Winter. Ugh.
Feeling “blah”? Same. It’s like winter shows up, dumps a bunch of cold air and grey skies on us, and says, “Good luck with that.” Rude. Suddenly, you’re daydreaming about sunshine and flip-flops like it’s your job.
And yeah, the lack of sunlight? Totally messing with your vibe. More time indoors? Not helping. Winter seems to stretch out forever, like the world’s longest elevator ride with lousy music. But here’s the thing: it doesn’t have to win. Seriously.
There are ways to fight back — strategies, hacks, even a little seasonal rebellion. Think of them as your winter survival kit. We’re talking mood-boosters, energy-lifters, and creative ways to make this season feel a little less… blah.
So, grab your coziest blanket (or a ridiculous pair of fuzzy socks). Let’s tackle this and turn winter into a season of warmth, connection, and joy. Yes, joy! Even if it’s just one snow globe or hot cocoa at a time.
What are the Winter Blues?
Ever feel a little off when winter rolls around? You’re not imagining it.
That’s what’s often called the "winter blues" — a slump in mood, energy, or motivation that many people feel when the days get shorter and darker. For most, it’s a mild seasonal funk. But for some, it can snowball into Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a more intense form of depression tied to seasonal changes. Even small tasks can feel overwhelming when SAD hits.
You’re not alone in feeling this way — about 38% of Americans report a dip in their mood during winter, according to the American Psychiatric Association. (The rest? They’re probably soaking up the sunshine in Florida or California!)
But here’s the bright side: as leaders, you’ve got the power (or at least the influence) to turn things around. Let’s channel some positive energy and take steps to tackle this season head-on. Your team will thank you for it!
Seasonal Self-Care for Your Team (and You, Too)
1. Soak Up the Sunglight
Encourage your team to find moments to step outside, even on chilly days. While it might be cold, that 15 minutes of sunlight can do wonders for mood and energy. Sunlight helps regulate your body’s internal clock, improving sleep, mood, and vitamin D levels, which support your immune system and overall health.
If getting outside isn’t practical, bring the sunlight indoors! Consider light therapy lamps for shared spaces or individual workstations. These lamps mimic natural sunlight and can brighten moods during the darker months.
❄️ Winter Win: Schedule “sunshine breaks” where the team takes a quick walk or enjoys a short meeting outdoors, bundled up in their coziest scarves and gloves.
2. Move Like Nobody’s Watching
Movement is one of the quickest ways to beat the blues. Get your team engaged with fun and approachable ways to stay active. Host a quick morning stretch session or share energizing YouTube workouts in your team chat. You could even start a weekly walking club (yes, indoors works too!) or launch a friendly competition like a “step count smackdown,” with small prizes for weekly winners.
Feeling bold? Organize a midday “desk dance party.” Put on a playlist with upbeat tracks, and let people get silly for 5–10 minutes. It’s a guaranteed mood booster, and the shared laughter will do wonders for team morale.
❄️ Winter Win: Have employees share their favorite workout videos and ideas for fitness challenges or even host short movement sessions for the team.
3. Feed Their Souls (and Bellies)
Nothing brings people together quite like good food! A hot chocolate or tea bar with fun toppings like marshmallows, cinnamon sticks, and flavored syrups can brighten even the dreariest day. Pair it with a “snack spotlight” featuring healthy, mood-boosting options like oranges, nuts, or dark chocolate.
Take it a step further with a soup swap! Have team members bring in their favorite soup recipes to share, creating a cozy and communal meal experience. Not into cooking? Host a chili cook-off or set up a rotating “lunch buddy” system to encourage connection over meals.
❄️ Winter Win: Turn food-related events into themed days — like “Warm Wednesday” with hot drinks and soups or “Fruit Friday” featuring seasonal fruits.
4. Create a Winter Bucket List
Turn the season into an adventure with a workplace “Winter Bucket List.” Fill it with activities like:
- Build a snowman (bonus points for creative designs!).
- Try a new warm drink, like a spiced chai latte.
- Take a photo of the most wintery scene you spot this week.
- Watch the sunrise or sunset (preferably with a warm beverage in hand).
