Group Benefits that Boost Well-Being During the Holidays

Dave Dickinson
Senior Partner & Co-Founder, PRIME Benefits Group

Year-end is a busy stretch for everyone. Calendars get fuller and energy can dip, so it’s a natural time for burnout to creep in. Many employers already have helpful tools within their group benefits plan. They just need to bring them forward with employees need them most. 

Here are a few practical ways benefits can help employees stay steady during one of the busiest times of the year:

1 – Mental health support employees can use in December

Half of Canadians feel more stressed during this season, often because of finances, family expectations and limited time.

Most benefits plans already include coverage for psychologists, social workers, counsellors and psychotherapists. The challenge is that employees often forget what’s available or assume it will be too difficult to access.

A reminder goes a long way. Let your employees know:

• What mental health services are covered in your plan
• Whether they can choose their own practitioner
• If their amounts reset in January
• How to easily submit claims

Small nudges like this matter this month. When your team members remember they have support, they’re far more likely to use it before their stress turns into something bigger.

2 – EAPs are built for moments like this

Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) have evolved over the years. They still provide mental health support, but many now cover much more, including:

• Immediate, short-term counselling
• Support for stress, anxiety or low mood
• Help handling family challenges
• Financial guidance during a high-spend season
• Legal information
• 24/7 crisis support

We see EAP usage climb in December as people juggle holiday pressure, financial strain and the general weight of winter. The bigger surge often hits in January and February, once the holiday rush is over and the emotional and financial aftermath sets in. That’s when inquiries related to depression and money management are most common.

3 – Paramedical services help manage the physical side of stress

Tight shoulders, headaches, disrupted sleep and general tension are symptoms of burnout when it shows up physically. 

This is where paramedical services can help, such as massage therapy, physiotherapy, chiropractic care or acupuncture. These services can help reset or refresh employees before the strain turns into something bigger. And for people spending long hours at desks, driving in winter conditions or managing child care while meeting deadlines, one targeted appointment could help make December feel a bit more manageable.

This is also the time of year when many employees have unused coverage. A quick reminder to book before amounts reset in January can help them take advantage of support they already have.

4 – Spending accounts give employees flexible support

Health and wellness spending accounts give employees control over what reduces stress for them.

Depending on the plan, spending accounts may cover:

• Fitness classes or gym memberships
• Counselling beyond traditional paramedical limits
• Nutrition support
• Ergonomic home office equipment
• Mindfulness or sleep apps

A reminder of what’s eligible could give employees a few ideas they wouldn’t have considered.

Don’t Let Holiday Burnout Define the Season

Burnout won’t disappear when the calendar flips. 

Employees who feel overloaded in December often carry that weight straight into January. A few reminders can help your team use the support they already have and head into the new year feeling more balanced. 

Contact us today for help reviewing and improving your plan. We’re here to walk through it with you, no matter the season.