Wellness pros can help organizations as they seek to reduce employees’ holiday season stress
With many forced to reevaluate and cancel meaningful gatherings with friends and family, how can employers address feelings of loss and isolation?
The holiday season is often portrayed as a time of joy and cheer, but even without the weight of a global pandemic it can be a highly stressful season for many.
During a recent Workplace Wellness Insider and Virgin Pulse webinar, Dr. Gary Smithson, a member of the Virgin Pulse Science Advisory Board, shared some surprising figures around mental health during the holidays.
He shared that 1 in 4 Americans experience “extreme stress” during the holiday season, and 45% of Americans would actually prefer to skip the Christmas holiday.
Having to make travel plans, balance work, afford gifts and entertain guests can leave many feeling overwhelmed—and the pressures are only higher in 2020. Families are now also grappling with the decision of whether or not to see loved ones, the anxiety around rising COVID-19 infection rates, and the financial strain created by the pandemic.
Dr. Smithson stressed that this has serious implications for public health. Mental health disorders already accounted for 20% of the global disease burden, and 53% of adults in the United States reported that their mental health has declined due to the pandemic.
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