HOW TO FEEL MOTIVATED DURING WINTER
There’s nothing quite like cold weather and dark mornings that makes your bed the only place you want to be.
But although your body wants to stop, the world never does.
(For those reading near Christmas time – you’re in luck because the world will slow down for a little. And please – get some rest!)
So how do we fight the tired feelings and conjure up some motivation to do the work that is forever piling up?
WHY ARE YOU SO TIRED?
It’s a good idea to start by asking why you’re so tired in order to fix it… and also stop feeling like you’re the only one.
Winter tiredness is a thing, a scientific thing. So no – you’re not imagining things and you’re not going crazy. This can be due to:
Disrupted sleep cycles due to shorter days
More melatonin due to darkness (which impacts our mood and energy levels)
Lack of vitamin D since you’re outside less, and when you are outside, it’s probably dark (think your commutes to and from work)
(Patient)
So before you do anything, let go of any guilt you’ve been feeling because you haven’t had the same motivation as a bright sunny day in August. There’s something so inspiring about heading to work in the sun with a little cardigan on. Yet, there’s nothing inspiring about standing on the bus stop with ice cold hands, a red nose, and 10 layers of jumpers on.
Be realistic with yourself.
TAKE CARE OF YOUR BODY
There’s no good in forcing yourself to be on the ball in the office when you’re not taking care of your body at home.
Make use of the sunlight
It can be tempting to keep the curtains shut or stay in all weekend – but in a season where daylight is rare – it’s crucial to take it all in.
So let the light in your room during the day and try to take a short walk before it gets dark. It may seem small but it can do a world of good.
Keep active
During the summer months, it’s much easier to keep moving. Whether you’re exploring, playing sports, or taking evening walks on holiday – these things are far more enjoyable when it’s not 0 degrees outside.
And you may wonder if you’re already tired, how would exercise help you to gain energy and be more motivated at work?
When you exercise, your body releases one of the ‘feel good’ hormones – endorphins. This gives you a boost, reduces stress, and helps you sleep better at night (NHS).
And this doesn’t have to be crazy exercise either – light workouts and regular walking and stretching can be really beneficial.
See here for ways to keep active at your office job and how it’s not all about exercise.
Eat well
Food has a huge impact on our energy levels, productivity, and mental clarity.
Making sure you’re consuming a range of foods and drinking enough water can help massively. See here for the NHS’ guide on some tips a balanced diet!
TAKE CARE OF YOUR MIND
Everything above will have a positive impact on your mental state, but it’s also important to practice self-care, especially during winter where it’s natural to feel low.
I recently wrote an blog about practicing self-care at work which gives you some tips towards feeling happy and motivated – but here’s some additional tips:
Spend more time with friends and family
Find a good book or podcast
Start journalling
Find a new hobby to keep you learning and creative
These things can help you to unwind, but also feel inspired so when you do get into work, you feel capable to work well and stay motivated.
- Written by Tim Macmillan
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