As the clocks go back and the days get shorter, many of us will start and end our workdays in the dark. It’s natural to feel a bit sluggish as the long nights and winter weather disrupt our usual routines, and offering your employees support through the changing seasons can not only improve workplace culture, but improve overall productivity across your team.
Switching back to GMT this weekend gains us one extra hour in our Sunday. While it’s tempting to grab a lie in, there are many ways to use this extra time to counteract the annual energy deficit. Whether you can find a full hour or just five minutes, here are some ideas to help you use a bit of spare time to give yourself and your team a boost.
If you’ve got an extra 5 minutes…
- Energising advice for leaders: Try a 5 minute workout to get your heart pumping between tasks. Quick workouts keep your metabolism working and have the added bonus of warming you up on those cold winter mornings.
- Quick tips for teams: Schedule a short time-out into your next meeting and encourage everyone to get up, stretch and grab a snack. Just a few minutes will help the group to relax and refocus.
If you’ve got an extra 10 minutes…
- Protecting your leaders in 10 minutes: Mindfulness can clear your head and help you to focus on the present moment. Try guided meditation using a free app – we especially like Headspace for beginners.
- Re-energise your team in 10: Download our free winter wellbeing guides with tips for HR teams and employees to help beat the winter blues. The guides offer advice and resources on topics including SAD, mental health and resilience.
If you’ve got an extra 30 minutes…
- For your leadership lunchtimes: Make the most of the daylight hours with a lunchtime walk. Clear your head and get some vitamin D. A short daily walk is proven to boost concentration, improve digestion and reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke.
- Tea time tips for team morale: Support your team to try out new time management techniques to increase productivity and boost morale. The popular Eisenhower Matrix helps your workforce to prioritise tasks, while the Pomodoro Technique is a great procrastination buster.
If you’ve got an extra 60 minutes…
- Energise your leadership long-term: For many of us, finding a spare hour in the day is a luxury. Take the chance to slow down and indulge a little. Catch up on sleep, pamper yourself or call a friend for an in-depth chat. Find your favourite way to melt away the stress and set yourself up for a great day.
- Reframe your energy management with employees: Try reframing daily activities and consider how they might help to increase energy. Could you hold a standing up meeting or a walking 1:1? While exercise might feel draining at first, even a brisk walk can provide a refreshing endorphin rush. Mastering energy management also makes it easier to fall asleep at night, leaving you better rested for the next day. Embedding healthy habits empowers your employees to shed the stress and thrive all year round.
Boost Wellbeing Engagement with Expert-led Webinars
If you’re looking to boost wellbeing engagement among your workforce, try our live coaching webinars. These interactive one-hour sessions include expert advice, useful handouts and a live Q&A. Topics include back care and posture, emotional wellness and work life balance.
For HR teams, our free Health and Wellbeing Toolkit can help you build a wellbeing strategy that supports your people through difficult times. Taking the time to make a few positive changes can help you beat the winter slump for good.