Generational Challenges

Elf himself will inspire self-care strategies for spreading cheer during this holiday season 🙂

As the weather gets colder in the Arizona desert and we begin to prepare for a busy month, Meagan wanted to share some holiday tips inspired by one of her favorite holiday movies: Elf! 🎄✨

Did you know? “The original script for Elf was written with Jim Carrey in mind for the lead role, but it sat in production limbo for a decade before eventually being picked up by Ferrell.”

In this 2003 holiday classic, Buddy the Elf’s contagious enthusiasm reminds us, “The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear!” While Buddy’s holiday spirit resonates with some, others may find this season overwhelming.

Holiday Spirit & Stress

According to the American Psychological Association, 38% of people report increased stress during this time due to financial strain, time crunches, and family obligations. “The holiday season sparks conflicting feelings as over two in five U.S. adults (43%) would use both positive and negative words to describe the holidays, and 72% agree that the holiday season can feel bittersweet.” Recognizing these challenges allows us to create intentional moments of self-care and multigenerational connection.

Buddy-Approved Self-Care Strategies for a Jolly Season

The National Institute of Mental Health describes self-care as “taking the time to do things that help you live well and improve both your physical and mental health.” Let’s borrow a page from Buddy’s playbook and add some fun to our holiday self-care routines!

1. Have a “Buddy” Day!
Spend a day doing only things that bring you joy. Whether it’s rewatching Elf, indulging in your favorite holiday treats (maybe holding the spaghetti with syrup), or crafting DIY decorations, dedicate time to activities that light up your spirit.

2. Spread Cheer Through Acts of Kindness
Buddy loves making others smile! Channel his enthusiasm by surprising coworkers with handwritten notes or sharing cookies with neighbors. Studies show that acts of kindness boost mental well-being. For inspiration, download the Mental Health Foundation 50 random acts of kindness poster here.

3. Dance It Out
Turn up the holiday music and have a dance party! Whether you’re swaying to “Jingle Bell Rock” or Buddy’s favorite “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town,” moving your body releases endorphins and reduces stress. “Dance is an antidote to stress, a way to combat negative emotions, an elixir for the body, mind, and brain,” write Christensen and Dong-Seon Chang—an Argentine tango dancer and swing dancer—in their 2021 book Dancing Is the Best Medicine.

Self-Care Strategies for All Generations

The holidays look different for everyone, so customize your self-care to meet your needs:

• Set Boundaries: Learn to say no to overpacked schedules. Declining a few invitations can make space for meaningful moments. We get it… FOMO is real and saying no can be hard! BetterUp® helped by sharing 50 different ways to say no politely. 
• Stay Active: Take a family walk to admire holiday lights or join a virtual yoga class. Physical activity helps reduce stress. “Exercise and sports also provide opportunities to get away from it all and to either enjoy some solitude or to make friends and build networks.”
• Schedule “Quiet Time”: Dedicate time to recharge. It could be journaling, meditating, or even taking a nap. “Harshman explains that relaxation is not about doing more to do less, or about pursuing a specific form of relaxation that you may not like. Instead, relaxation is giving your mind and body a break to restore your energy, support your cognitive function and regulate your mood.”
• Keep It Balanced: Savor holiday treats but don’t skip meals. A balanced diet supports your mood and energy levels.
• Unplug from Technology: Designate tech-free evenings to focus on in-person connections or personal relaxation. “Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.” —Anne Lamott

Mental Health Resources 

If you or someone you know is feeling overwhelmed, it’s okay to seek professional help. Here are some trusted resources to support mental health during the holidays:

• American Psychological Association
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
• BetterHelp

This holiday season, let’s take inspiration from Buddy and find joy in the little things. Whether it’s singing loud for all to hear or simply taking a mindful moment to yourself, self-care can make the busy season brighter. Remember: the best way to spread holiday cheer is by being kind—to yourself and others!

