Blue Monday, hailed as the most depressing day of the year, has arrived. Along with the post-Christmas blues, January is possibly the darkest, coldest month of the year and is generally marked by rising employee absence rates.
In addition to the seasonal cons, the associated ‘new year, new you’ mentality prompts people to question whether they’re still happy and content in their current role, and whether they need change in their day-to-day routine in order to combat any resulting boredom.
Recognising that Blue Monday is set to be a struggle for both employers and employees alike, industry leaders have come together to give their thoughts on how organisations can help their teams beat the blues.
Adrian Powell, managing director of workplace design and build firm, Active FM:
“In addition to creating a fun and inspiring place to work, help your staff combat boredom by working with them to achieve simple and achievable goals. People tend to be more engaged if they’re kept busy”
Andrew Mawson, co founder and director of Advanced Workplace Associates thinks exercise can help people beat the blues:
“The endorphins released during exercise can improve your mood. If you exercise for at least 40 minutes each day before work it will not only keep your cardio-vascular system in good shape but it also delivers blood and oxygen to your brain. This, along with a good breakfast and staying hydrated, is what’s needed to aid concentration, memory and recall.”
Anthony Bennett, co founder and director for bespoke hospitality providers Bennett Hay views this as a wellbeing issue for employers:
“We believe health and wellbeing has a direct impact on our colleagues. From a business point of view, it is worth acknowledging this very point, and it is very important for this to be embraced by leadership and committed to in resource. The workforce will then reap the benefits of this all year round.”
Dave Kentish, co founder and director of people change experts, Kentish and Co believes it’s about choice:
“It’s important to surround yourself with a workforce you care about and who care about you. If you’re unhappy in your current role, evaluate why this might be. It could be that you want to move on, or just that you need to change your approach.”
Rebecca joined the HRreview editorial team in January 2016. After graduating from the University of Sheffield Hallam in 2013 with a BA in English Literature, Rebecca has spent five years working in print and online journalism in Manchester and London. In the past she has been part of the editorial teams at Sleeper and Dezeen and has founded her own arts collective.
