Now that the clocks have gone back, it feels like winter is well and truly here – for better or for worse. With shorter days and less natural daylight, many people find that their energy, mood and focus begin to wane.
Mental health issues such as seasonal affective disorder are more common than you might think, presenting a problem for business owners and managers hoping to protect their staff and retain productivity. Through a few simple steps, however, you can optimise your workplace for a healthier, happier and more productive winter months.
With insights from Professor Lance Workman, Chartered Member of the British Psychological Society, and commercial building expert Kevin Brown, Director at The Heritage Window Company, here are some tried and tested ways you can prioritise your workforce and protect productivity…
Understanding seasonal affective disorder
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a mood disorder characterised by a recurrent depressive phase that comes on at specific times of the year, usually winter. It’s thought to affect up to 1.6 million people in the UK and is usually worse in winter due to our lack of exposure to natural sunlight.
Natural sunlight plays an important part in regulating our bodies’ circadian rhythm, so a lack of exposure to natural light can mean sleep disruption, fluctuations in our mood and motivation, as well as reduced cognitive performance, according to Professor Lance Workman, Chartered Member of the British Psychological Society.
This biological slump is tied to our hormones. There is a reduction in cortisol levels in the mornings, and cortisol is a key component that helps give us the energy to stay alert.
What this means for office-based workers is a decrease in morale and productivity, sometimes resulting in an increase in absenteeism. For managers and business owners, this can be a difficult obstacle to overcome.
Fortunately, a considered approach to office design and culture-planning can help alleviate some of the symptoms of SAD – and here’s how.
Optimise light and layout
Because of SAD’s impact on our circadian rhythms, office design that maximises available natural light is hugely important. Kevin Brown, Commercial Building Expert from The Heritage Window Company, suggests that the structural layout of the office is the best place to start.
“Using internal glass partitions, rather than opaque walls, is great for creating a modern, open-plan feel and preventing feelings of isolation,” Brown says. “Subtle use of mirrored or reflective surfaces is another effective way to bounce light through a space.
“Layout is vital too, with strategic desk placements near sources of natural light helping to mood-boost your workspace. If you’ve not got great access to natural light, compromise with full-spectrum LED lighting, which mimics the quality of natural light.”
Workman confirms the importance of these changes, explaining that “reduced daylight can affect both decision-making and problem-solving abilities, as well as harm morale. This has a knock-on effect that can also reduce the ability to consolidate new long-term memories.”
Furnish for physical wellbeing
Physical and mental wellbeing go hand-in-hand, so making sure that your office is set up to be comfortable, as well as productive, is important in making your staff feel valued. Temperature, texture and comfort are all typically overlooked factors in making a healthy office.
“Recommended temperatures of 20°C to 23°C are usually best for productivity, enough to keep your team comfortable without becoming too warm and sluggish,” says Brown. “Consistency is the most important factor to consider, however. Fluctuating temperatures can make people feel cold, even if the thermostat is set towards the higher end of recommended.
“In terms of kitting your office out, ergonomic seating and cosy break spaces will create a more inviting space that your team enjoys spending time in. Plants are always a valuable addition, while soft furnishings and seasonal scents can be used to bring a little warmth and texture into your space.“
Encourage connection
This one is partially about your office’s design and partially about cultivating a positive workplace culture.
“As a common driver of seasonal affective disorder is a feeling of isolation – making sure that your office has enough communal spaces for team members to come together is vital,” says Brown.
However, managers and team leaders also need to do their bit to foster a culture of socialisation, too – as is suggested by Workman.
“I think employers need to be aware that a proportion of their staff is likely to have seasonal mood issues,” Workman says. “Employers should encourage staff to adopt specific self-care practices, such as maximising exposure to light, encourage utilising support resources they have access to, and they should set clear boundaries so that there is a healthy work-life balance and an avoidance of ‘always on’ work culture.”
While the debilitating effects of SAD and other mental health issues can’t always be overcome, it’s important that business leaders do all they can to give their team the best chance to feel happy and healthy during the winter months. Which of these tips will you be implementing in your workplace?
Photo by Chase Chappell on Unsplash
