Tempted to bring work on vacation this holiday season?

Should I work on vacation… or not?

As the year winds down, you're likely sprinting toward the finish line—juggling multiple deadlines, planning for new projects in the coming year, and wondering how you’ll get it all done. On top of that, you’ve been looking forward to taking a well-deserved break before the new year begins. But as your vacation looms closer, a little voice in your head starts asking, “Should I work on vacation, even though I was looking forward to a break? Do I bring my laptop? Should I check my emails? Will my team need me while I’m away.”

You tell yourself that if you check in occasionally or do a little work during vacation, you’ll keep things from piling up while you’re gone. But will this approach actually help—or will it only make you more stressed?

Let’s break down whether bringing work on your holiday vacation is really the best move for your well-being.

The reality of the "holiday work dilemma"

As you wrap up projects and push hard to hit year-end deadlines, you're likely already feeling stretched thin. Your goal is to relax and recharge - not work on PTO, but the pressure of still needing to be “on” nags at you. The idea of disconnecting fully from work feels like a luxury you just can’t afford, especially if you're worried about the work that will pile up during your break. This is a dilemma that many professionals face during the holidays. According to a Harvard Business Review article, 70% of professionals reported feeling stressed about “not being available” during time off, believing that not working would make them seem less dedicated or less dependable (Nawaz, 2021).

So, what should you do? Should you take your laptop along and work on vacation, or fully disconnect? Here’s a guide to help you make an informed decision.

Step 1: Clarify what truly matters to you.

Before deciding whether to work during vacation, take a moment to reflect on your values. What matters to you, and how do you plan to implement in your life consistently?  

For example, perhaps you’ve identified the following values as what you care most about. Ask yourself specific questions to evaluate how far or close you are currently living by what matters most to you.

• Health and well-being: Have you been feeling burnt out lately?

• Relationships: How much do you value spending quality time with your loved ones without distractions?

• Dependability: Do you feel responsible for keeping things running smoothly at work, even while you're on vacation?

• Achievement and Integrity: Do you feel compelled to complete tasks to feel accomplished or maintain your professional reputation?

These reflections will guide you toward making the best decision for both your professional responsibilities and your personal well-being.

Step 2: Explore your options.

Here are three choices you might consider:

• Option 1: Bring your laptop and work as planned.

• Option 2: Bring your laptop but don’t actually work. (Just having it there feels like you’re “available.”)

• Option 3: Leave your laptop behind and commit to a full break.

Each choice comes with its own pros and cons, depending on your priorities. Let’s dive deeper in Step 3.

Step 3: Evaluate how each option aligns with your values.

Each choice you make will bring you closer to—or take you further from—what matters most to you. Let’s break it down:

• You bring your laptop and work during vacation:

  • Health and well-being. Working on vacation can be draining, especially if you’re already exhausted from the end-of-year rush. The American Psychological Association noted that overworking can contribute to burnout, which can affect your long-term productivity and health (APA, 2023).

  • Presence with loved ones. Consider whether working steals time from connecting with friends or family? Setting clear boundaries around your work hours (e.g., only working early mornings) can help, but consider if this is realistic for your mental health.

  • Meaningful work. You may believe that the flexibility in completing your work during vacation would allow you to maximize productivity and make your work feel more meaningful. However, doing this has been found to contribute to people enjoying their work less and finding less meaning from it (Giurge & Woolley, 2020).  

  • Team expectations: If you're leaving with a clear plan and have already communicated deadlines with your team, this could help alleviate any guilt. If you're unsure, have a conversation with your manager about expectations before and after your break.

• You bring your laptop but don’t use it at all:

  • Presence and rest: Fully detaching from work could offer the mental reset you desperately need. An article in Psychology Today (Koltuska-Haskin, 2023) noted that fully disconnecting from work during vacations enhances creativity and productivity upon return, in addition to increases in daily sleep.

  • Guilt and anxiety: The flip side? You might experience guilt for not being "available" or fear that you'll fall behind. These emotions are common, especially when there's pressure to be seen as a “dedicated” worker.

• You decide not to bring your laptop:

  • Boundaries and health: Disconnecting could be the healthiest option if you’ve been feeling burned out. Prioritizing self-care is essential to maintaining a sustainable work-life balance (McGeorge, 2022).

  • Fear of missing out (FOMO): The concern here is missing something important or appearing disengaged, but this can be mitigated by setting clear expectations and communicating with your team before leaving.

Step 4: How to stay true to your values, regardless of your decision.

Once you’ve identified how you want to balance work and relaxation, consider how you can stay aligned with your core values:

If you’re working during vacation:

• Set clear, limited work hours (early mornings, a few hours on the plane).

• Communicate these boundaries with your team and loved ones ahead of time.

• Make space for self-care—whether that’s an hour of quiet time or a daily walk to refresh your mind.

If you’re fully disconnecting:

• Have a plan in place to manage any potential work anxieties. Will you check emails at specific times during the break, or have someone cover for you?

• Set realistic expectations with your manager/team before you leave to ensure that any urgent matters are handled in advance.

• Use the time to recharge and strengthen your relationships. Try to engage in meaningful, work-free activities with your loved ones.

Step 5: Manage the guilt and emotions.

It’s common to feel conflicted about taking time off. Many professionals experience emotions like guilt, anxiety, or frustration when considering leaving work behind. Acknowledging and addressing these emotions can help you make peace with your decision. Strategies include:

Strategies that you might consider adding to your coping toolkit include:

• Label your emotions. Get granular about how your thoughts are making you feel (e.g., disappointed instead of sad, or resentful instead of angry). Understanding and pinpointing exactly how you feel can help you address the underlying cause. Are you worried about how others will perceive you (Tan & Li, 2024)? Or is it more about your own expectations?

• Practice mindfulness. Distancing yourself from your thoughts and emotions can help you avoid overidentifying with them. Take deep breaths, and remind yourself that you are not your thoughts or feelings.

• Self-compassion. Hold yourself gently and kindly. Taking time for mental and emotional rest is essential for your long-term success and well-being.

Conclusion: The right choice for YOU

The holidays are a time for rest, reflection, and reconnection with the people who matter most to you. Balancing work and relaxation can be challenging, but it’s important to prioritize your well-being and stay true to your values. Whether you choose to work a little or fully unplug, make a plan that aligns with what truly matters to you.

If you’re struggling with setting and maintaining boundaries for work-life balance, remember—you’re not alone. I provide tailored treatment for social anxiety, people pleasing, and perfectionism at Chen Thrive Psychological Services. Contact me to request a free 15-minute consultation, and let’s work together to help you navigate the tricky balance between work and rest.

References

Giurge, L. M., & Wooley, K. (2020, July 22). Don’t work on vacation. Seriously. Harvard Business Review.

McGeorge, D. (2022, November 14). Don’t feel guilty for prioritizing yourself over work. Harvard Business Review.

Pei-Sze Tan, K., & Li, R. X. (2024). Guilt trip or vacation trip? Guilt as a vacation constraint (pp. 1-10). University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Koltuska-Haskin, B. (2023, July 27). Why our body and brain need a vacation. Psychology Today.

American Psychological Association. (2023). Employers need to focus on workplace burnout: Here’s why.

Nawaz, S. (2021, June 7). The real reasons you’re stressed at work—and what you can do about it. Harvard Business Review.