Work and home responsibilities often feel more overwhelming during the holidays, when many people feel constantly on the go. Healthcare workers are at a higher risk of experiencing physical and emotional exhaustion and burnout during the holidays unless they prioritize self-care. Driftwood Recovery encourages staff members to create a healthy balance between personal and professional responsibilities during busy times of the year, including the holidays.
The Need for a Balance Between Work and Home Responsibilities
Healthcare professionals must find a healthy balance between work and home responsibilities to reduce their risk of burnout or mental health issues. According to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), “The primary concern for burnout is not being able to emotionally take care of each patient individually or uniquely.” During the holidays, when staff often feel the most emotionally drained, clients frequently experience more challenges. Addressing the risk of healthcare worker burnout ensures clients receive appropriate care.
Creating a work-life balance involves doing the following:
- Setting specific times for work hours and personal time
- Focusing on time-intensive and high-priority tasks first
- Openly communicating needs and concerns with supervisors and family members
- Using time management tools, including apps and calendars, to track responsibilities
- Taking regular breaks
- Setting realistic personal and professional goals
The more steps a person takes to separate work from their home life, the easier it is to create a sense of balance. Healthcare workers frequently face workplace stress, and the holidays cause additional stress in their home lives. If left unaddressed, the combination of pressures may interfere with a person’s ability to function.
Maintaining Healthy Boundaries With Supervisors and Coworkers
Boundaries at work allow people to say “no” if they are asked to work additional hours or perform tasks that might negatively impact their mental and physical health. The holidays involve shopping for gifts, preparing meals, connecting with distant relatives, and other time-intensive activities. Healthcare workers must allow themselves to take the time they need to do these tasks without feeling rushed or overwhelmed. Setting clear boundaries reduces stress and will enable professionals to enjoy their holiday plans while remaining productive at work.
How Work and Home Responsibilities Can Affect Mental Health
Some of the ways work and home responsibilities impact mental health during the holidays include:
- Higher caseloads, holiday staff shortages, and increased hours increase workplace demands
- Long and irregular hours reduce time spent with family
- Holidays often intensify emotional reactions to client discomfort and pain
- Missing family traditions or events may lead to guilt, stress, and resentment
- Reduced access to support networks due to traveling or other holiday plans
Healthcare workers can take steps to protect their emotional wellness by preparing for these potential challenges before the holidays arrive. Informing loved ones of possible shifts in work hours, completing holiday shopping in advance, and doing other things to lower stress around the holidays can help healthcare workers maintain emotional stability.
Avoiding Unnecessary Tasks
The holiday season is full of personal and professional tasks people must complete to meet their goals. Avoiding unnecessary tasks can give people additional time to complete other things they must do at home or work.
Some examples of unnecessary tasks people can delegate to others or avoid entirely include:
- Household deep cleaning to impress family or neighbors
- Last-minute shopping trips
- Overly complex or extensive holiday decorations
- Personally preparing every dish for a holiday meal
- Sending personalized holiday cards to friends and family
- Attending all social events
- Responding to nonemergency work calls during time off.
Professionals significantly minimize holiday stress and anxiety by reducing home and work responsibilities.
Spending Time With Loved Ones During the Holidays
Social engagement is essential to positive mental health. Professionals are less likely to feel burnt out if they spend time with loved ones during the holidays, making new memories and enjoying the company of the people they care about most. According to Plos One, “[S]ocial connectedness protects and promotes mental and physical health.” Driftwood Recovery ensures staff members have the time to disconnect from work and spend time with their loved ones.
Practical Ways to Avoid Burnout From Work and Home Stress
Staff with mental health disorders have an increased risk of developing more severe symptoms during periods of heightened stress. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), “64 percent of individuals living with a mental illness reported that their conditions worsened around the holidays.” Prioritizing self-care and taking the time to reenergize each week helps healthcare professionals avoid burnout from the combination of work and home stressors. Using self-care to address symptoms and lower stress levels can help healthcare workers with mental health disorders experience fewer side effects during the holidays. Driftwood Recovery supports staff experiencing additional stress during the holidays, ensuring they have the resources to create effective work-life boundaries.
Balancing work and home responsibilities is difficult for healthcare workers during the holiday season. Some individuals may have large family get-togethers or mandatory work events interfering with their ability to remain productive while connecting with loved ones over the holidays. Workplace stress may also interfere with personal relationships unless people establish firm boundaries between their work and home life. Driftwood Recovery supports employees’ mental health by encouraging staff members to create strict limits that set apart their personal and professional responsibilities during the holidays. Management has an open-door policy and is always available to help staff cope with stressors. To learn more about our workplace culture or treatment programs, call us today at (512) 759-8330.