Stressing Less: Smart Tips for Meeting and Event Professionals

In today's fast-paced, ever-connected world, mental health is gaining more attention-especially in the workplace. Juggling multiple projects, hard deadlines, customer satisfaction and significant travel can all contribute to a heightened level of stress. For meeting and event planners, it's often the norm. We asked some of our experienced planners how they manage stress and care for their mental health.

If you are a meeting or event planner, chances are you thrive in fast-paced environments and consider traveling the world the ultimate work perk. But how do you avoid burn out? Amidst all the busyness of events, it’s important to focus on your own well-being and that includes taking care of your mental health. 

Stress management tips for meeting and event planners

Take a break

Even if it's not a full hour, take time to decompress during your work day. Step outside for fresh air, do desktop meditation, or simply eat your lunch in the break room-not at your desk!

Establish work-life balance

Take time for yourself after work. Do something you enjoy, even if it's as simple as cooking a meal, watching your favorite television program or reading a book. Anything that is important to you should always be maintained. 

Stay positive

Simple practices of gratitude can immensely improve your mental health. On your way to work, focus on three things you're grateful for. As you fall asleep, recap three things that went well that day. At the office, surround yourself with "good vibes," such as cheerful desk decor or positive quotes.

Remember to have fun

Take advantage of work travel by making time to explore your surroundings. It's a great opportunity to learn more about an area, schedule site visits and network. Overall, it will help you enjoy being on-site, making work relevant and fun.

Stress Management Tips for Planners, from Planners

Symran Lee
Account Executive
London, United Kingdom

"Don’t check your emails right before you go to sleep or when you first wake up in the morning. It will prevent you from falling asleep as quickly, leading to you to think about work when you should be focusing on recharging. If you check email when you first wake up, you are allowing yourself to go off track on what you should be doing and perhaps prioritizing something that another person needs from you instead. This is still your personal time and you can check your emails when you get to work."

Joycelyn Hoh
Director, Event Solutions
Singapore
         

"Being on-site and running a show or event is often one of the most stressful times. Ensuring that you take time to exercise-either by hitting the gym or the hotel pool, taking a little time to meditate or going for a stroll really helps with de-stressing and also with keeping up the energy levels and maintaining a balance."

Read how to incorporate mindfulness when planning meetings and events

Elena Covarrubias 
Manager, Attendee Services
Mexico City, Mexico

"Detach from the situation. Sounds a bit complicated, especially when we have a passionate personality as many of us have, but, when we don't take things personally, it can be easier to make decisions, to be practical and even prioritize in a more efficient way. Sometimes I ask myself, 'what do I have to do to get things done and move a project along?' which helps me to negotiate or communicate better."

Carolyn Dawes
Project Manager
Atlanta, U.S.A.

"I utilize the To-Do Bar in Outlook to create task lists, and I don’t know what I would do without it. Between juggling different meeting types and all having different deadlines, it helps me keep track of all my client deliverables. I create a task for everything, whether it be following up on a question, sending a final confirmation e-mail, monitoring registration numbers, reporting deadlines, etc.; it holds me accountable, so nothing goes unmissed. I can move tasks around, based on urgency and as new things arise. It gives me a snap shot of what to expect each day and week, keeping me organized."

Spend 90 Seconds with Jenna Baker, BCD M&E Director of Performance Optimization, as she shares additional stress management tips for meeting and event planners.