The Positive Impact of Taking Breaks

The end of the year is a time when inboxes slow down, calendars clear up, and (hopefully) the pressure eases. For many of us, the Christmas break is more than just a chance to indulge in a mince pie, spend time with family or binge-watch a festive series. It’s a critical pause – an opportunity to step away, reflect, and recharge.

And while it’s easy to view downtime as simply “time off,” the truth is that breaks – especially at the end of a busy year – play a pivotal role in employee engagement, retention, and overall workplace morale.

Why Rest and Reflection Matter

Think about the last time you truly disconnected from work. Did you return feeling refreshed, motivated, and maybe even a little excited to dive back in? That’s no coincidence. Taking breaks is essential for long-term performance and overall happiness.

Here’s why the Christmas break is so impactful:

It’s a Hard Stop
Unlike shorter holidays or the odd Friday off, the Christmas break comes with an unspoken agreement: the world slows down. Offices close, and colleagues are more understanding about delayed responses. This widespread pause allows everyone to switch off simultaneously, reducing the fear of missing out or falling behind.
A Chance to Reflect
For employees and leaders alike, the end of the year is naturally a time for reflection. What did we achieve? What could we have done better? More importantly, where do we want to go next? These moments of introspection are key to helping people reconnect with their purpose and envision their next steps, both personally and professionally.
Restoring Creativity and Drive
Breaks allow the brain to recharge. Studies show that creativity and problem-solving improve after periods of rest, which means employees return not just rested but often brimming with fresh ideas and enthusiasm.

The Connection Between Breaks and Retention

As a recruiter who’s worked with hundreds of organisations, I’ve seen firsthand how burnout affects employee retention. People don’t leave jobs because they’re slightly busy – they leave because they’re overwhelmed, undervalued, and stuck in a cycle of endless pressure.

I remember working with a client who saw a sharp rise in resignations each January. Their employees were so burnt out by December that the festive break wasn’t enough to fully recover, and the promise of “fresh starts” in a new job was too tempting to resist. After advising them to embed more regular breaks into their work culture and give their team the freedom to fully disconnect at Christmas, their January resignations dropped significantly.

The lesson? A well-rested employee is a more engaged and loyal one.

How Leaders Can Champion Breaks

It’s one thing to hope your team takes a proper Christmas break; it’s another to actively encourage and enable it. Here’s how leaders can set the tone:

Model the Behaviour: As a leader, your team takes cues from you. If you’re checking emails on Christmas Eve, they’ll feel pressure to do the same.
Set Clear Boundaries: Send a message to your team letting them know it’s okay (and encouraged!) to unplug during the break.
Plan Ahead: Ensure all major deadlines are tied up before the break so employees don’t feel the stress of unfinished tasks hanging over them.
Check in January: When your team returns, schedule informal one-on-ones to hear about their break and discuss their goals for the new year.

The Benefits of a Well-Rested Workforce

When people return from a meaningful break, they bring renewed energy and clarity. This doesn’t just benefit the individual – it strengthens the entire organisation. Employees who feel supported in taking time off are more likely to stay with their employers long-term, engage more deeply in their work, and contribute to a positive workplace culture.

My Own Christmas Break Tradition

For me, Christmas has always been a time to reconnect with what really matters. Last year, I spent alot of time in the ocean, took a holiday to Margaret River and indulged in far too much Toblerone. It involved rest and connection which in turn was restorative. When I returned in January, I felt more aligned with my goals and ready to tackle the year ahead. This year, I’ve got my lovely mum visiting from the UK so I’m looking forward to some much needed family time.

As we head into the festive season, I encourage every organisation to embrace the switch off period – not just for their employees but for their leadership teams as well. The impact of a break isn’t just felt in the moment; it ripples into retention, engagement, and workplace harmony for months to come.

So this Christmas, let’s all take a moment to pause, recharge, and return ready to thrive in the new year.