THE FUSE

I am someone who often enjoys working during the holidays. Fewer emails, reduced external demands, and a slower pace can feel mentally restorative. However, this experience is not universal. In healthcare settings, for example, fairness and rota policies often mean that the same individual cannot take Christmas leave every year in order to maintain adequate staffing levels. For others, particularly those with family abroad, holidays can involve expensive flights, long travel times, and complex logistical planning. Managing limited annual leave, disrupted routines, and social obligations can mean that the anticipated rest associated with holidays instead becomes another source of pressure.