Winter blues have your team feeling down?

Tips to share with your staff

The winter season is here, and the colder weather and shorter days may cause your employees to feel more isolated, lonely, and less motivated, which can cause lower productivity. As many as twenty percent of us get the winter blues. But up to six percent may experience a more serious mood change called seasonal affective disorder, or SAD. Encourage staff to help fight off the winter blues by sharing these tips and by promoting a healthy lifestyle. 

• Chat with a friend;
• Limit alcohol intake;
• Stick within normal routine as much as possible;
• Get light. The body needs sunlight, which produces vitamin D and serotonin that affects the amount of melatonin in the body;
• Set a realistic budget and then stick to it;
• Set realistic goals and expectations;
• Do not label the season as a time to cure past problems;
• Prioritize activities based on importance, focusing on opportunities to be around others. Don’t overextend yourself.

The winter blues are common, but if an employee is feeling especially down—for example, sleep or appetite is affected—they can contact Adena Health at 740-779-7500 for help finding the right provider. If an employee shares that they are experiencing thoughts of suicide, call 911 or a health care provider right away.