Mental Health and Wellness Tips for Peak Events Season
Any event professional will know it takes a LOT of grit and stamina to work the demanding hours of the event world. Whether you're focused on weddings or corporate events, virtual or in person, it's common for professionals in our industry to work overtime, all the time, in order to go above and beyond for every client.
As we speed into peak events season, we’re even more susceptible to becoming workaholics - along with an unwanted side of burnout and both physical and mental health deterioration.
At The Good Green, we’re striving to foster healthier lifestyles for every event pro, no matter what time of year it is. So here are a few tips to help prevent, cope with and recover from the intense summer period.
Tip 1 - Lay the Strongest Possible Foundations to Prevent Burnout
Leading up to and into the busy summer event season, it is especially important to prioritize your personal well-being and mental health. As much as the events themselves.
🫱🏿🫲🏼 Cultivate relationships with eco-conscious colleagues who can offer support, guidance, and camaraderie during those challenging times. Prioritizing collaboration and transparent communication is key to fostering a healthy work environment.
👩🏿💻 Call in your professional support network and delegate tasks when necessary, as sharing responsibilities can alleviate feelings of being overwhelmed.
🙅🏽♀️ Set boundaries with ALL clients and vendors! From your first consultation with a client, be clear about when you're contactable and what warrants an urgent response.
⌚ Establish your own boundaries too. Are you ever tempted to clear that inbox before bed? Well, most of the time, things can wait. If a mental to-do list is keeping you up at night, download your thoughts into a physical list or journal to help clear your mind and get much-needed rest.
📲 Work smarter with apps and tools that make your day-to-day workload easier and use features like 'Scheduled Send' to reply to clients/vendors within your prescribed working times to help those boundaries stay in place.
📆 Plan your post-event downtime! Sounds simple, but SO many of us neglect setting time aside to switch off. When it’s time for that coffee break, take a few minutes jotting down all the things you’d like to do when you have some time on your hands - whether it’s binge-watching that Netflix show, or booking an indulgent yoga retreat!
🧳 Make eco-friendly travel plans that allow you to rest! While driving might feel like the easiest option to plan, always consider booking trains or coaches for longer journeys, if possible. It’ll save you clocking up miles when tired, and allow you time to nap, relax or answer those emails! You can always rent a car at the other end to cover the final stretch.
Tip 2 - Remember to Put on Your Own Oxygen Mask First
When you’re in the midst of an event, working long hours, and juggling a million tasks, it’s important to make sure you have your basic human needs taken care of, in order to keep powering through.
💦 Stay properly hydrated by always carrying a reusable water bottle and ensure you’re getting adequate fluids.
🚫🍾 Avoid the booze! As much as you deserve that glass of wine (or two) try holding out until the end of an event, when you can also reward your body with enough sleep and healthy food to compensate for the alcohol.
⌛ Schedule breaks throughout the day and use these moments to step away from your work, stretch, take deep breaths, or engage in a quick mindfulness exercise. Decide on a few go-to self-care rituals and allot time for them during your breaks.
🥗 Have a plan for staying nourished and full of energy. While a constant supply of coffee and granola bars is a given for most event pros - you’ll feel miles better if you can also eat full meals that are packed with nutrients. Plan ahead by speaking to the venue/caterers about pre-ordering a few light meals. Or, make a mini cheat sheet in your notes app by listing nearby cafes or food courts and note down exactly what to order. This will minimize decision-making or stressful hunting around town for a decent lunch when you have 0 minutes to waste!
💤 Consistent, restful sleep is another crucial aspect of stress management, so aim for seven to nine hours whenever possible, to refresh your mind and body.
Tip 3 - Relax and Recover - You Deserve It!
As well as turning off that alarm clock for a few days, here are our go-to R&R tactics to fully recharge and prepare for the next busy spell.
💅🏽 Enjoy those pre-planned downtime activities! That’s right - it’s your time to kick back and enjoy the fruits of your labor.
🧑🏽🤝🧑🏿 Reconnect with friends and family. It might have been a hot second since you caught up with your bestie, went on a date with your partner, or joined your parents for dinner. Spend some time with your loved ones to help you recharge, offload from the past few weeks, and get caught up on everything going on outside of the event bubble you’ve been in.
🚵🏾 Refocus on any healthy rituals that went by the wayside during the event. Making sure relaxation techniques like meditation, exercise, or yoga are a part of your daily routine will make them more likely to stick even during the hectic summer months.
📝 Debrief and practice mindful reflection after every event. Clear your mind and unload any residual stress from an event, while giving yourself a huge pat on the back for all the amazing things that went well! Gather feedback and think about what you learned from the experience and how you can apply those lessons to future events.
By following these event season survival tips, you'll be well-equipped to handle the challenges of planning eco-friendly events while maintaining your well-being.
Let's keep the conversation going to inspire and support each other on our journey toward more sustainable event planning, even during our busiest season. Share your own well-being and self-care tips and strategies with us in the comments below.
