Gus Stieber

While the holidays typically conjure up visions of joyous festivities, for many this is one of the most the most stressful seasons. And this year, the current economic crisis is poised to make the holidays even more challenging. <br />
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With the American Psychological Association reporting that almost half of US households are already stressed about their ability to provide for their family’s basic family needs, the added pressures of the holidays can only exacerbate their concerns. People have expectations of what the holidays should be ---- presents under the trees, traveling to be with family members, bountiful holiday meals. Stress levels rise when these expectations are not met.<br />
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Undoubtedly, financial uncertainties lead to a spike in stress levels, and are the primary cause of stress this holiday season. A just-released survey by market research firms KW Strategems and Decipher found that two-thirds of Americans claim financing the holidays is a significant stress factor. The survey also found that financial stress is higher for women ---- with 70% reporting being moderately or significantly worried about finances during the holidays.<br />
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Yet, the Mayo Clinic reports that in addition to finances, there are two additional main trigger points of holiday stress and depression: relationships and physical demands. Relationships can cause unrest, conflict or stress at any time. But tensions are often heightened during the holidays when family misunderstandings and conflicts can intensify. On the other hand, individuals facing the holidays without a loved one may find themselves more lonely or sad. <br />
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The strain of having to get-it-all-done ---- shopping, attending parties, and preparing holiday meals ---- can be exhausting. Feeling wiped out increases your stress, creating a vicious cycle. <br />
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It’s clear that workers are heading into the holiday season under rising stress levels:<br />
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•       The American Psychological Association reports that, 80% of Americans cite the economy as a significant cause of stress, up from 66% from six months earlier. <br />
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•       A National Business Group on Health survey found that 25% of workers said they are more stressed today than they were two years ago and cited finances among the top three causes.<br />
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•       Individuals who regularly have high levels of overall stress are most likely to feel stress specific to the holidays. For example, a person who finds family relationships stressful in general, finds these relationships particularly stressful during the holidays (57%). The same is true for those stressed by finances (79%). (A 2006 survey by Mental Health America, formerly known as the National Mental Health Association).<br />
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These findings are reflected in a recent study of calls placed to Bensinger, DuPont & Associates’ Employee Assistance Program (EAP). BDA reports that its EAP has witnessed a 14.9% increase in total calls from Sept-Nov 2007 to Sept-Nov 2008. Within these calls, there has been a 16% increase in the volume of calls related to mental health issues from the prior year and an 11.6% increase in calls related to legal issues.<br />
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Helping Workers Cope</strong><br />
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Most people have a difficult time trying to cope with holiday stress. Especially women --- who are juggling work and family and now have the added responsibility of the holidays --- feel like they don’t have time to slow down in the midst of everything that must get done. A 2006 survey by the American Psychological Association found that added holiday stress, on top of already disproportionately high stress levels in women year-round, makes it hard for women to relax. What’s very alarming is that the survey revealed that despite repeated warnings about the effects of stress on both psychological and physical health, women are relying more on unhealthy behaviors to manage stress during the holidays and the rest of the year ---- 22% of respondents eat and 14% drink to cope with holiday stress.<br />
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Given the direct impact of stress and the unhealthy behaviors people use to manage it have on our health, it's imperative that companies help their workers take steps to address holiday stress in healthier ways.<br />
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A recent article in About.com points to a survey by the Society for Human Resource Management that explored ways in which companies help their workers alleviate holiday-related stress. The second most frequent response was to remind employee of their Employee Assistance Program (39%) --- second to scheduling holiday events during normal business hours (51%).<br />
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Why an EAP? </strong><br />
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Encouraging employees to tap into the EAP is important because these services are offered within a mental health model in order to help people cope with all aspects of their situation. When employees call their EAP seeking help with an issue --- let’s say for financial or legal advice --- they’re likely coping with an accompanying mental health issue as well, such as stress, anxiety, depression, etc. By offering a full spectrum of services and trained professionals in a variety of disciplines under one umbrella, EAPs are uniquely positioned to help individuals with all aspects of their issue.<br />
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For example, an employee may call the EAP because she is stressed about the holidays. After talking, the clinician learns that her financial situation is causing added stress now, and she fears it will get worse when the holiday bills start flowing in. The counselor quickly refers the employee to a consumer credit counselor within the EAP who can provide a no-cost consultation and help her work through her concerns. At the same time, the clinician can help the employee manage the emotional side of the issue ---- managing the case from beginning to end, including follow-up, to ensure that client needs are adequately addressed. <br />
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The free and confidential services through your EAP may be just what your employees need to lower stress during the holiday season. While we all face stress now and then, things seem to get worse of many of us during the holidays. EAP counselors can help make the holidays as stress-free as possible for your employees.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> Gus Stieber is the National Sales Director of Bensinger, DuPont & Associates (www.bensingerdupont.com) ---- a privately owned professional services company that is dedicated to promoting healthy outcomes for employees, the workplace, individuals and their families through a wide range of consultation, training and counseling services. <br />
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For additional information, Stieber can be reached at 1-800-227-8620<br />
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