Don't Go To Your Holiday Party Stressed!

Holiday parties can have a big upside for your career--particularly with respect to internal networking and profile building.  They offer a chance to catch up with people you may not have worked with in a while but want to stay in touch with. They can be a venue to meet or get in front of someone you would like to work with but haven't gotten the chance.  Or, they can let you enjoy the company of those you do work with in a nicer, more relaxed environment. As an added benefit, people are generally in good moods around the holidays.
On the downside, free booze and food makes holiday parties fecund ground for overeating, drinking too much and even potential career or reputation missteps.


From my days in HR at a large law firm, I've broken up fights; saved marriages and spared otherwise awkward next morning moments; thwarted attempts at public urination; sent a fair number of merry-makers home in cabs; and kept grumpy humbuggers from negatively contaminating everyone's good cheer.  
 
Holiday party patrol was never fun but it was certainly eye-opening. But really, who hasn't overindulged at a holiday party? I'm certainly not throwing stones.



So, what's the culprit or common thread? It definitely comes down to stress.  And let's face it, stress at law firms at year end is just a big old given!  Year-end deals are trying are to close. Projects have hard & fast deadlines so the fortunate can get out on vacation. Throw in holiday shopping and stress is a constant year-end companion.

You need not put your career or your health goals in danger though if you heed these simple pre-holiday party tips:

1.) Stop and gage your level of stress.  If it's high, go for a walk around the block, pop on your head phones and listen to a soothing song or just take a few deep breaths.

2.) Eat a light, healthy snack before you go so that you're not starving when you get there. Hunger at a venue where there is unlimited access to food can easily derail your nutritional goals.

3.) Establish guidelines for eating and drinking before you go and be disciplined about them.  For example, maybe you will have only one of each appetizer and skip the carving station or cheese spread.  Or maybe you will avoid the dessert table.  And perhaps you will limit yourself to just wine or beer skipping the top shelf hard liquor & set a numerical limit.

4.) If you are concerned you may overindulge, buddy up with someone who can help keep you accountable and vice versa.

Other tips for once you're there:

1.) Alternate drinks with water.

2.) Situate yourself away from the bar and/or the food stations.  Having to get on line for things will help to create natural breaks and slow you down.

3.) Mingle and immerse yourself in conversation.  Engaging dialog can be a helpful distraction.

Now armed with these simple preventative measures, go enjoy yourself. This season only comes once a year.