Rainy days are a hit in my house, especially because they’ve been so rare over the past couple of months. My five-year-old is absolutely giddy when she sees dark clouds gathering, immediately planning a ‘cozy day’ at home. It’s the opposite of how my town reacts to the first warm, sunny day of spring, when everyone floods the parks and hardware stores to take advantage of the weather.
The way that weather impacts our energy, mood, and motivation isn’t a new concept, but we tend to look at the connection on a day-to-day basis. We gloss over the fact that our bodies and brains also follow seasonal rhythms that impact our productivity, which includes a biological call to lighten our workload as the temperatures start dropping.
In a culture that celebrates nonstop productivity, it can feel almost impossible to settle into a slower rhythm without feeling at least a twinge of guilt. Let’s talk about what that seasonal slump is telling you, and why you should welcome it with open arms.
The science of seasonal slumps
In the history of humankind, electric lights and heating systems are a relatively new concept. In 1908, just 10% of US homes had electricity. By 1945, this had jumped to 85% of homes. There are endless benefits to modern conveniences powered by electricity, but there’s also a drawback—we’ve lost most of our connection to seasonal shifts.
According to health psychologist and author Kari Leibowitz, “We are living out of sync with what is happening in our bodies. Our modern conveniences can work against us because they really reinforce this idea that you don’t need to seasonally adapt or change your behavior.” For centuries, shorter and colder winter days forced people to scale back. A classic example is the farmer, who would spend less time in the fields and instead work on repairing tools and planning for the upcoming spring. There was no possible way to continue the long hours of the warm months.
So, when you hit a productivity slump in the middle of November, it’s generations of biology talking. Shorter days and cooler temperatures give your body cues to slow down. Sunlight helps regulate serotonin, which is linked to focus and mood, as well as melatonin, which tells your body when to sleep. With less daylight, your serotonin production dips and your melatonin production rises earlier in the day. Suddenly it’s dark o’clock, and you’re ready to head to bed, even though you still need to eat dinner and power through your kids’ homework.
Productivity research from Atlassian backs this up—there are measurable changes in workplace focus that are tied to seasonality. During the longer days of spring and summer, our energy is higher, but our energy dips during the darker months. Weather also plays a role in shaping our productivity levels. Research from Harvard Business School shows that workers are more productive on rainy days, when external distractions are low.
Our brains work in cycles, not straight lines
Once you accept that seasonal dips are real– and not just a sign of laziness– you’re better equipped to zoom out and look at the bigger picture. Our brains are built to operate in cycles, not at a flat, steady rate.
Seasonal rhythms: Why energy changes with the year
Humans may not go into hibernation like bears, but our bodies still respond to seasonal cues like cooler weather. Michael Varnum, a professor at Arizona State University, points out that “like many other animals, we too are seasonal creatures.” For example, he argues that seasonal weight gain isn’t just an indicator of overindulgence, but a connection to a time when our ancestors gained more weight to survive periods of food scarcity.
As spring rolls around, longer days provide more sunlight, providing the serotonin we’d been missing all winter. The result is an instant boost in happiness and optimism. And thanks to the later sunsets, our bodies settle into a healthier sleep-wake cycle, and our sleep quality increases. This connection between seasonal changes and our body’s chemistry holds steady throughout the year, constantly impacting how we function.
Circadian rhythms: Your daily energy clock
The seasons aren’t the only rhythm impacting your productivity. Understanding your chronotype– early bird, night owl, or somewhere in between– helps you create an ideal schedule that works around your peak focus hours. Your chronotype is largely influenced by your genetics, so it’s time to stop feeling guilty because you prefer to sleep later and work later into the afternoon.
Not all brains are the same
Like any other facet of life, your personality, genetics, and lifestyle play a role in how you respond to seasonal changes. Some people suggest that extroverts thrive during the warmer months, while introverts feel most alive during the colder months. Instead of comparing yourself with others, focus on how your brain responds throughout the year.
How to work with your energy (instead of fighting it)
Knowledge is only half the battle. Understanding all of the rhythms your body experiences can help you stop fighting yourself and learn how to harness the natural ebbs and flows of your energy levels. Here’s how to adapt your productivity strategies to the seasons.
Fall productivity strategies
Fall is when we feel a natural pull toward structure and focus. Use this burst of enthusiasm for organization and planning.
- Take advantage of ‘back-to-school’ energy. Even if you have no connection to the classroom, September is a natural reset point. Use it to establish fresh routines or bold EOY goals.
- Guard against early slumps. The drop in daylight can make you feel sluggish. Make time for a catnap quick walk to maintain your momentum during the late afternoon.
- Add outdoor breaks to your schedule. You should still get outside during the winter, but that doesn’t mean you will. Use the cool temperatures to spend time outside.
Winter productivity strategies
Short days and cold temperatures can tank your motivation. Instead of forcing yourself into overdrive, lean into the shift.
