Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a condition experienced by many people during the winter, which can lead to depression. As a manager of a business center, it’s important to be aware of this condition and how it may be affecting your employees.
What Is SAD?
According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, up to 6 percent of people in the U.S. have SAD. However, it’s not clear what causes the condition. There are theories that serotonin and melatonin levels drop due to fewer hours of sunlight during winter.
SAD symptoms usually manifest in the fall and don’t go away until spring. Sufferers may experience a drop in energy, fatigue, depression, mood swings, difficulty sleeping and lack of interest in social events and activities. Women, young people, those living in northern climates, clinical depression sufferers and those with a family history are more likely to experience SAD.
SAD in the Workplace
As an experienced virtual office space solution and conference room rental provider, we understand how workplace setups can affect productivity. It pays to invest in an employee wellness program. Exercising regularly and maintaining a healthy diet can help in fighting SAD. A recent survey by Workplace Strategies for Mental Health found that 85 percent of employees who suffer from mental health issues said that they could remain productive as long as they had enough support from their employers.
Employees with SAD should be allowed to take a break and get some sun during the workday. As an employer, you should be understanding when an employee needs to leave work early or take a day off for treatment.
At 4Corners Business Centers, we offer meeting room rentals and virtual office solutions. Our virtual offices and fully furnished meeting rooms can be found in one of Brooklyn’s most prestigious office buildings. Call us at (718) 280-5170 or fill out our contact form to learn more about our services. We work with clients in Scarsdale and nearby areas.