For many of us, this time of year means settling back into our regular routines and returning to work, with the summer holidays beginning to fade into lovely memories.
I know I’m not the only one feeling a pang of the post-holiday blues, and it got me thinking – how do I hold onto that refreshed, energised feeling I always get after a decent break? In reflecting on why I feel so good after the summer season, I identified a few holiday habits that I think are really beneficial, and can be translated into everyday habits that will help you both at home and at work.
So as we head into the rest of 2025, my hope is that these tips will help you stay positive, achieve your goals, contribute to a great workplace culture, and avoid the dreaded burnout.
If you’re anything like me, the summer break provides a welcome chance to prioritise rest. It might be pushing out that morning alarm and catching up on much-needed sleep, afternoons spent reading in the shade, or relaxing at the beach.
Downtime like this is so valuable, because rest isn’t just a holiday indulgence, it’s the cornerstone of resilience. Building resilience helps us cope with stress and face difficult situations while still maintaining good mental wellbeing, all of which is helpful both in our personal lives and work lives.
Research also shows that taking breaks can significantly reduce stress and improve overall wellbeing, so as we collectively return to work, it’s worth maintaining this focus on rest.
Lots of time spent outdoors is the hallmark of a classic Kiwi summer (even though the weather doesn’t always ‘play ball’). I certainly took advantage of the opportunity to get outside, enjoying my local beaches, having water gun fights and playing outdoor ball games with my four year old nephew, and generally making use of all the lovely green spaces in Tāmaki Makarau.
Spending time in nature has been linked to cognitive benefits and improvements in mood and emotional wellbeing. So if, like me, you want to bring your summer positivity into the workplace, spending time in nature is key!
You don’t need to spend hours tramping in the countryside to reap the benefits either – this week I enjoyed a coffee break in the sunshine on the rooftop patio of our office. Simple actions like this can help you feel calmer and more grounded, which I’ve found also helps me keep a positive mindset.
Summer holidays are often when we strengthen bonds with family and friends. Shared meals, a day out at a festival, simply spending time together…these connections provide emotional support, joy, and a sense of belonging.
Carry this mindset into work. While the “work family” trope can sometimes be unhealthy (boundaries matter!), strong workplace relationships enhance collaboration, trust, and innovation. Having been with Madison for over 8 years, I’ve made so many connections and friendships which continue to this day.
There’s no need to book in an intense, expensive team-building event though – you can achieve connection through simply showing appreciation, sharing a laugh over morning coffee, and genuinely listening when your coworker needs to talk through a challenge. Small moments of connection like this help build a positive and supportive workplace culture.
During the summer holidays, I naturally found myself putting my phone away. I spent less time checking emails and scrolling socials. I spent more time reading actual books. The result? I felt calmer, more present, and surprisingly liberated from the constant pull of notifications.
This unintentional digital detox was one of the most refreshing parts of my break and there’s plenty of research in support of my experience. The concept of ‘continuous partial attention’, where individuals continuously divide their attention due to digital distractions, has been linked to decreased ability to focus and increased stress, and on the flip slide, digital detox interventions can effectively reduce stress and improve wellbeing.
I’ve come into this year with a new habit of turning off my social app notifications during work hours – I’m three weeks in and it’s done me wonders! It allows me to better manage my time, prioritize what’s important, and focus on my tasks without distractions, leaving me feeling more at ease and accomplished at the end of my work day.
One of the greatest gifts of having time off from work is the mental clarity it brings. Without the constant noise of emails, calls and deadlines, it’s so much easier to step back and see the bigger picture. Often, this is when new ideas emerge, problems find their solutions, and priorities become clearer.
The break from work allows your mind to relax and recharge, giving a clarity which can be used to reframe how you approach tasks and challenges, both at work and in your personal life. I’ve definitely found this to be true – reflecting on why I felt so good over the holidays has allowed me to focus and prioritise what’s important to me, and write this blog!
Set boundaries to protect your focus, re-evaluate your workload, and look for ways to align your work with your values. What’s most important? What can wait? Keeping this habit can help you stay intentional, on track and reduce the risk of burnout.
The habits you build after the summer holidays don’t have to solely benefit you; they can ripple outwards. When you prioritise rest, connection, and clarity, you’re modelling behaviours that contribute to a healthy workplace culture. Colleagues may be inspired to do the same, creating a more balanced and supportive environment for everyone.
Burnout is a real challenge for many employees, especially after the adrenaline of returning to work wears off. By embedding these summer habits into your daily life, you’re creating a buffer against the stress and exhaustion that can creep in over time. Resilience is built through small, everyday decisions.
So have a think about it – what made your summer special? Which habits made you feel most alive, energised, or grounded? How can you adapt them to your work life? By doing so, you’re not only setting yourself up for a great year but also contributing to a workplace culture where everyone can flourish. Make 2025 the year you sustain that holiday glow, one habit at a time.