I can already begin to feel the stress rising between the political landscape and the quickly approaching holidays.
We live in the State of Michigan, and being in a swing state, we are getting constantly barraged by political ads, but now, ads for the holiday season have already become interspersed between the political ads.
Between year-end pressures, holiday ads mixed with constant political noise, and planning family gatherings, the weight of it all can start to feel physical for me.
For me, that stress often sits in my shoulders, neck and hips - a reminder that my body is holding more than it should.
A Gallup study found that nearly 76% of employees experience burnout at least occasionally, while 28% report feeling burned out “very often” or “always” at work.
Navigating a season filled with holiday, political and year-end stressors requires a proactive approach to mental well-being and team dynamics. Here are four simple strategies to consider:
Prioritize PTO & Mental Health Days - be intentional with time off, both for yourself and your team. Even one or two planned days to recharge can keep the stress from spiraling. Schedule it now, before the busyness takes over.
Set Clear Boundaries - with remote work and endless “on” time, the lines blurry fast. Have a conversation with your team about availability and set times to truly disconnect. Boundaries are critical to preventing burnout.
Offer Regular Check-ins - open the door for honest conversations around stress. Sometimes, simply feeling heard can reduce the tension. Let your team know you’re here to listen and provide support as needed.
Breathe and Move - stress can lead to shallow breathing and stiffness. Try taking just a minute or two to breathe deeply or get up and walk. A small pause can do wonders for your focus and reduce physical tension.
As we head into this intense season, let’s take small, intentional steps to manage stress, both for ourselves and the people around us. A little more intention now means a lot less tension later. Together, let’s promote sustainable employee well-being.
What’s your small step to manage stress?
#PreventBurnout #WorkplaceWellness #HealthyWorkCulture #EmployeeEngagement #SustainableLeadership
An experienced executive director and communications professional. Passionate, dedicated, and an engaged leader...
2moA friend of mine lost their teenage daughter years ago and messaged me after we lost Alex. His words were simple and encouraging: It's still Christmas. In a separate conversation, he encouraged me to continue celebrating Christmas. So...there are times I need to remind myself. We've found out taking care of ourselves is a balance of doing what we enjoy (caroling with our family & friends at the hospital, spending time with family, sitting with our feet up, going to the movies) and having the "courage" to say no when we're feeling pulled in multiple directions.