The holiday peak season often feels like the workplace is wrapped in twinkling lights and turbocharged at the same time. Orders spike, foot traffic swells, inboxes resemble bottomless stockings and somehow the days grow shorter just when you need more of them. In the middle of this swirl, it’s easy for stress to tighten its grip. The good news is that there are practical, reliable ways for staff to protect their energy, steady their focus and even enjoy the season.

Micro-pauses that reset the brain

Not every break needs to be a grand escape. A tiny pause can act like a mental reset button.

• Step away from your station for two minutes. Count five slow breaths.
• Look at something that isn’t a screen. Let your vision soften.
• Stretch your shoulders, hands and jaw. These are the areas that tend to clench first under pressure.

These simple rest notes help interrupt the mental drumroll that builds during busy days.

Create islands of order

During peak periods, clutter becomes a stress amplifier. A quick desk tidy, a reset of equipment or a five-minute “clear the decks” ritual at the start of a shift can reduce background tension. Order gives the brain fewer things to worry about, which helps staff direct energy where it matters.

Share the load, share the warmth

Workplaces often feel more manageable when teams lean on one another. A short morning huddle, a buddy system for peak hours or a communal checklist can keep everyone aligned. When people know they’re not carrying the season alone, the pressure loosens.

Build a boundary around breaks

Breaks have a habit of shrinking during busy stretches, but protecting them pays dividends. Encourage staff to:

• Eat something nourishing instead of skipping meals.
• Step outside for a few breaths of real air.
• Change the sensory environment, even briefly; the contrast refreshes attention.

A well-kept break is more effective than a rushed one.

Let small joys in

Even a high-pressure environment can hold pockets of cheer. A shared box of chocolates in the staff room, a playlist that lifts the room, a small team ritual to mark the end of a shift. These moments don’t erase workload, but they soften it and remind everyone that the season brings brightness as well as bustle.

Encourage realistic expectations

Peak periods can tempt people to push themselves past healthy limits. Leaders can help by setting clear expectations, praising sustainable effort rather than heroic overwork and reminding staff that rest is not optional. When the standard is humane, people perform better and burnout stays at bay.

Reflect and release

At the end of the day, a short decompression ritual helps staff separate work time from personal time. It might be a short walk, jotting down three things that went well or simply switching off devices with intention. These cues tell the nervous system the workday is complete, which supports proper recovery.

Peak seasons will always be busy, but they don’t need to drain the joy from the team. With small, consistent practices, staff can stay grounded and energised, ready to greet both the challenges and the celebrations of the holiday period.