5 Ways to Beat the End of Summer Blues 

Feeling the summer blues? August has come to an end (and brought the rain with it), everyone’s heading back to school and that Mallorca trip feels like a distant memory. We prioritise health and wellbeing all year round, but as we move into the colder months, it feels more important than ever. 

The New Economics Foundation has outlined five key ways to look after our wellbeing, endorsed by Mind, a leading mental health charity. They are backed by research and evidence, and we realised we already weave many of them into the way we work! 

Our social calendar may seem packed, but we know how important it is to connect with colleagues, get outside, and make the most of our days. 

Connect

Build resilience by connecting with the people around you. 

No matter who you are, how old you are or where you come from, social connection is vital for protecting your mental health. This could be taking five minutes to catch up with a colleague, offering someone a lift home, or simply spending your break chatting. Small actions like these build confidence and resilience, making work more enjoyable. 

Across Mango, building engagement and strong connections is a top priority. From our famous Christmas parties to our office-based working model, we know how important it is to really get to know the people we are spending our days with. As the darker months roll in, knowing you will come into work and see friendly faces makes all the difference. 

Get Active 

Boost your mood by finding ways to stay active to beat the Summer Blues.

We all know how hard it is to leave a warm bed on a freezing morning, but the rewards are worth it. Studies show that getting active, whether it’s going for a quick walk, cycling to work, or training for a marathon (if that’s your thing!), improves sleep quality and lifts your mood. Being active looks different for everyone, the most important part is that you find something you enjoy!   

Movement is part of Mango’s culture. Whether it’s collectively walking the whole way to Scotland (on a boat, of course!), running marathons, or walking the coastline for charity, there are always opportunities to join in and get moving. 

This September, our team took to the River Lagan to row Dragon Boats in aid of Air Ambulance NI and came away with the win! We admit, we enjoy the glory, but getting active outdoors is just as important (and kept us warm too!). 

Take Notice 

Pause, reflect, and savour the small moments. 

We’ve all heard that gratitude and mindfulness can improve wellbeing, but what does that look like in the workplace? 

Research shows that practising mindfulness is especially beneficial for those in emotionally charged roles, like call centre roles. It might be as simple as noticing how you feel during your commute, enjoying your lunch without distraction, or observing the change of seasons on a short walk. 

Our Adopt a Spot initiative gives the Mango team a chance to pause and notice. We have a focus on sustainability, and taking time to connect with our local environment makes a real difference. We are still in the early stages of this project, but we can’t wait to share more soon.

Learn

Keep growing by learning something new. 

Most of us are glad school is behind us, but continuing to learn in adulthood has amazing benefits, from boosting self-esteem to building optimism. 

This doesn’t have to mean formal study. As we hunker down, it could be picking up an old hobby, signing up for an online course, learning a new recipe, or even trying out an instrument. 

Learning is part of Mango’s DNA. Our mini library, with a “take a book, leave a book” policy, makes it easy to discover something new during a break. 

Training also plays a huge role. Many of our senior staff and managers began as agents and progressed into more senior roles, gaining new skills along the way. Internal growth means we are always learning in new roles.

Give 

Find purpose through giving back. 

Helping others doesn’t just support them, it makes us happier too. Giving back creates a sense of purpose and strengthens our connection to community. It could be as small as making a colleague a cup of tea, welcoming a new starter, or volunteering your time. 

Mango has been rooted in the charity sector for more than 17 years, so we like to think we know a thing or two about the impact of giving. Alongside the amazing clients we work with, we support local initiatives that make a difference in our community. 

From volunteer days at The Barn Animal Shelter to sponsored walks for Air Ambulance NI, fundraising and giving back are things we take seriously. 

Final Thoughts on beating the Summer Blues

There are so many small changes we can make — at work and at home — to improve our wellbeing and beat the Summer Blues. The great thing is, none of them need to be complicated or time-consuming. Whether it’s sharing a laugh with a colleague, trying something new, or taking a quiet moment for yourself, every small step adds up to a healthier, happier mindset. 

👉 Stay Connected 

Follow us on social media to keep up with Mango team activities and Talk To Mango to share your own top tips to Beat the Summer Blues!