Are you feeling the chill? In the northern hemisphere, it’s that time of year when the temperature outside can make it hard to want to go outside and leave the warmth of your home. If you’re a remote worker, staying inside is easy, but staying warm may not be the case. At Credico, when we say stay warm, we mean staying excited and on fire about the projects you’re working on. Keeping your head in the game, if you will, when you’re teleworking isn’t always easy. That’s because working from home can be lonely or cold because, even if you’ve got a few four-legged colleagues, it can be isolating.
Currently, in the United Kingdom, 44% of the workforce works from home either full-time or on a hybrid schedule. Broken down further, 16% of the population are full-time remote workers, while 28% divide their time between the office and working from home. Considering that 57% of British employees would like the option to work from home, it always comes down to one question — how do remote workers maintain their productivity and high-performance rate?
Credico is fortunate to have been in business for more than three decades and to be a global organization. We have offices in Canada, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States – and we also offer remote work. Our teams across the globe are often times experiencing different climates simultaneously. That said, we try to be there for each other when we engage virtually with our international colleagues because, for some, winter temperatures can be brutal and cause seasonal mood shifts. As a matter of fact, 1 in 3 people in the UK suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD. That’s just a little over 35% of the population that feels sadness during the autumn or winter season. SAD can affect anyone, and there are stages to this mood-affecting disorder. Nuffield Health identifies several symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), which include persistent low mood, reduced interest in socializing, feelings of guilt, increased stress, irritability, a lack of interest in usual activities, difficulty concentrating, and feelings of despair and worthlessness. Additionally, individuals may experience low self-esteem and increased crying or tearfulness.
Coping with these symptoms can significantly impact productivity, particularly in high-energy, fast-paced industries like sales. As a result, managing seasonal depression can affect a person’s performance. To combat the winter blues when you work from home, we have three easy tips to help heat up your mood and your productivity.
Dress the part
January is the coldest month in the UK during the winter season, with average temperatures around 7°C (44°F) during the day and between 1-3°C (34-37°F) at night, which is quite chilly for most people. What’s more, it typically snows about 12 days each winter. For those who work from home, it is recommended to dress as if you are going to the office, even if your workspace is just a few steps away from your couch. This practice, known as “dressing for success,” helps create a subtle distinction between work and home life. Wear a nice blazer or warm sweater and business slacks. Refrain from using the blankets and pillows that you use to get cozy to curl up with a book or to watch your favorite tv show or movie – maintaining that separation between work and home can help a lot.
Get some sun
Reduced exposure to sunlight in winter and longer daylight hours in summer are believed to contribute to seasonal disorders. Since sunlight enhances mood and is beneficial for mental health, maximizing sun exposure during winter can help counteract feelings of sadness. Light therapy lamps have also been shown to alleviate symptoms of SAD. According to the NHS UK, light therapy involves sitting near a serotonin or a “happy chemical inducing” lamp for 30 minutes to an hour each morning. After your at-home light lamp therapy session, you should feel energized and ready for work. Additionally, taking breaks to enjoy sunlight, whether from a lamp or outdoor exposure, could significantly improve your mood and outlook on the work day.
Fall in love with your work
When you love the work that you do, it shows. Sometimes, when we dread the day or the task, it affects our mood and, ultimately, our performance. When working from home during the winter months, you want a project that not only excites and energizes you but one that you get lost in. If the projects you’re currently working on don’t give you that warm and fuzzy feeling when you start your work day, consider asking your manager to allow you to have passion projects you can enjoy during certain seasons. If that is not an option, find the fun and the joy in what you have. As the saying goes, “Change the way you see things, and the things you see change.” This concept applies to every aspect of our lives, including our sometimes mundane and not-so-fun work. When we find joy, it lights a fire from within that can help sustain us through any weather and lift any mood.
Be on fire this winter as you work from home. By finding the joy in your work, basking in the sun’s light—either natural or manufactured—and dressing for the success and productivity you want, you can successfully navigate the winter weather with the tools needed to mind your mood and manage your performance goals.