Working long hours in a hospitality career can be rewarding, but also stressful. You may have to deal with demanding customers, tight deadlines, unpredictable situations, and physical exhaustion. How can you manage your stress levels and avoid burnout? Here are some tips to help you cope with the challenges of your job and maintain your well-being.
The first step to managing your stress is to identify what triggers it. Is it a specific task, a colleague, a boss, a customer, or something else? Once you know what causes you stress, you can try to avoid it, change it, or accept it. For example, if you find a certain task overwhelming, you can delegate it, break it down, or ask for help. If you have a conflict with someone, you can try to resolve it, communicate better, or distance yourself. If you can't change or avoid a stressor, you can try to adjust your attitude and perspective towards it.
Understanding that few years ago hospitality industry did demand long hours of working however the trend has changed and there is Work Life Balance monitored. Every company now is promoting awareness in regards to Stress Management. It's better to see every situation as an opportunity to learn and explore rather considering it as a stressful situation.
Work place flexibility is the key. Agility at workplace is need of an hour across all levels. The only way forward is to create an environment that will promote flexible working hours and change old practices of our industry. Manning has to be optimum at all levels and designed in a way that working hours are considered for three shifts and relievers are considered on week offs. And to make everything streamlined, government should definitely enforce law that will help employer to monitor working hours for employees.
First off, assuming that hospitality boils down to merely working long hours misses the point. While we do experience busy periods like restaurant rushes, Sunday check-ins after a packed weekend, or submitting yearly budgets to head office, effectively managing stress relies on our ability to plan and organize beforehand. Hospitality is about anticipating the unexpected and strategizing ahead of time.
Working in hospitality comes with long hours and alot of stress with the everchanging guest & event requirements. I would recommend the below: 1) find yr friends in the company. they may not be from your department, eg you're in sales, but someone whom you may click well could be from Banquet, front office, or even reservations team 2) find a hobby. most of the time we say we dont have time for leisure activities - well i say even if i were to list watching variety shows as my hobby, it's an activity i truly enjoy 3) learn to say no - in a nice way of course. many times in hospitality instructions come from top down. dont take them personally - everyone else is in the same boat as you. it's situational based. we get it done, and move on.
Like most industries, there has been a re-haul in the hospitality industry and the longer graveyard shifts that were earstwhile romantisized, are no more a norm. Here are my key takeaways on managing stress induced due to long working ours: - Mental and physical well being, making time for activities outside of works. - Timely breaks -both short in between shift breaks and longer, clean, away from work breaks. - Build a strong community of people at work - colleagues, freinds, mentors - that can guide and provide a listening ear and sounf advice.
The second step to managing your stress is to practice self-care. This means taking care of your physical, mental, and emotional health. You can do this by getting enough sleep, eating well, exercising regularly, and staying hydrated. You can also find healthy ways to relax and unwind, such as meditating, reading, listening to music, or spending time with friends and family. Avoid using alcohol, drugs, or tobacco as coping mechanisms, as they can worsen your stress and health.
Take a breath and explore whatever city you’re in! Treat yourself to a delicious meal. Savor the experiences you usually create for others!
Self Care plays an intrensic role in the life of a hospitality professional. Love yourself and you will love others. Taking care after one's physical and mental health results in a positive outlook towards life and this will enable you to be a better person. Amidst long hours of work and tight deadlines it is upon us to take some time off to do some form of exercise or physical activity, meditation, deep breathing that help relax the body and mind. Spending time with loved ones or like minded groups of people creates a sense of belonging and purpose. To serve others selflessly requires self love.
Practicar el autocuidado es esencial para mantener el equilibrio en una carrera exigente como la hostelería. La Dra. Elizabeth Scott, experta en gestión del estrés, destaca la importancia de dedicar tiempo a actividades que promuevan el bienestar físico y emocional. Esto incluye seguir una dieta saludable, hacer ejercicio regularmente y practicar técnicas de relajación como la respiración profunda o la meditación. Además, el Dr. Amit Sood, profesor de medicina en la Clínica Mayo, se?ala que el autocuidado no solo reduce el estrés, sino que también fortalece la resiliencia, ayudándote a enfrentar mejor los desafíos laborales.
One of the biggest causes for stress for many people is lack of time management. While your work load expands, you know that you only have limited hours in a day. Manage your time to manage your work by organising, prioritizing and scheduling. Sometimes just laughing it off helps immensely. Laughing releases endorphins and decreases the levels of stress causing hormones.
