The most wonderful time of the year... Or the most stressful? Navigating December at work
“It’s the most wonderful time of the year!” Or so the classic song goes. But for many employees, December can often feel less like a festive season and more like a race against the clock, with year-end deadlines, Christmas preparations, social obligations, family pressures and more piling up.
Let’s pause the festive sparkle for a minute—did you know that 62% of people describe their stress levels as "very" or "somewhat" elevated during the Christmas period, as cited by Headspace (2023)?
Similarly, Mental Health UK (2021) cited a study showing that 30% of people in the UK experience a decline in mental health during the festive season, largely due to financial and social pressures. In fact, the same study found that 7 in 10 people said the burden of Christmas negatively impacts their wellbeing.
In this blog, I’ll explore the unique workplace challenges that December brings, share tips for finding calm amidst the Christmas chaos, and discuss how planting seeds of mindfulness and balance now can set the stage for a strong start in January.
The December dilemma
December is a paradox - festive yet frantic, joyful yet exhausting. The whirlwind of the Christmas crazy can make this time of year especially challenging for workplaces and employees. Getting to your last working day and collapsing into a heap with a tin of Quality Streets is a universal experience for a reason (or at least I hope I’m not alone in this!😅).
Here are just a few reasons why December can be so tough:
Challenging workloads - Many businesses face intense periods of activity, often rushing to meet year-end goals or finalise projects before the close of a quarter. This is particularly true for industries with seasonal peaks. For instance, those in the insurance sector, especially health insurance, are all too familiar with the surge in demand during the fourth quarter. This uptick is driven by calendar-year-based coverage options and the Affordable Care Act marketplace open enrollment periods.
Compressed deadlines - As colleagues take extended leave, those left behind often juggle multiple responsibilities.
Festive events - Workplace parties, team events, school nativity plays—it’s all happening! As we celebrate the festive season and wrap up the year, calendars quickly fill to the brim. While these activities can be enjoyable, the packed schedule can feel overwhelming, especially for those already navigating mental health challenges.
Financial pressure - Employees may feel the pinch of holiday expenses, adding stress to their workday. Research suggests that people in the UK on average spend £596 each on Christmas gifts and the nation as a whole is estimated to spend a whopping £28.6 billion (Finder, 2024).
Weather and mood - Darker, colder days (especially in the UK!) can lower energy levels and dampen spirits, making work feel heavier.
Personal commitments - Balancing work with festive preparations, childcare responsibilities, and family gatherings can be overwhelming and leave little time for anything else.
Emotional pressure - Although Christmas itself is often portrayed as merry and bright, not everyone experiences it as joyful. The expectation to appear happy can intensify feelings of loneliness or sadness. A YouGov survey found that 43% of the population had felt ‘stressed’, 26% ‘depressed’, and 23% ‘lonely’ during the Christmas period. It was also found that 25-34-year-olds experienced the highest levels of loneliness. Cited Medscape UK (2022). Avensure (2024) noted that in 2022 during the festive period, the Samaritans answered over 250,000 calls for help across the UK and Ireland. In 2023, they responded to more than 3.3 million calls.
With all these factors at play, it’s no wonder that it can all feel a little too much.
Finding calm amidst the festive chaos
So, how should we navigate the unique December period? Whether you’re an employer, manager, HR leader, or employee, it’s essential to approach this period with care and consideration. Employers should focus on supporting their teams, while employees should communicate their needs and extend grace to themselves and others.
Here are some practical tips to help:
Mindfulness in the workplace - Mindfulness is an excellent way to anchor ourselves amidst the flurry of activity. Many companies now offer mindfulness programmes, such as guided meditation sessions or access to relaxation apps, to support employee wellbeing. Even on an individual level, small practices like deep breathing, a brief meditation, or simply pausing to refocus can bring calm and clarity. These moments of mindfulness can help you reset and regain control over your day.
Embrace microbreaks - Short, purposeful breaks—known as microbreaks—can have a profound impact on mental clarity and productivity. Whether it’s savouring a cup of tea, stretching at your desk, or stepping outside for fresh air, these moments can refresh your mind without disrupting workflow. Employers can create a more supportive environment by encouraging these habits, and employees can integrate them into their routines.
Create space by scaling back - Simplifying workplace expectations during December can significantly ease December stress. Employers can consider delaying non-essential meetings until January or scaling back work events to allow employees to focus on key priorities. By cutting out unnecessary demands, workplaces can help everyone enjoy a more balanced end-of-year experience.
Support struggling team members - The festive season isn’t joyful for everyone—it can magnify feelings of isolation or stress for some. Leaders and team members can create a supportive culture by checking in on one another. Simple gestures, like a quick message of appreciation or a kind word, can go a long way in making someone feel valued.
A reminder to be kind - Ultimately, the best way to navigate December is through kindness—toward others and yourself. Whether you’re a leader, a team member, or someone balancing both, recognise that everyone may be dealing with their own challenges. By showing understanding and coming together, we can make this period one of connection and joy, rather than pressure and stress.
Take the time to appreciate the moments that make Christmas special. Let go of perfection, set realistic expectations, and allow yourself to experience Christmas as it is—not as you think it should be.
Preparing for January and beyond
While December can feel like a whirlwind, it’s important to remember that January brings its own challenges. That said, it doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom! In fact, the transition from one year to the next offers a perfect opportunity to reset, reflect, and recharge.
Last year, I delved into this topic in detail (you can check out my blog here), but for now, let’s focus on how you can use the end of the year to lay the groundwork for a more balanced start to January.
Reflect and adapt - Take a moment to consider what strategies worked for managing this year’s stress. Are there habits or practices you can carry forward into the new year to make life easier?
Plan for growth - The quieter post-Christmas period is the ideal time to set goals—whether personal or professional. A little forward planning can go a long way in setting a positive tone for the year ahead.
Rest and recharge - Don’t underestimate the power of rest. Prioritising self-care in December can help you enter January feeling refreshed and ready to take on new challenges.
Build a wellbeing strategy - If you’re an employer looking to foster a culture where employees can thrive, now is the perfect time to reflect on how to support your team’s wellbeing. Need some help getting started? Check out my FREE Guide to Building and Sustaining a Culture of Wellbeing (click here). Or, book a no-obligation 20-minute call to learn more about empowering your team through strategic mental health initiatives here.
So, as we head into December, take a deep breath, be kind to yourself, and let’s look after one another.
I hope you’ve been enjoying my blogs this year and I wanted to take a quick minute to say thank you to everyone who has supported what we do here at Reasonful - it means the world to me.
Wishing everyone who celebrates a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. 🥂✨
See you in 2025!
I’m Miriam and I run Reasonful - we offer support to small and medium-sized businesses that are typically facing challenges of rapid growth, talent retention, fast-paced work and constant pressure to deliver results, all whilst wanting to support long-term employee mental health and wellbeing.