From the January 2008 issue of Ceridian Connection

Did the holiday season leave you with the blues? Ceridian LifeWorks examined inbound call volume to its service centers from the past three years and found that calls related to depression, stress management, family relationships, suicide and personal finance spike in January, following the holiday season.

"As we navigated the holiday season, the thermometer dropped and the blues-o-meter climbed," says Catherine Macpherson, Ceridian LifeWorks product manager. "During this busy season, people are often confronted with more family and financial issues than any other time of the year. This puts them at higher risk for the blues. At work, the problem can be exacerbated by pressure-packed work environments as many companies scramble to complete tasks before the end of the year."

Combating stress after the holidays and throughout the year
"Problems related to post-holiday blues take a serious toll on employee productivity," explains Macpherson. "The good news is that there are effective ways to control the negative impact."

Macpherson encourages employees to consider the following practical tips to combat post-holiday blues and stress at any time throughout the year:

• Laugh - Humor is a powerful release.
• Shout - Shout to yourself or out loud when alone.
• Exercise - Sweat it out.
• Play - Spend time with your kids, play a board or video game.
• Cry - This is a natural release. Let it happen.
• Work - Do physical work. Chop wood, shovel or clean the house.
• Turn off - Shut down your email indicator and the phone.
• Stretch - Relieve the tension in your muscles.
• Sleep - Take a nap or go to bed early. Being overtired can amplify stress.
• Call - Phone a friend or family member.
• Seek help - Don't be afraid to seek professional counseling when things get overwhelming.

If you would like to learn more about how Ceridian's Employee Assistance Programs can help your workforce stay healthy and productive, contact your Ceridian representative.