News & Information

The holiday season can be a complex time for many. Joyous gatherings, events, and traditions are often accompanied by emotions such as sadness and grief, leading to heightened stress. According to the American Institute of Stress, 70% of Americans feel stressed during the holidays, often due to factors such as:

• Financial pressures
• Family gatherings
• Expectations to have a perfect holiday
• Travel
• Work obligations.

Trying to balance the holiday demands of gifts, parties, family commitments, and even meeting hectic work deadlines, all while managing regular responsibilities, can quickly become overwhelming. Beyond the hustle and bustle, the holiday season can be especially difficult for those grieving a loss or unable to spend time with their loved ones, further adding to holiday worries.

Those who experience heightened emotions around the holidays may have a stress response of increased headaches, changes in eating habits, trouble sleeping, or turning to substances to cope.

Even during a busy or challenging season, it is possible to navigate the holidays with greater ease. Employers can support employees through this potentially stressful season by helping shift the focus to gratitude. Practicing gratitude can be one of the most effective ways to reduce stress and balance your days—In fact, the CDC reports that it may be the “best-kept secret to reduce stress and feel better.”

Strategies to Encourage Gratitude

The holiday season can make it easy to focus on stressors. Directing your attention to what you are grateful for provides an opportunity to prioritize what matters most. Leaders can set the tone by modeling gratitude themselves, showing employees that appreciation and reflection are valued in the workplace. Through wellness initiative efforts, employers can encourage employees to practice gratitude in the following ways:

• Express thanks verbally. Saying “thank you” is one of the simplest ways to show appreciation. This small act of kindness can brighten someone else’s day—and yours, too.
• Write thank-you notes or letters. Putting gratitude into words on paper can have lasting and meaningful effects, both for the recipient and for the one writing the thank-you.
• Reflect privately to practice gratitude. Spending a few quiet minutes each day reflecting on the people, experiences, and simple joys one is grateful for can help foster a positive mindset.
• Practice meditation or mindfulness. Bring gratitude into mindfulness by focusing on the present moment and acknowledging the positives, no matter how small.
• Begin a gratitude journal. Writing down thoughts in a gratitude journal allows for deeper reflection and provides an opportunity to revisit grateful experiences over time.

Additional Strategies to Manage Holiday Stress

While gratitude is a powerful tool, it’s not the only way to manage holiday stress. Employers can further support employees by encouraging the following and providing resources to help along the way:

• Practice healthy habits. The holiday season can make it especially challenging for many to maintain healthy routines. When stress is high, it is even more important to prioritize balanced nutrition, quality sleep, and regular physical activity. These habits help protect overall well-being and serve as proactive tools for managing stress.
• Reach out for support. Managing stress can be challenging, and support is available. Many employees find helpful resources through an employee assistance program (EAP) or other workplace benefits. For anyone facing a mental health crisis, immediate help is available by calling or texting 988, or by chatting at 988lifeline.org.