Holidays in Healthcare: Ways to Spread Joy to Celebrate the Season

While most people think the holidays are times filled with joy and cheer, for some, it can be difficult, especially in hospitals. In addition to sick patients who would rather be home, to the tired staff just wanting to spend time with their families, and the patient's loved ones worrying about them, it can become overwhelming. What can hospitals do to counteract this and try to lift everyone's spirits?

Decorations

Most hospitals try to create a jolly holiday atmosphere through the use of decorations. From Christmas trees to Menorahs, many holidays are celebrated and respected throughout different facilities. One hospital system goes as far as putting a mega Christmas tree on the roof of every building they have to signify the season! There have been studies noting how decorating can show a sense of friendliness, and psychologist Deborah Serani notes that decorating "does create that neurological shift that can produce happiness," giving you the perfect excuse to break out the lights and decorate to lift your team's overall morale!

Here at Pycube, we make sure to decorate our offices right after Thanksgiving to appreciate the decorations for as long as possible before they're packed away for the year again. We make it a team effort and play holiday music as we decorate to make it a fun and cheerful experience!

Traditions

Traditions such as exchanging cards with your team members or having a secret Santa / white elephant gift exchange are staple events in company holiday culture. It doesn't have to be a big event, and spending limits can be imposed to keep it lighthearted and fun. Another great way to celebrate is to have your team cook meals (if time allows) that are important to them during the holidays. Not only will your team get to experience delicious food, but you'll get to hear from everyone about what the dish means to them, allowing everyone to deepen their bonds.

Cheerful Attire

It's not always realistic for your entire team to change uniforms for one season, but allowing additions to the uniform, such as pins, could allow for a little extra holiday flare! If possible, your team could stick to dressing in the colors of the holiday they celebrate. For example, blue and white for Hanukkah and red and green for Christmas as a constant reminder of giving season.

Holiday Movies

Most patient rooms and waiting rooms have TVs, and this can be a great way to get people in the holiday spirit. If the rooms have DVD players in them, having a collection of movies available for the patients to choose from could be a positive distraction for them to get their mind off of what they're going through.

Spread the Holiday Spirit!

Hospitals make efforts to lift everyone's spirits during the holiday season through decorations, traditions, cheerful attire, movies, music, and more. By creating a festive atmosphere, hospitals aim to provide a sense of joy and cheer to both staff and patients. Engaging in holiday traditions and festivities allows teams to bond and create meaningful connections while incorporating holiday-themed attire and movies can bring a sense of comfort and distraction for patients. The holidays may be a difficult time for some, but these initiatives can help brighten everyone's day.

Does your team have any holiday traditions? Let us know by tagging us on LinkedIn!