The holidays are here again. It’s a time of joy, celebration, and special experiences shared with loved ones. Or at least that’s the hope and expectation. For many employees, the reality can look quite different. As year-end deadlines loom, financial pressure builds, and family or social obligations spike, the holidays can be stressful and anxiety filled. What’s more, the glaring gap between reality and expectations can make people feel even worse.
Unfortunately, employee well-being was already faltering before this year’s holiday season rolled around. Eighty-three percent of US employees say they suffer from daily work-related stress, for example. And with credit card debt reaching all-time highs, financial stress is soaring, too. In fact, the rising cost of living and financial instability represent the top stressors negatively impacting employee mental health, according to Calm’s survey. On top of that, one in five employees worldwide experience daily loneliness, with remote employees and those younger than 35 affected the most.
Now add changes to daily routines, pressure to give the perfect gift or host the perfect meal, disrupted sleep, and more alcohol consumption. It’s no wonder that 41% of US adults report increased levels of stress from November to January.
7 Ways Managers Can Help Employees in the Holiday Season:
Despite the grim statistics, managers and leaders can make a positive impact on employee well-being. This holiday season, consider adopting some of the strategies below to help team members feel less stressed.
Give employees more control, autonomy, and flexibility in how they get their work done: According to Dr. Christina Maslach, professor of psychology at the University of California, Berkeley, when employees feel they lack control, they’re more likely to experience stress and burnout.
Set realistic year-end goals and check in regularly about workloads: Forty percent of US employees say their workload is their primary source of stress, and year-end deadlines only make matters worse.
Express gratitude for employees and their contributions: Make a point of expressing gratitude for your employees’ hard work during the busiest time of year. When employees feel appreciated, job satisfaction and productivity increase, studies show.
Encourage employees to express gratitude for good things in their lives: Expressing gratitude also may play a critical role in managing the body’s stress response. When we focus on positive emotions associated with gratitude, our brain may reduce the production of stress hormones such as cortisol.
Normalize microbreaks throughout the workday: To meet those year-end deadlines and goals, employees might decide to push through when they really need a break.
Offer easy-to-access mindfulness tools: A Cleveland Clinic study found that practicing mindfulness, including meditation, can lower stress in a demanding work environment and improve employee well-being.
Help employees and families get better sleep: Sleeping well regularly is essential for good mental and physical health as well as quality work.
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