I have a very pressured job - the only way I can feel in control of the workload is to keep my nose to the grindstone pretty much constantly. But now my family has got annoyed with my 'workaholic' tendencies and has decided to ban me from doing any work over the Christmas break. I know this will send my blood pressure through the roof as I'll keep imagining my to-do pile growing and growing. How can I persuade them that a total ban isn't the answer?

Susan advises
Actually, I'm with your family here. I think it would do you a lot of good to take a total break over Christmas. Why? Because if you're so stressed that you can't stop thinking about work even for a few days, then things have obviously gone way too far.

You're probably in danger of total burnout.

So first, do all you can to clear the backlog before Christmas, If there's something you haven't got time to do, jot it down on a list so that you can relax, reassured you won't forget. Then, lock your computer, your organiser and your mobile away from December 23rd to December 27th - so you're not even tempted to work. Don't let yourself be distracted during that time - put all your attention on your family and enjoy kicking back.

But also, make your New Year's resolution that you are going to look hard at your work-life balance. Are you delegating enough? Are you taking on too much responsibility? Is it that there's something wrong at home that you need to bury yourself in work all the time? Stop Living Your Job, Start Living Your Life by Anne-Marie Millard and Andrea Molloy could help.