A Survival Guide for Those Working on Holidays
Learn how to survive the holiday season if you work and how to benefit from such situations. Discover ideas and strategies to maintain your spirit and boost productivity.
As the holiday season unfolds, people slow down, staying at home to enjoy time with family, prepare festive meals, decorate their homes, and reflect on the upcoming milestones of life.
Yet many stores stay open, doctors remain on call, and office workers such as support staff, call center agents, programmers, and even managers continue working.
How to Stay Cheerful with an Unusual Schedule and Avoid Becoming a Zombie
You can be productive even when you have to work while others celebrate. Maintaining a positive mindset and incorporating healthy habits can make your holiday season work more successful.
Sleep Well
Sleep is sacred. If you’ve been struggling to manage your sleep schedule, modern technology is here to help. The App Store and Google Play have numerous apps that track sleep cycles.
Sleep Cycle for Android and iPhone not only assess the quality of your rest by key health indicators, but they also wake you during light sleep phases. This helps you quickly adapt to your new morning routine, leaving you energized and enthusiastic about the day’s tasks.
Alternatives: Integrated sleep-tracking apps in your gadgets, Pillow, Calm: Meditation and Sleep, Sleep As Android, Sleeptic, BetterSleep, and others.
Secrets of Vitality
Avoid consuming more coffee and don’t rely on this questionable stimulant. Better energizers include taking a contrast shower, practicing breathing techniques, and engaging in quick morning workouts.
Breathing Exercises. If you’re still drowsy after waking and taking a cold shower, try invigorating your brain with oxygen. Sit up straight, inhale deeply through your nose, and exhale sharply, engaging your abdominal muscles. Focus on your core and perform 20 cycles in a row. Afterward, breathe deeply and slowly, close your eyes, relax, and clear your mind of unnecessary thoughts.
Core Workout. Loosen up by moving all parts of your body gently. Be mindful and let your body adjust to the idea of exercising. Complete one cycle of 10–12 classic abs exercises, with 22 repetitions each. End your workout with a plank.
Tracking Apps: Tappsk, WEEEK, ToDoist, TickTick, Tweek, and others.
How Not To Feel Left Out During the Holidays
A quick guide on staying upbeat and responsible for your own happiness. People are always stronger than their circumstances.
Create the Holiday Yourself
Decorate your workspace. Do this ahead of time to avoid stress during your busiest work periods. Choose eco-friendly decorations—have your kids, family, or friends help you craft them from natural materials. Surrounded by such festive symbols, you’ll feel more at home even when working on holidays.
Ask your grandparents or parents to lend you a retro decoration that connects to your childhood. This ornament becomes a symbol of your family's anticipation of your return and support, even when you’re apart.
Follow at Least One Holiday Tradition
Adapting modern holiday traditions to office life can not only be fun but also improve team relationships, boost collective spirit, and enhance productivity.
Secret Santa
If you’re not the only one working during the holidays, organize a Secret Santa gift exchange to enjoy some festive cheer amongst your colleagues.
The game’s essence lies in exchanging gifts anonymously. Each participant receives a gift and prepares a gift for another player, with identities remaining secret until all gifts are exchanged.
The MySanta service is a great tool for this. It connects many people through online gift exchanges.
To set up your gift exchange, register on the platform, create your game, adjust its settings to suit your team, send out invite links, and draw names to see who gives a present to whom.
Platform Advantages:
- Instant draw for any number of people. The system’s design pairs any number of participants without being affected by even or odd numbers.
- Wishlist. The platform has a handy wishlist section, helping participants select gifts from sites like Amazon, and add any links. You can ask Santa for anything within the budget.
- Robust anonymity system. The anonymity is a key feature of Secret Santa. Developers have designed anonymous chat systems that allow you to communicate with your Santa, gift recipient, or all players without revealing identities.
- Ability to organize multiple games simultaneously. Host as many games as you want simultaneously. Exchange gifts with family, colleagues, or pen pals abroad. Each game remains independent.
- Flexible game settings. As the organizer, you can customize the game’s appearance, create any title, choose between in-person or remote exchanges, and conduct quick draws from a single device. Premium plans offer extended features, like access to "Who’s Santa?" reports and unlimited exceptions for players.
- Participation from anywhere. Invite colleagues from different branches without issues. Virtual surprises and anonymous package tracking are available.
Other Traditions Suited for the Office
Here are three simple, adaptable ideas for any workplace. Use them during holidays or year-round.
Exchange Motivational Notes. Start by secretly attaching a note with work tips and motivational phrases to a colleague’s document folder. It’s sure to be appreciated and spread smiles throughout the office.
Celebrate Every Holiday. Purchase a special calendar from a marketplace or check online daily for holidays across the US and globally. There are often multiple on any given day—choose one to celebrate with small surprises. The holiday season isn’t only about Christmas.
January 1st – Apple Gifting Day.
January 5th – National Trivia Day.
January 11th – International Thank You Day.
Special Mugs. Order unique mugs with your colleagues, reserved solely for festive shifts. During busy times, place these mugs on tables as a token of mutual support. This act communicates that no one is alone and they can always seek help.
How to Maintain Life Rhythm After Working While Others Celebrated
Stay connected with the outside world during holiday work. Stay in touch with loved ones, accept help from friends and colleagues, and find benefits in any situation.
Delayed Celebration Technique
Set your mind on celebrating important dates later, without diminishing the joy. Enlist family or friends to support you during challenging times and choose a bonus day to celebrate missed holidays like Christmas. Go with classic elements: champagne toasts, celebratory foods, and even pre-recorded messages.
Prepare greetings in advance and ask those you’ll celebrate with to jot down their feelings from the holiday season. They can send you messages as if you were there. Do the same and exchange these magical moments.
How to Benefit From the Situation
Focus on the positive aspect of working holidays—it’s your advantage. You’re setting the stage for your colleagues who are resting. Clear lingering tasks calmly, without rushing to meet a deadline, with a calm atmosphere.
Set plans for the upcoming work season and start tackling new tasks. You’ll move ahead and earn respect for being knowledgeable and advisory about affairs.
Plus, employers often pay bonuses for holiday work. Many voluntarily agree to extra shifts. You can save up for a dream or negotiate higher pay.
Gadgets for Night Workers
Here are three amazing gadgets to help office workers cope with holiday shifts.
Sunlight Simulation Lamp
This lamp, mimicking the gentle glow of sunset, saves your vision from harsh office lighting, boosts your mood, and extends daylight. In winter, sunsets come early and this lamp can brighten your evening productivity.
Boiling Thermos
This multifunctional tool is perfect for an active office life. It heats water in five minutes, serving as a thermos to enjoy warm drinks.
Smart Watch
Ideal for monitoring your wellness. Perfect for late workers with early wake-up struggles. Track sleep cycles and activity, optimizing your life for health.
Conclusion
Your holiday shift can become an asset, not a hindrance. Keep a positive outlook, adopt healthy rituals, and use great gadgets. This assistance and support will lead to inevitable gains.
