The holiday season is often portrayed as a time of joy, connection, and relaxation. But for many, it brings a mixture of stress, anxiety, and pressure—especially in the workplace. Employees may struggle to balance personal obligations, navigate financial concerns, or manage feelings of loneliness, all while trying to stay productive at work. As Thanksgiving approaches, it’s crucial for companies to support their employees’ mental well-being and ensure that they don’t feel overwhelmed during this time.
Here’s how your organization can proactively support employee mental health during the holiday season.
1. Encourage Time Off and Healthy Work-Life Balance
The end of the year often comes with looming deadlines, but it’s important to remind employees to take their well-deserved time off. Encourage a healthy work-life balance by promoting breaks and vacation days.
- Tip: Lead by example. Encourage managers and leaders to use their own vacation days, signaling to employees that it’s okay to take time off.
- Support: Remind employees of the importance of disconnecting and recharging. This can be through emails or company-wide announcements before the holiday rush begins.
2. Offer Flexible Work Schedules
The holidays bring additional personal responsibilities for many employees, from family gatherings to shopping for gifts. By offering flexibility in work schedules, you can help reduce the stress of juggling work and personal life.
- Tip: Allow employees to adjust their work hours, work from home, or take partial days off if needed to attend to holiday-related activities.
- Support: Encourage employees to communicate their needs openly and without guilt. A little flexibility can go a long way in reducing holiday-induced anxiety.
For many, the holiday season brings financial pressure. Gifts, travel, and special meals can strain budgets, leading to stress and anxiety.
- Tip: Offer financial wellness resources, like webinars on budgeting or financial planning, to help employees manage holiday expenses.
- Support: Remind employees of any financial assistance or counseling services provided through your Employee Assistance Program (EAP). It’s a proactive way to show you care about their financial well-being.
4. Foster a Culture of Gratitude and Appreciation
Gratitude can have a profound impact on mental health. By fostering a culture of appreciation in the workplace, you can help employees feel valued and supported during a potentially stressful time.
- Tip: Offer financial wellness resources, like webinars on budgeting or financial planning, to help employees manage holiday expenses.
- Support: Remind employees of any financial assistance or counseling services provided through your Employee Assistance Program (EAP). It’s a proactive way to show you care about their financial well-being.
5. Normalize Conversations Around Mental Health
It’s important to acknowledge that not everyone experiences the holidays in the same way. Some may struggle with loneliness, family conflicts, or grief during this time. Create an environment where it’s okay to talk about mental health openly.
- Tip: Host workshops or discussions on mental health, stress management, and self-care specifically tailored to the holiday season.
- Support: Remind employees that it’s okay to seek help, and ensure they know how to access mental health resources, whether through Journey’s proactive EAP or another service.
6. Provide Proactive Mental Health Support
Instead of waiting for employees to ask for help, take a proactive approach to mental health. This can include regular check-ins or offering resources in advance to help employees navigate the holiday season.
- Tip: Send out a company-wide email offering tips for mental well-being during the holidays, such as mindfulness practices, deep breathing exercises, or gratitude journaling.
- Support: Journey’s proactive EAP can offer employees regular touch points with mental health professionals, ensuring they feel supported before they reach a breaking point.
7. Create Opportunities for Connection
For some, the holidays can be isolating, especially for those who don’t have family nearby or who may not celebrate the holidays in a traditional way. Creating moments of connection in the workplace can help combat feelings of loneliness.
- Tip: Host a virtual or in-person holiday gathering where employees can connect, share stories, and have fun. Be mindful of creating an inclusive environment that welcomes all cultures and traditions.
- Support: Use Journey’s resources to offer group sessions or live classes that help foster community and connection, even during a busy time of year.
8. Encourage Mindfulness & Self-Care Practices
The holidays can be hectic, and it’s easy for employees to lose sight of their own well-being. Encourage mindfulness and self-care practices to help employees manage stress and stay grounded.
- Tip: Offer short, guided mindfulness sessions or provide employees with access to a library of self-care resources.
- Support: Journey’s on-demand video series and live classes offer a range of mindfulness and well-being practices, which can help employees stay balanced during the holiday season.
Final Thoughts: Supporting Employees Year-Round
While it’s important to support employee mental health during the holidays, it’s even more essential to create a workplace culture that prioritizes well-being year-round. By taking a proactive approach, you can help employees build resilience and thrive, not just during the holiday season, but throughout the entire year.
At Journey, we believe in supporting employees before they reach a point of crisis. Our proactive EAP provides daily touch points, personalized care, and a network of diverse mental health professionals ready to meet your team’s unique needs. This holiday season, and every season, we’re here to help you take care of your employees.