Finding motivation midwinter can be a struggle. Less sunlight, post holiday cheer, and colder temperatures have been linked to seasonal depression (SADD), known to affect thousands of people each season. It’s a very real concern for organizations and individuals alike, as both struggle to keep motivation high and sanity balanced.
Over the years, we’ve published numerous articles based on SADD research packed with tips and resources to help keep schools running at full speed. We understand that private-independent school administrators and faculty are a dedicated, driven crew, often exerting self-discipline to master the tasks on their calendars. It’s not uncommon to hear that most people employed by private schools work 60+ hours a week, bringing unfinished projects home with them, and extending the school’s culture into their personal lives. It’s also not uncommon to hear that the tasks left buried under overwhelming to-do stacks on their desks haunt their dreams—which can be increasingly frustrating, if not depressing, during this time of year.
Chins up, dedicated school administrators! The first step in being truly successful is believing in yourself—and your dreams. Allowing negative thoughts to cloud your perceptions can be detrimental. The more positive you can keep your thinking, the more likely you are to complete the tasks in front of you as well as that stack of projects camping on the edge of your desk. So, swallow another Vitamin D capsule, stretch, take a deep breath, and push those post-holidays, SADD blues out of your mind. Make this your mantra: “I’m brilliantly dedicated and will get through this.”
Don’t fantasize—get to it. Once you’ve gotten yourself back in tempo (or close to it), it’s hard not to let the fantasy of all those tasks on your calendar marked as “completed” take over. Let’s be honest; that visual makes you feel good. But, don’t just dream it—start shrinking your backlog of work. If all you do is dream of one day getting to that project, one day reaching this goal, or one day achieving that status, you’re setting yourself up for long-term depression.
Research shows that dreaming pleases our brains. It releases those happy, feel-good chemicals that comfort and soothe. However, if you don’t act on your dreams, they accumulate into large disappointments. Yes, we know this time of year it’s tough to summon motivation. But, being deliberate in your actions and decision-making is key to powering through our darkest season.
Power up with the sun. The main ingredient in combatting SADD is sunlight—exactly what most of the country is lacking. Making it trickier, even when the sun is shining, it’s so cold that most of us don’t want to spend more than the time it takes us to walk from our cars to the front door. The fact is, we need about 30 minutes a day of sunlight to keep ourselves balanced. No, looking out the window doesn’t count. If you don’t have flyer miles you can cash in or a time-share in the Caribbean, you can supplement some of the sun's healthy rays with Happy Lamps. Of course, nothing is as healing as the sun itself. So, if you’re brave enough to face the chill, make your way outside each morning for a brisk 30-minute walk.
Happiness craves company! There is power in numbers. Team up with a few people around your office, or even a family member, and work together to motivate one another. Share positive and motivating quotes, encourage each other to power walk a few laps around the school track, plan a 10 minute coffee break in the afternoon to rejuvenate, and check in with one another on the progress of your goals.
Wellness Programs Save Dollars—Your School and Employees
Research has shown over the years that Wellness Programs have been proven to save money for both the implementing organization and the individuals participating. ISM offers a wide range of health plans and coverages to protect your employees that include wellness programs—meaning, one of our Senior Field Advisers will work with your team to set up health incentives that match your culture and your budget. Contact us for more information on health benefits including Medical Insurance, Long Term Disability, Voluntary options, and Life Insurance.
Martin Kelly • martin@isminc.com • 302-656-4944
Additional ISM articles of interest
ISM Monthly Update for Human Resources Vol. 8 No. 4 A Dreary Classroom Is Cause for a Lawsuit
ISM Monthly Update for Risk Managers Vol. 5 No. 4 Ringing in 2015 With New Winter Health Risks
ISM Monthly Update for Admission Officers Vol.7 No. 6 Cabin Fever or SADD?
