There is an old saying that "nothing is harder to bear than a series of good days". Well, this saying is more relevant than ever. This year, between Christmas and New Year, we can expect a particularly large number of good days, namely days off.

But there are many people among us who are not entirely comfortable with this amount of free time. For them, a weekend is already too long. A study by the BAT Leisure Research Institute in Hamburg showed that domestic peace is most at risk on Sunday afternoons. Pent-up aggression, disappointment over the weekend, missed conversations or even just boredom can easily lead to displeasure and arguments.

How much more difficult it is then to endure several public holidays in a row. Because many companies don't work between the holidays. That really upsets the work-life balance.

There is certainly no panacea for all of us. Nevertheless, leisure researchers have a few pieces of advice that may provide some inspiration.

First of all, the family should draw up a programme in good time. It is important that every member is listened to and has their say. There is enough time for joint plans and individual wishes. After all, round-the-clock Christmas togetherness can make you lonely if you don't plan enough free time for each individual to be involved.
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Planning is even more important for people living alone. As the BAT Leisure Time Researchers' singles study has already shown, even the two-day leisure time, the weekend, requires careful preparation. It starts with great expectations but rarely lives up to the single person's hopes.

The most common mistake: squeezing too much activity into free time. Fuss at any price only drives away the silence, not the loneliness.

Housewives will also be shocked by so many holidays, especially those whose work is accompanied by encouraging words rather than practical action. Job sharing is the magic word here, which can be practised at home as a dress rehearsal for the world of work: Two people share a workplace, for example the kitchen. Incidentally, the offer can also be seen as a Christmas present. And peace will not only be on earth, but also in the home.

There's one thing you shouldn't miss out on when planning your leisure time - time for leisure, idleness, doing nothing. Everyone secretly longs for this, but many people find it difficult to be idle. The real purpose of Sundays and public holidays is to do nothing. The coming days off are a good opportunity to practise this, at least some of the time.