How about a Winter Break Reset?

This review was requested by the Workers of England Union to support discussion among members about whether winter sun is a realistic and worthwhile use of annual leave, particularly for those who work through the Christmas period.

One member has long argued that a winter sun break can be worth just as much as a traditional summer holiday, not as a luxury, but as a way of protecting health and wellbeing during the hardest months of the year.

Planning the Break

The first stage was research. We looked at short winter breaks in the UK, Europe and further afield. It quickly became clear that if you want reliable warmth and daylight in winter, flying is unavoidable.

Many of the cheaper options involved long travel times of four to six hours or more. Once travel time was factored in, a “short break” no longer felt short, as at least two days of annual leave would be lost to travelling. With that in mind, we decided that if we were going to do this properly, it needed to be long enough to feel worthwhile.

A five-night, six-day break felt like the right balance.

Choosing a Destination

Egypt was considered, but ruled out mainly due to flight times. While the temperatures were appealing, costs were higher, around £500 per person for flights and all-inclusive accommodation, and that did not include transfers. The longer journey also made it feel less suitable for what was meant to be a restorative break rather than an endurance exercise in travel.

The Canary Islands emerged as the most realistic option. Flight times were manageable, prices were reasonable, and the climate offered warmth without extreme heat.

We initially found a hotel-only deal for £249 per person but chose an all-inclusive option at £335 per person including flights. Transfers and airport parking were not included, bringing the total cost to £385 per person.

The Gamble of Winter Sun

Temperatures were forecast at around 20–22°C. However, winter sun always comes with risk. Weather reports showed rain in the weeks before departure, and people who had visited shortly before us said conditions had been disappointing.

This highlighted a reality of winter travel: there is always a gamble.

Fortunately, the timing worked in our favour. Leaving England at around 5°C and stepping into warmth was an immediate physical and mental lift.

The Experience

Wearing shorts and tee shirts in December felt strange in the best possible way. Even simple movement felt easier. While the sea and pools were cold and few people swam, the extended daylight into early evening made a noticeable difference.

At home, winter days feel compressed. Here, the day still had space in it.

What really stood out was not just the weather, but what it allowed us to do. We made a conscious decision to slow down, relax by the pool, and reset both mentally and physically.

Emails were checked, but constant background stress was deliberately reduced. We ate well, spent time outdoors every day, went for short runs, walked regularly and rested properly in the sun.

Impact on Health and Stress

Within two days, both of us felt noticeably calmer, more energised and more relaxed. Sleep improved. Stress levels dropped.

It felt as though the body was being reminded what “normal” should feel like, rather than constantly bracing against cold, darkness and pressure.

This was reinforced by conversations with other visitors who had travelled the week before us. Their experience had been less positive due to poor weather, and while they still valued time away from work, they did not report the same lift in mood or energy.

The contrast made clear how important reliable warmth and daylight are to gaining the full benefit from a winter break.

Returning Home

On returning home, it felt as though the benefits would carry well into the rest of winter. The break genuinely seemed to shorten the darker months and make them more manageable.

It even sparked discussion about whether travelling earlier in December, or again in February, could help bridge the worst part of winter rather than simply enduring it.

From a work life balance perspective, the break felt less like a holiday and more like recovery. Properly switching off allowed real rest, not the half-rest that often happens at home during winter.

A Question for Members

The question is not whether winter sun is right for everyone, but whether it deserves more serious consideration by working people.

Should WEU members consider using annual leave for winter recovery in the same way they use it for summer holidays?

If you work over Christmas, do you feel able to take time later to recharge? Or do you still feel annual leave should be saved for summer? Whatever your view, it is a discussion worth having.

Trade Union Response

Stephen Morris, General Secretary of the Workers of England Union, said:

“Thank you for the review and for sharing your experience so openly. It’s exactly this kind of honesty that helps our members think differently about how we use our annual leave.

Winter can be a tough grind, especially for those working through Christmas or on shifts, and there is no single right answer. But hearing how a winter break helped someone genuinely reset and get through the darker months is a conversation worth having. I would encourage members to read the review and discuss whether this might be an option for them.”