🎄Surviving the Silly Season
The holiday season is upon us, and while it promises joy and celebration, it can also be a minefield for those struggling with workplace stress and potential burnout. As someone who's passionate about helping professionals reclaim their well-being, I want to share some key strategies to help you navigate this potentially challenging time.
Burnout: The Slow Creep Nobody Sees Coming
Burnout isn't a sudden explosion—it's more like a gradual dimming of your inner light. It happens incrementally, often over months, as you consistently put everyone and everything else before yourself.
Just the other night, I was catching up with friends, and a conversation perfectly illustrated this point. One friend mentioned she would "start self-care next year." But when we looked closer, she was actually practicing self-care right then—connecting with friends, feeling supported, and planning an early night.
Pro Tip: Ask yourself daily: What's one small act of kindness I can do for myself today? Remember, burnout stems from persistent self-neglect. These tiny moments of self-compassion compound over time.
Creating Boundaries: Your Christmas Survival Toolkit
Let's talk about switching off—truly switching off—during the holidays. This means more than just physically leaving the office.
Digital Detox Strategies:
Put that Out of Office responder on with a clear, confident message
Remove work emails from your phone
Set explicit boundaries about when you'll be available
Workspace Reset:
Instead of working during your break, use this time to refresh your home office. Tidy up, reorganize, and create a space that will inspire you in the new year.
Mental Decluttering:
Try journaling as a "thought dump" technique. Get all those swirling work-related thoughts out of your head and onto paper. Feel that mental weight lift!
Recharging Your Batteries: The Four Pillars of Well-being
I always talk about four critical elements of self-care. This holiday, focus on:
Movement: Keep your body active, but make it fun!
Mindset: Practice gratitude and positive reflection
Support: Connect genuinely with loved ones
Sleep: Prioritize rest and recovery
Stress-Busting Holiday Hacks
Here's a playful approach to counteracting stress:
Embrace laughter
Get creative
Play ridiculous games (candy cane hook, anyone?)
Sing your heart out
Move your body in ways that bring you joy
Navigating Social Situations Without "Talking Shop"
Be intentional about your social interactions:
Set an intention for how you want to feel before social events
Ask others non-work-related questions
Have a "distraction plan" when work thoughts creep in (Wordle, anyone?)
A Final Reminder
Rest isn't a luxury—it's a necessity. An exhausted brain is far less productive than a rested one. Give yourself permission to truly disconnect and recharge.