The festive spirit is everywhere during the holiday season. For some, each day feels like waking up to a holiday song — “children laughing, people passing, meeting smile after smile.” But, for others, it can be the loneliest and most stressful time of the year. According to a 2015 Healthline survey, 44% of people say that they are stressed during the holidays, with more than 18% reporting that they’re “very stressed.” Almost half the respondents cited finances as the main culprit for their tension, while being over-scheduled, choosing the right gifts, and remaining healthy also contributed to people’s holiday woes.
Holidays Can Be Stressful. They Don’t Have to Stress Out Your Team.
For some people, the holidays can be the loneliest and most stressful time of the year. Coping with personal stress is already challenging, but when combined with workplace stress, it’s no wonder holiday cheers soon devolve to holiday sneers. Employees are often contending with shortened deadlines, meeting expectations for the end of the fiscal year, and coping with stressed-out customers. Productivity typically slips in December, and the resulting costs for employers can be quite significant. So how can managers help combat stress during the holiday season? First, it’s important to foster greater awareness among those in the dominant culture for those whose holiday observances look different from their own. Make sure that the office is a safe and inclusive place for everyone. Plan a review of workloads and see if some project deadlines can be extended into the new year. Consider giving everyone one extra day off leading up to the holidays to attend to personal needs like gift shopping, family demands, or down-time to regroup. Bringing more awareness to the increased pressure employees are feeling can go a long way toward helping to keep both productivity and spirits up.