While most employees spend the yuletide season with their families, flatmates, or friends feasting on Noche Buena and exchanging presents under the Christmas tree, a lot of our modern heroes are still hard at work—trying to ignore the festive holiday that they are missing out for the sake of delivering a job well done.
There are various industries in the UAE and in the world that requires working even during the holidays—those in the field of medicine, public service, retail, food and beverage, and many more. And while professionals in these lines of work are all too aware of what they signed up for, that does not always stop them from feeling the lack of the yuletide cheer.
If you’re one of those heroes who are unable to spend Christmas Day with your loved ones, here’s how you can make this day at work more bearable:
Prepare emotionally
Most people who work during the Christmas Day deal with responding to people in need (such as doctors, firefighters, nurses, etc.), so if you are not prepared, it may take a toll on you. Others, meanwhile, deal with no human contact at all (graphic designers, receptionists, etc.), and this can also be just as gruelling on your emotional wellbeing.
Be sure to prepare yourself before you go head first to your job. Some of the things you can do include getting a coffee with a loved one before you punch in, listening to some soothing music, and meditating (trust us, it works!).
Talk to your loved ones while you can
If you’re in a position where you can phone or video call your families back home, do it. You may not be there physically, but getting a glimpse of their Christmas is better than nothing. It’s a good way to keep the energy going, especially if you hear their voices or see their faces.
Reconnect with your purpose
It’s easy to feel sorry for ourselves for working during this day, but the best way to make it feel a little less disheartening is to remember why you’re there in the first place. Remember the people you want to heal when you decided to be a doctor or a nurse, those you want to help when you decided to become a public servant, the art you want to develop when you decided to be an artist, or the information you want to disseminate when you decided to be a journalist. Even if your job is not in line with your passion, think of the reason you took the job—for most of us, it’s to help our families and loved ones back home. Use this as motivation to uplift your spirits, and you’ll definitely survive the day.
Plan your re-scheduled yuletide celebration
If you’re required to work on Christmas Day, then re-schedule it at a time you’re available. There’s nothing you can do about it so might as well just plan for a customized yuletide celebration—make it merrier, if you must!
Focus on a positive mental attitude
Try to maintain a positive attitude towards working on this day, as it will also encourage your workmates to stay merry. It’s essential for productivity and engagement. The more positive you are, the more productive you become, and the faster you will finish your work. Just remember, it’s just one day. You still have the rest of the day tomorrow or on your next weekend to enjoy the yuletide season.
Look for ways to enjoy it
If you can’t go home to your Christmas celebration, then bring Christmas to your workplace! Encourage your office mates and colleagues to bring in Christmas treats and get yourselves your own Noche Buena. Create your own Christmas party, have your own gift-giving activity, play Christmas music all day long. Treat your workmates like your family this day—you’re all in the same boat, after all!
