Author: Sharna Peters, Executive Director – On Demand and Partnership & Co-founder at shilo.

As we come off the festive season, many of us assume or hoped that the Christmas holidays would be the ultimate recharge.  But here’s the challenge, did we really rest or did we simply swap workplace busyness for the chaos of holiday planning, family commitments and social obligations?

January often brings fatigue, illness and the pressure of strong start in the New Year.  But are we really rested and recharged, or are we back at work for a rest?

What if we built ‘rest’ into our everyday, whether we are at work or on holiday, I am not proposing naps (although there is good research about this), but when we skip breaks through the day, stress accumulates, immunity dips and burnout creeps in.  We power through to Christmas, fall in a heap, have a busy social week or two and expect to come back in ready to go again.

At shilo. we are focused on recharging not just being for holidays, (like puppies) but about creating space to breathe every day, during the busiest times and beyond.  This is not easy, it requires some rewiring, some challenge to our cultural norms and like any new habit, practice!

Why Breaks Matter for Employee Wellbeing

Workplace burnout is a global challenge.  In recent research from Gallup and the World Health Organisation, surveys show that 77% of employees have experienced burnout, and 91% report that stress impacts their work quality (Gallup, 2023, WHO, 2022).  Emotional exhaustion tends to increase throughout the day, especially when employees lack opportunities to detach and recharge.  When we simply swap work busyness for holiday chaos, without real moments to pause, the cycle continues and chips away at our energy, focus and overall wellbeing.

Taking regular breaks throughout the day acts as a reset button for both the brain and body.  We know that breaks can:

  • Restore mental energy: Continuous focus depletes cognitive resources.  Pausing allows the brain to recharge, improve concentration and decision-making.
  • Reduce stress and prevent burnout: Short breaks lower cortisol levels, helping us manage pressure and maintain emotional resilience.
  • Boost creativity: Stepping away enables the mind to make new connections, sparking innovation and problem-solving.
  • Improve physical health: Movement during breaks alleviates strain, improves circulation, and reduces musculoskeletal issues.

The most productive people don’t work non-stop, they work in cycles.  Pausing isn’t indulgent, it’s strategic.

Practical Ways to Recharge Every Day

If the holiday season didn’t give you the break you really needed, you’re not alone.  The truth is, sometimes real recovery doesn’t come from one big pause, but through small intentional moments everyday. Here are a few simple ways to recharge that we are building into our day to day, we already know them, but like any new habit, it has to feel ok to do so and to be supported and reminded:

  • Micro-breaks: 1–2 minutes for stretching every hour.
  • Movement breaks: Move, short walks or standing meetings.  10 mins around the block or take the stairs to bathrooms on the floor above.
  • Mindful moments: Breathe, meditate or reflect.  Step away from the desk, stand in the sun.
  • Social pauses: Take time to connect, at the beginning of meetings, at the water cooler, build it into your meeting times.

The Bottom Line

The festive season might feel like a break, but real balance and recovery happens in the rhythm of daily life.  Micro-breaks are an investment in wellbeing and performance.  In a world where burnout is rampant, the power of a pause isn’t optional, it’s essential.