Overcoming Winter Blues and Work Stress

Feeling the Winter Blues?

As we move towards the shortest day, it’s easy to feel like we’ve lost our shine. The combination of winter’s gloom and the financial climate can leave us feeling drained and out of sorts. While we can’t control everything around us, we can focus on feeling good from the inside out. But how do we do that when life keeps throwing challenges our way?

Recognising the Signs

Sometimes, we might feel disconnected from our work and question our purpose. Our values might feel out of sync, or we might find ourselves saying “yes” too often, lacking boundaries. Using our strengths and talents might seem like a distant memory. These factors can significantly impact our resilience and how we handle challenging times. Often, we don’t even realise the toll it’s taking on us until it’s too late.

Common warning signs that all is not well include:  

• Health issues and fatigue
• Self-doubt and a reduced sense of accomplishment
• Negativity and cynicism
• Emotional exhaustion
• Reduced motivation
• Feeling isolated 

Know yourself

Understanding your stress signals is the first step towards change.

Ask yourself:

• What are my stress signals?
• How do I know when I’m stressed or out of sorts?
• Where does stress show up in my body?
• What’s really going on beneath the surface for me?

Get a plan in place

Once you’ve identified your stress signals, it’s time to create a plan to get unstuck and realign with your true self. Remember, small manageable steps can lead to big results over time.

Key Steps to Overcome Challenges:

• Stay connected to what matters most to you
• Be true to yourself
• Use your unique talents and strengths
• Everyone is different, so find what works best for you

The more tools we have in our toolkit, the better we’ll come through the other side.

Reach out

If you notice yourself becoming uncharacteristically pessimistic, or other warning signs are showing up, please reach out for help. The research tells us early intervention and prevention is the best way.

Take the first step towards rediscovering your spark. Reflect on your stress signals, create a plan, and don’t hesitate to seek support. You’re not alone in this journey. Let’s navigate the winter blues together and come out shining on the other side!

Reach out today and start your path to a brighter, more resilient you!

On the bright side, it’s only a few days until the shortest day here in New Zealand, and then the days will start getting longer again!