How to manage holiday stress and constant busyness

Is it really a holly-jolly, worry-free holiday season for all?

The year-end season can bring stress and worry, particularly when you’re juggling work responsibilities and personal commitments.

Holiday stress affects a large portion of the population, with factors such as finances, lack of time and energy to wrap up everything before the year ends, and social dynamics at festive gatherings among the top stressors for many.

Beneath the surface of twinkling lights and festive cheer, many of us experience a profound sense of stress, particularly those grappling with the demands of both the holiday season and the workplace.

A 2023 study by the American Psychological Association found that at least 89% of people experience stress over finances and family during the holiday season.

The holiday season is a busy time for many

Beyond those factors, a primary source of stress is the sheer volume of tasks that accompany the holidays. All of which create a sense of constant motion and leave little room for rest or relaxation. This relentless pace can lead to exhaustion – physical, mental and emotional – as individuals struggle to keep up.

Adding to the burden of the holidays is the pressure to meet the expectations of others. Whether it’s finding the perfect gift, hosting the ideal holiday party, or simply maintaining a cheerful demeanour, the desire to please everyone can be a significant source of anxiety.

This pressure can be amplified in the workplace, where end-of-year deadlines, performance reviews, and the need to maintain professionalism can contribute to a sense of unease.

Also Read: Is your holiday policy really supporting your wellbeing?

But constant busyness can rob you of true joy

The combination of personal and professional obligations can also lead to feelings of irritability and disconnection.

Short fuses and strained interactions with loved ones and colleagues become more frequent as stress levels rise.

Furthermore, the constant busyness can prevent genuine engagement with the present moment, leaving individuals feeling detached from the festivities and the people around them.

Underlying these challenges is often a pervasive sense of guilt. People may feel guilty for not being able to fully participate in every holiday event, or not meeting their own expectations of what the holidays “should” be. This guilt can further exacerbate stress levels, creating a vicious cycle of anxiety and self-criticism.

How to manage holiday stress (and your workload!)

1) Set priorities

• Evaluate deadlines and tasks to determine what requires immediate attention and what can be deferred.
• Consider using project management tools to keep track of deadlines.
• Delegate tasks where possible to reduce pressure and ensure work is completed efficiently.

2) Communicate clearly

• Share your availability with colleagues and supervisors, outlining any planned time off.
• Collaborate with your team to align on expectations and support each other during peak periods.

3) Break tasks into smaller steps

• Large tasks can feel overwhelming, especially during stressful periods. Break projects into manageable steps.
• Celebrate small victories to maintain motivation.

4) Set boundaries

• Limit after-hours emails and meetings.
• Create a clear boundary between work and personal time to prevent burnout.

5) Time management

• Start holiday preparations early to avoid last-minute stress.
• Schedule dedicated times for shopping, wrapping gifts, and other seasonal activities.
• Create a holiday calendar to balance personal and professional commitments.

6) Practise self-care

• Ensure adequate sleep, exercise regularly, and maintain a healthy diet. Poor self-care exacerbates stress levels.
• Take short breaks at work to recharge and refocus.

7) Budget wisely

• Financial stress is a leading holiday concern. Plan a realistic budget and stick to it.
• Consider creative, low-cost gift ideas to ease financial pressure.

8) Seek support

• Engage in conversations with friends, family, or a mental health professional to process your feelings. In 2024, 21% of Americans considered seeking professional help during the holiday season.

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Why it’s essential to remain grounded during the holidays

In 2023, about 7 in 10 people said their biggest regret was not taking time to relax and enjoy the season. Over half reported feeling stressed weeks after the holidays, with some taking a month or more to recover.

By integrating structured workload planning and self-care into your routine, you can navigate the challenges of the holiday season with greater ease. The key lies in balance: maintaining productivity at work while cherishing the spirit of the holidays. If stress becomes unmanageable, don’t hesitate to seek professional guidance.

Navigating the heightened workload of the holiday season while maintaining balance requires a multifaceted approach. It necessitates a shift from striving for an unattainable ideal of perfection to a more mindful and balanced perspective.

Prioritisation is key, demanding a discerning evaluation of both personal and professional commitments, and a willingness to delegate or forgo certain tasks to safeguard one's well-being.

Setting realistic expectations is equally crucial, acknowledging that it is impossible to fulfil every demand and that prioritising self-care is not selfish, but rather essential for sustained productivity and enjoyment of the season.

Establishing clear boundaries between work and personal life helps to prevent the encroachment of professional responsibilities into precious holiday time, allowing for genuine connection and rejuvenation.

Embracing self-care practices, such as adequate sleep, nutritious food, and regular exercise, provides a vital buffer against the stressors of the season.

Using available resources, whether technological tools for organisation or support services for errands and chores, can further alleviate the burden and free up time for meaningful engagement with loved ones.

Amid the whirlwind of activity, it is essential to remain grounded in the true spirit of the holidays. Cultivating gratitude, fostering connection, and savouring moments of joy with family and friends serve as powerful antidotes to stress and allow us to truly embrace the essence of the season.

By adopting these strategies, we can navigate the holiday workload with grace, preserve our well-being, and emerge from the season feeling refreshed and fulfilled, rather than depleted and overwhelmed.