Try some of these:
- Prioritise physical and mental health: this should be the case year round but it’s easy to break habits when it’s dark at both ends of your working day. Try developing an indoor exercise routine, investigate light therapy or specific lighting for seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and definitely eat a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals.
- Self-care and relaxation: it’s so important to give yourself time and space to step away from your working life. We all need a break! It doesn’t have to be costly, just something not work-related. Read for pleasure, try a new craft hobby, practice mindfulness or meditation to manage stress. And make a conscious effort to decompress after work – use the commute home, the walk back from the station or bus stop, or the drive home to leave the working day behind so you can be present with your family when you get there.
- Maintain social connections: schedule regular virtual or in-person meetups with friends and family. Join professional networks or spend some time at co-working spaces to combat isolation if you work from home.
- Establish a winter routine: set consistent work hours that align with daylight, which may be easier if you work for yourself. Otherwise, aim to finish at the same time each day. Schedule regular breaks for physical activity and self-care.
- Create a cosy, productive workspace: take a look at the lighting around you and make sure it’s bright enough. Proper lighting helps to combat shorter days. A steady, ambient working temperature is ideal though not always affordable if you work from home, so get creative with layers and a hot water bottle or two.
- Plan for seasonal workload fluctuations: if you’re busy with social events and school holidays, chances are other people will be too, which may result in noticeably busier or slower periods in your industry. If it’s the latter, use the time to get ahead or sign up for some professional development.
- Time management: use productivity techniques like the Pomodoro method to stay focused – you can work out the most productive time of the day for you and organise your working day accordingly. Plan outdoor activities during peak daylight hours – walk the dog (or go for a walk yourself) at lunchtime or in the morning.
- Professional development: use the winter months to learn new skills or attend virtual conferences and make a note of goals for the coming year.
Remember to put any new actions in place gradually. You’ll get overwhelmed with a huge amount of change in one go – and building resilience takes time. Even when you do have your own coping mechanisms in place, not every day will go smoothly. There are so many variables that can take us off course. The important thing is not to beat yourself up about it, just acknowledge and accept you’ve had a bad day and start over the next day. Take a moment to stop, pause and breathe.
If you’re feeling a bit lost this autumn, or don’t feel ready for the next part of the year, speaking to someone and saying your concerns out loud is extremely helpful. That’s what I’m here for. I will listen to you without judgement, just hear what you have to say and help you find a way forward that’s right for you.
Contact me to arrange a free initial call and let’s strengthen your resilience and get you ready to embrace autumn and the next few months.