The leaves are off the trees, and it’s getting c-c-cold out there!
Not only that, but the skies are looking pretty grey these days, and it can be easy to slip into a bit of a funk. Feeling down isn’t just bad for your personal life, it’s also bad for your professional life since it’s hard to be productive when you’re not feeling energized and enthusiastic.
Below are six tips on how you can remain positive now that winter is coming.
Going outside, even if it’s just for a short while, can change your outlook, and any sunshine you get from going outside will go a long way to giving your mood a lift.
Also, getting regular exercise before, during, or after work, particularly outdoors, can reduce stress and help you sleep better. If you can, take regular short walks around your office building or the surrounding area. Just a 10-minute walk can be all you need to clear stressful thoughts and brighten your mood.
Greasy foods, sugary drinks, and excess alcohol will cause you to feel sluggish and bloated. A huge meal and a nap on the weekend may sound like a solid idea, but overdoing sugar and carbohydrates has been shown to negatively affect mood.
Late fall is perfect for laying out some new personal and professional goals. Even though you might be lacking drive and motivation this time of year, new goals and taking on projects can be invigorating. Taking the initiative will not just provide you with a feeling of purpose and sense of being productive, but it will also make a good impression on your boss.
Some people hold off until the weather warms up before doing a ‘spring cleaning’, but a thorough cleaning and organizing session makes a lot of sense when it’s cold and grey outside. Use the fact you want to be inside to your advantage. Go through both your physical clutter and your computer files with the intention of throwing out, archiving or deleting whatever you can.
If you have a tendency to lose energy and feel depressed during this time of year, this might be a good idea to start making vacation plans, especially if those plans include some much-needed sunshine. Just making vacation plans can provide you a little mental boost and a bit of excitement as you’ll have something to look forward to.
Being social is scientifically proven to boost mood. You should make every effort, both during work and outside of work, to engage with the people around you.
In addition to making plans to spend time with loved ones, you should also be deliberate about socialize at work. Make an effort to eat lunch with co-workers and attend any company events that might be going on this time of year.
While the steps above can help boost your mood, sometimes more drastic action is necessary. If you think you may be in need of a career move, please contact us today to find out how we can help you make that happen.
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