How we get through tax season…dogs and food to the rescue!

Tax season is a time of both excitement and a little dread for accountants. It’s the time when we get to flex our accounting muscles and show off our skills, but it’s also a time when stress levels soar to new heights. The stress of tax season can manifest in various ways, from sleepless nights to endless paperwork. For starters, imagine staring at a spreadsheet for hours, trying to make sense of the numbers while your eyes glaze over. It’s like being trapped in a never-ending math class with no end in sight.

So, what do we do for stress relief during tax season at Hawkins & Co?  We combat it with dogs, enjoying food, and checking in with each other to make sure no one is burning out.  

Let’s start with the pups and what they bring to the table.  Having our pooches in the office helps each day but especially during tax season.  Here’s how: 

Built-in Stress Relief

Have you ever had a ruff day at work? Well, fear not! Dogs are experts at making people feel better. A quick pet or snuggle with a furry friend can instantly lower your stress levels and make you feel more relaxed. Plus, have you seen a dog’s face when they get belly rubs? It’s impossible not to smile.

Icebreaker Extraordinaire

Dogs are natural conversation starters. When someone walks by with their furry friend, it’s hard not to stop and say hello. Having a dog in the office creates a sense of community and can help break down barriers between coworkers who may not have interacted otherwise. Plus, who doesn’t love sharing stories about their pets?

Increased Productivity

Believe it or not, having a dog in the office can actually make you more productive. Taking breaks throughout the day to walk or play with a dog can help clear your mind and improve your focus when you return to your tasks. Plus, dogs are great at reminding us to take breaks and stretch our legs.

Free Entertainment

Let’s face it, some days in the office can be a bit boring. But with a dog around, there’s never a dull moment. From watching them play with toys to seeing their reaction to meeting new people, dogs provide endless entertainment that can boost morale and improve the overall office atmosphere.

And although our dogs take care of most of our stress – there are also tried-and-true methods, like:

Taking a Break

When you’re staring at a computer screen for hours on end, your brain can start to feel like mush. We encourage each other to take a break and step away from the computer. Go for a walk, grab a coffee, pet the dogs – sometimes these few minutes of downtime re-energize us to power on a little more.

Laughing it Off

Laughter is the best medicine, right? When the stress of tax season is getting us down, we take a few minutes to watch a funny video or read a silly meme. It may not solve all our problems, but it can certainly help to lighten the mood. We use our Slack channels to share funny videos, gifs, jokes, and more to get lighten the mood.

Exercise

Exercise is a great stress-reliever. Whether it’s a quick workout at the gym or a walk around the block (with the doggos), getting our bodies moving will help clear our minds and reduce stress levels.

Food

Eating well is also an effective way to combat stress during tax season. It’s easy to fall into the trap of grabbing quick and unhealthy snacks when we’re busy, but making an effort to eat nutritious meals can make a big difference in your overall mood and energy levels. We also make it a point to have a team lunch once a week during tax season.  This way it forces us all to put the spreadsheets down, take a break and have lunch as a team. Lots of laughter usually accompanies our lunches and we’ve even had clients comment on how stress-free we are during what is a very busy time.

In conclusion, tax season is undoubtedly a stressful time for us, but it doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom. We keep all of this top of mind, especially during this time of year, so we can ensure to relieve some of the stress and make it through tax season with our sanity intact. And we even have a little fun along the way.

~Danielle