Holiday Stress at Work: Preventing Burnout Before It Begins Strain of the Holiday Season at Work

For many employees, the holiday season isn’t just about celebrations—it’s also when stress and workplace burnout quietly rises. Between financial pressures, family obligations, and end-of-year deadlines, this season can leave employees feeling stretched thin and emotionally drained.

In corporate settings, those pressures multiply. Leaders often see higher absenteeism, reduced focus, and lower morale, all of which can carry into the new year. According to a 2023 APA survey, roughly 41% of U.S. adults report that their stress levels increase during the holiday season.

When holiday stress goes unchecked, it doesn’t just impact employees—it affects entire organizations.

When Holiday Stress Turns into Burnout

Burnout is more than fatigue—it’s the breakdown of motivation, productivity, and mental well-being. According to Gallup, burned-out employees are 63% more likely to take a sick day and 23% more likely to visit the emergency room, which drives up healthcare costs and decreases engagement across teams.

The risk peaks during the winter months, when shorter days, reduced sunlight, and irregular routines disrupt sleep quality, emotional balance, and focus. Combined with seasonal depression and “holiday blues,” many employees find themselves overwhelmed and disconnected.

Preventing Burnout Requires More Than Policies

Corporate wellness programs are valuable, but they can fall short if employees don’t have practical tools to manage everyday stress. Prevention must be woven into daily routines—not reserved for once-a-year initiatives.

Encourage meaningful manager check-ins that go beyond project updates to include conversations about employee well-being. This builds healthy relationships and psychological safety.

Promote micro-breaks that include movement or exercise—just two minutes of walking or stretching can boost attention and physical health.

Normalize open discussions around stress, mental health, and boundaries. When leaders model vulnerability and balance, their employees tend to follow suit.

These small actions strengthen all facets of well-being—from mindfulness and emotional stability to healthy thinking—helping employees feel valued as whole people, not just workers.

How TouchPoints Can Help Corporations Support Employees

Technology alone can’t solve burnout, but it can empower people to manage stress in real time. That’s where TouchPoints™ make a difference.

TouchPoints are wearable devices that use gentle, alternating vibrations known as BLAST® (bilateral alternating stimulation tactile) to calm the body’s natural stress response. By shifting activity in the brain’s fight-or-flight system, TouchPoints help regulate the nervous system, reduce anxiety, and improve focus in seconds.

In corporate environments, TouchPoints provide: