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7 Ways to Keep Your Sanity During the Holidays

7 Ways to Keep Your Sanity During the Holiday Season at Work

If you can’t spend the holiday season with your loved ones, the next best thing is to spend it with your co-workers and colleagues, right? Well, maybe not. It’s important to recharge, re-engage, and reclaim purpose in your work during the holiday season. You may love your job or you may hate it, but many people find themselves working over the holidays because of various reasons. With deadlines looming ahead of you at work and family events taking place at home, here are seven ways to keep your sanity during the holiday season at work!

 

1) Establish Ground Rules with Family, Friends, and coworkers

The holidays can be a stressful time of year, especially when it comes to managing work and family commitments. Establishing ground rules with family, friends, and coworkers is one of the best ways to stay sane during the holiday season. This can help ensure that everyone is on the same page when it comes to expectations, responsibilities, and boundaries.
When establishing ground rules with family, make sure to prioritize quality time together over material gifts. Establish specific dates and times for gatherings, set boundaries around time spent in front of screens, and decide on how long you can realistically spend with each other. This will make it easier to stick to the plans you set out and avoid any last-minute conflicts.
When establishing ground rules with friends, be realistic about how much time you can realistically spend together. Remember that everyone’s holiday season looks different, so try to come up with a plan that works for everyone. You can also decide on what activities you want to do together, such as potlucks, movie nights, or game nights.
Finally, when establishing ground rules with coworkers, be aware of their holiday plans and workloads. Ask your colleagues if they need help with any projects and offer assistance if needed. Make sure that deadlines are realistic and clearly defined. This will ensure that work is getting done but also allows everyone to enjoy the holiday season without feeling overwhelmed.
Establishing ground rules with family, friends, and coworkers is a great way to keep your sanity during the holiday season. By taking the time to plan ahead and discuss expectations, you can make sure that everyone is able to get the most out of their holiday season while still meeting deadlines and commitments.

 

2) Set Priorities

The holiday season can be hectic and overwhelming, especially if you are juggling work deadlines and personal obligations. It’s important to prioritize what needs to be done and stay focused on your goals. To do this, create a list of priorities that need to be completed first. This will help you stay organized and focused on the tasks at hand.
Focus on the tasks that are essential for your job and will have the biggest impact on your success. Set aside tasks that can wait until after the holidays. And don’t forget to delegate tasks when possible. By focusing on the most important tasks and delegating the rest, you can ensure that you finish up before the holiday rush.
Finally, make sure to take breaks throughout the day and give yourself time to recharge. Taking breaks helps you stay focused and energized for the tasks ahead. So, take a few minutes to relax and refresh before tackling the next task.

 

3) Take Time for Yourself

The holidays can be a stressful time, especially when you’re juggling work responsibilities with holiday preparations. It’s easy to become overwhelmed and start to feel like there just aren’t enough hours in the day. But it’s important to take time for yourself and recharge. Here are some ways to help you take time for yourself and keep your sanity during the holiday season at work.
1. Schedule Breaks – It’s important to take regular breaks throughout your day. Schedule breaks in your calendar and commit to taking them. Whether you take a five-minute walk around the block or a longer break to get lunch or run an errand, taking breaks will help you stay focused and energized throughout the day.
2. Exercise – Exercise can help reduce stress and give you an energy boost. Try to get in some exercise, even if it’s just a walk around the block or some yoga in your office during a break.
3. Eat Healthy – Eating healthy will help keep your energy levels up and your mind sharp during the holiday season. Avoid sugary snacks and opt for healthier options like fruit or nuts instead.
4. Get Enough Sleep – Lack of sleep can lead to exhaustion and increased stress levels. Try to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep each night, so you’re well-rested and ready to tackle the next day.
5. Take Time Off – If possible, try to take a few days off over the holidays. Even if it’s just one day, taking time away from the office can help you recharge and refocus when you return.
6. Connect With Friends – The holidays can be lonely, especially when we’re spending more time at work than usual. Make sure to connect with friends and family as much as possible so you don’t feel isolated and overwhelmed.
7. Do Something You Enjoy – Make sure to take time to do something you enjoy, like reading a book, watching a movie, or playing a board game. Doing something fun will help you relax and unwind from the stress of the day.
By taking the time to practice self-care during the holidays, you can stay sane and motivated through the end of the year.

