Winter is here, which means it's time to bundle up and get through the cold months. But winter isn't just about freezing temperatures; it's also a time to slow down, get cozy, and recharge your batteries. And that's exactly what you need to do if you're feeling burned out at work or at home. As a manager or team leader—especially in the depths of winter—you can help yourself and your staff recover from burnout with these tips:

Burnout can devastate your team's well-being and productivity, so here are some ways to combat it.

Burnout is a serious problem. It can be overwhelming, difficult to overcome, and dangerous. Burnout can also be contagious, expensive, and a sign of a bigger problem in your organization.

Burnout is becoming more prevalent as workers face increased demands at work while simultaneously trying to manage the stresses of life outside of work. When someone feels burned out, they usually feel drained, tired, and exhausted all the time, which can lead to irritability and shortness with colleagues or customers. The longer this goes on, the harder it is for that person to recover from their perceived exhaustion or weariness. As a result, they start taking fewer breaks from their work, which leads to even more burnout symptoms over time, such as decreased motivation and lower-quality work from employees who are completely overwhelmed by everything going on around them, especially during stressful times like the winter when there are few people around to help. 

Break the workday into small chunks and schedule time to rest.

Break the workday into small chunks. Instead of attempting to complete everything at once, make an effort to devote adequate time each day to your most important tasks.

Schedule time for yourself. You need some time at the end of your workday to recover from all that stress and pressure, so schedule it in! Make sure you give yourself enough time to rest so that you can be fully recharged when it comes time for bed.

Make sure each team member understands their role in the overall mission and is recognized for their contributions.

Making sure each member of your team knows their role in your collective mission and rewarding them for their contributions is a great way to combat winter burnout.

The winter months can be incredibly draining on people. This is especially true for those who work in the service industry, like restaurants and retail stores (which are the two industries that employ the most people). As a business owner, it is important that you make sure each member of your team knows how their role fits into the big picture, so they feel like they are making an impact at work. You should also find ways to reward them when they go above and beyond what was expected of them—this will increase productivity as well as morale amongst all employees!

Foster a culture of empathy within your workplace.

Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another. It's a skill that can be learned and practiced. You can develop empathy not only through your own experiences but also by observing others' behavior.

• Empathy helps you connect with others on a deeper level, which builds trust—an important component in any workplace relationship.

• When you possess empathy, it's easier for you to identify other people's needs and wants because you're able to put yourself in their shoes. This allows you to create an environment where team members feel valued, which improves morale and productivity as well as overall happiness at work.

• By understanding what drives different employees' behavior at work (e.g., feeling undervalued), you can make more informed decisions about how best to support them, so they perform at their best levels possible while also having fun doing so!

Empathy is a skill that can be developed with practice. One way to learn more about empathy is by reading books on the subject. There are many books written on the topic of empathy, including "The Empathy Effect: The Surprising Power of Putting Yourself in Someone Else's Shoes" by Nicholas Epley and "How Emotions Are Made: The Secret Life of the Brain" by Lisa Feldman Barrett.

Schedule days off for your workers so they can get away from the stress of their jobs.

The best way to combat winter burnout is to allow your employees to disconnect from the demands of their job by scheduling days off. This may seem counterintuitive, but it works. For example, you could let them leave early on a Friday. This will reduce burnout and improve productivity in the office, as well as help your employees feel less stressed out during the winter.

If you’re looking for a more permanent solution, try regularly scheduling time off during the winter months. This will give your employees a chance to recharge their batteries while they enjoy some time off with their families or friends. In addition, this can help improve productivity in your business because it allows employees to be more focused when they return to work.

Create structured spaces for team members to take breaks so they can recharge.

Create a space for your team that is comfortable, inviting, and private. This space should be accessible so that employees can quickly recharge and get back to work without feeling like they are interrupting anyone else's workflow. If the break room is too far away from other areas of the office, it will feel foreign and unwelcoming, which will make people less likely to use it.

Include some couches or comfortable chairs in this area so people can stretch out if they need rest after sitting at their desks all day. Consider adding dim lighting or soft music, as well as plants or other decorations, that make this room more inviting for employees who use it often throughout the day.

Embrace the winter spirit and embrace your feelings.

To combat winter burnout, you need to embrace the winter spirit. Accept your feelings and let go of the past. Focus on the present and enjoy yourself in this moment.

For many, that means embracing the coldness of winter and all its joys, including snow-packed walks under a clear sky or long drives through winding mountain roads with ice-covered trees lining the way.

The other side of this winter burnout battle is also important: allowing yourself time to recover from stressors like holiday shopping crowds or family drama by relaxing at home with a hot drink while listening to some music or reading a good book (or both).

Final thoughts on how to combat winter burnout

Winter is a great time to connect with your team and foster a sense of community. It’s also the perfect opportunity to take care of yourself and stay productive, so you can enjoy the season without burning out.

References and Further Reading:

• How Leaders Can Combat Burnout on Their Teams This Winter: As seasonal depression creeps in, here's how employers can help their workers unwind and stay productive. (Inc.)

• Why You Should Quietly Quit and How to Do It (Dara Laine Murray on LinkedIn)

• You’ve heard of ‘quiet quitting.’ Now try ‘quiet thriving.’ Advocate for a cause, find one thing to love, craft your job and cultivate a best friend at work. These and other ways can help you feel more engaged on the job. (New York Times)

• Loud Quitting: It's Time to Redefine Success for Women Leaders (Dara Laine Murray on LinkedIn)

• Beyond burnout: What helps—and what doesn’t: Despite leaders’ best efforts, worldwide burnout persists. New research reveals why—and how to help employees begin to thrive again. (McKinsey Health Institute)

• All you need to know about quiet quitting: what it is and how to do it (Dara Laine Murray)

• 3 neuroscience-based strategies to combat employee burnout: A new Korn Ferry report offers neuroscience-based solutions to fight back against post-pandemic exhaustion. (Korn Ferry)

• How Will The Workplace Change in 2023? Bold Predictions for Professionals (Dara Laine Murray on LinkedIn)

• 4 Ways Individuals Can Combat Burnout (TTI Success Insights)

• How to combat winter burnout (LinkedIn News)