How to Deal With January Blues in the Workplace
The third Monday in January has been dubbed ‘Blue Monday’ and is said to be the most depressing day of the year, miserable weather, debt, fading Christmas memories, failed resolutions and a lack of motivation all contribute to the January blues. Be prepared and face the challenge of helping any sufferers on your team though their difficulties.
How can you tell the difference?
Some people may be upfront about their troubles, of course, some will be intensely private people and not wish to share. Learning to spot the signs that things are not all well may allow you to help an individual and decrease the scale of the impact on them, and the business.
One or more of the following signs and changes in normal behaviour can be indicators:
- Extroverts becoming introverted, or vice versa.
- Poor time keeping
- Increase in absence
- Increase in alcohol or other substances
- Poor concentration
- Conflict happening where there was none before.
- Lower productivity
- Reduction in communication
- Loss of motivation
If a team member is just spending more time chatting, taking more breaks and surfing the internet, then the chances are, it’s just a bit of apathy experienced by most of us after an enjoyable break.
What can you do?
Prioritising wellbeing at work is an effective way to help overcome the back-to-work blues, in a time of performance reviews, new expectations and staff changes, anxiety levels can soar, so it is important that that supervisors and managers know how to spot the signs of someone in distress, enabling them to offer help and maybe stress management.
A recent survey showed that a simple welcome back from the boss after a break can increase motivation. Engaging with people and just asking how they are could make for a good start to the New Year.
An upbeat company newsletter can be a good way to lift spirits, communicating New Year greetings as well as setting positive aims and objectives for the year ahead.
Provide an initial boost to positive communications with a company breakfast, lunch or just mid-morning refreshments, incorporating a forum for returning staff in which to discuss the holidays, as well as company strategy and their personal contributions and goals for the year ahead, and invite them to share ideas and thoughts they have for improving the practices and processes of the organisation or enhancing client relations.
Don’t just say “my door is always open” publicise it, make a big thing of it. If someone takes up the offer, catch up with how they are, and then listen with empathy, try to see the world from their point of view with the problems they are facing, paying attention to their life outside work as well as inside.
You can’t let your business suffer because a team member has issues. Equally, if an individual is suffering from significant stress, it’s vital to offer them the support that they need in addressing their problems, ensuring much greater loyalty from the individual to you and the business.
It can sometimes pay to find professional help from an HR adviser on how you can best support and employee suffering with stress.
Here are a few physical remedies for the January blues
Provide as much natural light as possible with views to the outdoors. Workers exposed to natural lighting stay on-task longer than their sun-deprived counterparts.
Bring a little nature into your office, plants aid concentration, increase productivity, and remove contaminants.
Take the chill off; a warmer environment could increase productivity. When the temperature increases from 20°C to 25°C, accuracy and output jump significantly.
Use air fresheners to increase the feeling of wellbeing, fewer errors are made when exposed to various scents: Lemon seems to work best, then jasmine, as well as lavender.
Remember, don’t just care, show that you care, take action, and see the results.
