DO YOU GET SAD IN WINTER?

As the nights get longer and the cold starts to bite it’s easy to start to feel a bit glum. You get up in the dark, go home in the dark and for a lot of people the vast majority of the day is spent in-doors with artificial light. None of this is conducive for a cheery outlook and quickly those small things in life that we usually brush off can become our main focus. Many people say they suffer from SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) during the winter months and there is a lot of evidence to show sales team effectiveness dips during the winter across many sectors in the UK. It’s no surprise that ‘happy people’ sell more and create more opportunities. So, what can you do to help you feel more energetic, happier and enthused to keep chasing those sales? Well, you could move to a warmer climate and sell coconuts on the beach, or you could try a few simple life hacks to brighten up your day.

I discovered these tips in an old file from my days in sales management. I don’t know where they came from or even who wrote them but I’ve been trying them out over the last few days and they’ve definitely made a difference.

 

  1. Raise your activity level to lift your energy. If you’re on the phone, stand up and move about. Take the stairs instead of the lift. Put more energy into your voice. Take a brisk 10-minute walk.
  2. Walk outside. Research suggests that sunlight stimulates brain chemicals that improve mood. For an extra boost, get your sunlight first thing in the morning.
  3. Reach out. Send an e-mail to a friend you haven’t seen in a while, or reach out to someone new. Having close bonds with other people is one of the most important keys to happiness. When you act in a friendly way, not only will others feel friendlier toward you, but you’ll also strengthen your feelings of friendliness for other people.
  4. Rid yourself of a nagging task. Deal with that problem bill, purchase something you need, or make that long-postponed appointment with the dentist. Crossing a bothersome chore off your to-do list will give you a rush of elation.
  5. Create a more serene environment. Spend some time organizing bills and tackling the piles of washing or DIY. A large stack of little tasks can feel overwhelming, but often just a few minutes of work can make a sizable dent. Set the timer for 10 minutes and see what you can do.
  6. Do a good deed. Buy someone a coffee, take a minute to pass along useful information, or deliver some gratifying praise. In fact, you can also…
  7. Save someone’s life. Sign up to be an organ donor, and remember to tell your family about your decision. Do good, feel good? It really works!
  8. Act happy. Fake it ’til you feel it. Research shows that even an artificially induced smile boosts your mood. And if you’re smiling, other people will perceive you as being friendlier and more approachable.
  9. Learn something new. Think of a subject that you wish you knew more about and spend 15 minutes reading about it online, or go to a book store and buy a book about it. But be honest! Pick a topic that really interests you, not something you think you should or need to learn about.

Some people worry that wanting to be happier is a selfish goal, but in fact, research shows that happier people are more sociable, likeable, healthy, and productive and they’re more inclined to help other people. By working to boost your own happiness, you’re making other people happier too.