Shorter days, a lack of sunlight, and freezing temperatures can easily kill off any and all productivity and passion. During the gloomiest time of the year, simply getting through the workday can feel like an insurmountable task. This is especially true for those struggling with seasonal affective disorder (SAD)—a type of depression related to changes in seasons. Typically, SAD starts in the fall and continues throughout the winter before resolving on its own in the spring. However, that is a long time to be struggling at work when you’re trying to pay your bills and keep a roof over your head.
If you’ve been feeling a bit “blah” lately and lacking all work-related motivation, know that you’re not alone and that you’ve come to the right place. Thankfully, with the right work tips and tricks, you can survive (and maybe even enjoy) the gloomiest days. Keep on reading to learn how.
1. Take short breaks away from your desk
Due to the lack of sun exposure and vitamin D and disruption to our internal body clocks, we all feel a bit more tired and sluggish during the winter. Unsurprisingly, this often correlates with less physical activity. This lack of movement, though, can only add to your lethargy and just make you feel a bit more “blah.” To counter this inactivity and refresh your mind, take short breaks away from your desk periodically throughout the day. Doing things like getting up and going for a quick walk, splashing cold water on your face, or finding a quiet space to do mindful meditation or deep breathing for a few minutes can be beneficial. Eating lunch away from your desk can also be helpful.
A few short breathers will help break things up, and the change of scenery can help your mind refocus and reset. A short burst of movement is also likely to reinvigorate you a little bit, which will give you a small amount of much-needed energy to continue checking off tasks. Plus, extra movement can help release endorphins, which can act as a natural antidepressant and relieve some stress and anxiety.
2. Try conscious connected breathing
Breathwork is one of the best mindfulness tools because it can be done anywhere—like at your desk or on your way to the office water cooler. There are many different forms of breathwork out there, but breathwork practitioner, spiritual mentor, and CEO, Alyse Bacine, swears by a technique called conscious connected breathing. “It’s the perfect way to shift your energy out of stagnation and depression related to SAD,” Bacine told me.
With this technique, you lie down for 15-20 minutes in a quiet space and breathe in and out through your mouth in a circular pattern with no space between the inhale and exhale. “Set the intention that you’re going to shift your energy and journal about how you’re feeling or what you’re grateful for before or after,” Bacine said. “This will shift your energy into gratitude, which is the highest frequency in the universe.”
3. Protect your rest
It can be difficult to separate yourself from work, especially if you’re self-employed or work from home. Think about it: How often do you “log off” for the night only to check your email the second you hear a notification? It’s natural to want to perform well at your job and keep your boss happy, but never turning off “work mode” can be draining. The truth is that everyone needs time to rest and recharge; without it, you’re more likely to get burnt out, and your work performance will suffer.
When it comes down to it, the best thing you can do for yourself is set boundaries. Maybe this means not responding to emails after a certain time or avoiding work-related discussions after hours. Whatever the case may be, setting boundaries will allow you to rest and renew, and you’ll go into the following workday ready to hit the ground running.
4. Wear something that makes you feel good
There’s some truth to the old saying “Dress for success.” During the winter, there’s a real temptation to bundle up in cozy, comfy clothing, and this is especially true if you spend most of your time working from home. However, wearing ratty, old clothing around the clock is not going to make you feel good about yourself, which is why, during working hours, you should make it a point to actually get dressed.
Dressing for success doesn’t mean throwing on an expensive pantsuit (unless you want to, then by all means). Rather, it means wearing clothing that makes you feel good, like a chic loungewear set or a cute top. Likewise, if dabbing on a bit of blush or applying a drop of mascara will help you feel better and more confident, then you should absolutely put some on for work. Taking the time to put on and wear things that make you feel your best will give you an energy boost and the confidence to kill it at work.
READ: Does What You Wear to Work Actually Matter?
5. Keep a mindfulness journal
Keeping a mindfulness journal can help you recenter and ground yourself, relieve feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression, and remind you of how far you’ve come. It’s also a great way to cultivate self-awareness, increase gratitude, and uncover detrimental behavior and thought patterns. Regularly using a mindfulness journal will make you feel better equipped to handle the season because you’ll be more in touch with yourself and your emotions, and help you get out of your own head and remove yourself from the cycle of overthinking.
6. Enhance your desk space
Having a desk you love will naturally make you feel more motivated and inspired, and if your setup currently leaves a lot to be desired, it might be time for an upgrade. Your upgrade doesn’t have to be anything big—it can be purchasing a new keyboard, desk lamp, plant, or simply reorganizing what you already have. Having a space and desk essentials you love is also going to make you more excited to work, and in turn, you’ll be more productive.
