“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.” – Anne Lamott
As headteachers and school leaders, it is easy to run on adrenaline and responsibility, leaving very little space for recovery. The Christmas break is not just a pause in the calendar. It is a genuine opportunity to reset, so you can return with clarity, energy, and perspective.
Below are five practical ways to protect your wellbeing over the holidays.
1) Why taking a break matters
School leadership is deeply meaningful, but it is also relentless. Rest is not a reward for finishing everything. It is the condition that makes good decision-making, steady leadership, and healthy relationships possible.
A rested leader comes back:
- More patient and emotionally steady.
- Better able to prioritise what matters.
- More creative and solutions-focused.
- Less likely to carry stress into the new term.
2) Five tips for a restorative Christmas
Tip 1: Set boundaries early
- Be clear about availability. Let colleagues know what is genuinely urgent and what can wait.
- Hand over confidently. Agree who holds the baton for key decisions, then step back without hovering.
Tip 2: Try a mini digital detox
- Reduce the drip-feed of school noise. Consider switching off notifications or setting one short “check-in window” every few days.
- Curate what you consume. If you use social media, stick to content that is light, useful, or uplifting.
Tip 3: Prioritise simple self-care (not perfect self-care)
- Do one thing that restores you daily. A walk, a book, a bath, a nap, a hobby.
- Move gently. It does not need to be intense. Consistent, enjoyable movement is what helps.
Tip 4: Make space for people (and quiet)
- Choose connection on purpose. See the people who refill your cup.
- Protect some stillness too. Even an hour of quiet can help your nervous system settle.
Tip 5: Reflect lightly, plan lightly
- Reflect without judgement. Note what went well, what was hard, and what you want to do differently.
- Pick 1–3 priorities for January. Keep them realistic. Momentum beats perfection.
Final thoughts
The Christmas holidays are not an indulgence. They are a strategic reset. When you look after yourself, you protect your capacity to lead well.
You deserve to unplug. Even for a little while.