Always aim to maintain a positive outlook. After putting in long hours of work, it's important to reward yourself. Whether it's treating myself to a spa day, soaking up the sun at the beach, indulging in a binge-watching session, or spending quality time with friends on the weekend, these moments of relaxation are essential.
The third step to managing your stress is to set boundaries and priorities. This means learning to say no to unreasonable requests, demands, or expectations. You can't do everything for everyone, and you have to respect your own limits and needs. You can also prioritize your tasks and goals, and focus on the most important and urgent ones. You can use a planner, a calendar, or a to-do list to organize your time and tasks. You can also delegate or outsource some of the less essential or enjoyable ones.
When you say "yes" to one thing, you're saying "no" to something else that may be more important to you. Learning to say "no" in order to prioritize your own needs enables you to be fit and share your personal mastery with the world.
We will always have balls in the air as a leader, it’s a matter of determining which ones are a crystal ball that day. Meaning, if it drops it will shatter. This is how you prioritize. And boundaries, these will help you be a better human being by taking care of yourself and your energy. You only have so much energy and to approach leadership with calm determination, strategy and perspective, you have to set boundaries for yourself and your team.
My personal experience -Create a strong team that can support you when needed. -Exercising is a great way to release stress -set clear, expectation, and timelines. -communication is also a key element between the people your working with and your family - prioritizing task and delegate them accordingly -with having two young kids always trying to get enough sleep when possible -and last but not least remember to take a break , my team always ask “ did you eat anything Chef? ! All the best Culinary regards Arnaud Masset
We all need to set boundaries for ourselves. It's the right thing to do. Ask for assistance if you know the task at hand is beyond your scope. Prioritize and deligate.
Although this may be difficult in some roles, it’s really important to set clear boundaries between work and personal life in hospitality. Try to avoid bringing work-related stress home and create dedicated time for relaxation and leisure activities. This separation is essential for maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
The fourth step to managing your stress is to seek support and feedback. This means reaching out to your colleagues, managers, mentors, or peers for help, advice, or encouragement. You can also join a professional network, a community group, or an online forum to connect with other people in your field and share your experiences and challenges. You can also seek feedback from your customers, clients, or guests to improve your performance and satisfaction. You can use surveys, reviews, or testimonials to gather feedback and learn from it.
It’s important to prioritize self care and establish boundaries between work and personal time. Also connect with colleagues for emotional support and share experiences and schedule regular breaks to recharge.
Join a trade union, learn about your rights, and stop accepting workplace exploitation. Nothing helps more against an abusive working environment than the trade union system. Long hours in any sector, hospitality included, only indicate a mismatch between people's excessive workload and their actual working time, a mismatch that management is not willing to solve by hiring the necessary workforce or by reducing the workload (as that would cut into profits). Don't stand for it. If you're unable to renegotiate your hours to a level that works for you, leave.
Demanding hours and multi-tasking is part of what you do. You'll have to accept this but manage your time well so that you will not be overwhelmed. If you cannot take a formal break, walk fast-get that blood flowing, it also releases the seretonin in your brain and energizes. I see no point in belabouring the point with malcontents-just get on with it and take care of you.
Get to know your regular customers and enjoy their company as much as possible. Find something that switches your mind off the business as soon as you leave - a radio programme in the car, a book when you get in. Take at least one day a week just to see friends and go out somewhere/do something fun. Have clear boundaries about what time you finish - don't squeeze in last minute diners. Your kitchen staff need to finish and get home and so do you.
Es clave rodearse de un buen equipo humano en el que apoyarse y delegar, a quien pedir consejo y que nos pueda cubrir cuando la situación lo requiera, así como fortalecer las relaciones con los compa?eros. También tener unas expectativas realistas en cuanto a lo que supone nuestro trabajo y sobre lo que otros van a esperar de nosotros y si es lo mismo que podemos realmente ofrecer, ya que muchos conflictos surgen del choque de expectativa vs. realidad. Por último, es imprescindible aplicar asertividad y firmeza a la hora de establecer nuestros límites y de comunicarlos, ya que esto nos permitirá desconectar (no llevarnos el trabajo a la cama), disfrutar del tiempo libre (que debemos tener, aunque sea a deshoras) y mantener la salud mental
The fifth step to managing your stress is to learn and grow. This means taking advantage of the opportunities and challenges that your job offers to develop your skills, knowledge, and confidence. You can also seek new experiences, roles, or projects that challenge you and expand your horizons. You can also pursue further education, training, or certification to enhance your qualifications and career prospects. You can also celebrate your achievements, milestones, and successes, and reward yourself for your hard work.
Keep weekends for you and spend time with your family and friends. Create some time for your hobbies. Do respect other’s free time and try not to call or send email during the day off.
