Listen: Psychologist Collett Smart shares her advice on how to avoid end-of-year burnout

While images of love and joy fill storefronts, TV screens and social media, for many people, the reality of the holidays isn’t so cheerful. Between stressful end-of-year deadlines, family dysfunction and the losses of a difficult year, this time can actually be quite tough.

Psychologist Collett Smart said end-of-year burnout is a real phenomenon recognised by the World Health Organization.

Many people feel pressure to complete tasks by the end of the year and push through to get to the break.

To minimise your risk of end-of-year burnout, Collett said it’s important to:

• Keep expectations realistic – don’t try to do too much
• Don’t compare yourself to what you see in other people’s social media feeds
• Keep up self-care – exercise, eat well and drink water
• Watch alcohol intake
• Consider volunteering or giving to someone less fortunate than yourself – volunteering and giving can reduce the isolation many feel at this time

Listen to psychologist Collett Smart talks about how to avoid end-of-year burnout in the player above.