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Though music, films, and advertising typically paint December as the season of perfect snowscapes, sleigh rides, and gingerbread houses, the reality can be a little more complex. In fact, “the most wonderful time of the year” can be the most stressful, too.
According to a 2022 survey by Visier, employees are increasingly suffering from “festive fatigue”, with 67% of the 2,006 respondents in this study describing feeling more burnt out than usual during December. Reasons for this increased exhaustion were cited as primarily economic, with 79% of employees suffering anxiety over the cost-of-living crisis, 55% worrying over the cost of Christmas itself, and a further 18% fearing the possibility of new year redundancies.
In this blog post, we’re discussing the causes of festive fatigue and its impact on the workplace. We’re also exploring how you can lower your team’s stress levels to pave the way for a fresh start in the New Year.
What Causes Christmas Stress?
- Winter weather: As daylight hours are at their lowest and, in the words of Frank Sinatra, the weather outside really is frightful, it can feel as if time is escaping us, and we’re increasingly susceptible to winter depression – the seasonal blues. Officially referred to as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), this change in mood is caused by reduced sunlight exposure during the winter months, affecting 1 in 3 people in the UK.
- Staying healthy: Fear for personal health and loved ones’ wellbeing significantly increases as flu season commences. A social study undertaken by researchers at UCL found over half those involved in the study felt more anxious during December than at other times of the year due to concern about loved ones getting ill.
- The cost of Christmas: The financial pressures of present buying and the cost-of-living-crisis are considered the main culprits of festive stress by almost 50% of working adults. A poll conducted by Action for Children finds that a third of working parents are planning to take on extra work or avoid taking time off entirely to pay for Christmas.
- Extra commitments: Many working adults struggle to achieve a healthy work-life balance during December, juggling work obligations with end-of-term school commitments, holiday planning, and Christmas work commitments and social engagements.
- Loneliness and isolation: 1 in 5 adults in the UK report an increase in stress due to loneliness during the festive period or missing family and loved ones.
What Does This Mean for Your Employees’ Wellbeing?
“Stress is a major issue at work,” shares Ian McVey, EMEA MD at Visier, “and the repercussions can be huge for business performance”. Festive fatigue can have a significant impact on employee wellbeing in the run-up to Christmas, increasing the risk of the “occupational phenomenon” burnout.
During the past year, 1 in 5 adults in the UK took time off work to cope with workplace-induced stress, and almost 50% of workers say that their employers lack sufficient wellbeing strategies to prevent burnout and support those facing chronic stress.
Here are some tips for employers to battle festive stress and burnout so that you and your employees can return to work in January refreshed, motivated, and ready:
- Celebrate achievements: Finish the year on a high note by celebrating your employees’ hard work. Give out gifts or vouchers to your team or allow perks to take some of the pressure off as we approach Christmas, such as more flexible hours or an extra day off if possible.
- Set achievable goals and reasonable workload expectations: Break larger projects into smaller tasks where possible and ensure workloads are evenly distributed across teams to decrease pressure on individuals.
- Stay connected with your team: Encourage openness with your employees so that they feel comfortable approaching you with any challenges they’re facing. This openness will allow you to provide them with the necessary support.
- Set clear work-life boundaries: Protect your “me-time” and lead by example by clearly defining work hours and discouraging others from working beyond them. Remote workers should be encouraged to set clear office-home boundaries so that when the day ends, they can physically leave their workspace and take a much-needed break from display screen equipment and work tasks.
- Champion wellbeing in the workplace: A strong wellbeing strategy and positive role-modelling can help you create a positive and productive working environment.
Take a look at our Wellbeing Champion training course to equip yourself or your team with the skills to protect employee wellbeing, steer positive cultural change, and support those in need with the necessary management tools.
Deck the Office with Boughs of Holly
With the Christmas period’s shorter days and added pressures, supporting your employees and prioritising their welfare is more important than ever. Boost morale with some festive activities:
- You can’t go wrong with a Christmas jumper: consider a more flexible, festive dress code to encourage a more relaxed (and jolly) workplace environment.
- Get the whole team involved in the countdown to Christmas with some office advent calendars and Christmas treats: think mince pies and gingerbread!
- Spread the Christmas cheer with some decorations! Put up a Christmas tree and consider getting the team involved with decorating for some festive fun.
- The annual Christmas party feels like a well-established necessity, giving employees time to socialise and build friendships whilst celebrating the year’s achievements. However, for some, this may simply add to a growing pile of festive obligations…
- A survey on stress leading up to Christmas reveals that although the majority of staff (69%) value work Christmas parties and enjoy attending them, a significant minority (31%) have mixed feelings and generally didn’t want to attend, listing inappropriate party etiquette as a deterrent.
