A handheld work apparatus has an electric motor and a voltage source for operating the motor. A manual actuation element provided on a handle of the apparatus is operated by a user and is provided for activating the motor. The actuation element is connected to a control unit which controls the energy supply from the source to the motor as a function of an operating signal of the actuation element. If the control unit is in a blocking state, the energy supply to the motor is blocked independently of the operating signal of the actuation element. After receiving a control signal, the control unit switches from the blocking state to a standby state to release an energy supply to the motor. The control signal is derived from a combination of an actuation stroke and an actuation time (ΔTB) of the actuation element. A method for activating the apparatus is also disclosed.