What are the Winter Blues?
As the winter months hit, it’s common to daydream about going into hibernation mode and experience a lack of motivation. According to science, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), is a sort of depression that comes and goes with the seasons, and it’s quite real, as a result, winter can influence employee performance and the bottom line, with one-third of Australian employees admitting to having the lower motivation and reduced productivity at work during the colder months.
According to Good.co, happy employees are 31 percent more productive and 3x more creative than unhappy employees. Unfortunately, the seasonal shift can jeopardise your employee’s happiness, engagement, and productivity. As an employer, you have the power to make this chilly season more motivational and encouraging for everyone. Here are several ways you can help keep your workplace cheerful, morale high, and productivity higher to beat the winter blues.
Encourage Outdoor Time
Encourage your team to take their lunch breaks or short breaks away from their designated workstations and home workspaces. Time away from their desk will allow them to clear their thoughts and reset their mind to start fresh. According to 2018 DeskTime research, employees who take 17-minute breaks every 52 minutes of work are more productive. Inspire your employees to go for a short stroll outside to get some fresh air and sunlight. Bringing some sunshine and optimism into the workplace daily is a great way to kick away the winter blues.
Brighten up your Space
Some workplaces can be a little dark and dull, especially when the sun is setting earlier. Nothing is more demotivating than a gloomy workplace lacking light. A bright and open space can positively impact productivity making your team feel less tired and burnt out. Try rearranging your floor plan to maximise natural light, and consider shifting employees closer to windows. To lighten up the environment and cheer up your employees, open the blinds, turn on the overhead lights, and give everyone their own desk lamp.
Daily Mental Health Break
Those who experience anxiety and stress during the winter months can benefit from additional stress-management initiatives. According to the Indian Journal of Occupational & Environmental Medicine, mental health issues can have an impact on productivity, so taking some time off can benefit employees both wellness-wise and productivity-wise in the long run. Allowing them to spend a little time each day away from the job to do some journaling, meditation, or yoga is a fantastic way to boost confidence, energise , and get pumped for work.
Prioritise Comfort
It can be challenging to focus on tasks when you’re not feeling comfortable in your space. Consider the ergonomics of your office’s workstations to increase employee productivity and overall wellbeing. Invest in comfy and cosy ergonomic chairs to offer some flexibility and install sit-stand desks to assist in better back health and reduce pain and inflammation caused by sitting all day.
As your employees spend a significant portion of their day at work, an increased focus on well-being during the colder months can help keep the winter blues away, boost morale, and keep them more productive, engaged, happier, and healthier year-round.
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