How Benefits Can Support Employees Through Post-Holiday Stress

Stress from financial, physical and emotional circumstances tend to spike in January. Instead of feeling guilty for any over indulgences you may have made in the previous year, use January as an opportunity to reset. Many already do this with New Years’ Resolutions, but few are factoring in how their employee benefits can help them recover from overspending, overconsumption, or emotional overload. Employee benefits can be a part of a bigger reset after the social, financial, and logistical demands of the season. If used properly, benefits can help your employees recover in a whole-person way: they can help them develop healthier habits - financial, physical, and mental - that reduce costs long-term. 

Financial

Spending tends to peak during the holidays, although this year, more than one in three Canadians (36%) intend to cut back on holiday expenses. Nevertheless, 77% admit they’re vulnerable to overspending and many routinely go into the new year with post-holiday debt that needs to be managed. 

Many Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) offer financial coaching, financial counselling tools, or other financial resources designed to help employees regain control of their finances after periods of increased spending or stress. Employees can access personal budgeting support through their EAP, receive guidance on managing debt, and get help creating realistic short- and long-term financial plans. For many, having a confidential, judgement-free space to talk about money can be the first step toward reducing financial anxiety and rebuilding confidence.

When available, group savings plans can also play an important role in supporting financial recovery and future goal-setting. Using group RRSP matching or other employer-sponsored savings programs helps employees build financial wellness over time, even if they can only contribute small amounts. These programs encourage consistent saving, reduce decision fatigue, and reinforce long-term stability, which can be especially helpful after the financial strain many experience during the holidays.

Physical

There are also many benefits that can directly offset common January expenses, and for many people these costs fall within the realm of making physical and lifestyle changes. According to some studies, one third of Canadians choose fitness and nutrition as their top New Year's resolution. In fact, gym memberships surge 25-30% in January, with 12% of all annual gym sign-ups occurring in this single month. 

By using benefits they’re already entitled to, employees can focus on improving their physical wellbeing while easing financial pressure. For example, lifestyle or wellness spending accounts (LSA/WSAs) can be used for exercise classes or gym memberships instead of pricey subscriptions. These spending accounts can also be used for digital tools like meal planning apps or habit trackers, or for food-related purchases like a healthy meal delivery service. Some EAPs offer personalized counseling with dietitians, and employers can further support employees’ nutrition by offering subsidized healthy snacks or educational workshops on healthy eating.

Benefits such as physiotherapy, chiropractic care, massage therapy, and virtual care can also help employees address health goals without additional out-of-pocket costs. These services can play a preventative role, helping employees address minor injuries before they escalate and maintain overall wellbeing. Physical recovery after the holidays is also important: decorating, hosting, lifting grandkids, travel or long drives that are commonly associated with the holidays can be addressed with massage, chiropractic or physiotherapy coverage. 

Taking advantage of vision, dental, and paramedical benefits early in the year can help employees spread costs more evenly and avoid letting unused coverage go to waste. Many benefit plans reset annually, which means delaying care can result in missed opportunities to access services that are already paid for through premiums. Proactive use of these benefits supports a healthier, more engaged workforce. Preventative care can contribute to reduced absenteeism, fewer extended health claims over time, and improved employee satisfaction. Clear communication about benefit coverage, annual limits, and best-use strategies helps employees feel supported while reinforcing the value of the benefits program as a meaningful part of their total compensation.

Mental

January’s wintery mix, combined with the exhaustion from holiday expectations and post-holiday stock-taking of overindulgence, often leads to fatigue and low mood. There are many benefits that can help employees deal with the mental and emotional hangovers that often follow the holidays. For example, lifestyle or wellness spending accounts (WSA/LSA) can be used to purchase meditation apps, which can help improve mood, reduce stress and anxiety, and improve focus. Equally, the purchase of a sleep app can help you improve your levels of rest through features like smart alarms, guided meditations, calming sounds, and sleep tracking. 

Often, post-holiday stress is related to spending over the holidays, but not always. Many EAPs offer 24/7 confidential phone support, immediate emotional support and triage, access to trained counsellors for short-term support and referrals for longer-term support when needed. Services like therapy or counselling can help employees with post-holiday stress recovery. 

There are many mental health resources available to people who are struggling all year, but especially after the holidays. It is part of the duty of care for employers to proactively sign-post to these resources. It is important to take care of yourself, even when money is tight, and group benefits can help employees do just that, without additional costs. Communicating proactively and without judgement can help employees realize the opportunities that lie within employee benefits they’re already entitled to and feel more confident accessing them during what is often a stressful and difficult time of year.