Balancing Wellness During the Busy Season
We like to remind patients and providers that holiday health is about balance, not perfection. Over the years, we’ve shared tips on how to maintain healthy habits during this time, with the goal of encouraging mindfulness, moderation, and meaningful connections.
However, as seasonal demands evolve, so should our wellness strategies. That’s why we’d like to revisit some important tips that continue to be relevant, while offering updated, practical ways that can help both you and your patients maintain energy, reduce stress, and stay present.
Revisiting What Works: Time-Tested Healthy Habits
In past years, we’ve emphasized the importance of staying active, managing stress, and keeping up with regular routines. These core ideas remain just as powerful today, since small, consistent actions — like taking a walk after a big meal, getting enough rest, and staying hydrated — all make a noticeable difference.
They’ve also reminded us that food during the holidays should be enjoyed, not feared. Rather than restricting favorite dishes, focus on balance: eat mindfully, savor every bite, and include fruits or vegetables whenever possible. Combine that with steady hydration and moderate alcohol use.
When it comes to healthcare professionals, these same wellness principles apply beyond the dinner table. Taking time to rest between shifts, getting sunlight during the day, and connecting with supportive coworkers can reduce stress and improve motivation.
New Strategies for Holiday Wellness
Even if you already know the basics, it’s easy for the pace of the season and multiple priorities to keep you off-balance. That’s why this year’s tips are about realistic strategies that fit into a busy lifestyle.
Plan Ahead for the Day
Start mornings with a short check-in: what events are coming up, when can you move your body, and when will you pause for rest? Using five minutes to plan can prevent burnout later.
Make Socializing Supportive
The holidays are about connection, not competition. Prioritize gatherings that lift you up, and remember it’s okay to say no to events that drain your energy.
Micro-Movement Matters
You don’t need a full workout to stay active. Stretch during phone calls, do squats while waiting for water to boil, or take the long route through a parking lot to get your steps in.
Protect Your Sleep
Keep a consistent bedtime as often as possible, especially after daylight saving time kicks in. Avoid screens before bed, and if traveling, bring familiar items like a pillowcase or small blanket to help you unwind.
Practice De-Stressing Habits
Take a moment to breathe, step outside for fresh air, or have a “digital detox” from your workstation. Short breaks have been shown to reinforce and improve cognitive skills.
Focus on Inclusion, Not Restriction
Allow yourself to enjoy holiday treats without guilt. It’s about celebrating with intent, not criticism.
How TriageLogic’s Nurses Model Wellness During the Holidays
Our nurses understand firsthand the importance of staying healthy during this time of year. Many of ours work around the clock through the holidays so that patients have access to safe, compassionate, after-hours care.
To stay balanced, they practice what we recommend: eating nutritious snacks, staying hydrated, taking mindful breaks between calls, and setting boundaries to maintain a work-life balance. These healthy habits not only help them provide the best patient care, but also model the behaviors that patients can use during their own times of stress.
Making Holiday Wellness Personal
If there’s one takeaway from all of these tips, it’s that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all wellness plan. The ones that are selected either by you, your coworkers, or your patients should address unique needs, goals, and daily schedules.
What’s important is to start those plans by identifying one or two small actions that can be realistically maintained through the holidays. Maybe that’s choosing a nutritious side dish to share at gatherings, or committing to a short walk after meals. For those in health care, it could mean setting reminders to stretch or drink water between triage calls.
Remember that progress matters more than perfection. The holidays can feel overwhelming, but consistency and kindness toward yourself and others can go much further than rigid resolutions.
Why This Matters for Healthcare Teams and Patients
Holiday wellness can go from personal well-being to benefiting the health of an entire care network. When clinicians, call center managers, and triage nurses take care of themselves, they can provide more empathetic, attentive care to patients.
That’s why our telehealth nurses and software solutions are designed to help you, your team, and your patients even at the busiest of times. Supporting staff wellness means stronger performance, fewer errors, and higher satisfaction for both employees and your patients.
A Season for Health, Gratitude, and Compassion
We hope that you’ll take it to heart that small, mindful habits really can make a big difference. Eat well, move when you can, get plenty of rest, and approach yourself — and others — with compassion.
From our team to yours, here’s to a happy and healthy holiday season.
Want to learn about TriageLogic’s solutions, including after hours nurse triage services? Contact us today to schedule a demo!
About TriageLogic
TriageLogic is a URAC-accredited, physician-led provider of top-quality nurse telehealth technology, remote patient monitoring, and medical call center solutions. Founded in 2006, the TriageLogic Group now serves more than 22,000 physicians and covers over 42 million lives nationwide.
