With just a few weeks to go until the December school holidays, many South Africans are running on empty. It’s a familiar rhythm at this time of year: with kids’ exams, year-end functions, holiday preparation and trying to wrap up the year at work, mental fatigue is real.
For those fortunate enough to be going away, the countdown to that long-awaited break is gathering momentum. Interestingly, though, did you know that simply looking forward to your holiday can be almost as beneficial as taking it?
A study published in the journal Applied Research in Quality of Life suggests that the process of imagining, preparing for and talking about a holiday can be as emotionally rewarding as the holiday itself. Researchers surveyed more than 1,500 participants and discovered that planning and anticipating a trip gives you something joyful to focus on, improving mood and motivation in the weeks leading up to it.
Similarly, a 2023 National Geographic feature on the “science of anticipation” found that planning a holiday can create an immediate sense of well-being, as your brain releases dopamine each time you imagine the experiences to come.
Shaun Lamont, Managing Director of First Group Hotels and Resorts, believes that the joy of a holiday starts long before you pack your bags. “It’s something to look forward to and helps you push through the final busy weeks before you leave. That’s why we always encourage guests to plan their trips early – it helps the excitement kick in well before check-in.”
So how can you tap into that feel-good anticipation and end the year on a high? Lamont shares five practical ways to make the most of the remaining weeks:
1. Plan your itinerary
You’ve booked your stay, but don’t stop there. Decide on the ‘must-dos’ of the trip with your family so your brain gets to start enjoying the holiday before it begins. If you’re heading to KZN’s North Coast, you could go strawberry picking at one of the family farms. Going to the Drakensberg? View ancient San rock art on a guided cave painting hike for something different. Off to the Cape? Choose one of the many short cruises leaving from the V&A Waterfront.
2. Focus on the finish line
Shift your mindset from “just surviving” to “finishing strong.” Set achievable weekly goals rather than seeing the work you still need to complete before you go away as one overwhelming mountain. Visualise the moment you switch your out-of-office on, close your laptop and transition fully into holiday mode.
3. Get your recovery plan ready
To truly relax when your break begins, start preparing now. Nothing ruins the first few days of a holiday faster than lingering work anxiety or the knowledge that chaos awaits your return. Wrap up essential tasks, delegate agreed responsibilities to colleagues and create a realistic re-entry plan for January to make the transition easier. The more thoroughly you prepare for both departure and return, the more completely you can disconnect and recharge.
4. Sneak in a treat
You don’t have to wait until the holidays. Schedule a few small “holiday moments” now – a midweek dinner at a new restaurant, a spa treatment or a braai with friends – to help reduce your stress levels. Research shows that regular short breaks, even brief ones, can have a cumulative effect on happiness³.
5. Not going away? Plan your 2026 break
If December isn’t the right time for you to take leave, it’s never too early to book a 2026 escape. Having a trip to look forward to can give you a positive psychological boost and help you power through the festive season, knowing your well-earned break is waiting on the flip side of 2025.
“At First Group, we believe everyone deserves something to look forward to,” Lamont concludes. “Rest isn’t a luxury – it’s a reset – so don’t underestimate the power of a well-timed getaway. Because when you pause with purpose, you return with perspective.”
Visit www.firstgroup-sa.co.za to book your next holiday.