READ: 30 Winter Desk Essentials That Will Turn Your Cubicle Into a Cozy Coffeehouse
7. Be kinder to yourself and others
A few years ago, I listened to an episode of Jay Shetty’s podcast where he and Khloe Kardashian talked about the power of being just 5% kinder. They discussed how this small intention can make the biggest difference in the world, and it’s stuck with me ever since because of its sheer simplicity and truth. It costs $0 to be kind, but for some reason, kindness is often hard to come by.
With that in mind, make a conscious effort to be 5% kinder to yourself and everyone else moving forward. Hold the door open for someone else, be gentle and compassionate with yourself, and rest on days you’re struggling. Patiently listen to a co-worker vent instead of rolling your eyes behind their back, or take your family member’s phone call instead of letting it go to voicemail. Little acts of kindness will make you feel good and radiate light and positivity out into the world during a time filled with so much gloom and doom. In turn, you’ll feel lighter, clearheaded, and more excited for the day—including what’s on your to-do list.
8. Be mindful of your social media consumption
I have a love-hate relationship with social media, and I know I’m not alone in that. It can be inspiring, motivating, and fun, but it can quickly become a place of toxicity and comparison. If you find that you’re scrolling social media throughout the day to escape (read: procrastinate) and logging off feeling worse than when you logged on because of toxicity or falling into the comparison trap, consider taking a break from it for a little bit.
Picking up your phone seems like an innocent distraction at the time, but the weight of it can be heavy and can affect the rest of your day. During this time of year, social media detoxes are common as they allow individuals to slow down, focus on themselves and their goals (whether they are personal or professional), and disconnect. Whether you decide to do a full-on social media detox or set a social media timer on your phone, being mindful of your consumption can make all the difference in your energy, productivity, and mood.
READ: I Tried Actually Reducing My Screen Time for 7 Days—Here’s How It Went
9. Take extra care of your body
This one probably seems like a no-brainer, but we so often put self-care on the back burner. Make it a point to eat foods that make you feel good and are good for you, get plenty of rest, and drink enough water. Take the time to check in with your body and see how you’re feeling. If there’s an area where you feel you’re lacking, figure out what you can do to nourish it.
READ: Cozymaxxing: The Self-Care Trend Everyone’s Using To Beat Winter Blues
That said, if you feel like you’re really struggling, talk to your doctor. As a professional, they’ll be able to guide you in the right direction and provide you with the necessary tools to overcome. In truth, we all feel a bit gloomy during this time of year, but that doesn’t mean you have to suffer alone. Don’t ever forget that you are a divine and deserving human being, and you have absolutely every right to be successful and happy.
10. Make a work playlist you love
During the winter months, feelings of stress, burnout, and anxiety can feel even heavier and harder to escape. However, the answer might be simple, because music possesses some serious superpowers—it has been proven to influence mood, focus, and energy. Even a simple lo-fi beat can create a sense of calm and ease those anxious thoughts. Craft an intentional playlist of your favorite music—instrumentals, soft beats, whatever sets the mood—and watch your workday transform. A good playlist not only fills the silence but also motivates you and inspires you.
11. Add warmth to your workday
When temperatures outside are freezing and icy, your workday might feel even more bleak and depressing. No one enjoys being cold, and it has a way of draining your energy and mood. By bringing warm and cozy things into your workday, you can simultaneously boost your mood and temperature. Light a candle, brew a hot cup of tea or coffee, or cozy up with a warm throw blanket.
12. Incorporate micro-rituals that make you happy
Romanticizing your workday during the winter can feel almost impossible. The skies are grey and the days are short, making it hard to stay positive or motivated. But small, intentional rituals can change how your brain experiences the day—you give yourself something to look forward to. Build a routine that works for you: sit in front of a happy light, make a warm drink, take short meditation breaks, or journal during lunch. When these rituals are tailored to what calms and grounds you, your workday becomes filled with care, balance, and intention.
READ: 28 Ways to Romanticize Your Life for Winter
Arianna Reardon, Contributing Writer
Arianna is a freelance writer and journalist, and the self-proclaimed hot and dirty martini queen. At The Everygirl, Arianna uses her authenticity and relatability to empower, inspire, and motivate women everywhere. Whether she’s writing about sex and relationships, career and finance, beauty and fashion, wellness, or home and living, Arianna’s passion shines through in all her work.
Jenna Piotrowicz, Editorial Assistant
Jenna began working as an Editorial Assistant for The Everygirl in 2024. With her eye for detail, she assists the team with content creation, sourcing products and images, and works behind the scenes to support The Everygirl in uploading and updating content.
