Why Having a Concrete Plan Will Help You Relax Right Now
Winter
27.10.2026
Pre-Christmas stress? Plan a break
The pre-Christmas season is considered a quiet, contemplative time, yet for many it is the busiest time of the year. 49 percent of the 436 respondents to a karriere.at online survey reported feeling particularly overwhelmed both personally and professionally during Advent. Here’s a little trick to help combat pre-Christmas stress:
Schedule a time for your break now—preferably in January or February. When you have a specific date, you can look forward to it instead of just longing for some peace and quiet.
Run-up to Christmas: wonderful and exhausting
Because everything has to be done at the same time. At work, the project has to be finished before the end of the year; the kids are swamped with schoolwork and craft afternoons; and in the evenings, the next Christmas party awaits. On top of that, there are gifts, visits, and cookies. And the expectation of a sense of calm and tranquility.
The beauty of it all: Much of it is truly wonderful. The punch with coworkers, the lights in the city, the aroma wafting from the kitchen. You’re happy, yet you’re still tired. Both feelings are true, and both can coexist.
How does a calendar entry help when you're looking for some peace and quiet?
“I desperately need some rest” is a thought that crosses your mind twenty times in December without ever leading anywhere. With a set date on your calendar, your time off becomes within reach. When it all gets to be too much, you know: My break is coming—and it’s on this date. That way, you can enjoy the weeks leading up to it more fully. The desire for peace and quiet doesn’t have to grow louder and louder, because it’s already been planned well in advance. That brings you more peace of mind right now.
When is the right time for a break?
Not right in the middle of it all. If you squeeze your break in between the Christmas party and gift shopping, you’ll end up stressing yourself out even more. Then your time off ends up on the list, right under “Buy gifts,” and becomes just another to-do. January or February are better options: The year-end wrap-up is done, the holidays are over, and the calendar has some breathing room again. A simple test helps: When you write it down, does the date feel like a relief or like another obligation? It’s only right in the first case.
Does it have to be a hotel?
No. You can also schedule a “do-nothing” weekend: cell phone away, no plans, just the sofa. If you can pull that off without sorting through the mountain of laundry, inviting friends over, or ending up poring over your laptop, you’ve done everything right. But many people can’t do it, and that’s only human. External pressure helps them. A hotel reservation is binding, and you’re truly free from the daily grind. Someone else sets the table, and the excuse “I have so much to do” doesn’t fly there.
How do you make sure you actually take that time off?
Schedule it today, not “soon.” Include the date, time, and a reminder, just like any other appointment.
Find a free weekend. One that’s not already booked and isn’t right before a deadline.
Spread the word. If your family or team knows about it, they’ll keep the date in mind too.
Make it binding. A reservation or a firm commitment takes away your excuse. Check the cancellation policy beforehand so you can keep your mind at ease.
Leave your to-do list in the drawer—whether you’re relaxing at home or staying at a hiking lodge—this weekend, you’ll only do what you really feel like doing.
So, what now?
Grab your calendar.
Pick a weekend in January or February and write “Time Out” in bold.
Whether you book a break at a Wanderhotel or just want to “be” at home is up to you. The main thing is that you can count on not sabotaging your time off yourself. The next time it all gets to be too much, you’ll look at your calendar and know: I’m not just longing for a break—I’m actually getting one.
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