“There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.” This is a phrase my Norwegian grandmother always says, and it’s a fundamental mindset of most Nordic people. It has also become a staple in my life, especially as I endure another cold winter here in Michigan. This mindset was recently refreshed when a friend at Atomic shared an episode of NPR’s Life Kit podcast about thriving in winter, and this saying was mentioned. I found it not only helpful but heartwarming as I reflected on similar ways I cope with the cold. After listening and then experiencing a month of wintery days, I realized these lessons are relevant to thriving at work during the winter, too.
People typically dislike winter, and I don’t blame them for thinking this way, especially here in the Midwest. It’s cold, dark, and gray. If you’re not already a winter person like myself, maintaining a work-life balance can be even harder this time of year. We’re inside more, and we have less energy. Yet, we’re expected to push forward with the same, cheerful mentality we have in other seasons.
While it won’t solve a distaste for the season, I believe changing the way we think about the cold and dark of winter can allow us to appreciate it. Here are a handful of tips for surviving – and maybe even enjoying – winter while working a hybrid job.
Be realistic about being productive.
It’s meant to be a slow season. We have less energy this time of year, so don’t be overly ambitious with the workload you take on (if you can). Humans are some of the only species that don’t intentionally slow down this time of year – it’s in our DNA to do less. We shouldn’t fight this too much, and at the very least, we should just be mindful of the fact. We are all more prone to fatigue, burnout, and stress, which can lead to more serious mental health challenges. While we have to maintain deadlines and productivity, it’s more important to be aware and realistic about what your full capacity is this time of year.
Dress for the weather, not the job you want
I find it unnecessary to wear the same warm, yet business-casual clothes I sport in the spring or fall. I’m not saying show up to work in pajamas, but there should be no shame in dressing for the weather rather than looking “professional,” whatever that means anymore. You should be warm, so wear that winter hat to a client meeting if it helps you embrace the season. I also try to layer up with winter clothing whenever I leave the house, especially when commuting to the office. This often means wearing wool base layers, bringing a winter hat and gloves, and keeping an extra layer in my bag or car, just in case. Remember what my grandmother says… “no such thing as bad weather.”
Add some light to your life.
Try to avoid using overhead lights for too long, at least after it gets dark outside. Use softer lighting or candles to make your workstation cozy, especially toward the end of the day when the sun is setting but you’re still working. It’s also important to get exposure to natural light while it’s available, both while working and when you take a break. Remember – that will likely be gone by the time you finish working! Get it while it lasts.
Go outside.
Don’t just take breaks – get outside, even if just for a few minutes. The fresh air and the bitter cold will make you feel refreshed, and you’ll appreciate cozying up inside at your workspace even more. Doing this often gives me a little boost of productivity once I’m back to work.
I also find it helpful to have a winter hobby that gets you outside, a fun reason to get layered up and take on the elements. For me, this is cross-country skiing and downhill snowboarding, but there are lots of other (less expensive) ways to get out there and actually enjoy yourself. By dressing for the weather, getting outside won’t feel like such a daunting task – you might even look forward to it.
Make a winter schedule.
As the hours of the day are drastically different, I find it important to adjust my schedule to support a different lifestyle in the winter. When possible, I work away from my desk for a couple of hours in the morning, closer to windows, a heat vent, and in a comfier position.
Once a week, I also try to take 30-60 minutes during the middle of the day to get outside and appreciate the snow and/or whatever daylight is available. This becomes a must when the sun is shining (a rare sight in Michigan this time of year). The other thing I do, particularly on the days I work from home, is carve out a couple of hours in the evening to make a warm meal from scratch. I don’t do this as often in the summer when the daylight lasts longer, but when it’s dark and cold by 6 p.m., being in a warm kitchen full of delicious smells is a cozy way to decompress after work.
Thrive in the winter
Until recently, I had subconsciously viewed these approaches to winter as only applicable to my personal life. These aren’t just practical lifestyle tips, but rather ways of living that should exist no matter what we’re doing. Taking a new approach to the season can improve our relationship with work during these difficult months, especially for those of us in a hybrid work environment.
Most of the lessons in the podcast were friendly reminders versus novel ideas. However, it was still nice to have things formally spelled out by a subject matter expert. It’s validation that I’m approaching winter with the right mindset. I encourage you to listen to the podcast, try some of these tips for yourself, and give winter the same kind of attention we give other seasons.