Juggling Holiday Stress

The last two months of the year can be both the most joyous and most stressful time of the year. For many businesses and firms Q4 includes regulatory and budget deadlines, M&A deal deadlines, and so much more concluding by Dec 31, creating a frenzy of work and stress. On top of the work stress, the holiday season spanning from November to January causes 9 in 10 American adults additional stress. Let us help you make what should be a joyous time easier by giving you some helpful advice to navigate the holiday havoc.

Tackle deadlines and office priorities before checking out for any time off you may have. This one’s a no-brainer, though fighting procrastination is easier said than done. Your best shot at enjoying your holiday season is having as little work hanging over your head as possible. A little preparation and planning in advance could free you up to be more present with family and friends to have a chance to unwind and connect. We give some great in-depth pointers on the best ways to do this in our post about preparing for time off (and actually being able to enjoy it).

Front-load Domestic Tasks  Approaching the holiday season like a project manager sounds stodgy, but it can actually help you have the best holiday season ever. Go full nerd and set up a Trello board or Smartsheets to help you track everything you have to get done and for those tasks that can be done in advance, knock them out now. Part of the stress of the season is trying to keep all the different deadlines, gifts, family members, and special events in your head. Relieve yourself of that pressure by using a project management tool/system that works for you and helps keep you on track.

Cut Corners Where You Can In years past you may have had time to hand make Christmas bark or gelt to give out to family and friends, but if you find your schedule is already more than you can handle find some shortcuts to save your sanity. Remember your loved ones would rather keep you healthy and relaxed than stressed, even if that means taking some short cuts.

There are many more ways to cut down time and take back hours for yourself this holiday season once you start considering your options.

Mind your mental health and have easy and attainable coping skills on hand. Nothing is more important than your mental health, and no amount of tips and tricks can help you if you can’t be present and in a healthy head space. It is no secret that legal professionals struggle with their mental health due to the everyday stressors of the job, even outside of the holiday season. Take up journaling, practice breathing exercises, indulge in a relaxing hobby, or whatever you need to destress and decompress. Spend time with loved ones, or away from them if you prefer time on your own. And don’t be afraid to reach out for support from friends, colleagues, family, or even a mental health professional if the holidays have you too down in the dumps.

Lastly, learn the art of saying “no”. Keep in mind that you don’t have to partake in every festivity that is presented to you. Burn out is very real and can go hand-in-hand with your mental health. Say no to dinner with the in-laws if they cause you or your partner nothing but headaches. Skip the Santa parade bar crawl if you would rather stay home and unwind quietly from a hectic week at the office. The holidays are about more than costly activities you may feel obligated to take part in. It is a time to slow down and reflect on the year behind us before buckling up for a fun year ahead.

Take what you need from this list and build upon it so that you have an arsenal of strategies to get you through and allow you to enjoy this holiday season, however you celebrate!