I don’t buy into the “wellness industrial complex”. I see “wellness” as a way to get women to buy things they don’t need, and I’m not into it.

But I do believe that if you work in nonprofit work – whether in programs, leadership, or fundraising – you need to take care of yourself. It is even more important at the end of the year when the hours are long and the stress can mount.

I heard the term “micro moments of stress management” the other day and it really resonated. I am recommending to my clients that they consider building these moments into the day. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Build in time each day for the tasks that feel most challenging. Maybe it’s writing reports or following up with donors to pay their pledges. Schedule 25 minute time blocks and then close out all distractions as you sit down and focus. Then get up from your desk and take a 5 minute break. Rinse and repeat. I find that knocking out these tasks early in the day helps me feel successful and less stressed.

2. Schedule breaks. I can’t stress this one enough! No pun intended. It’s tempting to want to plow through donor calls, acknowledgement notes, and other tasks. But after about an hour, our focus and productivity declines. Schedule in 10 minute breaks throughout the day. I like to assign myself a task during this time. Maybe it’s making myself more coffee or refilling my water bottle. Having a task that I need to do during this time means that I will actually get up from my desk.

3. Pace yourself. It’s easy to log long hours this time of year. Before assuming you need to work long hours, map out what you actually need to do and when it needs to be done. Look day by day, week by week, month by month. I find that when I actually create a roadmap of what I need to do, it feels less stressful.

4. Eyes on the prize. In busy times, I guard my discretionary time. I schedule activities that make me feel good. Things like a weekend hike with my family, a morning coffee with a friend, or a networking dinner really energize me. I lean into those activities and leave behind things that drain me. That may mean declining things that I may enjoy at a different time of year. But when I’m pressed for time, I need to be discerning.

FAQ

Why focus on wellness for nonprofit professionals? 
End of year is traditionally a busy time for nonprofit professionals. It is important to manage stress in order to be to achieve objectives and goals. 

What are ways nonprofit professionals can manage stress?
Managing schedules to include time for challenging tasks and breaks can help to ensure key deadlines and tasks are met. Maintaining an appropriate pace of work can help as well.

What are the benefits of focusing on stress management at the end of the year?
During busy times, nonprofit professionals can easily become overloaded. Managing workload and stress can help to support a better mood and outlook, as well as boosting productivity.