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01798 890 021December, for most of us, is a chocolate box of a month, filled with joyous celebrations, Christmas get-togethers and all the fun festivities, however it can often feel as though you don’t get a moment to breathe. Alongside all the fun, December also means keeping up with work deadlines, preparing for the new year ahead, spending more money than usual, rushing around, trying to please everyone, feeling time poor, stressed, tired and perhaps even managing conflict!
That’s why it is so important to keep a few things at the forefront of your mind to make sure you keep afloat and head into the new year not totally burnt out.
Sleep is one of the most crucial means of recuperating and amidst the madness of the season can often get pushed to one side. Studies have shown that our quality of sleep often declines throughout December, coupled with the dark mornings, it’s no wonder we often go into the new year feeling like we need a holiday to recover from the holidays.
Take some time to understand your sleeping habits, when you feel the best and how you can plan your social schedule around getting enough Zzzs.
Too often we forget to take a moment to see how far we have come. Take some time out in December to really appreciate everything that you have made happen in the year that has passed. You will often surprise yourself with how many achievements, big or small, you have managed to squeeze into the 12 months that have just gone.
Here at Metro HR, we have created the perfect free tool for you to map out your successes and focus on your future plans. The Personal Development Workbook is available to download HERE. We would love to know how you get on and offer 1-1 sessions with our HR experts to walk through your workbook and provide support for setting goals
Haven’t got round to some of the things on your list this year? That is totally okay and to be expected, in amongst the busy-ness of life and work. Give yourself grace and understand that you aren’t going to be able to conquer everything you want to do each year.
If you want to take a bit of time to feel prepared for the new year we would recommend:
Consider setting a theme or word for the year instead, such as “balance,” “growth,” or “adventure,” to guide your intentions
With the days growing shorter and evenings mostly in darkness, it can be common to be stuck indoors for the only daylight hours in winter.
Try to take some time out of your day to get outside while it is light. The (albeit, minimal) Vitamin D is crucial for us to function and is often something we are lacking in, here in the UK each winter.
If you are a manager to employees, encourage your team to take a lunchtime walk. Not only will they come back feeling more refreshed, but they are also more likely to have a lifted mood and be more productive for the rest of the day. Alternatively have a walking/talking one to one with team members to have meaningful discussions away from other workplace distractions. Good for both of you.
Christmas can often be a challenging time for many. At this time of year, isolation, overwhelm and loneliness can often be overlooked when you are swept up in the chaos of the season.
It’s not just about big social events and celebrations; Christmas is a great time for meaningful connection with those you care about.
Try to make some time to check-in on those around you who you are aware will struggle over the Christmas period. If you’re able to, invite them to celebrate with you, or offer them some comfort when they may need it.
If you’re finding there are things on your to-do list that you can never seem to get done, reach out to support networks and ease the load.
At Metro HR, our team of dedicated HR Advisors and Consultants will guide you through any HR needs you have. This might be reviewing company policies in line with legislation updates, training and development needs or simply a professional listening ear to guide you through any difficult situations that arise in the workplace.
Forgoing festive FOMO (fear of missing out) can be a challenge for some of us, who can’t stand to not be involved in the fun, and with so many plans to juggle it’s easy to end up with far too many social plans, personal obligations and work commitments in December.
Setting boundaries and knowing your limits will help you balance the fun while still knowing when you need down time.
Similarly, work commitments often spiral in December with the frenzy to get everything wrapped up before the Christmas break. Take time to plan, prioritise, delegate and say no where you need to. Move things across into January and know they are booked and sorted, and ready to tackle with a rested mindset after the festive break.
Surviving December and Christmas is about finding balance amid the chaos. By setting boundaries, focusing on what truly matters, and taking care of yourself, you can enjoy the festive season without feeling overwhelmed and burning out.
As we wrap up for the year, we want to take a moment to say a huge thank you to all the wonderful clients we have worked with throughout 2024.
We are gearing up for an exciting and fulfilling 2025 at Metro HR and we hope the same for everyone else!
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