Yippee, it’s the holidays. The toughest term of your career is over, your first induction assessment form should have safely arrived with your local authority and all is well with the world. Or is it? Maybe you’re just too exhausted to enjoy it. Perhaps Christmas started so early for you that the magic has gone: you’re nativity and caroled-out. Have a good night’s sleep and you’ll feel better.

The Christmas holidays can be a pretty exhausting time of year, especially if you have children or have rashly arranged to host parties or meals. In among the socialising, shopping and supping, take care of yourself. You need to recharge your batteries because after all the celebrations and festivals it’s possible to return to work even more burned out than before - and several pounds heavier. So make the most of the holidays to wind down. This will be easier if you get away from the area you teach in because there is nothing worse than meeting friends for a drink and seeing pupils out on the town.

Certainly there’s no need to think about work. You must switch off. If you’re finding this difficult, do activities that force you to think about something other than work. Why not blast some baddies in a computer game? Or try learning some new relaxation techniques? There’s a great variety of courses, books, tapes and exercises available. Buddhist meditation can reduce anxiety and increase well-being and happiness. It’s worth a try.

Maybe you’ll meet a special person this holiday. Not Santa, but someone with whom you fall madly in love, after all this is a time of year when passions run high.

Now, think of ways to get in the festive mood. My favourites are helping out with Crisis and drinking mulled wine while watching friends skate around at Somerset House. Happy Christmas

Sara Bubb’s (www.sarabubb.com) Successful Induction for New Teachers is published by Sage. She regularly answers questions at www.tes.co.ukstaffroomnew_teachers.