At this time of year, many business newsletters will simply tell you to “switch off” - but we know that’s often easier said than done. For most small business owners, completely disconnecting isn’t always realistic, so a more practical and balanced approach is essential.

We’ve put together a set of realistic, easy-to-action wellbeing tips designed to help you find calm and clarity over the break - so you don’t have to figure it out on your own.

Automate What You Can Before 24/12

Reduce mental load and avoid holiday interruptions by preparing key business communications ahead of time.
Pre-write and schedule your emails, weekly updates, and customer reminders to stay ahead. And don’t forget to set up automated replies across email, chat, and social DMs so no customer is left waiting.

The benefit: Peace of mind knowing customers are informed and nothing urgent is waiting in your inbox.

Set Clear “Offline” Boundaries - and Communicate Them

Burnout is common for small business owners because boundaries blur.
Tell customers early when you’ll be closing and reopening - if you haven’t already, now’s the time. Use your social media bios, email footer, Google Business profile and voicemail to reinforce your holiday hours. If you must check emails, set a strict 15-minute window each day, and stick to it.

The benefit: Protect your time without sacrificing customer experience.

Prepare Your Team (or Yourself) With a Simple Holiday Checklist

Create a short, practical checklist to ensure the business can run smoothly without you thinking about it - banking and invoicing done, inventory stocked for reopening, auto-billing or subscriptions checked, social posts scheduled, and all website updates (hours, banners, announcements) completed.

The benefit: Reduces “Did I forget something?” stress that often ruins rest time.

Do a Quick Digital Declutter Before the Break

A messy digital workspace is mentally draining, so spend 20–30 minutes clearing your desktop, archiving old emails, closing lingering browser tabs, turning off unnecessary notifications, and removing unused apps from your phone. While you’re at it, tidy up your downloads folder, delete duplicate files, back up important documents, and unsubscribe from newsletters you never read - your future self will thank you.

The benefit: Start the new year with mental clarity and a clean digital slate.

Create a kick off plan for January

Many business owners struggle more with returning from holidays than taking them.

Before logging off, spend 15 minutes writing your top three priorities for the first week back, what can wait and any tasks future-you shouldn’t forget.

The benefit: Reduce return-to-work anxiety and make your January feel calm and manageable.

Continue Self-Education (in a Way That Feels Light and Manageable)‍

Learning doesn’t have to stop over the holidays - and it doesn’t need to feel like work.

If you have the capacity, pick up that business book that’s been collecting dust, listen to a podcast episode you’ve bookmarked, or save a couple of short videos or articles to read when you’re in the right headspace. Choose something that feels inspiring rather than overwhelming.

The benefit: You return in January feeling mentally refreshed and sparked with new ideas and creativity (without the pressure of “being productive”).

As you move toward the end of the year, we hope these tips give you permission to slow down, create boundaries, and reset in a way that feels realistic for you and your business.

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