Winter is a beautiful time of the year; however, it is difficult to get the motivation to work when all you want to do is wrap yourself in a blanket, drink a warm beverage and binge-watch your favorite shows or movies. With winter coming upon us, what should we do to get our work done? Well, here are several tips to help increase your motivation and to trek through these cold months.
- Eat Well
It is well known that sugary foods and comfort foods are incredibly delicious. However, during this time of the year, you’ll want to decrease your intake of sugar and carbs because they will make you feel bloated and sluggish. This does not mean cutting carbs out completely! It will just help you stay focused instead of wanting to complete a full, successful, day of work, you will want to curl up into a ball under your desk and sleep!
- Stay Healthy
Not only should you decrease the amount of sugar and carbs, but you should also make sure to keep your hands clean and increase your vitamin intake to avoid getting sick. A sick day can make you feel like you are falling behind in work thus making you feel overwhelmed and stressed out, only turning into a vicious cycle. So, take those vitamins, drink lots of water, eat those greens and stay warm!
- Remain Social
Being able to network and build relationships with your coworkers will help increase happiness, thus increasing productivity. Now, I am not saying that you always need to come out of your shell. However, push yourself a little extra these next few months because a little bit of companionship can go a long way! Even if your social time is having lunch with coworkers or grabbing a coffee with your friends, it will still help increase your happiness and have an effect on other’s happiness as well.
- Be As Active As Possible
While the winter is not well known for being a friend of outdoor activities, try to get in a daily walk around one of the parks that are closest to you. It may be cold, however, the natural lighting helps elevate your mood. During your walk, it helps to take a break from work and come back with a fresh set of eyes and a clear mind. Use this time to meditate on problems or situations you may be having or use the opportunity for a self-care session. It is better to take a break than to burn out quickly, so go out and enjoy the fresh air!
- Make SMART Goals
Make realistic goals for yourself. Making Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound (SMART) goals will boost your work morale by giving you a feeling of accomplishment. Completing goals will also help you feel more productive. These goals also need to be exciting for you, then you will look forward to accomplishing them.
By using a few of these techniques the winter blues won’t stand a chance! Let’s have a productive winter and get through this together.
