New Year, Deep Winter: Why You Still Feel Tired and What to Do About It

Are you also feeling like you are being shoved into a racecar that’s already revving at full speed. But honestly, you are still feeling like you’re in the pit stop, sipping tea and rubbing sleep from our eyes? Yeah, me too.

This January feels like an overenthusiastic friend who has dragged me out of bed for a morning run, shouting, 'New Year, new you!' Meanwhile, I am wondering if it’s acceptable to still be wearing pyjamas at my desk!

While the Gregorian calendar insists it’s time to get going, the Lunar New Year - still weeks away - offers a gentler timeline. Nature is still wrapped up in its winter blanket, whispering, "Not yet, my friend." Sylvia Plath got it. In her poem Wintering, she writes: "This is the easy time, there is nothing doing. I have whirled the midwinter round, and I will go on shining." Winter is the season of rest, reflection, and slow regeneration.

 It’s no wonder your body feels like still hibernating even as emails pile up and meeting invites flood your calendar.

 I know some of you reading this are in the midst of summer in the Southern Hemisphere. The same principles of balance, energy management, and intentional pauses apply - whether you're navigating long summer days or shorter, quieter ones.

Don’t rush. Pace yourself. We’re in this for the long haul. You don’t need to do everything, but you can do a few things well, with focus and presence. And that’s more than enough.

Here are a few tips that will help you honour a slower rhythm while still getting back to work.

1.     Let there be light (and movement)

Andrew Huberman, a neuroscientist who knows his stuff, highlights the power of light exposure in the morning to reset your circadian rhythms. Think of it as your body’s natural wake-up call. Even on grey days (welcome to winter in the UK), a quick 5–10 minutes outside can do wonders for your mood and energy. While you’re at it, add some light movement. No, you don’t need to sign up for a HIIT class. Simply bouncing on the ball of your feet for a few minutes can stimulate your lymphatic system, improve circulation, and give you that "I’m awake now" boost.

2.     Micro-rest and mindfulness

Winter isn’t just a season; it’s a metaphor for the small pauses we need throughout the day.

• Step away from your desk a few times a day and take five deep breaths. Yes, five. (It’s harder than it sounds.)
• Look out of the window and notice something – anything - beyond your screen. It's called the 20:20:20 guideline - every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away from your screen, for 20 seconds. 
• Sip your tea or coffee like it’s a fine wine. (Bonus points if you add a "Mmm" for dramatic effect.) 

3.     Essentialism: Do less, but better

January can feel like the season of saying "yes" to everything. Meetings? Yes. New projects? Yes. That awkward post-holiday catch-up? Sure. But what if you didn’t? Greg McKeown, author of Essentialism, encourages us to focus on doing less, but better. Instead of trying to tackle everything, identify the one or two tasks that will make the biggest difference today. Then give yourself permission to let the rest wait. It’s not laziness; it’s wholehearted leadership.

4.     Model balance for your team

As a leader, your team looks to you for cues. If you’re scheduling back-to-back Zoom marathons, they’ll think they need to do the same. Instead, model balance:

• Block off time for focused work or quiet reflection. Jeff Dewing , CEO of CloudFM, has exemplified this concept with his leadership team, leading to outstanding results.
• Start meetings with a mindful minute or a moment of gratitude. This sets a calm, intentional tone and fosters connection within the team.
• Encourage your team to take breaks, and make sure you’re taking them too.
• Build in "no meeting" zones or designated focus hours, giving everyone space to recharge and work deeply.
• Remind your team (and yourself) that productivity is about quality, not quantity. A well-rested mind accomplishes far more than a burnt-out one.

As you ease into the year, honour your body’s need for rest while navigating the demands of work.

Step into the light (literally), breathe deeply, bounce a little, and focus on what truly matters. You might just find that the best way to "shine" this year is to let yourself rest first.

Now, here’s a question for you: What’s one small thing you can do today to honour your need for rest while showing up for your responsibilities?