Why switching off at Christmas feels harder than working

Switching off at Christmas often feels harder than working because work provides structure, distraction, and a sense of identity – while rest removes those buffers.

When the usual pace drops, many people don’t feel relief. They feel restless, unsettled, or oddly anxious. This is especially common for leaders, high achievers, and those used to carrying responsibility.

Why work feels safer than rest

Work offers:

• Clear roles and expectations

• External validation

• Predictable structure

• A sense of usefulness

When work stops, what’s left is space. And space can be confronting if you’re not used to being with yourself without doing.

For many people, productivity has quietly become a regulation strategy.

What shows up when things go quiet

When the external noise fades, internal signals get louder. That can include:

• Fatigue you’ve been pushing through

• Emotions that haven’t had airtime

• Big questions you’ve been postponing

• A sense of disconnection from yourself

None of this means something is wrong. It usually means something has been waiting to be heard.

Why Christmas amplifies this feeling

The festive season brings:

• Fewer distractions

• More reflection

• Social expectations to feel “grateful and happy”

• A contrast between how things look and how they feel

That contrast can heighten discomfort, especially if you’re already stretched thin.

What can you do when switching off feels hard?

Rather than forcing rest, it can help to:

• Allow gentler transitions instead of sudden stops

• Reduce expectations of how rest should feel

• Create small moments of presence rather than long breaks

• Notice what comes up without immediately fixing it

• Seek support if the discomfort feels persistent or heavy

Sometimes the work isn’t switching off – it’s learning how to feel safe without performing.

Next steps to take

If rest feels harder than work this Christmas, it’s not because you’re broken or ungrateful.

It’s often a sign that your nervous system has been living in “on” mode for a long time – and needs support to soften, not pressure to relax.

If you’d like support reconnecting with yourself when slowing down feels uncomfortable, you can book a free discovery call here.

You can also explore more about Intuitive Psychology Coaching here.

FAQs

Why do I feel anxious when I stop working?
Because work may be helping regulate your nervous system. When it stops, unprocessed stress can surface.

Is this a sign of burnout?
It can be. Difficulty resting is often an early sign of burnout or chronic self-override.

Shouldn’t Christmas rest feel relaxing?
Not always. Rest can feel unfamiliar or unsafe before it feels restorative.