Women should exercise their right to relax this festive season

Nobody understands the frenzied stress that comes with the festive season more than working moms.

Despite the progress women in South Africa have made in the workplace, they still carry the bulk of domestic duties which burgeon over the holidays to include buying thoughtful presents, managing children, entertaining guests, organising seasonal rituals and arranging holiday travel and family outings.

All of this is while juggling the usual nine-to-five and year-end deadlines.

During a period of seemingly endless “to do” lists, Madelein Ozok, group general manager: marketing at Sun International, urges women to take a step back and give themselves some time to relax.

“The festive season can be a particularly trying time for everyone.

“Outwardly, it may appear that we are all exposed to the same stressful factors, from overeating, overspending and drinking too much, to arranging holidays, staying up too late, and entertaining the kids while schools are closed.

“For the working mom, it is a particularly stressful phase, especially if they aren’t taking leave from work.

“Many women find it hard to take a step back and allow themselves some down time.

“But, it is something that should be prioritised,” said Ozok, a mother of three children.

Responsible for formulating and implementing group marketing strategies for Sun International’s casino properties across South Africa, Chile, Panama and Columbia, and reporting directly to the chief operations officer, Ozok knows all too well the challenges that come with balancing family and career.

She offers these tips for keeping holiday stresses in check and enjoying the festive season:

• Make lists – write down what you need to do to avoid being caught off guard with something you should have done but haven’t planned for. When you get to tick things off it is quite empowering.
• Delegate – you do it at work, you can do it at home. Assign tasks to other people in the family. It is “okay” to ask for help. Think of it as “empowering” them to take charge.
• Switch off when you aren’t at work – cellphones, emails and social media can be invasive. If you commonly receive work related emails and calls after hours, switch off your devices when you are at home.
• Keep up your comforting routines – if you regularly go running or walking or attend yoga classes, keep it up during the holidays. These routines and activities can help you feel grounded during the holidays when things can feel a little of control.
• Learn to say no – whether it’s to attend a party for a fourth night in a row or to host the in laws during their stay in town, you have the right to say no if you don’t feel up to it.
• Stick to your budget – lower to middle income households typically experience increased financial stress over the festive season. Be realistic about what you can afford, prepare a budget and stick to it.
• Give yourself permission to relax – a study by the American Psychological Association found that only 27 per cent of women allow themselves to relax during the holidays compared to 41 per cent of men. It is your festive season too. Allow yourself time to relax. Take long leisurely baths, lie by the pool, don’t answer that phone, read your book, let somebody else do the cooking or shopping.
• Get your sleep – late night parties and increased household or family responsibilities over the holidays might result in you getting less sleep than you need. Strive to get seven to eight hours of sleep most days of the week throughout the holidays. This is especially important if you are working right through.
• Don’t feel guilty – if you are on leave, revel in your time off. Don’t feel guilty about taking time off work and don’t worry about what could be waiting for you when you return.