December arrives with its avalanche of year-end deadlines, blinking holiday lights, and endless invitations to “just one more” party or project. If you find yourself suddenly less motivated—or secretly wishing you could hibernate like a Scandinavian bear—you are not alone.

From Japan’s Bōnenkai “forget-the-year” parties, to Australia’s sun-soaked summer break, to the Scandinavian embrace of flexible hours and cozy reflection, many cultures quietly accept—and even celebrate—a December dip in productivity.

In China, work rhythms slow as the Lunar New Year approaches. In America, we push through with caffeine and “hustle culture”—yet productivity trends show that, despite our best efforts, U.S. workers lose focus........

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