Make it collaborative by inviting employees to suggest their ideas. Offer small rewards for participation, like cozy socks, fun hats, or coffee shop gift cards. To help get you started, we’ve created a Winter Bucket List packed with fun, easy, and slightly whimsical ideas to brighten your days. Click here to check it out!
❄️ Winter Win: Use a Slack channel or shared online document to track progress and share photos of completed bucket list items for a fun, team-wide experience.
5. Add Surprise and Delight
Routines can feel stagnant in winter, so sprinkle in surprises to keep things lively. Drop small gifts at desks, like quirky stress balls (tacos or llamas, anyone?) or mini succulents with fun names like “Planty McPlantface.”
You can also organize a “surprise delivery day,” where employees leave small, thoughtful gifts or notes of encouragement for each other. Even something as simple as a handwritten note can make someone’s day.
❄️ Winter Win: Create a “Surprise Calendar” where one day each week features an unexpected treat or activity. It could be a surprise yogurt bar, a mid-week coffee cart, or a mystery envelope containing a fun office challenge. Keep everyone guessing and excited for what’s next!
6. Hygge Huddles
Bring cozy vibes to the office with weekly “Hygge Hours.” Set up a welcoming space with fairy lights and soft music. Offer warm drinks like hot cider, herbal tea, or cocoa for an extra dose of relaxation.
Encourage employees to bring their favorite books, craft projects, or even just sit and chat about anything but work. The key is creating a calming, judgment-free zone where people can unwind and recharge.
❄️ Winter Win: Incorporate mindfulness activities like guided meditations or gratitude exercises during Hygge Hour to make it even more impactful.
7. Desk Décor Throwdown
Turn the workspace into a winter wonderland with a decorating contest! Set fun themes like:
- “Coziest Cabin in the Woods”
- “Over-the-Top Snowstorm”
- “Winter Wonderland Meets Chaos”
Provide craft materials like string lights, paper snowflakes, and winter figurines to inspire creativity. Offer prizes for categories like Most Creative, Funniest, or Best Overall. It’s a lighthearted way to foster team bonding.
❄️ Winter Win: Take photos of the decorated desks and share them on social media to showcase your team’s creativity.
8. Host a Winter Talent Show
A virtual or in-person talent show is a great way to celebrate hidden skills and bring some laughs. Create categories for every comfort level:
- Best bad karaoke performance.
- Fastest snowflake cut-out.
- Most creative winter outfit.
Encourage non-performers to get involved by voting for fan-favorite acts, and offer fun prizes like goofy trophies or gift cards.
❄️ Winter Win: Record the event (with permission) and share highlights during team meetings for an extra morale boost.
9. Sprinkle Kindness Like Snow
Kindness is contagious, and even the smallest gestures can have a big impact. Start a kindness chain where employees surprise one another with thoughtful acts like:- Bringing coffee to a coworker.
- Leaving sticky notes with funny or encouraging messages.
- Gifting small treats like trail mix, cozy socks, or silly trinkets.
Track the acts of kindness to see how far the chain spreads. It’s a simple way to spread joy and build camaraderie.
❄️ Winter Win: Recognize and celebrate acts of kindness during team meetings to keep the momentum going.
10. Craft a Snow Globe
Organize a crafting session where employees can create their own snow globes. Provide jars, glitter, tiny figurines, and ribbons to spark creativity. Encourage personal touches, like adding mini affirmations or wellness goals to the globes.
The process of crafting can be surprisingly therapeutic, and everyone leaves with a fun, personalized keepsake. Bonus: Shake it up whenever you need a little pick-me-up during the workday!
❄️ Winter Win: Pair the crafting session with calming background music and healthy snacks to create a serene, stress-free atmosphere.
Feel free to mix and match these ideas or tweak them to fit your workplace vibe. The goal? Keep things fresh, fun, and totally unexpected. The winter blues won’t know what hit ‘em.
Don’t Forget Your Own Winter Wellness
Remember, you can’t pour from an empty cup. Make sure you’re practicing self-care, too. Soak up sunlight, embrace activities you love, nourish your body, and lean into cozy hobbies. Whether it’s bundling up for a brisk walk or curling up with a good book, find moments that recharge your spirit.
By trying even a few of these ideas, you’ll help your team (and yourself!) stay positive, energized, and ready to tackle the rest of winter. Together, you can turn this frosty season into one full of warmth, connection, and fun.
