The holiday season can be a time of joy, celebration and togetherness. But it can also surface feelings of stress, grief, loneliness or pressure for employees. Each employee experiences the season differently–and that’s okay. To make things a little easier I’ve put together this guide full of holiday survival tips and tools you can share with your employees—and use yourself!
Managing financial stress and spending.
Meaning doesn’t have to come with a price tag. Gifts, decorations, meals, parties—holiday spending can add up quickly. And everything seems to cost more these days. It’s easy to equate spending more with showing more love or being a better friend or family member. But what if we reframed gift-giving and holiday spending as less about the dollar amount and more about connection, care and sharing time together?
Take a moment to reflect. Ask employees to reflect on this question: What does “giving” mean to you this holiday season? Urge them to jot down one small thing they can do that feels thoughtful without adding financial stress.
Share these tips to lighten the financial load:
- Create a budget that feels doable and stick to it.
- Talk honestly with loved ones about financial limits this year.
- Consider a heartfelt note, home-cooked meal or something handmade.
- Remind employees it’s okay to say no to gift exchanges or traditions that leave them feeling stretched too thin.
Promote your financial wellness benefits.
- Now is the time to remind employees of the financial wellness benefits you offer: financial counselors, financial education tools, online budgeting tools or holiday savings resources.
- Your Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a great resource for employees who want to better manage finances or cope with financial stress.
Coping with grief and loss.
Honor grief in all its forms. When we’re carrying grief, the holiday season can feel especially tender. Grief doesn’t follow the calendar, and many employees feel expected to celebrate no matter how they’re feeling. Traditions, music, even familiar scents can stir up memories of who or what is missing. Suddenly the “most wonderful time of the year” feels more like something to endure.
Share these gentle ways employees can cope at home and at work:
- Take care of body and mind: rest, eat nourishing meals, move gently and allow for healthy distractions.
- Encourage the employee to set realistic expectations on holiday planning—it’s okay to do less.
- Honor employees’ need to take time off or not participate in team holiday gatherings during the holidays.
Make sure employees don’t go it alone.
- Encourage them to utilize the mental health resources the organization provides, such as the EAP, well-being program or digital mental health apps.
- Offer a list of grief support groups in your area.
- Remind colleagues that co-workers who have lost a loved one may need extra support during the holiday season.
Recognizing different traditions.
Celebration looks different for everyone. It’s important to remember that not everyone celebrates in the same way. Different cultures, religions and personal beliefs shape how—or even whether—holidays are observed. For some employees, the holidays are full of joy and tradition. For others, they might be a time of reflection, or simply another day on the calendar.
Ways to honor differences in the workplace:
- Recognize different holiday traditions: Try to make the workspace welcoming for employees of all traditions and backgrounds. This could mean decorating in ways that reflect a mix of cultures or being mindful of the music and food available at team gatherings.
- Use neutral language to acknowledge that not everyone celebrates the same way.
- Learn and celebrate: Take the opportunity to learn about the different holidays and traditions employees observe. You could ask a team member or a cultural Employee Resource Group (ERG) to share a traditional dish or do a short presentation on the holiday they observe. As a team, you could attend a community event or even read a book on different traditions.
Did you know? There are over 400 holidays celebrated worldwide between November and January. From Diwali and Hanukkah to Kwanzaa and Christmas, and many others, the season is rich with diverse meaning.
Navigating family dynamics.
Family gatherings can be full of laughter, tradition and connection. But sometimes they can also stir up tension, pressure or past pain. People may be navigating estrangement, grief, strained relationships or even choosing not to engage with family at all. Whatever the situation, the experience is valid. And, because it’s impossible to truly separate work and life, it’s important to acknowledge that emotions may spill over into the workplace.
Remind employees that boundaries are necessary, not unkind. Setting boundaries isn’t about pushing people away, it’s about creating space for peace and supporting their individual mental and emotional well-being. Remind employees that they don’t have to say yes to everything or everyone. They may need to skip an event, step away from uncomfortable conversations, or verbalize the need for space.
Share these helpful phrases for navigating family dynamics:
- “I’d rather not get into that right now.”
- “Let’s agree to disagree and enjoy the day.”
- “I need to take a quick breather. I’ll be right back.”
- “I’m sitting this one out, but I hope you all have a nice time.”
And remember…
- Family can take many forms. What matters most is that employees spend time with those who make them feel safe, seen and supported—whether that’s biological family or chosen family.
- Holidays don’t have to look a certain way. Encourage employees to let go of the urge to create a picture-perfect season.
- Let employees know about the resources that can help them manage family conflicts, such as the EAP or other mental health resources.
Treating the body with kindness.
The holidays sometimes bring changes in how we care for ourselves—including our eating, movement, sleep and rest habits. Because of this change in routines, it’s important to remind employees to treat their bodies with gentle kindness and thoughtful self-care.
Share these ways employees can support their body and mind during this hectic time:
- Start or end the day with a ritual. A few quiet minutes of reading, journaling, stretching or sipping a warm beverage can signal safety and stillness to the body.
- Eat a wholesome breakfast. A balanced breakfast of whole grains, healthy fats and protein helps start the day feeling steady and satisfied.
- Check in throughout the day. Hungry? Tired? Need to take a walk? Listening to the body’s signals can help to stay grounded.
- Drink water. Keeping a reusable water bottle nearby is an easy way to stay on top of hydration.
- Take short pauses throughout the workday. Even five minutes of quiet, stepping outside for a breath of fresh air, or listening to music can reset employees’ nervous systems.
- Move regularly. Time is precious during the holidays, but making time for movement can positively impact mood and energy, and maintain weight.
- Protect sleep. A consistent bedtime, screen limits or a wind-down routine can promote rest during stressful times.
Remind employees to take advantage of self-care resources:
- Well-being programs offer tips for managing stress and increasing resilience.
- Mindfulness or meditation apps can help to calm the nervous system.
- Mental health days or paid time off can offer a recharge during the holiday season.
- Text-based or digital mental health apps help manage holiday-related short-term anxiety or depression.
- In-person and online fitness classes keep endorphins high.
Moving forward with care.
However this season unfolds, I hope this guide has offered a few ways to help your employees care for themselves, make space for their feelings and approach the holidays with compassion.
For more tools, ideas and resources to support well-being, visit our resource center or contact us at connect@webmd.net.
