Sustaining Employee Engagement during the Holiday Season

This year, the holiday season will look a bit different as the coronavirus surges throughout the United States. We are navigating unchartered waters with this virus, making it important to find new ways to celebrate the holidays while also keeping our employees healthy and engaged in their work environment. Now more than ever, we must take care of our employees during the holiday season. The following are some practical tips on taking care of our employees’ mental and physical health during this holiday season.

Encourage your employees to prepare for each day at work

• Take everyday preventive measures
• Relax your body often by doing things that work for you (deep breathing, stretching, etc.)
• Pace yourself between stressful activities
• Talk about your experiences and feelings to loved ones and friends
• Maintain a sense of hope and positive thinking
• Outside of work, engage in hobbies and activities you enjoy

Support your co-workers and yourself during the working hours

• During the work day, it is beneficial to engage in these behaviors:
  • Self-monitoring and pacing
  • Regular check-ins with colleagues and friends
  • Working in partnerships or in teams
  • Brief relaxation/stress management breaks
  • Regular peer consultation and supervision
  • Regularly seeking out accurate information and mentoring to assist in making decisions
  • Do your best to maintain helpful self-talk and avoid overgeneralizing fears
  • Focus your efforts on what is within your power
  • Accept situations you cannot change
  • Foster a spirit of fortitude, patience, tolerance, and hope

Boost your immune system during the holiday season

We can take several steps to maximize our chances of staying healthy and avoiding infections during the holiday season. Encourage your staff to adopt these behaviors as well.

• Good hygiene
  • Wash hands frequently

• Avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Cover your cough or sneeze into a tissue, then dispose of the tissue.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
• If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.

• Manage stress
  • Stress can weaken the immune system further and make a person more susceptible to illness.

• Get enough sleep
  • Lack of sleep disrupts the normal production of white blood cells, a crucial component of the body's immune system.
  • Adults should aim for at least 7-8 hours of sleep per day, while infants and children need between 8 and 17 hours of sleep depending on their age.
• Eat a healthful diet
  • Eating a healthful, balanced diet can improve a person's overall well-being.
  • A diet that is rich in vegetables and fruit, which will provide plenty of nutrients, is recommended.

• Exercise regularly

• Regular exercise keeps the body healthy.
• In addition to strengthening the body, exercise causes the body to release endorphins that reduce stress levels.

Your workplace environment is enhanced by the partnership between staff, the community, and the therapy team. During these difficult times, these relationships can create the right environment and experience so that you and your staff stay healthy and thrive during the working hours. This ensures a happy and health holiday season and beyond for your clinic and for your clients.

Neely Sullivan PT, CLT-LANA, CDP

Education Specialist

Select Rehabilitation

nsullivan@selectrehab.com

Phone: (828) 676-8730**** Please note new number

Fax: (847) 386-5830