How are holiday decorations already next to the jack-o’-lanterns at Costco?! Everyone seems to be thinking about—and stressing about—the winter holidays earlier each year. And that’s on top of the daily stress we already feel! Among working Americans, three-quarters of us regularly experience psychological and/or physical symptoms of workplace stress. This stress makes us fight with our loved ones, lie awake at night, and just plain feel burned out. Pile on holiday pressures, and we’re in for a season of stress!

Workplace stress costs employers $300 billion each year on health care and missed work days. The good news is, you can implement these quick and easy strategies now to reduce employee stress in time for the holidays!

1. Morale. Everyone loses when morale is down. So include regular time to celebrate your company and its amazing employees. Recognize good work regularly and in varying ways, from catered lunches, to gift cards, to thank-you notes, to early-release Fridays. Throw a holiday party. For many employees, feeling valued and included is the key to happiness!
2. Connections. Who doesn’t like to come to work with friends? Employees are at their best when they are happy, relaxed, and connected with their coworkers. Some employees will be naturally drawn to one another, but you can also encourage new connections. Try organizing groups, such as a lunchtime health and wellness club, a book club, regular Happy Hour meetings, or a company baseball team, to help employees get to know each other outside of work.
3. Rest periods. Employees are afforded rest and meal breaks throughout the day to refresh their bodies and minds. Encourage employees to take their meal breaks, ideally away from their desks. Consider placing a couch or two in a quiet space so employees can power-nap, or arranging a peaceful outdoor area to enjoy the fresh air. Also suggest that employees set alarms to remember their rest breaks; their Outlook or iPhone calendars can tell them to “take a break” every morning and afternoon until it becomes routine.
4. Exercise. Endorphins released during exercise are great for combatting stress! Try forming a fitness club, in which employees can coordinate their rest or meal periods to walk, do yoga, or work out together. Onsite gym equipment can help with this goal, or if your company is able, what about reimbursing all or part of employee gym memberships?
5. Charity. It feels good to give back to something bigger, especially during the holiday season. Consider organizing a team giving effort—adopt a family for the holidays, sponsor a toy drive, run for charity, build a house for a family in need—the possibilities are endless, and working together builds morale and connections.

We don’t need to be walking in a worried wonderland this holiday season. Getting a jump-start on workplace stress can help everyone stay cool and collected when the pressure heats up this winter.