Supporting Wellness This Holiday Season

The holiday season is a time of joy and celebration for many. However, it can also be a time of stress and anxiety for others. Packed social calendars, travel, family demands, workload pressures, and even grief can negatively impact mental health and performance.

Keeping your team energized and resilient is critical as a leader responsible for organizational outcomes and staff wellbeing. A supportive workplace culture can play a crucial role in ensuring the wellbeing of employees and, ultimately, your customers during this season.

Here are five ways to foster a culture of trust, empathy, and belonging right now to uplift staff wellbeing this holiday season:

Share mental health resources.

The holiday season can be a challenging time for many people. The added stresses of holiday preparations, financial pressures, and, in some cases, feelings of loneliness can take a toll on mental health. Employers can provide free and or low-cost resources and support for employees who may be struggling. Sharing mental health resources shows that you care about your staff's wellbeing and encourages open conversations about mental health in the workplace.

Set realistic objectives and schedules.

The holiday season can be busy for businesses, but setting realistic goals and schedules is essential and feasible. Overworking your staff can lead to burnout and negatively affect productivity in the long run. Setting achievable goals and allowing for flexible schedules ensures that your employees maintain a good work-life balance during this busy time of year. Avoid overworking teams by factoring in closures, vacations, and disruptions into achievable Q4 goals. 

Center Self-Care

While wanting to support company success, remind staff to take breaks, use vacation time, and prioritize wellness. Model this yourself. Encourage your team to take time off to rest and re-energize. People often feel obligated to work through the holidays, but wellbeing requires taking intentional breaks from one's workload. By reminding your staff to use their vacation time, you show that you value their health and wellbeing, which can contribute to a positive work environment.

It's important to still put your 'out of office' up on your email and try to resist checking your email regularly. — Rachel Goldman

Host Wellness Activities

Hosting small wellness events can be a great way to encourage employees to take care of their physical and mental health. Wellness activities can include, but are not limited to, a virtual or in-person yoga class, a mindfulness session, a healthy cooking demonstration, a catered lunch, or distributing self-care kits. These events can provide a break from work, boost morale, and promote a sense of community among employees. Small gestures can uplift spirits during busy days.

Check Assumptions

People come from diverse backgrounds with different traditions and beliefs. Respect diverse backgrounds and practices when planning company holiday functions. Not all celebrate the same or in the same ways. Acknowledging this can go a long way in fostering a culture of inclusion and belonging. By not assuming everyone celebrates the holidays, you respect your employees' or colleagues' personal beliefs and traditions, which can contribute to a positive work environment.

Investing in Human Resources for the Holidays

Fostering workplace cultures where employees feel supported, understood, and cared for benefits organizational success. But know that's easier said than done alongside all your other responsibilities this hustling holiday season. AllProfitHR has expertise across the 12 dimensions of human resources to help maintain thriving cultures all season long.

Schedule Your Discovery Call with AllProfit HR 

As your strategic Human Resources partner, we'll power optimal performance by focusing on the heart of your organization - you and your people.

Here's to a productive, peaceful 2024 ahead! Schedule a complimentary Discovery Call and learn how our customized HR solutions can transform your business this season. We're currently offering 20% off our suite of services for new and returning clients who sign on before March 1st, 2024! 

Share Your Thoughts

Join the conversation on the transformative power of centering wellbeing in the workplace. Let's reimagine people-centered workplaces where everyone profits - personally and professionally.

How does your workplace prioritize wellbeing during the holiday hustle?