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Writer's pictureaden sanlano

Navigating the Holidaze: Strategies for Balancing Work and Life During the Holiday Season


Picture source: Forbes


This is the season to be jolly! December is the month for celebrations for Christmas for those who celebrate it. Apart from that, many employees also use this as a holiday moment with their family. Holidays are supposed to be fun, and for many people, sacred. But they often turn into hectic instead of joyous times, mimicking the hustle work culture that many are immersed in from day-to-day. During the holiday season, the hustle culture feeds the fire of burnout, heightening the flames of overdoing unless we intentionally practice mindful productivity. This is what most people known as Holidaze, a blend of  the words “holiday” and “daze”.  Being "always on" increases stress and compromises our productivity and mental and physical well-being. The toll is cumulative and far reaching and often leads to burnout.


When the holidays are clouded by gift shopping, attending parties, planning family activities, and an uncertain financial future, there may be little time left to relax and enjoy this special time. It's important to stop and ask yourself how often you're unintentionally stressing yourself out and missing out on joy. Thinking about what the holidays mean to you and taking a few minutes  to pamper yourself every day can help ease the stress of the holidays.


Here are some tips to warm the chill in the air, help you find “me time” and stay true to the meaning of the season.


1. Do it your way. 

Don't give in to the temptation of vacation and give up your  power. Avoid getting swept up in the hustle and bustle, materialism and commercialism, rather than letting it taint the true meaning and enjoyment of this season. Celebrate the season in a way that's meaningful to you, the kind of holiday you want, not the way retailers want it. Remember, holidays don’t dictate how you celebrate. It's up to you and your loved ones to decide how you want to be.


2. Be an angel to yourself

Put it at the top of your Christmas gift list. If you have a habit of putting your needs at the bottom of the list to meet professional or personal demands, you won't be able to be your best self. Self-care allows you to give more to others. When you put yourself first, there will be more  to do around you.


3. Give yourself “holiday cushions” (extra time)

To reduce stress attacks, buffer your workday with extra time between appointments. Knowing where to draw the line will help you stay on track and enjoy your celebrations without "rushing and panicking.” If you feel pressured by friends or family to get together, buy more presents, or cook more, say "no" to stressful requests and consciously slow down , you should try to take a break.


4. Get ahead of job stress and burnout

Try to recognize when you're reaching your breaking point long before the warning signs of stress appear. Avoid setting unrealistic deadlines. Distribute work tasks over appropriate time frames. Try to arrive at your workstation 10 to 15 minutes early (even if you're working remotely) to avoid starting your day too early. Instead of jumping into work, stay calm and get to work. At the end of the day, unplug, set boundaries, and  protect your personal  time.


5. Balance your time between staying active and restorative rest

Don't put your health at risk or neglect your self-care. You need them more than ever during the holidays. This walk or jog around the block, combined with 5 minutes of meditation, will give you a biochemical boost. Activity increases the release of endorphins. Calming your mind stimulates the part of your brain that reduces the surge of adrenaline and cortisol that comes with stress.


Source: Forbes


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