’s 6th grade holiday jazz band performance. If you don’t hit the pause button now, you’ll be crawling into 2024 like a zombie followed by an ooey, gooey trail of flood icing.
Image: You and your sad, exhausted face, if you don’t take this time to rest.
It’s time to Do Absolutely Nothing
As our CEO, ZJ Hadley, recently told the internet: you don’t have to earn rest. Period. Rest is an important part of almost every cycle: seasons have Winter, songs have interludes- even menstruation has a rest period (it’s the actual period part of the cycle- fun, huh?). Oh, and obviously our bodies literally go on auto pilot every night while we sleep aka REST, so we can keep on keeping on each day.
July Society CEO, ZJ Hadley, telling the internet to take a break.
Set the Stage for Success in the New Year
Taking time off before the calendar turns to 2025 (holy sh*t, when did that happen) will give your brain the downtime it needs to recharge. It’s going to help your productivity in the long run, and according to Forbes - the who’s who of successful people (if you measure success in power and money) - rest is especially critical for remote workers.
When asked how employees navigating the remote work environment can succeed, Jennifer Rozon, a member of the Forbes Human Resources Council, emphasized rest. “Get up from your workspace, stretch your legs, eat lunch, refill your coffee and give your eyes a break from the screen. Doing so regularly can help reframe your perspective and refocus your mind, ultimately leading to increased engagement and productivity and preventing you from feeling burnt out at home.”
Start 2025 Feeling Like a Bad A**
You know where fresh ideas come from? Well, the shower, for me. Or driving. But that’s because I finally have a moment to myself, away from distraction, and I can actually hear thoughts. Creativity and productivity are refueled by unplugging, letting your brain rest and reset, and maybe watching a few hours of old episodes of Storage Wars. So if you want to enter next year with access to fresh ideas, give your stressed, tired brain what it needs (aka nothing).
“Recharge to stay focused. Take breaks, even if they’re short. Get up from your workspace, stretch your legs, eat lunch, refill your coffee and give your eyes a break from the screen. Doing so regularly can help reframe your perspective and refocus your mind, ultimately leading to increased engagement and productivity and preventing you from feeling burnt out at home.”
Prevent a Holiday meltdown
Even if it’s just in front of your favorite cousin at a family holiday brunch, you don’t want to let your emotions get the best of you. And since the hustle of the holiday season can be overwhelming during an already-emotionally charged time, it doesn’t take much to “boil over,” making it even more crucial to carve out time for rest.
Research shows that short breaks during intense periods reduce stress and increase resilience. By intentionally taking a break now, you can navigate holiday demands with greater calm and joy, ensuring you don’t enter the new year having screamed at your male cousins to “wash the dishes - why are the women always the only ones doing this?!”
Reconnect with the Things (and People) You Like
Speaking of your cousins, the holidays are for love, laughter, and maybe a couple glasses of Mulled wine - not answering emails and being constantly triggered by your boss’ passive aggressive “k, thx” email sign off. Use this time to actually be with the people you care about - and I’m guessing that’s not your boss. Maybe your thing is hanging out in pajamas with your family, or maybe it’s sipping cocoa (also in pajamas) on Zoom with your friends - these are the people and moments that matter.
Tips for an Effective Holiday Break
Making the most of your holiday requires a little legwork, but it’ll be worth it in the end. Here are a few simple ways to maximize the benefits of a break:
Set Boundaries: Clearly communicate your holiday availability to colleagues and avoid work-related distractions, such as emails or Slack messages.
Engage in Relaxing Activities: Whether it’s taking a walk, meditating, or spending time with loved ones, focus on activities that truly allow you to unwind.
Unplug Completely: Step away from screens when possible, including work devices. This digital detox can help you recharge both mentally and emotionally.
Reflect and Plan: Dedicate time to review the highs and lows of the past year and outline goals for the next. Forbes emphasizes that this reflective process can inspire a renewed sense of purpose.
Welp, that settles it
So, not that you needed our permission, but consider this your sign to do nothing during this time between Christmas and when the New Year start in earnest (and when July Society programming resumes) on January 6th, 2025.