I don’t know about you, but at this time of year my energy levels are so depleted, and I just feel fatigued a lot of the time despite trying to maintain a healthy routine and keep active.

There are several reasons for this ‘February fatigue’. The early‑year momentum has faded, the days are still short, and workloads remain high across every sector. Many professionals describe February as the point where their energy finally bottoms out — not because they’re doing anything “wrong”, but because the conditions are stacked against them.

For HR teams and business leaders, this dip matters. Lower energy affects engagement, decision‑making, collaboration and overall wellbeing. The good news is that small, repeatable actions — micro‑habits — can help people rebuild energy and stay resilient through this challenging month.

Being more aware of why this dip happens can help us to be kind to ourselves by acknowledging this is normal and more importantly can help us identify ways of rebuilding our energy.

 The science behind seasonal dips

  • Reduced daylight affects circadian rhythms, which regulate sleep, mood and cognitive sharpness.
  • Lower serotonin levels are common in winter months, contributing to low motivation and irritability.
  • Cumulative fatigue from January’s intensity hits and the ‘fresh start’ effect wears off around weeks 5–6 of the year. February can feel heavier even though workload may not have changed.
  • Burnout risk is increased as research shows that exhaustion peaks after periods of intense effort, not during them.

For many professionals work demands sustained concentration, emotional regulation and rapid decision‑making so effectively we are using more energy to achieve the same output.

Micro‑habits

You may not have the luxury of long breaks or slow days. So, the key is micro‑recovery and fitting in small, repeatable resets that protect energy without disrupting focus and workflow.

Here are 7 strategies to try out at work that are proven to boost and/or conserve your energy:

  1. 60‑second grounding Before a client call or big task: Inhale 4 → hold 2 → exhale 6. One minute of this controlled breathing is enough to steady your nervous system and sharpen your thinking.
  2. Pause and reset: Before opening the next document/starting the next task, take 30 seconds to unclench your jaw, drop your shoulders, and reset your posture.
  3. Email boundaries: Delay sending non‑urgent emails outside working hours to reduce the “always on” culture. Try scheduling them instead.
  4. Micro‑movement: Stretch for 10 seconds between tasks or meetings. Stand for the first minute of every call. Walk for the first five minutes of internal meetings. You could also try walking meetings using the phone rather than being glued to a Teams call.
  5. Five‑minute mental declutter List everything on your mind. Circle the top three priorities for the next 90 minutes. Park the rest. This reduces overload and helps you work intentionally, not reactively.
  6. Two‑minute “mental rinse” after difficult situations / interactions: jot down what happened, what you’re carrying emotionally, and one thing you’re letting go of.

Leader top tip: Modelling healthy boundaries

A manager I work with recently shared 2 simple ways that they model healthy boundaries with their team and this has changed how they work:

“I realised my team would never switch off if I didn’t. I started leaving loudly and saying ‘I’m heading out now, see you tomorrow’. I also stopped emailing after 7pm, even if I was working. Within two weeks, the whole team’s behaviour shifted.”

Leaders set the tone more than any policy ever will. When leaders:

  • take lunch away from their desks
  • decline unnecessary late‑night calls
  • speak openly about needing rest
  • praise sustainable working, not heroic overworking

…teams feel permission to do the same.

Psychological safety isn’t just about speaking up; it’s about being able to rest without fear of judgement.

Be kind to yourself

Remember, February fatigue isn’t a personal failing. It’s a common, predictable dip for busy professionals. With small, intentional recovery habits and the help of leaders who model healthy boundaries, you can move through the month with more clarity, steadiness and resilience.

Further reading