Why the Busiest Months Are Burning Brits Out and How Experiences Can Help You Switch Off

• The weeks leading up to Christmas are the most exhausting of the year, with 38% of Brits feeling peak pressure between 5 November and 11 December.
• Rising stress comes from work deadlines, social commitments, darker days, and financial strain, with 964,000 workers affected by work-related stress in 2024/25.
• WonderDays highlights the need for people to step away from routine to protect their wellbeing during this period.
• Experiences that encourage rest, creativity, nature, and connection can help people switch off and reset.
• Taking time out improves mood, productivity, and overall mental and physical health, making breaks especially important during the busiest season.

As the UK enters the most work driven, demanding stretch of the year, data reveals how work stress and festive pressures are affecting workers' wellbeing. A recent poll of 2,000 adults found that 38% of Brits, around 23.4 million people, say the final weeks before Christmas are the most exhausting of the entire year. The period between 5th November and 11th December has even been identified as the time when pressure is at its highest.

Why This Time of Year Feels So Overwhelming

With stress levels at their peak, WonderDays, the UK’s leading experience day provider, is highlighting how meaningful time away from work and routine can help people to recharge and protect their wellbeing during the busiest months. Individuals report increased stress due to packed social calendars, work deadlines, darker nights, growing financial pressures, and rising family commitments. Nearly 57% say the holidays are the most mentally draining time of year, and three-quarters link their burnout directly to festive and social pressures.

And it’s not just personal life feeling the strain. In 2024/25 alone, 964,000 workers suffered from work related stress, depression, or anxiety, contributing to 22.1 million lost working days. Financial pressure is another major trigger, with two-thirds (66%) of employees feeling obliged to overspend during this time.

The Need to Switch Off

With pressures building, creating time to step away from work and the normal routine is more important than ever. WonderDays experiences help to provide meaningful solutions, giving people the space to reset, recharge, and breathe during the busiest months of the year.

WonderDays experiences are designed specifically to help people switch off, whether it's through creativity, connection, or nature. These moments can help reduce stress, boost wellbeing, and provide something to look forward to during an overwhelming season.

Here are some WonderDays experiences that support rest and reset:

Mindfulness and Wellness Days
Perfect for recovering from work overload, wellbeing retreats and therapy can help people step away from screens and work worries to unwind. From puppy theory, meditation with horses to mindfulness day retreats with lunch. 

Creative Workshops 
Activities like pottery making, paint and sip sessions, or perfume making classes can give people a mental break, helping them explore through creativity and play.

Animal Experiences
Whether it’s cuddling Highland Cows or enjoying time with friendly farm animals, nature experiences bring calm, comfort and perspective to life. 

Food and Dining Experiences
Relaxing meals, afternoon teas, and cooking classes create meaningful moments where people can switch off and reconnect with things they love. Experience a three-course dining Experience with Cocktails For 2 at Marco Pierre White's London Steakhouse Company, or even a cookery class at Jamie Oliver's Cookery School. Find your passion outside of work.  

Spa and Pamper Days
For anyone experiencing burnout, spa activities can offer much-needed rest and recovery, especially with Christmas fast approaching. 

Small Breaks Make a Big Difference

Taking time out matters; it can help. 

• Lower stress and burnout
• Improve mood
• Enhance creativity
• Better overall physical and mental health
• Restore balance
• Boost motivation
• Strengthen connections with loved ones

Studies have shown that people are 40% more productive after taking leave, and another study found an 8% improvement in the end of year performance ratings for every additional 10 hours of vacation. In the busiest season of the year, these moments matter most; taking some time away from work is imperative.