Mental Health and Wellbeing for Event Planners

Event planning is often glamorised as a fast-paced, exciting career, and while it certainly can be rewarding, it also comes with significant stress and challenges. The pressure to deliver flawless experiences, juggle multiple stakeholders and respond to the unexpected can take a toll on even the most seasoned planner.

As the industry evolves, so too does our understanding of wellbeing. Event professionals are increasingly prioritising sustainable workloads, flexible working practices and smart use of technology to ease the burden. Here are some key stressors to be mindful of, and practical strategies to help you thrive.

The Stressors of Event Planning

Understanding where stress comes from is the first step to managing it. Some of the biggest challenges planners face include:

• High Expectations: Clients often expect perfection. The desire to deliver seamless events on tight budgets and timelines can be overwhelming.
• Long Hours and Deadlines: Evening site visits, weekend events and relentless timelines leave little room for rest, leading to burnout.
• Problem-Solving Under Pressure: Quick thinking is part of the job, but constant firefighting can be mentally draining.
• Client & Vendor Management: Miscommunications, shifting expectations and negotiation challenges all add to the stress.
• Always-On Culture: With WhatsApp, Slack and email at our fingertips, switching off outside of work hours can feel impossible.

Tips for Improving Mental Health and Wellbeing

While the role is demanding, there are effective ways to protect your wellbeing and enjoy a healthier work-life balance:

• Prioritise Self-Care: Make time for activities that recharge you, whether that’s a morning run, yoga or time with loved ones.
• Set Boundaries: Establish clear working hours and digital limits; it’s okay not to be “always on.”
• Delegate and Collaborate: Lean on your team and trusted vendors. Sharing responsibility fosters stronger collaboration and eases pressure.
• Set Realistic Goals: Manage expectations with clients early, and avoid overcommitting to avoid underdelivering.
• Use Tech Wisely: Lean on tools and apps to manage time, automate tasks and stay organised. AI support is now making a real difference for planners.
• Continuous Learning: Attend industry workshops, webinars, and conferences, not only to grow your skills, but to connect with peers who understand the challenges.
• Incorporate Wellness Practices: Techniques like meditation, deep breathing or short breaks during the day can help reset your focus.
• Physical Health Matters: Regular exercise, good nutrition and sleep are foundational for reducing stress and improving resilience.
• Champion Inclusion: Be mindful of diverse working styles in your team. Supporting neurodiverse colleagues or introducing flexible work options can create a healthier environment for everyone.

Getting Support When It’s Needed

No one should feel they have to manage stress alone. If you’re struggling, reaching out for help can make a huge difference. There are fantastic resources available specifically for mental health and workplace wellbeing:

• Mind – Practical advice and support for anyone experiencing stress or mental health challenges.
• EventWell – The official mental health and wellbeing voice of the events industry, offering resources, support groups, and awareness campaigns.
• Samaritans – Free, confidential support 24/7 if you’re feeling overwhelmed.

Alongside professional help, it’s also important to create structures that ease pressure in your daily work. For event planners, that might mean:

• Building a strong support network within your team.
• Setting boundaries with clients and vendors.
• Using tools and services that reduce repetitive admin and free up your energy for the work you love.

Hire Space 360, together with our AI assistant, is designed to ease the logistical burden of event planning, helping planners focus on creativity and reduce their workload. But whether you find support through technology, colleagues or external resources, the most important thing is recognising that you don’t have to carry the stress alone.

For more insights on maintaining wellbeing in the workplace, check out Embracing Wellbeing in the Workplace: Strategies for a Healthier 2026

Author

Gemma Baker

Gemma loves all things social media and keeps busy by creating lots of Hire Space content. When she’s not creating content, you'll find her shopping, exploring or at the gym!

Read more