Office holiday parties are in full swing, cookie swaps are all the rage, and year-end deadlines are raging. This is officially Pre-holiday Madness in the office (and everywhere else), and in between holiday planning, gift-buying (and giving and returning), co-workers on vacation and limited hours to finish unlimited work, you’re stressed out of your wits…
So what do you do when the most wonderful time of the year is also the most stressful time of the year, especially at work? When you must juggle all your personal and professional balls at once, all while keeping your cool, sanity and high-heeled boots intact…It’s the proverbial holiday office stress and while we may not be able to completely avoid it, there are a few things you can do to get through it with your edges (somewhat) in place:
Make a Plan.
As in…make a plan, pronto! List all your deliverable say order of priority, and devise a plan to get as much done as possible. Keep your manager and co-workers in the loop as to what you plan to accomplish and when you expect to be done.
If you’re taking time off, follow these steps before leaving so you can actually enjoy your vacation. Whatever you do, keep the lines of communication open between you and your co-workers.
One Thing at A Time.
We know, you’re a multi-tasker, and you’re pretty good at it too. Except it turns out that multi-tasking actually damages your brain and career, which would be kinda counter-productive, right?
So instead of messing with your brain by trying to do ten things at once, how about slowing down instead? It’s actually been proven that mindfulness can literally change your brain for the better.
Take some time to practice some meditation, or take up a more relaxing approach to your life and career. You can start with one of my favorite meditation apps, Headspace, which allows you to be quiet even while on the go. Too woo-woo for you? Tune out for a few minutes a day, go for a walk or just sit somewhere quiet.
Self-Care Alert!
The busier you are, the more you should set aside time for self-care. Counter-intuitive? Try running on empty for a while and see how that leaves your edges…
So schedule that massage you’ve been thinking about for so long. Take that nap you’ve been dreaming about. Or just lock yourself in the bathroom and pee alone for once…
Ask For Help!
Yes, you’re a #girlboss and you can pretty much conquer the whole world on your own. Except it’ll only make you more tired, mess with your skin and let’s not even mention your edges…
So go ahead, breathe in and ask for help. Whether it’s to finish a project that’s threatening to go past its deadline, or keep the kids for an hour while you run an errand (or take a nap), tap into your support system at work and at home to recharge your batteries and meet your deadlines.
Call Your #Girlsquad!
Time to call your #girlsquad to the rescue! A UCLA study has shown that “female of many species, including human, respond to stressful conditions by protecting and nurturingtheir young (the “tend” response), and by seeking social contactand support from others – especially other females (the “befriend”response)”.
Which also means that you should lift your nose off the grindstone, take a break, and go on that girl’s night out!
How do you deal with office stress during the holidays?
To Your Success,
The Corporate Sis.
