Preventing burnout and supporting employees during the festive period

As an industry, marketing and PR never stops.

While our friends in other sectors are winding down for the Christmas break, we find ourselves working later and pushing harder to get that final campaign out the door before Christmas, or pulling together last minute planning decks for the New Year.

Added work demands like these can increase the risk of burnout over the festive period.

So what can be done? How can organisations prevent burnout and support employees during the festive period?

Earlier this month, we hosted an online event to discuss this question from both the employer and employee angle, and to share experiences and advice from our two speakers: Kimberly Breuer, Co-Founder & Co-CEO at corporate mental health champions Likeminded, and Shanil Nayee, Account Director & Mental Health First Aider at marketing and PR agency Harvard.

Festive burnout – what is it

Put simply, festive burnout is an increase in being at ‘breaking point’ over the festive period.

Last year a study by Hack Future Lab, found that 73% described themselves as being at ‘breaking point’ and 53% welcomed a COVID related ‘festive lockdown’ to improve their overall wellbeing.

With very little (touch wood!) COVID in the UK and no plans for restrictions, many feel like this is the year to do everything possible, which leaves little time for relaxation. Making time to relax is an important factor in supporting mental health, and a ‘go go go’ mindset can be damaging and lead to burnout.

Here are key actions that Kimberly and Shanil identified that can help tackle festive burnout:

1. Recognise early signs of festive burnout that we can look out for in ourselves and others:

1. Working late – an inability to ‘switch off’ and checking and responding to emails at all hours

2. Increased workload – colleagues on leave and short deadlines can increase pressure

3. Forget that we return to work – the concept that we have to get everything done before the festive break

4. Distancing from others – a lack of support network

5. Avoiding social gatherings – people not making time for themselves

6. Days getting darker – 1 in 3 people experience symptoms of SAD. Kim recommends supplementing Vitamin D to help cope with the season but also focusing on what is an external and internal stressor.

2. Employers should put the following steps into place to support employees over the festive period:

1. Check in with your team - share your experiences first as an icebreaker

2. Start the discussion - explore webinars and external speakers to prompt conversation

3. Between Christmas and New Year – have workshops for people who might be alone and might not be with families

4. Hold a forum to encourage honest questions – this can be done anonymously if it’s difficult!

5. Encourage people to finish on time – where possible offer support

6. Arrange social team meetings to get away from desks and the office

7. Keep a close eye on your team and identify who might need more support.

8. Overall, be present and let employees know you’re there!

3. How individuals can manage stress when feeling overwhelmed:

1. Find what helps you switch off personally - get away from your desk, go for a walk, get a cup of tea etc

2. In December in particular start at the beginning of the month where it’s really busy, take a step back and set your priorities and goals for the month

3. Look at your calendar for crunch times and plan ahead

4. Communicate with people

5. Set boundaries - say no if you don’t have capacity and set expectations

6. Taking lunch breaks etc, exercise regularly – put things in place

7. Be mindful of emotions running high around Christmas

8. Look at the book –‘Getting things done’ – look at methods on managing your tasks and to-do lists to close open loops in your mind

We hope these tips are useful and wish you a lovely break and look forward to sharing more plans around the State of Us in the new year!