Talking about mental health for event planners is a touchy subject. Event planners are some of the busiest people you’ll find, and we all know that sometimes it is not an easy job! As a social event planner, you have to handle a massive amount of mental and physical stress while also being adaptable. You are often pulled in several different directions at once, leading to mental health problems if not careful.
It’s not easy to maintain a healthy work-life balance when you are constantly juggling last-minute changes and demands from clients, while also coping with looming deadlines every day. Tack on dealing with financial concerns due to the Covid-19 pandemic and watching technology shift to a virtual world, most event planners are under a lot of stress.
The good news is that there are simple and enjoyable ways to improve your well-being. In this blog post, we will discuss mental health for event planners, including tips to help you better manage your mental health so that it doesn’t affect your work performance or cause you to miss out on important events in life!
“Why do we need to talk about mental health?” “I am just fine!”
The need for mental health care and management should not be taken lightly among event planners. There are so many responsibilities involved with the job and who has time to think about mental health? But whether you realize it or not, being an event planner can be strenuous and potentially lead to burnout.
Here are some helpful ways to care for your mental health and protect your work-life balance.
Be positive!
Why should meeting professionals be optimists? Professionals with an upbeat, positive outlook see opportunities where most people would only perceive obstacles or challenges. They are also better able to engage and inspire others.
What makes someone optimistic? Put simply, the belief that the future will be better than today. In theory at least, meeting professionals should have a more optimistic outlook on life because their work has a beneficial impact in so many ways, and they make others’ lives easier. Still, it’s important to remember that not everyone always feels this way, and it’s easy to let negative thoughts about an event get the better of us after it’s over.
When reflecting on what went well or didn’t go as planned during a big event, remind yourself that self-worth doesn’t just come from how successful things are in our professional lives. And if there is something you would change next time around (and let’s be honest here, that pretty much applies to all of us!), remember that embracing those mistakes allows us to grow and learn more for future events.
Take care of yourself first!
Whether you are working solo or as part of a team, it can be equally stressful. Event planners are in charge of ensuring every detail goes without a hitch and that the event is successful. Oh, no stress there! Poor mental health can cause a lack of energy and motivation to do your job well, potentially leading to even more anxiety about the work that needs to be done.
To take on all of the pressure, you need first and foremost to first take care of yourself. That means getting enough sleep, exercise, healthy food, and water throughout the day. These are essential if you want your body and mind to function effectively.
It’s easy to get so caught up in work, but the reality is this: to put on a good event, you must be healthy, calm and have a clear head. Make regular exercise a priority and be conscious of what and when you’re eating, ensuring that your food choices are well-balanced and nutritious. It may seem like extra work at first, but with a few small changes in lifestyle and some practice, you will notice how much more energy and focus you have when making decisions on behalf of clients and attendees.
Set your priorities for the day and schedule them on your calendar
The best way to protect your sanity is by prioritizing the most critical tasks for each day and making sure to put them in your calendar. When you’re feeling overwhelmed, it can be difficult to get anything done, or you simply find yourself jumping from one task to the next without much thought. Detailing a limited number of high-priority items in the morning (and again during your lunch break if necessary), provides clarity and structure to your day, making things much more manageable.
Include mindfulness exercises in your events
Many companies are starting to make self-care and mental health a priority by incorporating mindfulness breaks into events, including yoga and breathing techniques. Mindfulness breaks are a great idea because they help reduce team member turnover rates by contributing to a healthier, happier, and more productive workforce. Even if you work alone, consider scheduling some time-out each day to focus on you. There are a whole host of mindfulness videos online if you’re looking for some ideas to work into your break.
Be a good communicator
One of the main tasks as a planner is to combine everyone’s ideas and input. While you may know in your own mind what needs to be done, with clear communication, all those involved will be on board throughout each step leading up to an event and on the day itself. When your team knows exactly what it has to do, that will mean more stress-free events for you.
Go outside and breathe in some fresh air
A good way to relieve stress is simply by stepping away and getting outside where you can breathe a little deeper. When the work piles up, it’s easy to get stuck at your desk and overwhelmed by everything, but getting a breath of fresh air helps to relax and stay calm. It’s amazing how often we can be struggling to find the answer to a problem or issue and the answer comes to us only when we get away from a busy office.
Being outdoors allows you to reflect on what needs to be done to put an event together, or to forget about work completely for a little while and just clear your mind.
Make sure to get enough sleep
Whenever possible, get the recommended eight hours of sleep per night. This is real-life though and we understand it may not always be possible! Try and make sure that even if you get to bed late, or have to be up super early, the sleep you do get is deep and restful. A comfy mattress of the best size and dimensions could be your best companion. There’s lots of helpful advice available if you struggle sleeping. Suggestions include taking a warm bath, breathing and relaxation exercises, reading a book, avoiding spicy food and alcohol, and banning distractions such as your phone or laptop – creating a calm and restful environment is key to getting a good night’s sleep.
Virtual Physical Wellness Sessions
Consider using wellness sessions and collaborations such as yoga and meditation to stay connected and mentally on top of your event planning. Incorporating a virtual wellness component involving yoga, meditation, or similar activities to your schedule is an ideal way to add some self-care into your routine and maintain a positive mental state.
Virtual events platforms such as Everytale, allow the opportunity to create virtual wellness routines and also offer a ton of relevant event content to watch from wellness & motivation coaches, all from the comfort of your own home! Choose from a wide range of classes, programs, groups, or lessons across various fields of knowledge and watch them live or choose pre-recorded events.
The Bottom Line
Event planning as a profession has many demanding moments, but when everything comes together, it is extremely rewarding. Hopefully, we have been able to make you aware of how important your mental health and well-being is, both in terms of your work and personal life.
It can be all too easy to ignore or even be unaware of issues that need to be addressed, which could eventually lead to work burnout. However, with a few small, positive lifestyle changes involving self-care, you can make sure you’re taking the steps needed to look after yourself properly. Remember to take a step back from time to time and put yourself first – because when you are at your best, there is no doubt your events will be too.