Stress Management for Defence Team members: Tips for taking care of yourself and your family during the holidays

December 8, 2020 – Defence Stories

Brought to you by the HR-Civ Total Health Management team.

Do you find yourself overwhelmed with stress during the holiday season? If so, you are not alone!

The holidays are a time often filled with excitement and anticipation of celebrations with family and friends but stress and fatigue can put a major damper on the festivities. COVID-19 has further changed how Defence Team members will observe the holidays in 2020, as public health measures recommend continuing to stay socially distant from one another.

Stress is a normal response to situational pressures or demands, especially if they are thought to be dangerous or threatening. When stress becomes overwhelming and prolonged, the risks for mental health increase. Some examples of symptoms that may occur include but aren’t limited to: anxiety; depression; substance use; sleep problems. Other medical issues may include: muscle tension; headaches; gastrointestinal problems; weakened immune system; difficulty conceiving; high blood pressure; and cardiovascular disease and stroke)

Stress management is important to maintaining good mental health and wellness. Keep using the healthy strategies and tools which you may accessed to support you and your loved ones during the holidays. Check-in and connect with the people you care about and be mindful of how you are feeling. It is normal to experience a sense of loss which may involve losing a friend, a loved one, a job, a routine, a hobby, or anything else that has left our lives during these uncertain times. But remember, you are not alone!

There are many resources available to help you manage your stress as we approach the holidays, some of which include:

This month, join us for virtual webinars on Dealing with Stress, Finding Resilience, and the Health Canada Employee Assistance Services!

Total Health Management at the Department of National Defence

The Department of National Defence (DND)’s Total Health Management Team, includes subject matter experts from Mental Health and Well-being (Accessible only on the National Defence network.), the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) (Accessible only on the National Defence network.) and the Office of Disability Management (Accessible only on the National Defence network.). They provide mental health and well-being support to Defence Team members by providing access to tools, resources, and services. The team’s goal is to sustain a safe, supportive and respectful work environment where employees can thrive.

Get in touch with us!

Reach out to the EAP Corporate Office , the Mental Health and Well-being Corporate Office, or the Office of Disability Management.

Subscribe to the EAP distribution list to stay informed on mental health and wellness topics that matter to you, special events, and much more.

All Defence Team members have access to:

CAF members and their families have access to:

Related Resources

DND Civilian employees have access to:

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