How Year-End and New-Year Activities Influence Work Satisfaction

As the year draws to a close, many of us look forward to the precious time off during the year-end and New Year holidays. The period around the New Year, typically spanning about a week, offers us a unique opportunity to reflect on our past year while enjoying some relaxation with family or friends. But how do people actually choose to spend this time? Mizukara, a coaching company based in Chiyoda City, Tokyo, recently conducted a survey titled 'The correlation between ways of spending year-end and New Year and work satisfaction,' targeting 500 employed individuals aged between 25 and 59, reflecting different experiences of earning a living in Japan.

Survey Insights

According to the findings, around 60% of respondents indicated they prefer to spend their year-end and New Year holidays relaxing at home, with many opting for what’s known as '寝正月 (ne-shougatsu)' or 'sleeping through New Year,' implying a preference for remaining indoors rather than engaging in public celebrations. Interestingly, about 25% of participants mentioned they would partake in traditional activities such as初詣 (hatsumode, the first shrine visit of the year) or New Year shopping, while a smaller fraction disclosed their plans to travel. Surprisingly, about 14% of respondents indicated they would remain in 'work mode' even during the holidays, albeit a stark 1.8% aimed for personal development through reading or other enriching activities. This suggests a strong inclination towards family-oriented activities during the New Year period for most individuals.

Correlation Between Holiday Behavior and Job Satisfaction

Digging deeper, the findings revealed a noteworthy trend: those who are engaged and passionate about their work tend to remain active even during the New Year holidays. Conversely, individuals more inclined towards the 'sleeping New Year' mode exhibited lower levels of job satisfaction. This indicates that one’s approach to their job directly influences their holiday mood.

It’s important to note that being in 'work mode' during the holidays does not necessarily correlate with high levels of motivation or fulfillment at work. Instead, the findings suggest that taking adequate time to rest during the year-end and New Year is essential for mental rejuvenation and can significantly impact overall work satisfaction.

Investigative Overview

The survey, conducted on November 18, 2025, through the internet, encapsulated diverse opinions from a demographic of employed individuals across Japan. The results emphasize the importance of understanding how the leisure activities during the holiday season can mirror one’s work engagement levels. More importantly, they suggest that the space we allow ourselves for rest and relaxation can lead to profound effects on our workplace fulfillment.

About Mizukara

Founded in July 2019, Mizukara has been on a mission to uncover individual potential through profound self-understanding, offering various coaching services to both individuals and organizations. With its various initiatives such as career coaching, organizational development, and workshops like REBOOST, Mizukara aims to enhance workplace satisfaction, thereby helping individuals foster a fulfilling life overall. Its ethos, 'Everyone has the potential,' guides the company in addressing the away-satisfaction levels dominating the contemporary working landscape in Japan.

This comprehensive insight into the interplay between leisure and work during the holiday season highlights the critical balance necessary for maintaining both personal joy and professional satisfaction.