Beating Burnout: How Hospitality Teams Can Stay Resilient During Peak Season

Supporting Hospitality Teams Through the Holiday Rush: Addressing Burnout & Mental Health

The holiday rush can be both exciting and exhausting for people working in hospitality. Whether you manage a restaurant, lead a hotel team, or serve guests at a bar, the peak season often brings heavier workloads, longer hours, and elevated expectations. Over time, that intensity can lead to stress — and for many frontline workers, burnout.

Recognizing the Warning Signs

Burnout doesn’t usually happen all at once. Some common early indicators include:

• Persistent fatigue or low energy

• Irritability or increased conflict with colleagues

• Emotional detachment from guests or coworkers

• Feeling overwhelmed by tasks that used to feel manageable

• Cynicism, decreased motivation, or a lack of engagement

Spotting these early helps prevent deeper morale or performance problems later on.

How to Support Your Team During Peak Season

1. Keep Communication Open

   • Host regular check-ins — these could be brief one-on-ones or quick team huddles.

   • Foster a safe, judgment-free space for people to share how they’re doing.

   • Be intentional about listening: sometimes, just being heard makes a huge difference.

2. Plan Ahead to Prevent Chaos

   • Build out your holiday schedule early, making sure shifts are balanced and fair.

   • Clarify roles, responsibilities, and expectations so people know what’s coming.

   • Include contingency plans for unexpected absences — the holidays always bring surprises.

3. Lead with Empathy

   • Encourage your team to take rest breaks — even short ones help.

   • Recognize and appreciate hard work, whether publicly or in private.

   • Model self-care yourself: if managers prioritize well-being, it gives permission to everyone else to do the same.

Why This Matters

Addressing burnout isn’t just about managing stress in the moment — it’s about building a culture of care, communication, and understanding. When hospitality teams feel supported and valued, they’re far more able to show up fully for guests, even during the busiest times.

By combining proactive planning with empathy and open dialogue, you help create an environment where both employees and guests can thrive — no matter how hectic the season gets.

Mental Health Resources & Support

To supplement your workplace efforts, here are some trusted, free or low-barrier mental health resources — especially helpful for hospitality workers (or anyone) in Calgary, Alberta:

• Mental Health Commission of Canada
  Their website has a wealth of national resources and policies around mental health in the workplace. Therapy Alberta+1

  • For a specific standard focused on mental health and well-being (including for workplaces), check out their “National Standard for Mental Health and Well-Being.” Therapy Alberta+1

• Calgary Distress Centre
  24/7 crisis support by phone, text, or chat. https://www.calgary.ca You can call them at 403-266-HELP (4357). actiondignity.org

• Access Mental Health (Alberta Health Services)
  A non-urgent but clinically focused support line. Call 403-943-1500 — no referral needed. https://www.calgary.ca

• Community Connect YYC
  A Calgary-based network that offers low-cost and barrier-free counselling (in-person or virtual). Some services are free, others operate on a sliding scale. communityconnectyyc.ca+1

• Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) – Calgary
  Peer support and community navigation services are offered for free. CMHA Calgary

• Minds Over Matter Mental Health Society
  Provides barrier-free counselling (ages 18–35, income-based) for individuals with low income. Minds Over Matter

• Therapy Alberta
  Offers free private therapy for those impacted by trauma. Therapy Alberta

• Calgary Public Library Wellness Desk
  Free mental health support, resources, and referrals. Calgary Public Library

• Calgary Counselling Centre – Mental Health Navigator
  A free, confidential resource for employees and employers to connect to mental health services and get support navigating options. Calgary Counselling Centre

Final Thought

Supporting mental health isn’t an afterthought — it’s central to how your team functions, especially during the holidays. By combining practical workplace strategies with accessible mental health resources, you help safeguard your team’s well-being — which in turn strengthens your capacity to deliver excellent service when it matters most.