The winter months can mean increased risks to physical and mental health for some small business owners and employees, from a rise in illnesses to the "winter blues." 

Here are a few things to keep in mind as you work to create a healthy, safe, and wellness-supportive environment for your business this winter.

Changes in energy and motivation. These shorter days and cooler weather can have an impact on your energy levels and motivation to stay productive. 

So make it a point to increase your activity during the work day, and encourage your employees to remain active too by creating more opportunities for exercise and other winter wellness care.

Figure out how best to rev up support for employee health and well-being this winter. Consider doing a "walking" meeting to get employees moving. Gather a crew for a lunchtime walk and/or offer flexibility to employees so they can grab some time on their own for physical activity.

You can also promote winter wellness in the workplace by emphasizing company benefits and other available resources aimed at boosting physical and mental health, such as exercise and meditation apps and platforms that connect to providers and health systems. See this list of health and wellness technologies.

Physical locations affected by wintry weather. This is just safety 101 for small business owners in geographical areas where inclement weather is a given this time of year.

Be sure to monitor and take measures to prevent slippery conditions in walkways and other entry areas used by your employees and customers. 

Also, the SBA advises small business owners to "fortify" their business location to better prepare for colder temperatures, such as sealing up areas where cool air can seep through and checking that heating and heat-producing process equipment is operating efficiently.

Further, the agency adds, "Determine which business equipment is most vulnerable to freezing temperatures (e.g., computers, manufacturing equipment, etc.) and plan to protect it."

Health and wellness routines. This nugget of good advice comes from the "keep it up" column — be careful not to let go of the healthy habits you worked hard to establish in the spring and summer months.

For example, stick to your best practices for getting enough exercise and sleep this winter, and stay hydrated — these are all key to maintaining good health and well-being year-round.

While the winter months and/or holiday season are a busy time for entrepreneurs and small business owners, particularly those in retail, remember your health and well-being are integral to the success of your small business. After all, you are your company's most important asset. Here are some tips on how to stay healthy while starting or running a small business.

The winter blues. Be aware of the so-called "winter blues," which can be brought on by conditions and events common to the season, including fewer hours of daylight and the stress of the holidays.  

"The winter blues can have tangible effects on your employees and your business,"  explains a blog by Columbia, Mo.-based healthcare technology firm Paytient.

While the term "winter blues" is used to generally describe unwell feelings that some people experience this time of year, the most severe cases are diagnosed as Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD, a type of depression linked to changes in daylight hours "not the calendar," according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).

SAD can occur at any time of the year, but winter-pattern SAD occurs more often than summer-pattern SAD, according to the federal agency. "SAD is more common in people living farther north, where there are shorter daylight hours in the winter." 

Watch for signs of the winter blues and initiate steps to counter the effects by keeping up with exercise and mental health practices and increasing opportunities for exposure to light. For example, take and encourage outdoor breaks while the sun is bright, and unblock windows to let as much natural light inside as possible.

"It is key to recognize how the winter blues can manifest differently in each person, and business leaders and managers should pay close attention to employees during this time to reduce the risk of burnout," writes Laurie McCartney, president of Ascend Learning's Global Fitness & Wellness group, in a Forbes Business Council post.