Beating the Blues – Here’s how to turn Blue Monday into a workplace win

The start of the year can be tough for many—post-holiday fatigue, gloomy weather and financial strain from seasonal spending take their toll.?

It’s no wonder the third Monday of January has been dubbed "the most depressing day of the year" and called Blue Monday.?

While the concept of Blue Monday has faced criticism as pseudoscience, the struggles many employees face this time of year are real.?

Beyond the blues, Blue Monday reminds us that mental health challenges don’t take a day off. It’s a call to action, an opportunity to reset, rethink and reimagine how your workplace can support mental well-being.?

And in this space, there’s plenty of room for creativity, innovation and a lot of heart.?

Why mental health can’t be ignored (not even for a day)?

Depression and anxiety take a toll on productivity, engagement and retention. APA’s Striving for Mental Health in the Workplace initiative found that employees with high stress levels are more likely to miss work or show lower engagement and commitment while at work.??

Additionally, the World Health Organization reveals mental health issues cost the global economy a staggering $1 trillion annually in lost productivity.?

So, what can you do right now??

The good news? You have the power to turn things around. Supporting mental health isn’t just about being a good boss—it’s about being a smart one.?

Nova and other Waterloo co-op employers are leading the way in rethinking workplace well-being. From four-day work weeks to no-meeting Tuesdays, the company prioritizes mental and physical health for its employees.?

Here are a few tips from Waterloo co-op employers for how you can start to support mental wellness in the workplace:?

1. Make space for conversations: Normalize workplace discussions about mental health. Initiatives such as mental health days, workshops or team check-ins can foster a culture of openness and support. Geotab , for example, creates an environment for wellness through panel discussions about managing mental health and stress.?
2. Leverage smart solutions: There are a range of tools and innovative solutions you can introduce in the workplace or recommend to employees. For example, AI-powered app, Doro offers 30-minute chat sessions where users can express their concerns and feelings about anything. The chatbot can suggest various cognitive and behavioural techniques commonly used by therapists.?
3. Offer work flexibility: ?Greater job flexibility has been?associated with decreased psychological?distress and lower anxiety. Empower employees with flexible work hours to help them maintain a healthier work-life balance. At Nova , formerly known as Polar, initiatives like the “someday experiment” give students and staff their Fridays to complete non-work tasks or something in their personal lives like a music lesson or personal care appointment.?
4. Get extra help: Sometimes, the best way to reduce stress and manage the workload is by bringing in extra support. Neutron Controls found that hiring co-op students was an affordable and effective way to alleviate pressure on the team while injecting fresh talent and new ideas into the workplace.?

Blue Monday may never shed its reputation as the "most depressing day of the year," but instead of buying into the gloom, use it as an opportunity to create a workplace that promotes better mental health.?