How to Use the Holidays for a PR Recharge

If you work in PR, you know that things can get stressful. Throw a few simultaneous launches on top of awards season, on top of the rest of your non-work life – kids, parents, bills, etc. – and certain weeks or months can get you feeling…

…ready for a break. By the time the holidays roll around, you’re ready for some serious R&R. And you can get some—provided you play your cards right. Here are some tips for using the holidays to recharge.

Don’t overcommit

I love winter and Christmas, but the holiday season comes with its own stresses. There are gifts to buy, family dinners to host and many, many holiday parties to attend.

It’s easy to get caught up in the season and agree to do everything, but don’t do it. There’s no room for rest and relaxation if you’re scrambling from obligation to obligation. Instead, consider giving yourself the gift of leisure time. Catch up on some reading. Take some catnaps. Put your smartphone in a drawer and don’t look at it for a full day. Or an afternoon. Or a few hours. Take a bath.

You get the idea.

Do unplug from work

Whatever you do, do not check work emails while you’re enjoying your holiday leave.

I know it’s easy to respond to an email “really quick” or to work on a project you know is coming up in the new year, but, seriously, it can wait. There will always be more work.

So, unless Christmas itself is going to be cancelled if you don’t respond to the email, put the phone down and spend time with the people around you (or enjoying the absence of people around you).

And remember that, as Paul Tsongas said, “No one on his deathbed ever said, ‘I wish I had spent more time at the office.’” 

Happy holidays!