09.10.2025
1. Avoid work
When you’re off, be off. Don’t open or reply to work emails. And if ideas or worries about your job pop up, park them in a notebook instead of in your head. Emails can always wait. If something is truly urgent, people will call. Make a list of the tasks waiting for you after the holiday so you know everything is under control.
“Give yourself permission to mentally let go of work. Create a small ‘phone locker’ and put your work phone and computer in there. Turn them both off,” says Pharmadanmark career counsellor Danny Bukh Almstrup.
2. Slow down your plans
Be careful not to fill your holiday with activities, projects, and things to get done. You might be tempted to make a to-do list of everything you don’t have time for in your busy everyday life – but the autumn break is short.
Spend time being present and with the people you care about. Try dedicating an entire day to doing exactly what you feel like from morning to evening.
3. Detox: Switch off the screens
More and more of our free time is spent online – on phones, tablets, computers, or in front of the TV. But when your phone is always within reach, it becomes a hidden source of stress. And it’s no wonder it’s hard to put it down – it’s designed to capture your attention and reward your brain.
Even when we’re not using it, our brain stays on alert, ready for a call or notification. That’s why it’s a good idea to switch off your screens completely once in a while – ideally for a whole day. Spend time outdoors, play a board game, or do something creative or hands-on instead. It’s balm for your nervous system and soul.
4. Use nature to unwind
The sensory impressions we get from nature have a calming effect on the brain and benefit both our cognitive function and mental well-being. So help your mind relax by spending time outside.
“Go for a walk in the forest, enjoy the silence and the colours of autumn – and remember to look up instead of down at your screen. You can try ‘silent walking,’ where you walk quietly for 10–20 minutes and simply observe your surroundings. It’s a great opportunity for peace and reflection,” says Danny Bukh Almstrup.
5. Prepare for a gentle return
Before going back to work, it’s a good idea to make a startup plan to help you keep some of that holiday calm.
- Start midweek, for example on a Wednesday, or take the Friday off after your holiday so the first week doesn’t feel too long.
- Try to avoid scheduling major or demanding meetings during the first week.
- Block time in your calendar to check your inbox and get an overview of tasks.
Have a wonderful autumn break – and remember to let both your body and mind truly relax!