Beating the Winter Blues: How to Tackle Seasonal Affective Disorder

When the Seasons Shift, Mood Sometimes Does Too

Imagine stepping into the office on a bleak winter morning. The sky’s grey, the sun’s barely up, and you’re dragging yourself through your coffee. You tell yourself it’s just the “winter blues”. But for some of us, that low-grade drag lingers and grows—day after day.

That’s what Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) can look like. It’s not just a bit of seasonal gloom—it’s a real, recurring pattern of depressive symptoms that shows up in certain seasons.

At Treat Your Staff, we know that the workplace plays a huge role in wellbeing, especially when the daylight fades and the clocks turn back. So let’s dig into what SAD really is, how it affects workplaces, and—most importantly—what you can do to help.

What’s Going On When Winter Hits?

Here’s the science bit, simplified: shorter days and less natural light disrupt our internal clocks and brain chemistry. The result? Lower serotonin and higher melatonin levels, which can affect mood, sleep and energy.

The symptoms vary, but common signs include:

• Feeling lethargic or drained of energy

• Sleeping more than usual or struggling to wake up

• Losing interest in activities you usually enjoy

• Craving carbohydrates or overeating

• Difficulty concentrating or feeling persistently low

While many people experience a dip in mood during darker months, SAD is different—it follows a consistent pattern and can significantly affect daily life.

Why This Matters for Workplaces

We spend a large portion of our lives at work. That means when daylight disappears, morale and motivation can drop too.

Without the right support, SAD can lead to:

• Lower productivity and creativity

• Increased stress and burnout

• Reduced engagement and connection

• Higher absenteeism and presenteeism

When your team struggles silently through seasonal depression, it’s not just a wellbeing issue—it becomes a business risk. Recognising that connection is the first step toward meaningful change.

Practical Ways to Support Your Team

1. Start the Conversation Early

Get ahead of the winter slump by talking about it openly.

• Host a quick awareness session explaining what SAD is (and isn’t).

• Share symptom checklists and resources so staff can recognise it in themselves or others.

• Normalise talking about seasonal wellbeing—this isn’t about weakness, it’s about awareness.

2. Bring in the Light

• Encourage employees to sit near windows or take daylight breaks outside.

• Introduce bright-light lamps in shared areas or breakout spaces.

• Organise “lunch walks” during daylight hours to help boost mood and reset focus.

3. Keep People Moving and Connected

Movement combats low energy and isolation.

• Introduce short stretch breaks or walking meetings.

• Create team challenges, like “Move More Mondays” or “10-Minute Reset Breaks”.

• Foster connection with virtual coffee breaks or in-person social check-ins.

4. Prioritise Rest and Recovery

• Encourage people to fully disconnect on breaks and take lunch away from desks.

• Promote flexible working to help staff manage energy better through shorter daylight hours.

• Offer wellbeing sessions focused on mindfulness, breathwork, or stress management.

5. Offer Tailored Support

• Make sure employees know what’s available—like counselling or mental health support through your EAP.

• Train managers to recognise the signs of SAD and approach sensitive conversations with empathy.

• Offer flexibility for those who find early mornings especially difficult during the darker months.

6. Keep Wellbeing Visible All Year Round

• Don’t wait for winter—include seasonal wellbeing in your annual HR calendar.

• Share regular tips on nutrition, movement, and sleep to help your team build resilience.

• Encourage leaders to model healthy habits and talk about wellbeing openly.

How Small Changes Can Light Up a Dark Season

Meet Sam. Every year, around November, he found himself dragging through his days, craving carbs, and struggling to focus. He chalked it up to “winter fatigue” until his manager mentioned SAD during a wellbeing workshop.

Armed with that knowledge, Sam made small changes—he started walking at lunchtime, rearranged his workspace closer to a window, and tried light therapy. His team also began weekly “stretch and chat” breaks, adding laughter and movement into the afternoons.

By February, Sam noticed a shift—not because winter disappeared, but because he had tools, awareness, and support that helped him manage it better.

Let’s Keep the Light On

SAD isn’t just about feeling gloomy—it’s a genuine mental health challenge that affects millions each year. But the good news? Awareness and early action make all the difference.

When companies take steps to address seasonal wellbeing, they’re not just boosting mood—they’re protecting their people, strengthening culture, and creating a workplace that truly cares.

At Treat Your Staff, we believe wellbeing shouldn’t depend on the weather. By building supportive, flexible, and human-centred workplaces, we can all help keep the light on—even through the darkest days of winter.