For those living in many regions across the US, January can be a dreary and long month, with cold temperatures and fewer hours of sunlight. A lack of daylight can even affect your usual chemical balance. When itโs dark, your body creates the hormone melatonin as a signal that itโs time to go to sleep. During the winter, this can make you feel tired and sluggish, and impact your productivity at work.
For those working in procurement and supply chain, these seasonal factors, along with the cheer from the holiday quickly fading, results in what is known as Blue Monday, or the most depressing day of the year.
Ideas to boost your mood on Blue Monday
One tip to help you improve your mood at work on Blue Monday is to get organized! Scientists have found that a cluttered environment may make it more difficult for us to focus. Researchers hypothesize that multiple objects compete for neural representation in the visual cortex โ explaining why we may feel more unfocused when thereโs a lot of clutter around us. Having an organized place for all your essentials can enable you to think more clearly at work; improving productivity and reducing stress levels. Another idea can be to personalize your workspace adding personal touches like a plant, or photos of family and friends.
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