Leadership Tip

How to beat the winter blues

The first couple of months of the year are the darkest and coldest and this can can impact your mood. Many of us are familiar with the saying “winter blues”, also known as winter depression or seasonal affective disorder [SAD] which is thought to affect one-in-15 people in the UK. Changes to your environment can help you feel upbeat during what can be a dark and depressing time of year and these small tweaks will help you feel better in body and mind.

  1. Get more exposure to sunlight. A brief walk at lunch time can be beneficial as is making your work environment as light and airy is possible.
     
  2. Try light therapy. This involves sitting by a special lamp called a light box, for around 30 minutes to an hour each morning.
     
  3. Be sure to stay active. Being outside doing exercise will boost your mood and will make you feel more connected to your surroundings.
     
  4. Eat well and swerve carbs. Eating plenty of fruits, vegetables and healthy fats will give you more energy and prevent you from feeling sluggish.
     
  5. Stay connected. Your body releases feel-good chemicals such as oxytocin and dopamine when you feel connected to others and are engaged in positive interactions.

The above leadership tip...
was sent in response to a question from a participant on our acclaimed 10/10 leadership development and mentoring programme. Whether you're a first time manager or an experienced leader, straightforward, practical advice on best practice is hard to find. Until now. To find out how you, your team or your organisation can benefit, please join us on our next complimentary webinar or contact us.


For more tips...
on leadership and management good practice, subscribe to a Minute with Montgomery on 10TV.

Unlock your potential

Whether face to face, or over the telephone, we can develop your leadership skills, support you in making important decisions, and help you reach your potential.

Read More

Leadership Articles

10 questions leaders should never ask

Leadership is often portrayed as having the right answers. In reality, great leadership is more about asking the right questions. Questions can open minds, build trust and encourage innovation. Equally, they can shut down discussion, create... read more

10 ways to build your team

Everyone would like to be part of a dream team - a group of people, each skilled in their own discipline, pulling together to achieve more than they ever could alone. Yet while most organisations talk about teamwork, they still tend to reward individual... read more

10 weekend habits of purposeful leaders

The most impactful leaders know that success doesn’t come from working around the clock - it comes from working with intention. And that includes how we spend our weekends. While weekdays often revolve around performance, the weekend is a chance to reset... read more

Leadership Tips

HOW TO FIX SOCIAL CARE

Social care has defeated successive governments because every proposed solution becomes an argument about who pays, who qualifies and what the state should provide. Yet Britain is hardly alone in facing an ageing population and rising care costs. Other... read more

HOW TO MAKE HOPE CREDIBLE

In uncertain times, one of your most important responsibilities as a leader is to give people a reason to keep moving forward. But hope doesn’t come from ambitious visions or optimistic promises alone. If your aspirations outpace what people believe is... read more

HOW TO LEAD WHEN UNDER PRESSURE

Pressure reveals how you instinctively respond when decisions matter most. Some leaders rush. Others hesitate. Some become controlling, while others retreat. The challenge is not to eliminate those instincts, but to recognise them and develop the... read more