Jun 1, 2018
How to stay motivated at the office during Winter!
Winter has arrived…but that doesn’t mean the blues have to!
I have observed over the past two weeks a decline in staff gym attendance and a rise in afternoon snacks and sneezes. At Precision Sourcing we pride ourselves in cultivating a healthy and happy workplace. Healthy and fit staff mean high performing staff.
Fortunately in Australia we are lucky enough to have a Winter that in no way comes close to a scene from Game of Thrones, however the contrast to our amazing Summer does bring about a few moans in the office. Especially when you work with a high percentage of Brits!
I am going to tell you my tips on how to stay motivated at the office during winter. These will not only help you in your day to day work life but will also empower and benefit your wellbeing!
1.Get Outdoors
This is Australia. It’s not minus degrees or snowing outside. In my own observation of being born and bred Sydney, I would confidently say it rains more in Summer than it does in Winter. The skies are blue, the sun is out so there really is no excuse to lock yourself up which only leads to cabin fever and in worse cases depression. There are so many coastal walks to embark on over the weekend and beach side cafes. Sydney is also known for its great market scene– Paddington, Glebe, Bondi, Marrickville, Kirribilli to name a few. Go and grab yourself some fresh fruit and veg and get your slow cook on. Which leads me to my next tip.
2.Eat Well & stay hydrated
As I mentioned in my intro, there as been a steady incline of first weekly, then daily treats appearing on the office communal table. Not just one block of chocolate, but lollies, cheese and don’t even get me started on the red wine!
As a health-conscious office, we ‘try’ to keep the snacks sugar and dairy free and perhaps a cool idea would be to nominate a team member each week to make a ‘healthy’ treat loaded with good fats and limited sugar. Sugar releases serotonin and a fake lull that it makes you happy. This is then followed by a quick slump in brain activity and work productivity!
Winter is a great time to make stews and soups with all of those veggies you bought from the farmers market. Load up on garlic, chilli and ginger and put the leftovers in containers for your work lunch that week!
At Precision Sourcing we have an abundance of organic teas in the office. It can be difficult to keep your water intake up during the cooler months and herbal tea is a great alternative to overcome this!
3.Keep Social
Sydney-siders tend to hibernate in Winter and it is a terrible lifestyle factor that I have been guilty of for many years. As important as it is to eat well and look after your body, spending time with friends is a great way to keep your mind healthy. We have created a Precision Sourcing social club and have started with activities such as board games in the office and a curry night!
4. Work back late or attend meetups
Daylight savings is over so there is no rush to the beach after work for a quick swim or that family BBQ on a Friday night. The sun has usually gone down by the time 5:30pm hits so why not use the time to clock up some overtime and get ahead of your work. Not only will you score brownie points with your boss but you will also be on top of all of your tasks! Meaning you will feel better about skipping out at 5:28 on that awesome sunny day come summertime.
Meetups are also happening all through Winter and are a great way to network with like minded people in your career and also help you develop your social skills.
5. Set Goals for the new financial year
New year, new you. New financial year anyway. Most businesses are planning their next moves for the new year and this is a great opportunity for you to re-evaluate your career and personal goals too. Where could you spend better? Where could you make changes? What do you want to achieve in the next 12 months? The end of financial year also means a tax return and if you are lucky- a nice return. Which leads me to my next tip.
6. Plan your next holiday
What better way to beat the Winter blues than by booking your next holiday. Somewhere warm. Think Asia, the Caribbean or even better, a trip to Europe next Summer and by Summer I mean European summer so you can skip Australian winter and therefore ignore this blog altogether!
Having a holiday in advance keeps you motivated at work because you know your hard work means dollar dollar bills which means cocktails on the beach somewhere guilt free!
7. Stay Warm
This sounds cliché but as a Sydney sider I will tell you one thing. Sydney weather is deceiving. It may look sunny with a blue sky outside and it might be nice in the sun but as soon as you walk in the shade, or there has been some rain the night before, the cold air cuts through you, deep to the bone. Check the weather report, dress appropriately and make sure your office is at a nice temperature. Staying warm will ensure you body can fight off all necessary evils such as the cold and flu.
8. Sanitise!
Wash your hands regularly, sanitise your desk with antibacterial wipes and put your hand over your mouth when you cough & sneeze. Not only in the office but also on your public transport commute. Ew! I know a lot of us love our jobs but if you are sick- STAY HOME! Offices are a breeding hub for bacteria so its important to respect your colleagues and keep your bugs to yourself.
9. Personal development/study
In the summer time we spend a lot of our weekend at the beach and in the water. As Winter rolls around why not use the time to work on that amazing organ inside your head. Your brain! There is an abundance of courses readily available online or at your local community college. Use this time to further develop your career by doing that course you’ve always wanted to complete in Data Science at General Assembly or even learning another language!
10. Summer bodies are made in Winter
This is my favourite tip of them all. It is amazing how packed the gym becomes in October when people realise Summer is just around the corner. Unfortunately, by that point it is too late. Australians can gain up to an extra 5kg throughout Winter! Having a regular fitness routine through winter keeps the kilos at bay if you do decide to indulge in that extra glass of wine. Regular exercise also staves off sickness! Your boss will be happy that you are limited in your sick days and as Precision Sourcing loves to boast- a healthy & fit office means a productive office.
Maybe you could start a running club one lunchtime a week and start training for a corporate group run in the City to Surf? The City to Surf always signifies that Winter is coming to an end!
Hold on guys- Summer is only 6 months away!!!!
