The Gift of Balance: Creating a Calm and Resilient Workplace This Christmas
December can be a never-ending round of social gatherings, parties, and to-do lists. Add workplace deadlines and end-of-year targets to the mix, and it’s easy to see how overwhelm and burnout can rear their heads. Globally, approximately 50% of workers report experiencing burnout, with stress and exhaustion being major contributing factors. [1]
HR and managers play a crucial role in maintaining workplace morale and resilience, and this is particularly true during the busy holiday season.
This blog focuses on how you can create a supportive culture in your workplace, not just throughout December but all year round.
Strategies for recognising employees most in need
Burnout often stems from prolonged stress and manifests as emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion. Watch for signs such as decreased performance (missed deadlines or increased errors), chronic fatigue, emotional changes or disengagement.
If you are observing signs of burnout in your team, it’s important that you know what steps to take to address the issue.
Communication – Ensure your managers are able to open up non-intrusive, confidential channels for communication.
Provide resources for stress management, such as mindfulness apps or wellness programs.
Offer access to wellbeing or Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs).
Promote a culture where employees feel comfortable sharing concerns.
Create opportunities for employees to voice their thoughts and feel valued.
Building a festive well-being calendar
A festive well-being calendar at work can boost morale, enhance team spirit, and promote employee wellness during the Christmas season. Here are some creative ideas to build a vibrant, inclusive, and engaging calendar:
Hosting short mindfulness or breathwork sessions during team breaks.
Including light-hearted, inclusive events that reduce pressure rather than add to it. Why not try a walking meeting or a lunchtime stroll?
Promoting gratitude and connection among teams. You could set up a virtual or physical gratitude board where employees can share what they’re thankful for.
Bring in a speaker or host a session on stress management or mindfulness for the holiday season.
What next?
Prioritising employee wellbeing is essential for a happy and successful workplace. In fact, organisations that prioritise employee wellbeing see benefits in productivity, profitability, and retention. Over 80% of executives believe that focusing on wellbeing enhances a company’s ability to attract talent, improve customer relationships, and increase profits.
If you’d like to explore how you can foster employee wellbeing and create a tailored workplace well-being plan, get in touch.
If you’d like to find out more about the benefits of breathwork through a self-paced online course, why not try my free mini-course, Breathwork 101.
[1] Deloitte United States