The holiday season is just around the corner, and with that comes an abundance of holiday parties, stress, and overindulgence. Balancing holiday social obligations with work responsibilities can in turn can affect energy levels and productivity in the workplace. In this post, we’re sharing 5 useful tips to combat holiday fatigue.
What is holiday fatigue?
Holiday fatigue can be defined as the stress, tiredness, and exhaustion that comes from holiday preparations. Many people are faced with holiday shopping, social events, and family gatherings during this time of year which can lead to sleep deprivation and irritability. Holiday fatigue can then have a major impact on energy levels and productivity in the workplace.
Tips to Combat Holiday Fatigue
Follow these workplace safety tips to combat holiday fatigue:
1. Plan ahead.
Many people plan to take off around the holidays, which can lead to a decreased workforce and added stress for working employees. As an employer, do your best to plan holiday schedules and time off requests far in advance, so you can properly staff and hire temporary employees if needed. When you have a proper plan in place, employees feel more supported, which can in turn lead to lower stress levels.
2. Set priorities.
The end of the fiscal year can also be a stressful time for employees as there is more pressure to complete projects, goals, and deadlines before year end. Take time before the holidays start to really evaluate the remaining projects and set only the highest priorities for the rest of the year.
If there are tasks that can wait until next year, set those aside and only focus on the things that will really make a difference. There is no point in adding unimportant tasks to your to-do list if they are not going to make an impact before year end. Plus, rushing projects just to get them done before year end may not always conclude in the highest quality result.
3. Know the symptoms of stress.
There are several symptoms of stress including fatigue, headache, high blood pressure, increased irritability, and insomnia. Be on the lookout for these symptoms in the workplace to prevent workplace accidents, especially if your employees are on construction sites or handling heavy machinery.
Sleep deprivation can also be a sign of holiday fatigue from late night parties, irregular sleep schedules, and overindulgence in alcohol. Take the time to check in on your employees and take proper precautions, making sure they are following all the necessary safety protocols and properly wearing personal protective equipment (PPE).
4. Stay healthy.
Overindulgence in holiday sweets, heavy meals, and alcohol can often be a major contributor to holiday fatigue. Promote healthy eating in the workplace by limiting the amount of sweets, or consider offering healthier alternatives in the break room.
Another way to combat holiday fatigue is to consider giving holiday gifts that are non food related. Some healthier alternatives to the typical holiday food platters could be cash, gift cards, or spa treatments.
5. Consider giving back.
During the holidays, many employees can become so focused on their holiday shopping and family priorities which can be a major source of stress. Consider giving back to the local community by organizing a food drive, volunteer activities, or charitable donations.
Organizing a team activity that your employees can partake in is a good opportunity for them to remember the real spirit of the holidays. This act of giving back may then be a real stress reliever for employees.
From all of us at Safety International, we wish you a happy and healthy holiday season. We hope these tips were helpful so you can at least be aware of the signs and symptoms of holiday fatigue. Should you have any questions about workplace safety, please don’t hesitate to contact us today.