- So, when planning an office Christmas party or other group activities, communicate with your team to assess their mood and consider their availability in the run-up to the holiday. Use a survey for direct employee feedback to find out how your team would like to celebrate the end of the year and find a celebration that employees feel comfortable with and look forward to attending.
Mental Health First Aid Course and Skills Development: Do you have the best mental health provisions to support your team, especially when dealing with stressful work periods like Christmas? Thrive4Life’s Mental Health First Aider course gives attendees the opportunity to gain an MHFA England accreditation and become first-line mental health support for team members struggling with mental illness. We also offer a follow-up course in Mental Health Skills Development – this can help qualified Mental Health First Aiders further develop their skills while consulting professionals for advice and employee mental health management tips.
How to Relax and Unwind After a Busy Year
Embracing out-of-office mode and shifting into the holiday mindset can be tricky. Our minds tend to wander back to work deadlines and obligations even when we know we’re supposed to be relaxing! Here’s how to switch off from work, wind down, and make the most of your annual leave:
- Digital detox – Research shows that the higher up your organisation you are, the more likely you are to check your work emails when you’re meant to be on annual leave, with only 1 in 5 senior leaders giving their emails a break. Finding work-life harmony is key for your wellbeing, so try a no-email policy over the festive break to help you log-off, literally and mentally.
- Stay active – Exercise regulates the immune system, improves sleep, and increases the release of mood-boosting chemicals in your brain. Whatever exercise means to you, take the time to move your body – it’ll thank you.
- Maintain a balanced diet – Whilst Christmas is definitely a time for treats, a balanced diet is vital for your wellbeing. To avoid overeating, BHF recommends taking a mindful approach towards eating, grocery shopping, and dining out – enjoy festive treats in moderation while making sure you stay feeling well and comfortable.
- Practise mindfulness – Meditation and mindfulness can positively affect stress management and mental health. Take the time to slow down and focus on your breathing to combat any Christmas-related stresses you might feel creeping in.
- Get outdoors – Good weather might be rarer to come by during winter, but exposure to sunlight can help lift your mood and battle winter blues. Wrap up warm and aim for a daily walk!
- Stay connected – Spending time with friends and family can lower stress levels, prevent loneliness, and improve mental health.
Looking Forward to the New Year
To prepare for your return in January, designate some time to plan and prepare for the new fiscal year. Perhaps allocate your first day back or at least a couple of hours of it to sorting through your inbox and finding your feet again.
Your team might be feeling daunted or anxious about returning to work after a break, worrying about piles of emails and mounting deadlines to wade through. Bear this in mind, be mindful of putting pressure on others, and aim to create a calm, relaxed environment that allows everyone to ease back into their work gently and at their own pace, keeping stress levels low.
In Summary
Although Christmas and the month leading up to it can feel overwhelming, taking steps to prioritise employee wellbeing by cultivating an open and supportive working environment has benefits on an individual and company-wide scale. What’s more, properly embracing the Christmas spirit by giving yourself the time to wind down over the holiday can ensure that you and your team will enter January feeling revitalised, motivated, and ready to face whatever challenges the New Year has in store.
References
- 6 Ways Friendship Is Good for Your Health. – Healthline
- A third of working parents likely to take on extra work or avoid time off to afford Christmas. – Action for Children
- Beating Burnout: Signs, Symptoms, and Supportive Strategies. – Thrive4Life
- Work/life balance: why checking emails on holiday is bad for business. – HRZone by Kate Cooper
- Depression and anxiety rose sharply over Christmas in the UK. – UCL
- Festive Fatigue: December is the Most Stressful Month of 2022 for Half Your Workforce. – Visier
- How can you help your employees manage their Christmas stress. – Small Business by Owen Gough
- How to enjoy Christmas food, drink and socialising without harming your heart. – British Heart Foundation
- How To Leave Stress Behind on Your Holiday. – Thrive4Life
- It’s Time to Take a Break: Working with Display Screen Equipment. – Osteopaths for Industry
- Loneliness at Christmas time in the United Kingdom in 2018. – Statista
- Seasonal Affective Disorder: 1 in 3 people suffer from SAD. – Independent by Antonia Molloy
- Shining a light on winter depression. – Harvard Health Publishing
- The Burnout Report. – Mental Health UK
- The Importance of Me Time. – Lloyds Wellbeing Centre
- Webinars and Events. – Thrive4Life
- Why Exercise is so Important for Your Physical & Mental Wellbeing. – Lloyd’s Wellbeing Centre
