We are well into autumn here in Ireland now, and let's just say the weather is... changing. It’s a bit colder, a bit rainier, and most of all, the mornings and evenings are getting darker too. For some of us, this darker weather can be really hard to cope with. Some of us will be leaving for work and coming back in pretty much total darkness. This can make us feel like we don't get to do much else besides work during the day, which can then lead to feeling a bit unmotivated and sluggish. We all want to avoid this, so we did a bit of research and have collected some practical tips to help you stay productive and healthy over the next few months.

1. Keep in touch. One of the worst things you can do going into winter is to become hermit-like. Whether this happens intentionally or not, you should really make that bit of effort to keep up with your circle of family and friends, and even make some effort to make new connections. Seeing a friendly face every few days or every week can really make all the difference. This doesnt mean you cant stay in with netflix or disney ever, it just means meeting that friend for a coffee and stroll, or calling back one of your family members to catch up.

2. Do some movement. Now, we know not everyone loves the gym or the more traditional forms of working out, but it's so important to find a type of movement that you enjoy and can stick to. Exercise allows you to get out of your head for a few minutes and focus on your physical body.It produces those much-sought-after endorphins and leaves you feeling a lot better afterwards. With the darker evenings, you might not feel comfortable going out later in the day, so some examples could be a lunchtime brisk walk with a friend or colleague, a yoga or pilates class, or even a swim in your local pool. There are lots of options on offer in Cork City, and with a bit of research, you’ll definitely find something that suits you.

3. Be mindful of your food choices. We aren't advocating for a strict diet with no good stuff, but more so, just be mindful of what you are consuming on a day-to-day basis. In the winter months, it can be tempting to order takeaway and comfort food a couple of nights a week, but in the end, it won’t make you feel all that good. When you feed your body the right foods, you have more energy to do great work and enjoy the wider aspects of your life. Make cooking more fun by inviting friends over and making homemade pizzas, or have a taco night. Cooking food from scratch ensures that it's a bit healthier while still being really tasty. Meal prepping is also a good habit to get into to save time, but we are aware that not everyone likes Tupperware food. Even just cooking a bigger dinner and having the leftovers for lunch the next day is a good start.

4. Sleep.Sleep.Sleep. Did you catch that? Sleep is probably the number one factor in making you feel better on a day-to-day basis. Everyone will have very different schedules, of course, and it may not be possible to get the optimal 7 or 8 hours, but there will always be room for little improvements here and there. This could imply foregoing the 30 minutes you spend scrolling on TikTok before falling asleep and instead using them for actual sleep.After all, when it's wintery out there, what's better than cozying up inside a nice, warm duvet?

5. Have some goals to work towards. When you are looking down the barrel of three or so months of dodgy weather and dark evenings, motivation can definitely take a dip. But as with most things in life, it's essential to have something to look forward to, or to be working towards. These goals don’t have to be big and scary. They can just be little promises you keep for yourself whether that is daily, weekly, or monthly. Some examples could be picking up that foreign language you keep forgetting about, learning a new skill, or even having a financial savings goal. The options are endless.

6. Our final tip is a bit biased, but we do really mean it. A change in work environment can really help. If you work from home, we strongly advise you to visit a co-working space (ideally Republic of Work, but that is entirely up to you 😉).Even if it's just one day a week, changing up your usual routine will always give you a little pep in your step. By going to a coworking space, you’ll meet new people and have those little micro-connections that are so important for our mental health. You’ll also be amongst a group of people who are all doing interesting and unique things, which will also help motivate you in your own line of work.

So, we hope the above tips may have resonated with you and that you can implement them into your own life if that's what you wish. And it's important to remember that even though these winter months may seem a little bleak, there is also a lot to appreciate. To name a few, all of the lovely colors of nature as the leaves change, roaring fires in a cozy room, and ALL of the warm drinks.

All the best, Team RoW.