Top tips for surviving the festive season

As the year winds down, December often becomes one of the most hectic months for business professionals. While children slip into holiday mode, workplaces typically shift into overdrive, with looming deadlines, client demands, and end-of-year targets to hit. Adding to the strain are festive season obligations – gifts to buy, celebrations to attend, and plans to make for Christmas, New Year’s, and the summer holidays.

Still working: Photo: Pavel Danilyuk, pexels.com

All of this running around can take a toll on mental health and wellbeing, but there are some practical ways to manage the season’s stress. Here are some top tips for navigating the “silly season” and setting up for a successful 2025 in your workplace.

1. Accept what you can’t control

Deadlines, courier delays, and social expectations can pile on pressure. However, recognising and letting go of what’s beyond your control can make a big difference.

“When things don’t go to plan – pause – take a deep breath and reset.

There’s power in focusing on what you can influence, instead of stressing about what you can’t,” says Kelly Atherton, project lead at Blueprint for Learning, a national mental health and addiction training provider.

 

Practical tip for leaders:

• Support your team to prioritise tasks and communicate realistic expectations with clients, and end-of-year pressures ramp up.
• Encourage staff to speak up and seek help if they are feeling overwhelmed. Work together as a team to support each other and manage urgent work and deadlines.
• Offer flexibility, where possible, around school holidays and family end-of-year commitments.

2. Prioritise wellbeing in the workplace

No one wants to end the year feeling burnt out. Research shows that more than half (59%) of workers experience at least moderate levels of burnout – a number than has increased since the Covid-19 pandemic.

Burnout inhibits creativity and innovation, increases workplace accidents, and results in higher absenteeism and employee turnover.

To mitigate this, encourage your team to take regular time out – including short breaks to recharge, whether that’s a walk, a coffee, or a quiet moment of mindfulness. Lead by example, showing others that health and wellbeing is important in your workplace.

“Creating a supportive environment is key to helping your team stay resilient and engaged,” says Kelly.

3. Set healthy boundaries

The holiday season brings with it office parties and get-togethers with friends and family, often with excess food and drink. This can quickly become overwhelming, and it’s okay to say no to protect your mental health and wellbeing, says Kelly

Key tips:

• Decline invitations if your plate is full or leave social events early if you’re feeling drained. Setting expectations in advance can help.
• Limit alcohol consumption. Choose one of the many delicious non-alcoholic alternatives instead.

4. Be mindful of emotional wellbeing

The end of the year can be emotionally taxing for many – financial pressures, conflict with family, and grief and loneliness can affect people. Be mindful of colleagues who might be feeling overwhelmed or isolated. Look out for each other and check in if you are worried about other people.

“Simple acts of kindness and understanding can make a huge difference,” Kelly says. “Asking, ‘are you okay?’ and supporting each other is important.”

5. Limit social media

The constant barrage of holiday highlights on social media can create unnecessary pressure. Instead of scrolling, focus on being present with colleagues, whānau and friends.

6. Plan for success in 2025

The festive season is also an opportunity to reflect and plan ahead. Research shows workplaces that prioritise wellbeing experience better engagement, higher productivity, and lower staff turnover.

Practical steps for leaders:

• Regular well-being check-ins: Schedule team discussions to address challenges and celebrate successes.
• Sustainable workload goals: Collaborate with employees to set realistic expectations for 2025.
• Encourage gratitude: Start meetings with a moment of positivity or highlight team achievements. Celebrate your people, and shine a light on their good work, lifting everyone up.

“Embedding wellbeing into workplace culture isn’t a nice-to-have – it’s essential,” Kelly says. “It’s about showing you value people and fostering positive relationships, which drive long-term success.”

Consider enrolling in one of the Blueprint for Learning workshops, to get your new year off to a good start.

• MH101 is a good entry-level mental health workshop which teaches people how to support someone experiencing mental health challenges and maintain their own wellbeing.
  • There is a free, community in-person MH101 workshop coming up in Cambridge on 11 March 2025.
• Managers may want to look into the Leading Wellbeing at Work

“The holiday season is a good time to take stock of the previous year, and plan ahead,” Kelly says. “With some thought and effort, we can create workplaces where people feel supported, valued, and ready to take on the year ahead.”

• Kate Monahan is senior communications and engagement advisor at Te Pou, a national workforce centre for mental health, addiction and disability in New Zealand.