- Front-load your mornings. Since natural light is limited, your body is often more alert earlier in the day. Plan your deep work in the morning when your energy is highest.
- Cozy up your workspace. Something about a soft blanket and a welcoming scent can make your office feel more welcoming and reduce the friction of beginning another workday.
- Reconfigure your break schedule. Frequent small breaks are more effective than fewer long ones in combating fatigue (aim for 10 minutes or less).
- Shift to reflective work. Focus on planning, writing, and strategy more than overly social or high-output tasks.
- Utilize temptation bundling. Pair an activity you don’t like with something you enjoy, like savoring your iced coffee while you respond to your emails every morning.
Spring productivity strategies
Spring is the season of renewal. Our energy levels rise right along with the temperatures, making spring a great time to jump into new projects or routines.
- Channel all that fresh energy. Don’t be afraid to take on projects that require more creativity.
- Try out new routines. Spring clean your schedule by getting rid of any habits that are holding you back, and replace them with more effective habits.
- Get into nature. Open your windows or do some work on the porch. The fresh air improves cognitive function, increasing focus and innovation.
- Stay on top of your allergies. (Maybe I’m just saying this because I live in Kentucky?!) Seasonal allergies are impacting a growing number of people and can have a significant impact on your productivity.
Summer productivity strategies
Summer offers long days and higher energy, but unpredictable schedules and the heat can undermine your focus. The key is balance.
- Try the Pomodoro technique. 25-50 minute sessions, followed by a break, can be helpful when you’re at your most distractible.
- Take advantage of social energy. Summer lends itself to increased extroversion. It’s the perfect time for team projects or cross-departmental meetings.
- Set boundaries to avoid burnout. More daylight doesn’t mean you need to work longer hours. Set and enforce a hard stop time.
- Try walking meetings. These movement-driven meetings increase creativity and lend themselves to more honest conversations.
Company-wide seasonal productivity strategies
Help your employees maximize their productivity by leaning into these seasonal shifts. Research shows that companies that adjust their workflow based on seasonal energy patterns can see a 15% increase in overall output.
Organization-wide changes can go a long way in helping employees manage the seasonal slump. During the winter, staggered working hours or remote work options enable employees to take advantage of whatever daylight is available to maximize productivity. In the summer, consider outdoor meetings or summer Fridays that encourage employees to enjoy the sunny days and time with their families.
Use RescueTime to track your personal rhythm
By now, it’s obvious that productivity slumps aren’t random. They’re patterns you can map. RescueTime makes this easier by showing exactly when your focus hours rise and fall across the day, week, or season.
One of my favorite ways to do this is to compare reports from different months to see how my productivity has shifted. Go to Productivity → Personal Reports → Productivity to get a month-by-month overview of your habits.
Just for fun, take a peek at my hours from several different seasons. In the winter, I can tell that most of my focus hours happen before I reach noon. By spring, my period of focus shifts more toward the middle of the day. And by the free-for-all that is summer, I’m getting in a good chunk of work late in the evening. With this data, I know when to prioritize my writing vs. responding to emails vs. administrative tasks for my business. You can use your own data to design a similarly personalized schedule that changes with the seasons.
Reclaiming fall as a season of reset
As cold weather sets in, encourage yourself to look at fall and winter through a new lens. After travelling to places on Earth with some of the darkest, coldest winters, Kari Leibowitz shared what she had learned in How to Winter: Harness Your Mindset to Thrive on Cold, Dark, or Difficult Days. She emphasizes the power of looking at winter with a different mindset, allowing ourselves to lean into the season instead of trying to power through the same way we approach spring and summer.
Kari offers three broad strategies to help people winter well, and these can offer a blueprint for how we approach winter in both a personal and professional sense.
1. Appreciate winter. Make a list of five things you’re looking forward to during the season. Changing your mindset can shift your mood for the next few months.
2. Make winter special. Lean into the opportunities that winter offers, like allowing yourself to slow down and take a break from the summertime chaos. Enjoy activities that really only happen during winter.
3. Get outside. You may not be able to take meetings on your porch like you did during the spring, but you don’t have to completely cut yourself off from fresh air. Learn how to layer and pack a lunch you can eat while you walk. Don’t be afraid to reclaim a summer activity during the colder months– you can still eat a picnic or go on a hike.
My favorite suggestion that Kari names is one that I follow religiously in my own home: “big light off.” Unless it’s critical, turn off the overhead lights and turn on the lamps. Your space will instantly feel cozier, and winter will feel a little less frigid.
Productivity is seasonal, and that’s okay
Your brain is not broken just because it’s demanding that you slow down.
Instead of expecting yourself to perform like a robot, consider leaning into the productivity shifts that come with the changing seasons. Pay attention to when your focus is sharpest, when your energy dips, and when you naturally feel more creative.
Most importantly, give yourself permission to rest. You deserve it, and this is the time of year to give yourself some more breathing room.