That's why I let you work Saturdays, Sundays, PM and graveyard shift. I was developing you and it worked. I imagine you owe me a deep appreciation for giving you the best shifts. You were my favorite.
Stress and struggles are key factors in becoming a world class leader. Looking for the good in adversity makes you stronger. You form the skills to work through it and come out better. Take the long view. In the short term it will be challenging. Yet, in the long run it strengthens and shapes your character.
Learning and growing is vital in this industry. It is so easy to get lost in the Events World and become laser focused on your tasks. Always take a step back and realize what you’re learning from this, and where you can take it in the future. You can learn from each challenge. Trust me in this industry, you learn something new every day. The experience, knowledge and growth are worth it.
use the longer hours to learn and grow knowledge until you learn proper time management on what ever you doing and avoiding stress
The sixth and final step to managing your stress is to have fun and enjoy. This means finding joy and meaning in your work, and appreciating the positive aspects of your job. You can also have fun and enjoy your hobbies, interests, and passions outside of work, and balance your work and personal life. You can also express your creativity, personality, and style in your work, and add some humor, fun, and flair to your interactions. You can also be grateful for the opportunities, experiences, and people that your job brings to your life.
Long hours are your choice, which becomes a habit and you regret later. Management does not say that you have to work for 12 or 16 hours, but to please and impress the big bosses ,we choose to stay back. Not going ourselves nor letting the team go. Quality work can only for 6 hours maximum 8 hours with breaks after that the mind stops functioning only the body remains. For stress management, now there are staff cafés plus gym and recreation rooms. They are also teaching meditation and yoga. There would soon be life coaches and therapist for the team to consult. Don’t make long working hours your habit as you must remember that there is your family waiting for you at home. Guilt is more difficult to handle than regret. Think about it
The final step to managing stress is all about having a blast! Find joy and meaning in your work, and appreciate the positive aspects. Don't forget to enjoy your hobbies, let your creativity shine, and add some flair to your interactions – a little humor goes a long way! Be grateful for the opportunities and awesome people your job brings into your life. Let's turn that stress into zest!
Be passionate about your job and if you enjoy working in hospitality make every moment full of fun which down the line watches you and they also follow the same and trust me how time flies with your creativity and indulging yourself with guest or team mates you yourself don't believe and never stop learning at each stage and each day. I believe in this mantra to be successful.
If you are not having fun in what you do, the only remedy is to change the way you approach your work to make you happy or change the work itself and find something in a position that will make you happy. Simply waiting for things to change will not result in you finding that joy and happiness in your work you hope will materialize, you need to be that agent of change. Having passions, interests and activities outside of your work space help you to do that, your job cannot be the thing that defines you, you must define your position.
I've dedicated many years to the same industry, often going above and beyond the standard work hours. I firmly believe that every endeavor brings enlightenment in the end. I strive to cherish every moment and harbor no regrets. While hard work is essential, maintaining a balance between work and enjoyment is equally crucial :)
My strategy is to maintain a positive mindset and cultivate a love for the job. Viewing work as a passion and a source of motivation can help to alleviate stress and keep you engaged and fulfilled in your role. Additionally, when you leave work, make a conscious effort to switch off mentally and emotionally. I personally embrace the idea that "every day is a life on its own," you can let go of any lingering stress or worries from the previous day and start anew with a positive outlook. This perspective encourages resilience and adaptability, empowering you to tackle challenges with a sense of optimism and confidence.
-Dont stick to the past: You cannot change the past. On the contrary, think what you can change tomorrow -Be positive: Having positive thoughts always create a positive mindset which greatly reduce stress, from the other hand having negative thoughts imcreases the stress levels and then you dont have a clear mindset. -Change your habits: start reading books before going to bed, maintain a regular schedule sleeping and waking up every day. -Excercise: start a new sport like going to the gym 3 times per week or go for a walk, will really help you.
Long are fun if there’s room for creativity and Ingenuity and abiiity to bring in your own style and touch. That creates a sense of ownership and small wins make a huge difference. Mechanical work or blind following instructions gets monotonous and builds fatigue. Having said that it’s important create windows for recreation and a life out there. I have always believed there has to be a passion for room for some hobby or activity outside the work place.
General Manager - Hospitality Manager - Hotels - Tourism - Travel - Hospitality
Always be as ready as possible and as prepared as possible. Always plan in advance and spread the load over days. Fail to prepare and prepare to fail. Last minute doesn’t work.
Quit! There's more to life than work, and the work life balance in hospitality is awful. So re-evaluate if you're working to live or living to work.