The holidays are just around the corner and that means the busy festive season is almost upon us.
While many people look forward to all that cheeriness, joy & warm family get togethers, for others it can be a time of year that we truly dread.
With everything that’s happened since March 2020 and the world pandemic, employers now more than ever need to protect the mental health of their employees and make this a top priority.
Having a strategic plan as we approach the holiday season, both at work and at home, will help ensure that we keep stress levels low, stay optimistic and mindful and protect our mental health at all costs.
Here are 5 tips to help everyone – including top leaders like CEOs, Vice Presidents, HR Executives and more – to manage the stress of the season, still get work done and prioritize mental health.
- Keep Work Flexible During the Holidays – Leaders and managers will want to be sure they ease the vice like grip they may have on employees’ work schedules this time of year. Between November and January each year, many staff reevaluate their work and personal priorities and, unbeknownst to their boss, may actually be contemplating a shift to another position with a new company. If an employee doesn’t feel like their priorities and values align with the company’s, they won’t stick around. Aim for a flexible schedule that supports everyone.
- Have a PJ Day -Remember when you were a kid and every so often you stayed in your pajamas for a day. Just this once (or maybe twice) – DO IT! Skip right over all the guilt, shame and whatever else is coming up for you and just invest in a day for you. Maybe you want to binge on your favorite Netflix show, read books by the fire all day or take a two hour power nap. It’s amazing what one truly comfy and luxurious day can do for your mental health.
- Say No to Some Things – Despite what you might think, you don’t have to say yes to everything others ask you to do. Taking on too many tasks and committing to several initiatives over the holidays is a recipe for burnout. Be selective in what you say yes to and say no to everything else, even if it means risking offending others.
- Focus on what you CAN Control – We can only control our own feelings & emotions, not others. This time of year is a great time to remember this. With everything that’s occurred on our planet over the last year, you may even find certain friends & family members have varied opinions and heated discussions on certain political and health related matters. Try not to get into a heated argument. Keep your perspective, breathe and walk away if you have to.
- Practice Yoga & Meditate – Yoga and meditation have been proven to lower to stress levels, boost endorphins (our feel good hormones), raise energy levels & so much more. This is a great time of year to either try yoga for the first time or deepen your already existing practice. There are plenty of free YouTube videos available, you can start a Corporate Yoga program at your workplace this winter to boost employee morale or executives & busy professionals can hire their own Private Yoga teacher for a more hands on approach that focuses on their top health goals.
Even though the holiday season can often be a stressful time of year, it’s also a time for renewal, reflection, warmth & introspection. Be sure to follow these five tips to protect your mental health AND so that your holidays are full of peace & joy, not stress & sorrow.
Happy Holidays!
The team at Innergy Corporate Yoga