Many of us are affected by low mood, and lack of motivation as the weather turns colder, and it gets darker earlier. Although the ‘winter blues’ are temporary for most, it is still worth recognising how the change in season affects people in your workplace, and understanding how you can support your employees and their mental health through this period.
As winter approaches, it is important for leaders to actively promote opportunity for their employees to engage with initiatives that will boost their well-being. Here are a few you can start with:
Allow extra flexibility
Where possible, allow flexibility with start and finish times. For some it might be harder to get up in the morning, or others might want to finish work earlier to catch the last bit of daylight before they head home.
Head Outside
Encourage your team to take advantage of daylight, and to get some fresh air. Heading outside whenever possible for a walking meeting or to have your lunch means you might catch a bit of extra Vitamin D. Or nighttime and see what you have been missing.
Natural Light
If you have office windows, make sure there is nothing blocking sunlight entering. Making sure the windows are regularly cleaned will also allow more sunlight to enter your space.
Workplace Belonging
Create opportunity for your teams to connect, catchup and collaborate. Creating community within your organisation can boost morale, resilience and feelings of inclusion. Consider a lunch time walking group, a social chat group on your instant messaging platform (Pet pictures and updates is always a hit), or a weekly shared lunch.
Eat Well
Encourage your team to keep to a healthy, balanced diet to support their immune system and boost mood. Try having fruit and herbal tea readily available in the office, and encourage employees to share their healthy recipes in an online workplace cook book.
Stay Moving
It’s easy to park our exercise regime when it gets colder and darker. But regular exercise has a long list of benefits including reducing feelings of anxiety and depression, boosting energy levels and improving quality of sleep.
The winter blues is not a medical term, it is fairly common, and usually clears up on it’s on. On the other hand, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a clinical diagnosis related to reduced daylight hours. SAD follows a regular pattern, appearing each year as the seasons change. SAD requires support from a medical doctor, and employees should be encouraged to seek support from their primary doctor as your EAP.
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that’s related to changes in seasons — seasonal affective disorder (SAD) begins and ends at about the same times every year. If you’re like most people with SAD, your symptoms start in the fall and continue into the winter months, sapping your energy and making you feel moody. These symptoms often resolve during the spring and summer months. Less often, SAD causes depression in the spring or early summer and resolves during the fall or winter months.
Treatment for SAD may include light therapy (phototherapy), psychotherapy and medications.
Don’t brush off that yearly feeling as simply a case of the “winter blues” or a seasonal funk that you have to tough out on your own. Take steps to keep your mood and motivation steady throughout the year.