 

4) Find an Outlet

It’s important to find an outlet to help you keep your sanity during the holidays. One way to do this is to take some time away from your desk and go for a walk outside. Taking a few moments to appreciate nature can help reduce stress and give you a break from your work environment.
Another way to recharge during the holidays is to find a creative outlet. Drawing, painting, or journaling can be a great way to express yourself and take a break from the stress of the season. You may even find that it helps you brainstorm solutions to problems that you have been facing at work.
It can also be helpful to have an activity or hobby that you can look forward to when you need a break. This could include joining an online course, reading a book, or finding new music to listen to. Having something to look forward to each day can help keep your spirits high and put the focus back on yourself, rather than the stress of the season.
Finally, don’t forget to take care of yourself. Eating healthy, getting enough sleep, and exercising are all important ways to help reduce stress and ensure that you are in the best mindset possible when it comes to tackling projects and deadlines during the holiday season.
By taking the time to recharge and reconnect with yourself during the holidays, you will be able to stay focused and productive throughout the season and beyond.

 

5) Stick to a Schedule

Sticking to a schedule is essential for maintaining sanity during the holiday season at work. When you are feeling overwhelmed and out of sorts, having a regular routine can help you stay focused and organized. Start by setting aside specific times of the day to get things done. Have a plan and stick to it, even if it means doing a few hours of work after dinner or over the weekend. Set reminders for yourself throughout the day to ensure that you don’t lose sight of your goals. If you can commit to your schedule, it will help you stay on track with your work during this busy time of year.

 

6) Don’t Overcommit

The holiday season is a time for festivities and enjoying time with loved ones, but it can also be a stressful time when deadlines are looming and you feel overcommitted. It’s important to remember that taking care of your mental health is just as important as completing your work tasks. To help keep your sanity during the holiday season at work, here are two things you should do:
1. Don’t overcommit: It can be tempting to take on extra projects or tasks during the holidays, but this can be a recipe for disaster if you don’t have the time or energy to see them through. Before you take on anything new, be honest with yourself about how much you can realistically accomplish.
2. Create an achievable to-do list: Making a list of what needs to be done and setting realistic goals can help keep you focused and organized during the holidays. Prioritize tasks that need to be done and create a timeline for when each task should be completed.

 

7) Learn to Say No

The holiday season is an ideal time to practice self-care and learn to say no. While it may be difficult to turn down certain requests, it is essential to remember that you don’t have to do everything that comes your way. Instead, focus on the things that bring you joy and create balance in your life.
Here are some tips on how to learn to say no during the holiday season:
1. Set boundaries. Establish clear boundaries around the types of tasks or commitments you will and won’t take on during the holiday season. Identify the tasks or commitments that you can realistically manage and make sure to communicate this with others.
2. Know your priorities. Make a list of your priorities for the holiday season and stick to it. It’s ok to pass up on certain invitations or requests if it doesn’t fit into your schedule or within your priorities.
3. Schedule time for yourself. The holiday season is a perfect time to make some time for yourself. Take a few hours each week for yourself to relax, unwind, and recharge. This will help you stay productive and motivated at work.
4. Ask for help. Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it. Ask your colleagues or friends for assistance on certain tasks or seek out resources that can help lighten your load.
5. Take breaks. It’s important to take breaks throughout the day to avoid feeling overwhelmed and stressed out. Taking a few minutes away from work each day can help you stay focused and productive.
Learning to say no during the holiday season at work can help you stay sane and balanced while managing your workload. Setting boundaries, knowing your priorities, scheduling time for yourself, asking for help, and taking breaks are all great ways to ensure that you stay sane during this busy season!

 

Here’s some suggestions from Forbes about balancing Work During the Holidays

Also, keep your sanity during the holidays by checking out one of my older podcast on setting boundaries here.

 

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