Mental Health During the Holiday Season

Mental health during the holiday season 

This holiday season will be very different from previous years because of the current circumstances. While this time of the year is usually to relax and get together with family and friends to celebrate, it can be stressful this year due to COVID-19 restrictions. We encourage you to follow the guidelines of the health authorities to stay safe, and take the time to connect virtually with your family, friends, colleagues and loved ones during this season. Take the time to call people who live alone to stay in touch and connect with them during this pandemic. 

This season is also an opportunity to slow down our pace of life and appreciate everything around us. Despite the pandemic, it is still important to take a moment to acknowledge everything that this year has brought us. Remember that your mental health and well-being need to be a priority: take some time for yourself. 

Take time to recharge

Like us, your co-champions for a Respectful and Healthy Workplace and Mental Health, take the time to recharge during the holiday season by engaging in activities that work best for you, and at your own pace.  

Plan activities

• Plan fun virtual activities for your team, like a treasure hunt, bingo, karaoke, a lunch or two truths and a lie. Be creative!
• Consult the healthy activities from the workplace strategies for mental health:
• Learn how to use self-talk to overcome barriers to help you achieve your tasks at work and control your emotions. 
• Learn how to use a relaxation technique through positive thinking.

• Consider volunteering your time with Volunteer Canada. Contact your local volunteer centre for more information.

Consult and share the following resources

• Consult the page Taking care of your mental and physical health during the COVID-19 pandemic for advice on how to take care of yourself during this crisis. This page includes information about the Government of Canada’s new campaign Do Something. Take action to ensure you and those around you stay healthy.
• Organize a presentation from the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) within your team to learn more about their services, and how employees can ask for help. You can organize this type of event by getting in touch with your EAP contact person Lise Bélanger. Please copy your mental health team on the email.
• Listen to the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety’s short podcast on holiday stress to learn more on how to plan and recharge for the busyness of the holidays.
• Learn more about preventing suicide. It is important to ask for help if you or someone you know is in crisis or has thoughts of suicide. You are not alone!
• LifeSpeak has many COVID-19 resources to help you and your family cope with these challenging times. Learn more with LifeSpeak experts!
• Learn how to build up your resilience with the most recent issue of your Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Newsletter.

Many of our colleagues will be celebrating various cultural and religious holidays during this time. We wish you and your loved ones an enjoyable, peaceful and safe holiday season!