Say Hello to Holiday Burnout Season

The holiday season is always overwhelming, regardless of whether you are a student cramming for end-of-semester exams or a professional looking to complete that last deliverable before the end of the period. It comes at the same time every year, right before Halloween, and it snowballs into constant thoughts about what the holidays will look like and if you will get everything done. Based on my experience as a student, this time of the year tends to include many changes. The transition into the new semester seems almost too much to handle when holiday parties and social events happen every other week. These transitions and festivities contribute to a widely known term used by students and professionals alike: holiday burnout. 

Holiday burnout is exactly what it sounds like: a sense of stress related to tasks piling up at the end of the year. Constant fatigue, higher anxiety, and an overall lost sense of motivation can all be symptoms of holiday burnout. This may lead students to procrastinate on their final projects, making them feel disconnected from the joy the holiday season normally inspires. Juggling these emotions while feeling pressured by family and friends to partake in festivities can result in mental harm. This then translates to professional environments with that same stress being felt. No matter where a person is in life there will be a consistent overflow of stressors. While holiday burnout can feel overwhelming, there are practical steps you can take to ease the stress and enjoy the festive season!

Set Boundaries

While setting boundaries may seem like a simple practice, it can be difficult to put into action. Consider setting boundaries to identify limits and alleviate some of the stress you are feeling through communication. Being honest with peers by saying, “I’d love to join at the holiday party, but I need some time to recharge from my busy week.” is an amazing phrase to use when setting boundaries in a clear but not harsh way. Boundaries aren't only for others; they're essential for allowing yourself to pause between projects. Embrace your breaks fully, and know it's okay to step back from the desk if needed.

Emphasize Self-Care

Self-care promotes a healthy mindset and allows you to prioritize your needs above others. If you are unsure how to start, make a list of things that you would consider self-care for yourself. This could include going for a walk, meditating for 10 minutes, cooking your favorite dessert, or just listening to holiday music that makes you happy. Whenever you feel stress approaching, choose something from the list and dedicate your full attention to it, allowing yourself to forget about stressors for a little while. 

Manage Your Time

Managing your time is always easier said than done — I know for myself it is a constant struggle. Procrastination can quickly cause work to pile up, meaning you have to cram it all in a short amount of time. To help manage your tasks, consider using Google Calendar or weekly to-do lists. And no, this doesn’t mean putting projects into the calendar without upholding those “deadlines.” Hold yourself accountable to complete assignments on time so you don’t have to stress about them later. With the extra time, you will finally be able to attend a holiday party and enjoy your grandma’s delicious apple pie.

The holiday season is all about balancing what makes you feel good and achieving full academic success. To be the best version of yourself academically, you must prioritize your mental health and well-being. However, failure to set boundaries, practice self-care, and manage your time can lead to disasters down the road. While the holiday season is a time of joy and excitement, don't let holiday burnout take those feelings away from you."

Lauren is a senior majoring in advertising and public relations with an emphasis in public relations. This is Lauren's second year in GrandPR as she continues her journey as an account associate. She spent her summer as a Social media and communications intern for StudioC!. After graduation, she hopes to find a position that allows her to continue her passion for modern media communications!