Entrepreneurs: 4 helpful tips for switching off and recharging over the holidays

As a business owner, it can be hard to take a proper break from work and truly switch off.

Research by the training group, skillshub, has revealed that 18% of entrepreneurs didn’t take a holiday during the first two years of starting their business, and 81% of those that did, ended up working during their “break”.

Yet, while you might feel you’re doing your best for your business by pulling out all the stops, working around the clock could be counterproductive.

That’s because your mind and body need rest to function at their best.

If you never take any downtime, your productivity and creativity could suffer and ultimately, you might burn out. None of which is likely to be great for business.

Christmas is an ideal time to take a step back from work as your professional connections and clients are likely to be taking the opportunity for some rest and relaxation too.

So, read on for our top four tips on switching off during the holidays if you’re a busy entrepreneur.

1. Set clear boundaries

In today’s connected world, you‘ll need to make a determined effort to truly leave work behind for a week or so.

You might think that quickly checking your inbox or responding to one phone call won’t have much effect on your holiday vibe. However, a task that takes just a minute or two could pull you right back into work mode and leave you thinking about the office for hours.

Of course, it’s also important to have realistic expectations. It may not be possible to down tools completely, even during the festive season.

But setting clear boundaries for what you will and won’t be doing workwise during your holiday could ensure that you take a real break – and that answering “just this one email” doesn’t turn into hours spent hunched over your laptop.

For example, you could:

• Switch off non-essential notifications and remove work apps from your phone temporarily.
• Designate a fixed amount of time each day for essential work tasks.
• Pick just one or two key responsibilities to maintain, while delegating or pausing less important commitments.

2. Reset your sleep routine

If you’ve been working long hours and constantly thinking about work, you might have built up a “sleep debt” over time.

This is the difference between the amount of sleep you’re getting and the amount you need to be at your best.

According to Bupa, getting adequate sleep could:

• Improve your attention and concentration
• Help you to learn and make memories
• Boost your heart health and immune system
• Help you maintain a healthy weight
• Reduce your stress levels.

A holiday is a great opportunity to catch up on sleep and build a healthier routine that could benefit you when you return to work.

3. Make time for self-care

Spending time with loved ones over the holidays is a fantastic way to shift your focus from work and wind down.

But it’s important to make time for self-care too. If you simply swap racing around at work for running after your family at home, you might return to work more exhausted than when your holiday began!

So, factor in some time to rest and recharge. Whether this means relaxing in a hot bath with a book, going for a run, or listening to music, a little “me-time” may be just what you need to re-energise for the new year.

4. Prepare for a productive start to the new year

While we certainly advocate switching off and chilling out during your holidays, using some of this time to prepare for the work year ahead could be hugely beneficial.

Without the “noise” of constant contact from clients and colleagues, you may have precious time and headspace to focus on your business.

What’s more, towards the end of your holiday, when you’re hopefully rested both mentally and physically, you might be at your most productive.

Research by EURopean Employment Services has revealed that taking annual leave could boost productivity by up to 40%, and reduce sick leave by 28%.

As an entrepreneur, you may not use leave in the same way as your employees. Yet, these findings suggest that scheduling regular breaks could ensure you’re firing on all cylinders when you’re at the office.

Get in touch

Do you want to make sure everything is ship shape in your business so that you can completely relax during the holidays? Or are you eager to kick off the new year with a bang by setting ambitious goals that will help your business grow?

Either way, we can help.

Drop us an email at hello@melo.co.uk or call us for a chat on 0113 4656 111.