Your company’s guide to kicking the post-holiday blues

Let’s just come right out and say what everyone is already thinking: going back to work after the holidays the worst. These first few weeks of January can be a struggle for even the most motivated employees, which is why it’s important for leaders to take be proactive in setting a positive tone in the office for the year ahead. Fight off the wintertime doldrums with these tips for curing the post-holiday hangover:

The main reason it’s tough to go back to work in January is the inevitable letdown following the buildup to the holidays—after the warming glow of the holidays, there’s nothing but the dark days of winter ahead. Managers can help mitigate this feeling by scheduling a fun work event sometime within the first few weeks back in the office. It doesn’t have to be anything major—a catered lunch, a company-sponsored happy hour, or an employee appreciation breakfast—just a small event to create some enthusiasm and positivity around the workplace during what can often be a bleak period.

Understand that it will take your staff a few days to ease back into the normal ebb and flow of the workday routine. Don’t overwhelm your team with big meetings or decisions too quickly, and, if possible, consider using the first week back as an opportunity for your staff to catch up on internal tasks rather than diving right into crucial assignments. The gratification of even small accomplishments will help propel employees back into the swing of things. Everyone should understand that work still needs to get done, but managers can improve morale by allowing for a short, but needed adjustment period.

The beginning of the year is an opportunity to regroup and refocus on your company’s goals for the months ahead. Take stock of what your company learned in the previous months and work to implement those lessons in your strategy for the coming year. Communicate these objectives to your staff in clear terms and set attainable monthly touch points to measure progress and stay on track.

Every office is different, but for many companies the beginning of the year is an ideal time to launch new projects. People tend to take less time off after the holidays, so the long weeks of January and February can give employees ample opportunity to devote their uninterrupted focus to an area of need. Additionally, returning to work after holiday time off often produces increased creativity and fresh perspectives on lingering issues. Try scheduling a post-holiday brainstorming session on a topic of importance in the coming year—you might be surprised at what your team comes up with!