How to Help Your Employees Overcome Seasonal Stress
The weather is getting colder and the nights are longer. That can have a negative impact on the mental health of many people. A common term for this is “winter blues.” It refers to the sorrow that comes with the cold and affects our daily life. In extreme cases, it comes in the form of depression and can be disabling. People who suffer from the winter blues may struggle with their normal activities. Companies need to pay attention to the symptoms, as one in four employees experience them. Some early symptoms include loss of interest, anxiety, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and others. Fortunately, there are things you can do to help your employees, especially by involving them in different activities. Below, you will find 7 tips that you can follow to help your people through their winter blues phase.
7 Tips to Support Your People Through Their Winter Blues
1. Check them out
You never know how much someone is struggling with their mental health. One thing you should always do is check the well-being of your people. Whether it’s in one-on-one meetings or with a simple message on your social media, showing you care can make an impact. You don’t have to wait for signs of the winter blues; you can make it a regular practice to ask them how they feel, even if they don’t want to share their true feelings. They may be hesitant at first, but when they see that you really care about them, they will relax and build a sense of trust. They will also feel more engaged with the company, too.
2. Encourage Days Off
You don’t want your employees to feel stressed and overworked, do you? Fast-paced work environments and anxiety can lead to winter euphoria and depression. You need to encourage your people to use their days off. Emphasize the importance of making time for yourself and emphasize that it is something that will benefit the company. Freelancers are more focused and productive. By reminding them to take their PTO, you make them feel supported and cared for. There is nothing an employee likes more than being appreciated and respected at work.
3. Group Activities
Whether you work in the office or remotely, your employees will enjoy fun teamwork. It will help them relax and focus on something other than their workload and upcoming tasks. Create team-building events, such as solving mysteries or board games. You can also try having tea time every day, with conversation and snacks. If your employees are feeling left out, you can make it a habit to have an afternoon group outing once a week, or even a run. Exercise is very beneficial for mental health, and you can be a good example by adopting it as a company.
4. Mental Health Awareness Training
Mental health is a sensitive, but very important topic. The workplace should be a safe place for employees, who may often be filled with negative emotions that they don’t know how to deal with. Training in mental health awareness will help managers and employees know how to handle such a sensitive issue. People will become more aware of their feelings and know better when to seek help. In addition, they will get the support they need when they decide to talk to someone about their mental health issues. Employers should also consider hiring professionals. In this way, their people can have all the necessary resources to reduce stress or other negative feelings.
5. Schedule Meetings
Whether they work at home or in the office, people need to have fun. Consider scheduling meetings to give them a chance to see other people, talk about their day, socialize, and reduce some stress. It’s a great way to test everyone, too. Is the employee hitting less than usual? Send them a private message asking them how they feel. Anyone not participating like before? Deal directly with the problem and give them whatever help they need. You can’t take care of your people if you don’t meet them. In addition, they will have the assurance that they can rely on you.
6. Offer Flexibility
Rigid work schedules and the work required from the office can affect the mental health of your employees. A person experiencing the winter blues may have difficulty getting out of bed or getting dressed for work. Sometimes they also procrastinate and drink. The best way to help them set their own pace and eliminate the anxiety that comes with going to work is to give them flexibility. Working from home can be less stressful and feel safer for people with seasonal depression. Allow them time to recover by being in a quiet place, where they can start working later or early in the morning, according to their schedule. Your employees will appreciate the support and feel better.
7. Regular Breaks
Working too much creates anxiety. To make matters worse, most people don’t realize they’re doing it. It is your job to look for signs that an employee is overworking themselves. For example, you don’t see them wake up often, or they are always available in your contact area. However, everyone should take a break every now and then. That’s why it’s a good idea to encourage them to do so by reminding them every hour or two. Breaks will help them refresh and collect their thoughts, focusing on something less stressful than work. Even if they spend their breaks on their phones, it’s a change from always dealing with work issues.
The conclusion
Winter blues are common among workers and can be serious if left untreated. As an employer, there are things you can do to help your employees get through that experience. The most important thing is to check them regularly. You should also encourage PTO and breaks to help them relax, or a flexible schedule. Group activities and other forms of socializing are also helpful for mental health. Of course, you should also develop training in mental health awareness to help everyone know how to recognize and manage struggles. Remember that employees need to feel safe and supported in their work.
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