It’s that special time of the year when America comes together to cheer for the USA for nearly 3 weeks! “The theatrical, four-hour ceremony that aired live on Friday afternoon in the U.S. came in 10 million viewers higher than NBCUniversal’s coverage of the Tokyo opening ceremony in 2021 and more than 2 million higher than Rio in 2016, according to NBCUniversal.” The history behind the Olympics is fascinating and dense!

Olympics Fostered Unity and Understanding

The ancient Greeks believed that the Olympics fostered unity and understanding among others, which is the overall point we want to discuss. The original values of Olympism as expressed in the Olympic Charter were to “encourage effort”, “preserve human dignity” and “develop harmony”. Over time, they have evolved and are now expressed in more contemporary terms as:

• Striving for excellence and encouraging people to be the best they can be.
• Demonstrating respect in many different manners: respect towards yourself, the rules, your opponents, the environment, the public, etc.
• Celebrating friendship, which is quite unique to the Olympic Games – an event that brings people together every few years.

“The goal of Olympism is to place sport at the service of the harmonious development of humankind, with a view to promoting a peaceful society concerned with the preservation of human dignity.”

Today, that same spirit can help us zap the generational gaps and differences we face in our multigenerational workplaces. So, how can we channel our inner Olympians to create a more connected and collaborative environment? Let’s share some ideas… 

Striving for Excellence: In a S.M.A.R.T Way 

It’s important to emphasize that excellence is never about being perfect; perfection is not a realistic goal. Striving for excellence is about growing to the best version of yourself, inside and outside of work.

• Challenge yourself with S.M.A.R.T goals: S.M.A.R.T = Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound. In general, SMART goals are effective because they provide the clarity, focus, and motivation you need to achieve your goals. They’re also time-bound and measurable, so you’ll know when you’ve completed a goal. Make time to celebrate your wins and be proud of yourself! 
• Support your teammates: Mutual respect, collaboration, and a willingness to help others is what truly makes an environment special & successful. Are you cultivating an environment where individuals feel valued, empowered, and able to be their true selves?
• Understand the organization’s mission & vision: Harvard Business Review reports that companies with a clearly defined and communicated mission statement have higher levels of employee engagement and loyalty. Additionally, 63% of employees at companies with solid mission statements report being motivated, versus 31% at other companies.

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” ― Aristotle

Demonstrating Respect: You & Your Words Matter

In the spirit of the Olympics, respect means valuing everyone, regardless of their background, experience, or opinions.

• Listen actively: According to Harvard Business Review, “research shows that those who engage in active listening are seen as more competent, likable, and trustworthy by others.”
• Celebrate differences: Embrace diversity and learn from those who are different from you. Remember, even the ancient Olympics eventually opened their doors to women athletes! 
• Choose your words carefully: With the surge of remote work, it’s more important than ever for leaders to recognize the power in their voice. Especially while communicating remotely over video where body language won’t necessarily come through, your words matter even more.

By fostering a respectful environment, both in-person and online, you’ll create a workplace where everyone feels safe to share their ideas and contribute their unique talents.

Celebrating Friendship: Zapping the Gap Across the Generations

Just like the Olympics bring together athletes from all walks of life, our workplaces are best suited when they reflect openness and diversity.

• Connect with your colleagues: Getting to know your team members can help build trust and promote open communication between you and those you manage. While it may seem simple, showing your team members you are interested in them can benefit your team’s overall production and job satisfaction. 
• Be supportive: Offer a listening ear, a helping hand, or a word of encouragement when needed. Remember, you and your words matter. 
• Create opportunities for collaboration: A study conducted by Stanford University found that participants who worked collaboratively were able to stay with a task 64% longer than those who worked independently. The Olympics are a beautiful representation of connection, support, and collaboration. 

By embracing the Olympic values of excellence, respect, and friendship, we can transform our workplaces and the future generations to come. We tie our time together with the new Olympic motto, as of July 2021: “Citius, Altius, Fortius – Communiter” “Faster, Higher, Stronger – Together.”