The holiday season is here, a time for joy, celebration, and togetherness. But let's face it, our smartphones can often become a distraction, pulling us away from these special moments.
It's easy to get lost in the endless scrolling of social media feeds or the constant pinging of work emails, even during these festive times.
However, Christmas offers a unique opportunity to break away from our screens and genuinely connect with our loved ones. In this article, I'll share five practical tips to help you unplug and fully enjoy this holiday season.
Lay Some Ground Rules To Unplug From Work
Work can wait, but your holiday moments won't. Here's how to ensure work doesn't intrude on your festivities:
🌀 Wrap Up Tasks in Advance
Prioritize and complete important tasks a few days before the holidays. If you still have things left hanging, write a quick action plan for when you return. That way, you'll know how to tackle things when you're back in the office, and you can leave work at work.
📟 Set Up an Auto-Responder
Inform colleagues and clients that you're on holiday and will respond after the break. Here are 4 creative out-of-office messages you can use.
🔒 Block Work-Related Apps and Notifications
Use an app blocker like Jomo to block access to email and messaging apps. You can allow yourself a brief 15-minute check-in daily.
Plan Structured, Phone-Free Activities
Engage in activities that don’t involve screens to keep everyone entertained and connected. Here are some ideas:
🎲 Board Games
Bring out a cool board game for some competitive fun with your friends and family.
🍿 Holiday Movie Marathon
Gather under cozy blankets with festive treats and enjoy classic holiday films.
🌲 Outdoor Adventures
Go for a walk or explore your neighborhood's Christmas lights.
Stay Active and Avoid the Slump
Physical activity is not only great for your health but also a fantastic way to bond:
🏋️♀️ Schedule Workouts
Add gym sessions or runs to your calendar to avoid conflicts with holiday plans.
🤏 Embrace Shorter Workouts
Even brief exercise sessions can boost your mood and health.
🤪 Include Fun Physical Activities
Go ice skating, or take a snowy walk.
🏡 Invite Friends and Family
Exercise together for added fun and motivation.
🪷 Mindful Exercises
Practice yoga, pilates, or tai chi to unwind after busy gatherings.
Be Mindful with Photos
Capture memories, but don’t let your phone distract from the moment:
🤳 Limit Photo Taking
Focus on capturing key moments rather than constantly snapping pictures.
📆 Post Later
Take time to edit and share photos after the event, not during.
🫶 Be Inclusive
Consider reaching out to a neighbor or visiting a local community center to share the holiday spirit with those who might be alone.
🔌 Disconnect from Social Media
Take a break from the constant digital noise:
⏳ Limit Social Media Use
Tools like Jomo — available for free on App Store, can help limit your social media use. You can block your social media apps by default and allow yourself a few breaks during the day (e.g. 2 breaks of 15 mins each). A good way to cut down without feeling anxious or frustrated.
😌 Enjoy Cognitive Rest
Disconnecting allows your brain to recharge and fosters creativity.
Why the Jomo App Can Help You Unplug This Holiday Season?
Jomo blocks distracting apps and websites, enabling you to set up the boundaries we discussed in 1. and 2.
You can allow yourself a few check-ins during the day (100% customizable).
Jomo will also blocks notifications so you can be fully focused on your loved ones this Christmas.
It works seamlessly on your iPhone, iPad and Mac.
Jomo users save 2+ hours per day on average and regain their ability to focus. Download it now for free on the App Store.
✋ Illustrations by Jomo ; Photography Unsplash
Made with love in Brittany