If you are one of the ‘lucky ones’ rostered to work Christmas day today, then don’t despair – it’s not all doom and gloom.

Christmas day is what you make of it – it really is.

In fact in nearly 20 years of working in a shift working environment, I’ve had Christmas day off only three times – it’s just how it goes when you work irregular hours.

But is it really the end of the world? Are you really missing out on all of the fun and festivities of Christmas day?

Of course not. The day is what you make of it.

Just bring your Christmas spirit in to work (along with some of those naughty Christmas treats to share) – and you can have lots of fun joking around with your work mates. After all, when everyone is in the same boat there’s no point whining and complaining about it!

Sometimes being a shift worker is a really good thing because you can arrive at a Christmas venue after work and just sit down and eat. You don’t have to spend all of the morning cooking and preparing everything because you were quite literally – at work.

Now if you don’t like cooking (but you love eating) – then that has got to be a huge bonus!

So if you’re working this Christmas don’t be all doom and gloom. The holiday season is all about catching up with friends, family and loved ones plus eating and drinking way too much of all of the naughty stuff.

So wherever and whoever you’re celebrating Christmas with this year - bring in the turkey, trifle, chocolate and Christmas pud – stick on the Santa hat, eat lots of cake and you’ll be getting into the spirit of Christmas in next to no time.

P.S. – And remember, the diet can start next week!

If you’re a shift worker rostered to work Christmas this year, then don’t despair – because it’s not all bad.

Now don’t get me wrong, having to work on this festive day can certainly put a dampener on the holiday season.

But it doesn’t have to be that way.

You see Christmas is all about spending time with your friends and family, but don’t forget those you work with are somebody else’s friends and family too.

It’s a time when differences of opinion should be left at home, and to make the most of a work day that is usually much quieter than the norm.

And let’s face it – you really don’t want to spend the day feeling miserable.

So put on your Santa hat, bring in the Christmas goodies and be grateful for everyone and everything in your life right now.

If you focus on these things and just go into work and have as much fun as you can – your shift will go surprisingly fast and you’ll be home in next to no time.

And on that note, I would like to wish every shift worker around the world a wonderful Christmas and may 2011 bring you lots of love, laughter and happiness.

To your good health,

Kind regards,

Audra Starkey
[The Healthy Shift Worker]