The holidays are usually considered a time of peace and tranquility, but for some people, it can be awfully stressful. Some people rely on holiday bonuses from their jobs to pay for presents for their family. Remember how stressed Clark Griswold was in “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation?” That’s a reality for a lot of people.
Holiday stress can be felt in the workplace for a number of reasons. Here are some tips to help you avoid added tension at work:
Give yourself some time off.
If you’re hosting a gathering with your family, it might be wise to take a day or two off work to help you get the house ready. Plus, you won’t have to stress about everything you have to do at home while at work.
Don’t over-decorate your office space.
The last thing your co-worker wants to hear every time they walk by your desk is a novelty plush toy singing Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer or Auld Lang Syne (the New Year’s Eve song) the while trying to carry on a conversation with you. They also may not want to be distracted by your blinking light display or confetti streamers. Be respectful of your co-workers; they have plenty of work to get done, too.
Don’t miss out on the holiday work party.
Even if you may not be a people person, it doesn’t look good to your superiors when you don’t show up to a party that they planned for you. Even if you only show up for a brief period of time, it will look better than being a no-show.
Skip the office Secret Santa plans if you can.
Not everybody can afford to buy a gift at this time of year. People are on holiday budgets and the last thing they need to do is spend another $10 on a gift that somebody isn’t going to use anyway.
Exercise or do yoga.
Doing breathing exercises is also a good way to avoid the stress of the holidays. Get away by bundling up and taking a walk outside during your lunch break or even do some light stretching here and there to help you loosen up and focus.
Keep to your diet.
Try and not be tempted by all the free food sitting in the break room during the holidays. A lot of your co-workers just bring in this food to get rid of it after hosting a family party. If you’re watching your weight, you shouldn’t be snacking on candy, cookies, and carbohydrates. If you’re not watching your weight, be careful! These added snacks add up fast, you might not even notice them!
We hope you have a blessed holiday season and that you can avoid the stress that often comes with the season. JobSpot wishes everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!