Stay Motivated at Work This Winter

I am a professional writer and editor with a passion for creative writing. With a marketing background, I love playing with language to deliver powerful messages and tell brands’ stories in an engaging way. I am a keen advocate for children’s reading and nurturing a love of books from an early age. Follow me on Twitter @MelBrannlund or email me at [email protected]

3 Tips to Beat the Winter Blues and Stay Motivated at Work

As the nights draw in and the weather turns colder, staying motivated and focused can be challenging. Instead of the get-up-and-go that sunny summer days bring, you may be struggling to drag yourself out of bed in the morning, and dreading the deadlines and to-do lists in your day-to-day life. At this time of year, it’s extra important to take care of yourself - here’s some quick tips to keep you feeling energised and positive:

1. Get some Tree-LC

When it’s cold and wet outside, the last thing you may feel like doing is getting outdoors. But being cooped up in an office stuck in front of a computer, or at home all day, can make you feel groggy and drained. Spending time in nature has been proven to boost your mood, reduce stress, and encourage a positive outlook on life.

Try going for a brisk walk outside first thing in the morning or during your lunch break to get some fresh air and blast the cobwebs away. If you get the chance to go further afield, try venturing into a forest or local park at the weekend for some time to disconnect from screens and work stresses, and reconnect with yourself.

2. Manage your free time as well as work time
Most of us are already equipped to manage our own workloads and prioritise tasks, but can the same be said for managing our free time and ‘life admin’? Additional stress can be caused by all those niggling little tasks you have in the back of your mind, but may have been putting off due to work or other priorities.

If you already have a system for getting organised at work, such as project management software, or writing in a notebook, try using this same system for managing your life outside of work too. Tasks could include general life and household events such as booking appointments, fixing a leaking tap, or buying a birthday present for someone. 

As well as these more mundane but necessary tasks, schedule in some fun and relaxing self-care activities too - like reading a book, spending time on your hobby, having a coffee with a friend, going to the gym, exploring a local attraction or beauty spot, having some pampering time etc. In doing so, you’ll bring more balance between your work and home life and feel more refreshed.

3. Give your body and brain a boost
Do you find yourself surviving on caffeine and craving sugary, carb rich snacks to get you through the working day? Whilst this is all OK within moderation, the combination of caffeine and sugar can wreak havoc on your blood sugar and energy levels, making you crash hard and struggle to concentrate. Factor in cold weather and a lack of sunshine, and you may find your desire for these quick fix comfort foods increases.

To combat this and keep your energy levels balanced throughout the day, try a few healthy swaps such as: 

• Wholegrain porridge for breakfast, topped up with a handful of fruit, nuts or seeds for slow release energy that keeps you feeling fuller for longer.
• A high-protein low fat yoghurt to snack on - extra protein helps boost your energy levels.
• Carrot sticks or apple slices - crisp, water-rich fruit and veg can help you feel refreshed and awake whilst giving you vital nutrients and vitamins to keep you healthy.
• Dried fruits such as dates can give you that sweet, sticky hit you’ve been craving, without making your blood sugar spike and then crash.
• Green tea or peppermint tea - when you’re already feeling tired, too much caffeine can be detrimental, making you feel on edge or jittery, and exhausting your already depleted adrenal glands. Try and swap out a few cups of normal tea or coffee during the day for green tea (which has lower caffeine but is rich in antioxidants) or a refreshing herbal infusion, such as ginger or peppermint, to keep you well hydrated. 
• Add some nut butters or a handful of mixed nuts and seeds to your lunches, to give your body a boost of protein, essential fatty acids and nutrients to keep you going through the day.

These are just a handful of ways to help you stay motivated and positive during the winter months at work. Getting the balance right between work, home, and self-care will enable you to cope better with the stresses of everyday life and feel your best.

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Look out for Melissa's latest articles on Anita Frost's author website, where she'll talk about topics including business and publishing, author news and events, and giving back to communities. You can find her in-depth monthly feature on the News & Media page of the Green Bean Collection website, discussing children's books and reading, early years education, living a greener lifestyle and all things Green Bean!