Supporting Staff Through Loneliness & Low Mood
With over 25 years' experience supporting wellbeing-focused businesses and organisations from Oxfordshire to Scotland, I know what it takes to keep teams steady when pressure peaks. As the founder of Magenta HR Consulting, I'm not your typical HR, I specialise in pragmatic, human-first, commercially-savvy advice for business owners who value clarity and results over jargon. My mission? "Make HR invisible when it works, invaluable when needed."
I've helped wellbeing providers, clinics, charities, and professional service firms turn people chaos into confident business management and repeatable systems. My clients say, "Samantha brings calm to the storm."
"HR shouldn't be a tick-box exercise. It's about protecting your business and your people, so you can focus on what matters."
"The best business owners I work with don't just want compliance, they want a place where people thrive and problems get sorted before they escalate."
If you want HR that gets wellbeing, speaks plain English, and helps you reclaim your time as an owner, you're in the right place. My approach means you get:
Real-world insight with operational grit
Calm, clear guidance even in a crisis
Bespoke, legally robust solutions (no templates-for-all)
A partner who listens first, then acts
Ready to turn people challenges into your business advantage? Let's get started.
Christmas isn't always merry for everyone. For some, it's a season of empty chairs, quiet homes, or reminders of loss. These feelings rarely stay at home, they often show up at work. The "togetherness" message of Christmas can make the reality of loneliness or grief feel even sharper.
Photo by Ryan Stone on Unsplash
Why This Matters for Wellbeing Business Owners
Loneliness, grief, or financial worry can quietly drain your team's energy. Even high performers may:
Withdraw from conversations
Make uncharacteristic mistakes
Seem "off" or emotionally flat
Avoid team events or fun
The pressure to "join in" can be overwhelming for those struggling. Remember, some people cope enough to function, but not enough to feel okay.
Photo by Eugene Zhyvchik on Unsplash
How to Spot When Staff Are Struggling
- Sudden silence from usually chatty colleagues
- More sick days or lateness
- Emotional flatness or irritability
- Avoiding team events
- Increased sensitivity to feedback or small setbacks
These are not "bad attitudes", they're signposts for support.
Practical Ways to Support Your Team
- Check in with compassion: "How are you coping?" is better than "You seem off." Listen, don't problem-solve unless asked.
- Reduce social pressure: Not everyone wants Secret Santa or forced fun. Offer opt-outs or quiet alternatives.
- Signpost support early: Remind staff about Mind UK, ACAS, NHS, or local mental health resources. Make it easy to ask for help before problems escalate.
- Create routine: Some people find comfort in predictable work tasks when their personal world feels messy.
"You can't fix someone's grief, but you can make sure Christmas isn't the month they feel invisible at work."
"When you invest in your people's wellbeing, you protect your business from costly surprises down the line."
Photo by Pavel Danilyuk
Try This Week
- Offer a "quiet space" for staff who need it
- Share the NHS Every Mind Matters link
- Invite feedback on how Christmas feels at work
FAQ
Q: How can I help staff who seem withdrawn at Christmas?
A: Start with a gentle check-in and offer space, not pressure.
Q: What support can I offer beyond conversation?
A: Flexible hours, signposting mental health resources, or just making it okay to step back from social events.
Q: Should I involve the whole team in support?
A: Respect privacy, but remind everyone that it's okay not to be "festive" if they're not feeling it.
Call to Action: Want practical HR support for your wellbeing business? Visit my website!
Have a people challenge this winter? Drop me a message via LinkedIn for more tips and personalised support.
Share your own winter wellbeing tip on LinkedIn and tag @MagentaHRConsulting for a chance to be featured in our next article!
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Main – Photo by Patrick Hendry on Unsplash
About the Author: Samantha Newton
