Pre-Christmas stress in Spain: why do we make more mistakes at work before the holidays?

Ignacio is the financial manager of a large multinational company. Like every year, the weeks leading up to the Christmas holidays are filled with tasks and he begins to feel anxious when he arrives at work. The end of the work year also means meeting tight deadlines, endless meetings, and completing the to-do list.

In addition to all this, there are social duties and commitments such as Christmas shopping and dinners with friends, colleagues, or family. Ignacio lives stressed and exhausted in the days leading up to the holidays, which increases the likelihood of making mistakes at work.

What happens in our brain that makes us more prone to making mistakes during this period?

Culture medium

Multitasking wreaks havoc

Modern life is already a breeding ground for multitasking, but during the holiday season, this phenomenon is exacerbated. We try to schedule meetings, finalize gifts, plan menus, and organize trips, all at the same time. This attempt to “do it all” triggers the process known as context switching, where the brain rapidly alternates between different tasks.

However, this constant change comes at a significant cost: it consumes mental energy, reduces efficiency, and increases the likelihood of making mistakes.

Studies in neuroscience have shown that multitasking can reduce productivity by up to 40% and negatively affect our decision-making ability. This is because the brain is not designed to handle multiple complex tasks simultaneously: each shift in focus requires a mental readjustment that consumes cognitive resources.

During the days leading up to the holidays, that fragmentation of attention is especially harmful, as the brain is also dealing with anticipation of social events and the expectations they bring.

Overcome

Cognitive overload and its impact on performance

Cognitive overload is a state in which the amount of information we process exceeds our mental capacity to effectively manage it. During this state, the executive functions of the brain, such as planning, problem-solving, and working memory, are severely affected.

As Christmas approaches, the stress generated by social and work commitments takes a toll on the body, releasing hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. While useful in emergency situations, these hormones can become harmful when stress is prolonged. In the workplace, this translates into increased reactivity and reduced ability to reflect, leading to a higher likelihood of making mistakes and acting impulsively.

Operation / Functioning

How does stress affect attention and memory

One of the most evident effects of pre-Christmas stress is the deterioration of attention. It is a limited resource, and when we try to divide it among multiple tasks, the amount of information we can process and retain is reduced. This, in turn, impacts working memory, directly linked to attention and crucial for carrying out activities that require concentration and decision-making.

For example, in the days leading up to a company dinner, it is common to try to juggle work tasks and event preparations simultaneously. This excess of demands not only deteriorates the quality of work, but also our ability to remember important details.

Moreover, the state of hyper-alertness generated by stress and anxiety affects the processes of memory consolidation, preventing relevant information from moving from short-term to long-term memory.

Worries

The negativity bias and Christmas emotions

The brain evolved to prioritize processing information related to threats or concerns. This is a phenomenon known as negativity bias, which tends to intensify in situations of chronic stress or anxiety, as indicated by numerous studies. This bias can create a distorted perception of reality, directing our attention towards issues or situations that make us feel insecure.

In the Christmas context, negative emotions such as sadness, anger, or hopelessness can be heightened by the pressure to “fit in” at social events or meet others' expectations. These emotions can, in turn, lead to avoidance or escape behaviors, fueling a vicious circle that hinders overcoming stress or anxiety and increases the likelihood of making poor decisions in all contexts, particularly in the workplace.

Guidelines

Strategies to remain calm

Although the holiday season brings many demands and cognitive consequences, it is possible to adopt strategies to manage stress and anxiety and thus reduce the likelihood of errors in the workplace.

1. Planning and prioritization: establish a task list and prioritize the most important ones. Delegating responsibilities can also be very helpful
2. Mindfulness techniques: practicing mindfulness can help us focus our minds on the present, reducing anxiety and improving concentration.
3. Digital disconnection: limit notifications and dedicate moments of the day to disconnect from electronic devices.
4. Rest time: incorporating regular breaks during the day can prevent cognitive overload and improve overall performance.
5. Self-care: getting enough sleep, maintaining a balanced diet, and exercising are essential to maintaining mental and emotional harmony.

The key is to recognize our limits and not demand more than we can handle by being assertive and organizing our priorities consciously and realistically. With good time management and strategies to alleviate stress, it is possible to meet the demands of the holiday season without compromising the quality of work or emotional well-being.