As we dive headfirst into the holiday season, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle. From holiday parties and gift shopping to family gatherings and year-end deadlines, the demands on our time and energy can be overwhelming. However, it’s important to remember to prioritize the mental health of ourselves and our teams amidst the holiday cheer.
The Holiday Hustle’s Impact on Mental Health
The holiday season, while often filled with joy and excitement, can also be a stressful time for many. According to a 2023 survey by the American Psychological Association, 89 percent of U.S. adults feel stressed during the holiday season, with 41 percent reporting higher stress levels compared to other times of the year. The pressure to meet expectations both at home and work, the financial strain, and the added social obligations can take a toll on mental health.
This topic is personal to me as not only am I writing this very blog late at night to meet my deadline after prioritizing family time, decorating the tree, and ordering holiday cards in addition to the regular hustle and bustle, but also having experienced the overwhelming nature of traveling with a small child, I set a boundary to spend our first holiday at home without traveling to or hosting anyone this year.
Supporting Employees’ Mental Health During the Holiday Season
As organizations, leaders, and colleagues, we can play a crucial role in supporting both our own and our employees’ mental health and wellbeing during this time.
Here are some practical steps we can take:
1. Acknowledge the Holiday Hustle Impact
Open the Dialogue
Encourage open conversations about any struggles employees might be experiencing during this season. Seventy percent of those who experience stress say they are comfortable talking with others about their stress during this time. So, create a safe space for your team to share their feelings and concerns and/or connect your employees with other colleagues through employee resource groups (ERGs) or other offerings at your organization.
Normalize Stress
Let your team know that it’s okay to feel stressed or overwhelmed during the holidays. Although, be careful not to minimize their feelings or have them feeling as though you expect them to just “suck it up” and “push through.”
2. Promote Self-Care
Flexible Work Arrangements
If your work structure allows, consider offering some flexibility in work schedules to reduce stress and allow employees to balance work and personal commitments.
Wellness Initiatives
Offer wellness programs, such as mindfulness sessions, yoga classes, or mental health and wellbeing workshops or webinars. Also, provide reminders about mental health and wellbeing resources that are always available, including health insurance benefits, employee assistance programs, and other available resources. Often, even if reminders have been given, employees forget what is available when they are most in need.
3. Foster a Supportive Workplace Culture
Lead by Example
Demonstrate your own commitment to self-care by setting healthy boundaries and prioritizing your wellbeing — both at work and at home. And be open to accepting reasonable boundaries your employees set. The key is “reasonable.” Although I’m sure many of us might like to declare the entire month of December a holiday month, that’s not a reasonable boundary in the U.S. working world.
Empathize With Your Team
Show empathy and understanding for your team’s challenges. Empathy doesn’t require you to become a “fixer,” but offering your employees a bit of compassion during this season might be the only gift they need from you.
Recognize and Reward
Acknowledge and reward your team’s efforts and achievements, especially during this busy time — bonus points for recognizing and rewarding individual team members in the way that is most impactful for them.
4. Promote Cultural Sensitivity
Inclusive Celebrations
Organize inclusive holiday events that celebrate diverse cultures and traditions. Don’t just focus on Christmas, even if you think you’ve covered everyone in your organization as this can be an additional source of stress for those who celebrate traditionally Jewish or other non-Christian religious holidays.
Avoid Stereotypes
Be mindful of stereotypes and biases and promote respectful and inclusive communication.
Accommodate Different Needs
Be flexible and accommodating to employees with different religious or cultural backgrounds. If you provide time off during the holiday season to celebrate more mainstream holidays, be mindful that some employees may prefer time off during a different time of year to accommodate their celebrations.
By taking these steps, we can help create a supportive and understanding workplace culture that promotes mental health and wellbeing during the holiday season and beyond.
Happy Holidays!
