Derrick Mutiso
On that night in Bethlehem, the world received its greatest gift: the birth of Jesus Christ. His arrival shows us that in simplicity, there is glory; in rest, renewal. The shepherds paused from their work in awe, and the wise men travelled far in gratitude. In the same way, Christmas invites us to pause, step back from our endless deadlines, and rediscover peace for body, mind, and soul.
Yet for many, this sacred pause feels like a distant dream. While most are discussing Christmas plans, you might be trapped in a world of year-end adjustments, audit queries, and that one account that refuses to reconcile. Accountants are legendary for taking work home “just for a few hours,” only to find it’s 11:47 p.m. on Christmas Eve and you’re still working with Excel instead of being present with your family.
This year, let the message of the season be your permission to make rest a true priority. Turn off notifications, close your laptop, and give yourself the gift of disconnection. Use this Christmas break with intention – to reset and start January genuinely refreshed.
The benefits of such a deliberate pause are profound. Recently, a friend of mine saw a sign for a “Traditional Sauna” in Eldoret. Curious, he tried it that evening. Ten minutes in, he had a revelation: “So this is how people live who aren’t chasing deadlines.” The setup was simple: a room with benches, a steaming cauldron of herbs, and an attendant. He stayed for an hour and a half, spending just 300 shillings; the best he’s ever spent. Afterwards, he wished there were more saunas in Kenya, recognizing how replicating this simple practice could improve health and ease stress.
In places like Finland, sauna culture is normal; people sit, sweat, relax, and think. No phones, no emails. The country has about 5.4 million residents, and a whopping 3.3 million saunas to match! It has more saunas per capita than any other country in the world. Finland has also topped the UN’s World Happiness Index on several occasions. There has to be a correlation between saunas and happiness. They are found in almost every home, apartment building, and public space.
The goal is simple: create at least one moment where you are not responsible for anything.
No clients, no board, no management, no KRA. Just you and your thoughts (or no thoughts -also allowed).
How about travelling during this time? In Kenya, Christmas and travel are like debit and credit – they just go together. It’s always a good time to head to the village and reconnect with your extended family. If you can travel, great. But it doesn’t have to be “Instagram travel” that empties your wallet.
Consider trips near Nairobi or where you are, as well as affordable getaways. The coast is a great place to visit any time of the year, but personally, I find that it’s a lot better when you travel there during the off-peak season. Prices for accommodation, food, and almost everything else are significantly cheaper. The touristy places are also less crowded.
Shift your focus to changing your environment for yourself. Celebrate your effort this year as an accountant – now intentionally plan a simple getaway that gives you peace and joy.
Enjoy the food… then show your body some mercy.
Christmas in Kenya typically means traditional African dishes, followed by some more nyama choma and beer. Overindulgence is almost guaranteed. There’s nothing wrong with enjoying good food. Just try to give your body a mini reset afterwards. Have more water, less soda, less deep-fried everything, more fruits and vegetables, smaller portions at night (your stomach also wants a holiday).
No need to be a nutrition saint – just be kinder to your body. Even a short reset can leave you feeling lighter and more energetic. There’s no magic pill that will keep your brain sharp forever, but there is a pattern that helps: eating in a way that’s good for your heart and blood vessels is usually good for your brain too.
There are some all-star “brain foods” you can sneak into your regular diet: Green, leafy vegetables – like spinach, broccoli, and kale -are loaded with vitamins and antioxidants that help slow down cognitive decline. Fish like salmon and tuna, as well as other oily varieties, are rich in omega-3 fats that support brain health. If fish isn’t your thing, you can still get omega-3s from avocados. Caffeine in moderate amounts can help with focus and short-term mental performance.
According to the Harvard Business Review, darker-coloured vegetables often pack in more antioxidants. For instance, black beans generally have a higher antioxidant content than white beans. Green vegetables, especially dark, leafy ones like kale and spinach, are typically richer in iron and tend to provide more protein than their lighter-green counterparts.
Move your body (your chair doesn’t count)
Many of us have found ourselves sitting much more this year than moving around. The festive break serves as a timely reminder that our bodies are designed for more than just sitting in chairs at work.
Commit to 20–30 minutes of daily movement, such as walking, stretching, or being active in your local area. Start today to make this a new holiday habit.
- A short home routine: push-ups, squats, sit-ups
- Light jogging, skipping rope, or dancing to your favourite music
If you already enjoy running, December can be a great way to warm up before building your routine in January.
You’ve spent all year taking care of other people’s numbers. December is an ideal time to prioritise your health.
Reconnect with God (and yourself)
Christmas is not just about offers at the supermarket. It’s a deeply spiritual season for many people.
It’s a good time to pause and ask:
- How has this year really been -for my soul, not just my payslip?
- What am I truly grateful for?
- What do I want to leave behind in this year, and what do I want to carry into the new one?
Say a prayer of thanks for the year you’ve survived.
For the crises that calmed down, the deadlines you somehow met, the people who helped you, the doors that opened…and even the lessons that came wrapped as problems.
Spiritual reflection has a way of putting things into perspective.
Bring back your hobbies from early retirement.
Many hobbies have died at the hands of “I’m too busy.”
Perhaps you once enjoyed reading novels, painting, drawing, writing, cooking elaborate recipes, playing music, or taking photos… and then spreadsheets and meetings gradually took over.
This Christmas, deliberately choose one hobby to revive:
- Read a book that has nothing to do with taxes or finance.
- Try a new recipe (even if it flops, that’s a memory)
- Sketch, journal, garden, or take photos around your neighbourhood
Hobbies remind you that you’re a full human being.
Close the year with gratitude.
Before you rush into 2026 goals and targets, take stock; emotionally, not just financially.
You can even do a simple “gratitude list”:
- 3 things I’m grateful for in my career this year
- 3 people I’m grateful for
- 3 lessons I learned (even the painful ones)
We remember people, moments, and how life felt, not the number of emails we replied to during the holidays.
Whatever your plan is this Christmas – travelling, staying in Nairobi, or going upcountry –commit to actually switching off. Protect your one body, one mind, one soul.
As we close the year, let Christ’s birth remind us to choose rest, presence, and gratitude over work. This season is your invitation to reset, refocus, and recharge for the year ahead. How ever, you spend this Christmas; whether with family, in nature, or simply unplugged, take care of yourself, and make it a time for true rest.
Merry Christmas, and may this season bring you peace and renewed strength.
This Christmas, take charge; You’ve earned true downtime; fully embrace it.
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The author is a business writer and project coordinator, Omeriye Foundation.
Email: [email protected]
