Employees have been through a lot these past two holiday seasons. Isolation, the pandemic, transitioning to remote work (and possibly back to in-person work again), impending deadlines, and more have increased holiday stress. Many employees are also dealing with Seasonal Affective Disorder, grief, anxiety, relationship challenges, and financial struggles during the holiday season.
Company leaders have a great opportunity to help employees manage holiday stress at work.
Here are five simple but effective ways to address employee anxiety around the holidays while boosting employee engagement in the process.
1. RAMP UP YOUR MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM
HR leaders – if you already have wellness benefits in place, remind your employees about it through an email or during a company meeting.
Direct them to resources that may help them manage their holiday stress. Remind them that accessing services through your EAP or mental health program is confidential.
Motivate them to use the wellness program by holding little challenges. For example, every Wednesday, encourage everyone to do a guided meditation and talk about your experiences during your team meeting later that day. Even better – do a guided meditation for holiday stress together.
You can help employees manage holiday stress at work by giving them permission to be human. It’s okay to feel down. It’s okay to have days where you aren’t as productive. It’s okay to take a mental health day.
2. ENCOURAGE TAKING BREAKS
If you are a company leader, you are in a great position to set an example for how to manage holiday stress at work. Your actions can help change the company culture.
If employees see you taking breaks, they will start to feel more comfortable taking breaks themselves.
With so many demands during the holiday season – especially for working parents – it can be hard to find the time to recharge. Your company can be a place where breaks are welcome. Breaks are necessary not only for peak productivity but for our physical wellness and mental health. Breaks help prevent burnout.
Tell employees that it is reasonable and even necessary to take workday breaks. Some HR leaders create Friday midday breaks where employees were strongly encouraged not to message, email, or have meetings for a couple of hours in the middle of the workday. Employees were free to step away from work to run errands, take care of themselves, or spend time with their kids. Employees were also free to take that time to knock out tasks.
3. TEACH YOUR MANAGERS HOW TO SUPPORT THEIR TEAMS
Your managers play a huge role in helping employees manage holiday stress at work.
Managers have an excellent opportunity to help employees feel supported. They can help employees adjust their goals, tasks, and deadlines so everyone can stress less and do a better job – personally and professionally.
4. PRIORITIZE SELF-CARE
What brings you joy? What fills you up and gives you energy?
Set aside consistent time to do those things, even if it’s just for a few minutes each day.
5. SEEK SUPPORT
Talking about your struggles with those you trust can help you heal. It can help you reconnect with yourself and other people.
Consider meeting with a therapist to talk about your challenges. They will help you gain the tools to take care of yourself and cope with holiday stress at work.
Your company can become a space where people feel supported. By following these tips, you’ll be making some significant steps towards making mental health a priority in your workplace – especially around the holidays.
Source: https://nivati.com
