- Set priorities – privately and professionally
Do the to-do lists seem endless? Then you should now consciously set priorities: Which job tasks are really important and which traditions actually contribute to a harmonious celebration? You don't have to dance at every Christmas party - but it is of course important and often enriching to look beyond your own "Christmas plate". Be it to try out new traditions or to help others who need support during this time. - Draw boundaries – even at Christmas
Saying no is not the same as saying no: If this is still difficult for you, you can combine the no with additional information - for example with a counteroffer, a condition or simply with a request for a short period of time to think about it. Through compromises such as “Unfortunately I can’t do the speech for the Christmas party, but what do you think if I contribute a few ideas by tomorrow?” or “Unfortunately I can’t do that before Christmas, let’s talk again in the new year “, a no is often perceived more positively. A diplomatic rejection can help you feel more comfortable standing up for your own needs and setting boundaries. If you still find it difficult to say no, you can find helpful tips on digital learning platforms such as LinkedIn Learning - for example in the course “Saying no and setting conscious boundaries”. - Schedule breaks – for health and productivity
Regular vacations are important for physical and mental recovery, which in turn promotes long-term health and productivity. This is especially true in stressful times. So that you can get through the pre-Christmas period in a relaxed manner, you should plan your vacation in good time - and perhaps take a few days not just around the festival, but also at the beginning of December? Be sure to submit the leave request on time and keep your team informed so that all necessary arrangements can be made. But even short breaks in everyday work can work wonders. If you spend a lot of time in front of the screen, you should regularly give your eyes a little break and go out into the fresh winter air every now and then. After all, professional life is a marathon, not a sprint – that requires perseverance. - Communicate your needs
Let us know in good time if you need a break or cannot attend an event. It's completely okay to say "no" sometimes without feeling bad. - Schedule breaks
Avoid overindulging during the holidays. Take short breaks to relax - be it a walk in the fresh air or simply a short break with a book. - Distribute tasks
Invite your family and friends to take on tasks instead of doing everything yourself. Whether it's getting presents or preparing the holiday meal, share responsibilities to reduce stress. - Be flexible and relaxed
Perfection is not the goal. Allow yourself to take a step back and see things loosely. Not every tradition has to go exactly according to plan – enjoy the moment. - Avoid over-planning
Allow for spontaneous moments. When your calendar is too full, it quickly feels overwhelming. Feel free to plan unstructured time to simply relax and enjoy. - Set boundaries when planning gifts
Think about how much you want to spend on gifts early on and stick to your budget. It doesn't always have to be the most expensive or elaborate gift - small, thoughtful gifts are often the most beautiful. - Focus on the essentials
Remember that Christmas is not just about gifts and festive preparations. Use the time to connect with your loved ones and appreciate the moments you have together instead of letting external expectations stress you out.
Contemplative Advent season? It would be nice! Instead of candlelight and the smell of cookies, hustle and bustle often reigns supreme. Organizing family visits, hunting for the perfect gifts and painstakingly planning the Christmas menu put even experienced planners to the test. Added to this is the job stress. Final projects need to be finished and before you go on Christmas vacation you want to get as much off the table as possible. The anticipated anticipation quickly turns into a nerve-wracking balancing act between work, family and holiday preparations.Christmas burnout is looming.But the Advent season doesn’t have to turn into stress.With a little structure, realistic expectations and perhaps a dose of calmness, the pre-Christmas chaos can turn into a bit of contemplation.
Stress-free holidays: How to prevent Christmas burnout
How often have you heard the question this year: “So, are you in the Christmas spirit yet?” And how often have the hairs on the back of your neck stood up when you thought about the endless to-do list? The idea of a perfect time in the circle ofputs a lot of people under a lot of pressure. The pressure to consume and the demand for perfect harmony make Christmas the most stressful time of the year for many. We have tips to help you enjoy the Advent season – without any Christmas burnout.
The difference between Christmas burnout and general burnout
The term Christmas burnout describes a specific form of exhaustion and stress that occurs during the holiday season. It is a type of mental and emotional exhaustion that often comes from the pressure of buying gifts, organizing festive events, living up to societal expectations, and caring for family and friends. This stress can lead to overwhelm and a feeling of exhaustion, which is particularly noticeable at Christmas time. General burnout, on the other hand, is a state of physical, emotional and mental exhaustion that is usually caused by chronic stress at work or in other areas of life. A classic burnout syndrome includes symptoms such as exhaustion, cynicism, feelings of alienation from work and the feeling of being less productive. So the main difference lies in the cause: While normal burnout is often caused by long-term professional stress, Christmas burnout is closely linked to the specific demands and stress surrounding the holidays.
How to avoid Christmas burnout at work
Unfortunately, there are certain things you can't change: the supermarkets will be overcrowded and you'll worry about what to give away. But there are a lot of things you can do, especially at work, to avoid falling into Christmas burnout in the first place. Gaby Wasensteiner, career expert at LinkedIn, has a few ideas.
Under “Providers”Xymatic GmbHActivate to see content
Family and circle of friends: so that Christmas burnout doesn't stand a chance
But maybe it's not that at allthe problem, but private life. Do you really need to meet your best friend before the end of the year? Who buys the tree and who cooks the feast? This creates unnecessary stress, and on December 24th you'll be hanging on the ropes, exhausted. Nobody wants that, so it means planning ahead, communicating and giving yourself breaks.
Christmas Burnout: Christmas Eve doesn't have to be perfect to be perfect
When we all think back to the best Christmas holidays, we don't think about the decorated Christmas tree or the 5-course meal. But we're definitely thinking about who we spent the festive days with - and that's the most important thing of all. Christmas, New Year's Eve, New Year's Eve - these special times offer an opportunity to look inward and ask yourself the question: "How am I really feeling?" To be able to answer this question honestly, it takes both time and people, who accept you as you are. The general rule is: Don't wait until it's too late and set boundaries in good time. Because in the hustle and bustle of everyday life, it quickly happens that we put our own needs aside and only communicate our limits when we are already mentally and physically at our limits. By taking early measures, you can prevent things from getting that far and can go through the stressful pre-Christmas period more calmly.
