“Breathe. Let go. And remind yourself that this very moment is the only one you know you have for sure.” — Oprah Winfrey
It’s November and the year is nearly done, but rather than winding down, many businesses start ramping up this time of year. Yes, the holiday season is upon us and for many industries things are about to get a lot more hectic. In the corporate world, many people take time off during the holidays, adding to the workload of those still working. There could also be end-of-year budget pressures. There are also work parties and events that you will feel obligated to attend. These are fun, but they will add to your already busy calendar in December. For retail and hospitality workers, this is the busiest time of year, leading to employees putting in more hours than usual. But rather than worry about it, plan for it!
Leaders and employees alike know that they will be working hard and putting in extra hours starting very soon. And we cannot forget the pressures people might be feeling at home, as their personal lives will start getting busier, too. Rather than going into this season with a feeling of dread hanging over your head, be proactive and start thinking about some self-care strategies you can implement to ease your anxiety and stress. Afterall, the best offence is a good defence!
Interesting Stats
- 68% of workers are less productive during December, largely due to exhaustion and lack of motivation induced by the holidays and year-end push.
- Over half (53%) of employees have increased holiday stress, with 22% reporting a decline in their well-being.
- 22% say their overall well-being declines during this time.
- Financial concerns are the primary source of holiday stress for 64% of employees.
- 79% of survey respondents say they overlook their health needs during the holidays, and most find the season more stressful than tax time, according to the American Heart Association.
- Happiness levels at work drop: The National Work Happiness Score in December 2023 was 6.6/10, down from 6.8 in November.
It doesn’t have to be this way for you this year!
To get you thinking about ways you can manage your stress, here are 10 ways we suggest you take care of yourself to avoid burning out when you’re in the thick of holiday madness.
1. Set Boundaries Early
Do not overcommit yourself to any one thing! The holiday season doesn’t just mean that work will be busier, but you will get invitations to visit with family and friends, or you will feel pressure to host events, plus attend work holiday events. Your life as a whole will get busier, so set some limits early on. Now is the time to decide how much time and energy you can devote to each of these things.
A great way to start planning this in advance is to start booking things, such as personal care appointments now, so that time is already carved out in your calendar. You can also beat the rush, as everyone will be looking for things like hair cuts closer to the holidays.
23.7% of employees say a heavy workload is the most common cause of work-related stress, and work-life imbalance is a major contributor for many. This is especially true during the busy holiday season.
2. Prioritize Rest and Sleep
This isn’t just about taking breaks at work. This is about making your health and wellbeing a priority. Getting a good night’s sleep is one of the most important ways you can manage this.
Many of us are guilty of staying up too late on our phones or tablets, so using an app blocker or putting your phone into “Do Not Disturb” mode can be very helpful, as we know these devices can grab our attention at times when we really need to be winding down and going to sleep.
Research organization RAND Corporation suggests up to 3% of a country’s GDP could be lost due to lack of sleep.
3. Practice Daily Stress-Relief Habits
Ten minutes of meditation, deep breathing, a short walk or a longer one listening to music, audiobooks or podcasts can lower cortisol levels and improve focus.
Start your day off right before starting work. Take some time out of your day to relax and clear your mind with intention. If you’re looking for help, try an app, such as Calm, that can guide you through a short meditation or breathing exercise. It can also be used to help you manage your sleep schedule.
If you’re seeking spiritual guidance, you could try the app Hallow, for Christian prayers. This can also help you reconnect with your faith as Christmas approaches.
4. Plan Workload Strategically
This one is more for management and business leaders. Strategic workload planning improves operational efficiency and reduces employee stress by aligning staffing with demand forecasts and seasonal fluctuations. This approach helps prevent overwork during the busy pre-holiday periods, supports better work-life balance for front-line workers, and enhances overall job satisfaction for everyone!
As you know a percentage of your workforce will be using their paid time off (PTO) during December, due to the Statutory holidays, children being on break, and workplace “use-it-or-lose-it” policies regarding using PTO by the end of the calendar year. With this in mind, it’s prudent to make the necessary adjustments ahead of time to account for the reduced staff.
5. Stay Physically Active
We all know exercise and movement is important for our physical health, but for workers during the busy holiday season, physical activity is most beneficial for your mental health. Yes, exercise is an incredible mood booster!
Regular physical activity is strongly associated with improved mood and lower levels of stress, helping build resilience against workplace fatigue and irritability.
You could try something as simple, such as doing a short workout at home before work, or sign up for something, such as a morning yoga class or pilates. Scheduling something puts it in your calendar, so you’re more likely to follow through with it. Life will get more hectic in December, but if you form a routine before the busy season starts, you can manage your schedule around it, rather than trying to squeeze it in later.
6. Fuel Your Body Wisely
Busy schedules often mean skipped meals or extra caffeine. Prioritize balanced meals and hydration to avoid energy crashes. Whether you are working on a retail floor or seated at a desk in an office, have a water bottle nearby so that you can stay hydrated throughout the day.
Make sure you’re eating breakfast and taking those lunch and dinner breaks to actually eat a balanced meal. Start planning your meals and make a plan to pack a lunch, rather than relying on food court or restaurant food all the time. And during the holidays, people will often bring in treats and snacks, so make good choices, while still allowing yourself to indulge once in a while, because enjoying the little things and moments is important.
7. Delegate and Ask for Help
This tip is for both your work and home lives. While you’re working, ask for help from co-workers or leaders when needed. Do not suffer in silence. At home, if you need help with meals, or picking up and dropping off kids, don’t be afraid to ask family and friends to help you out. When you feel supported, you feel less stressed in all areas of life. If you have kids, look at when the December holiday break begins, and start arranging childcare for when you and your partner are both at work, or attending after work events, such as holiday parties.
Staff Shop’s leaders, Jennifer and Ali highly recommend the book Buy Back Your Time: Get Unstuck, Reclaim Your Freedom, And Build Your Empire by Dan Martell.
8. Schedule Personal Downtime
This one is for your time outside of work. Schedule in some “me time.” This could mean watching an episode of a favourite show, or reading a book in uninterrupted silence. For some, your “me time” might include other people, such as a partner, spouse, or friend. If you feel better with supportive and helpful people, carve out some time for that. Your personal downtime is precious, so don’t let it slide.
Over 70% of employees say stress negatively affects work productivity; scheduling “non-negotiable” personal time helps counteract this trend.
9. Reflect and Reset
Take stock of what’s working and what’s draining you. As the holiday season approaches, those stressors will only increase if you aren’t proactive, so it’s good to assess and make the necessary adjustments now, rather than find out it’s not working when it’s too late.
10. Celebrate Progress, Not Perfection
There seems to be a lot of pressure for the holidays to be perfect. At work, that could mean having amazing sales numbers or increased client satisfaction. At home, that could mean creating holiday magic for family and friends with gifts and elaborate meals. If either of these things don’t go as planned, you will probably feel like a failure. So, rather than striving for perfection, celebrate incremental improvements and small victories. An all or nothing approach will not help your mental health during this hectic time of year. Remember that successes and failures do not rest solely on your shoulders.
Get Help This Holiday Season
Staff Shop offers staffing solutions in a number of employment sectors, including hospitality.
For employers, ensure you are properly staffed by hiring us. We will match you with candidates who are the right fit for your open roles. Whether you need to fill in gaps while employees are off, or if you need seasonal staff to account for increased business, we have got you covered.
Are you looking for work? The holiday season is a great time to temp. Whether you are unemployed looking to bridge a gap, or want to earn some extra cash this time of year, we can help.
“You can do anything, but not everything.” — David Allen
