Issue #12: Countdown to the Holidays

Don't let hectic holiday stress get you down + delegation techniques

When Did the Holidays Get Here? 🎁

The countdown to Thanksgiving is on!

For many, this time of year is about celebration and connection, but it also brings heightened demands, especially if you’re part of an industry that gears up for Black Friday and the holiday shopping rush.

Retailers, for example, often call this period their “Super Bowl,” preparing for months to handle the surge of sales, customer demands, and last-minute tasks. This high-stakes season isn’t limited to retail, many of us feel an extra layer of stress at work and home, trying to balance it all without missing out on the season’s magic.

But finding a way to balance the frenzy with presence and calm can make all the difference.

The goal is to keep it simple, find effective ways to manage holiday stress, stay connected with family and friends, and even support your well-being along the way.

📌Tip of the Week

The 5-Minute Daily Wind Down

With so much going on, creating a simple daily wind-down routine can make a world of difference in managing holiday stress.

Here’s a quick, actionable routine to end your day calmly:

• Set a 5 minute timer - you’ll be surprised how much you can get done

• Use the power of reflection to focus on the positives and shifting your mindset

• Try the 4-7-8 breathing technique-inhaling for 4 seconds, hold 7, exhale for 8

• Take a break from the screens at least 30 minutes before bed.

Finding Ways to Stay Present During the Holidays

The holiday season is a wonderful, hectic time of year, but it’s easy to get caught up in everything that needs to be done and lose sight of the things that really matter—our connections with family, friends, and colleagues.

It took me a few seasons of holiday overwhelm to realize I needed to make intentional choices about how I spent this time.

Stress is particularly high in industries like retail, where Black Friday and the holiday season are often seen as the "Super Bowl" of the year.

Research shows that retailers begin preparing months in advance; according to the National Retail Federation (NRF), over 60% of holiday shoppers in the U.S. start browsing and buying gifts by early November¹ , which requires significant planning and operational scaling from retailers.

This high demand can contribute to increased stress and pressure for retail employees, with staffing, inventory management, and customer service demands all ramping up simultaneously much focus on these high-stakes sales days, it’s no surprise that workplace stress in retail skyrockets during the holiday season.

The American Psychological Association (APA) notes that retail employees and managers often face burnout and mental strain due to extended hours, heightened customer interactions, and the need to meet sales quotas.²  

This holiday stress can bleed into personal time, making it challenging to be present with loved ones.

Manage Holiday Stress Like a Pro

One year, after feeling burnt out before Thanksgiving even arrived, I started looking at my calendar more strategically, carving out intentional time for family and friends without trying to squeeze in every last thing. I focused on making memories over perfecting every detail.

It’s not always easy, but creating boundaries, like limiting work emails over the weekend or saying “no” to certain events, brought so much more peace.

Here’s how you can proactively become a stress management pro:

• Prioritize with “Big Rocks”
  Identify the most important events or activities you want to prioritize. Maybe it’s Thanksgiving dinner with family, a special outing with friends, or simply an afternoon for yourself. Schedule those first, and let smaller tasks fall in around them.

• Embrace the Power of “No”
  The holiday season often comes with a flood of invitations and extra commitments. Remind yourself that “no” is a full sentence. Politely declining or even offering a rain check can help you stay balanced and keep stress from building up.

• Be Present in Conversations
  It’s tempting to let holiday prep run through our minds constantly, but try setting it aside when you’re with others. This season, make an effort to be truly present by listening and engaging with the people you’re with. Even a few mindful minutes with each person adds up to create stronger connections.

• Build in Decompression Time
  Schedule a few breaks where you don’t have anything planned. Letting yourself have downtime without an agenda is crucial for recharging and staying balanced. This way, you’re not drained by the time the big events come around.

With some preparation and intentionality, the holidays can feel more like a time to connect rather than a race to the finish line.

By being mindful of our limits and making time for genuine interactions, we’re able to prioritize what matters most, which is often the key to avoiding burnout and enjoying the holiday season fully.

🆕Hello, AMA!

Q: “I’m constantly getting last-minute requests from my manager and coworkers during the holidays, which throws off my schedule. How can I protect my time while still being a team player?”

A: Managing holiday workloads is a challenge many of us face, and it’s smart to approach this with a balance of assertiveness and flexibility. Here are some strategies:

1. Communicate Availability: If you know certain days are dedicated to family or holiday plans, let your team know early. A quick message, such as, “I’ll be offline after 5 PM on Friday for family time,” can set boundaries while keeping everyone in the loop.

2. Prioritize & Triage: When requests do come in, assess what’s truly urgent and what can wait. Politely asking questions like, “Is this something that needs immediate attention, or can it be handled tomorrow?” can help both you and your manager gauge priorities realistically.

3. Suggest Solutions: For tasks you can’t handle right away, suggest an alternative solution or timeframe. Offering an option keeps the project moving forward and demonstrates your commitment, without sacrificing your own schedule.

Remember, a balanced approach keeps you effective and less stressed while supporting your team’s needs.

Wellness Corner

Simple breathing techniques to reduce stress

Hello to the holidays and hello to increased stress levels. From juggling work, to hosting family gatherings, and making festive preparations, one of the simplest ways to manage stress and stay calm is through focused breathing techniques.

Why Breathing Techniques Work:

Intentional breathing activates your body’s parasympathetic nervous system, often referred to as the "rest and digest" mode. By slowing down your breath, you signal to your brain that it’s safe to relax, reducing stress hormones like cortisol and promoting calmness. The American Institute of Stress confirms that controlled breathing can decrease anxiety, improve focus, and promote emotional regulation during high-stress times.³

This: The 4-7-8 Breathing Technique

👉 Developed by Dr. Andrew Weil, this easy-to-follow technique takes just a minute or two and can have an instant calming effect:

1. Sit comfortably and close your eyes.

2. Inhale quietly through your nose for a count of 4.

3. Hold your breath for a count of 7.

4. Exhale slowly and completely through your mouth for a count of 8.

And repeat this cycle 3-4 times.

Bonus Tip: Try a few deep belly breaths to kickstart your wind-down routine each night.

Community Insights

Are you an overwhelmed delegator?

Do you regularly assess your team members' strengths and weaknesses to match tasks with their skills? How about after you delegate, do you follow up with team members after delegating tasks to ensure progress and offer support when needed?

Let’s find out! With a simple 12 questions you can see if you are an overwhelmed delegator in need of some support or you are leading the way in delegation.

Get started with the free delegation checklist.

Until next time, stay well.
𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒂𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒅.𝒃𝒐𝒔𝒔 𝒕𝒆𝒂𝒎

<sup><sub>1 National Retail Federation (NRF). "Holiday and Seasonal Trends."
2 American Psychological Association (APA). "Stress and Work During the Holidays.”
3 American Institute of Stress. "Breathing Techniques for Stress Relief”
* Consult Your Doctor First: Before starting any new exercise routines, wellness plans, or making significant changes to your diet, it’s important to consult with your doctor or healthcare provider. They can help ensure that any new practices are safe and appropriate for your individual health needs. Your well-being is our top priority, so please take this step before making any changes.</sub></sup>