The significance of employee well-being in the workplace
Running a business, whether large or small, carries many responsibilities, but perhaps one of the most important, and one that is easy to overlook, is the health and well-being of both you and your staff. Mental health, in particular, is very important as it promotes general well-being, as well as boosting productivity and professionalism within the business, helping to boost morale and performance.
It's all about having time to focus on yourself and your team. Here are some simple tips and suggestions for promoting workplace well-being.
Be aware
It’s important to be aware of what is happening in the present moment. Studies have shown that savouring the moment has direct benefits on wellbeing, helping to reaffirm life priorities. The advice is to take notice of what is happening around you as a means of strengthening and broadening awareness.
Stay active
Regular exercise and physical activity can help to lower depression and feelings of anxiety, whatever your age, helping to slow down age-related cognitive decline and improve feelings of well-being. Sport England has produced an Active Employer Toolkit (https://www.sportengland.org/funds-and-campaigns/active-employee-toolkit), which gives lots of ideas for employees to stay active and build movement into their working days, helping to promote mental health, enhance immunity and aid concentration.
Keep in touch
Connecting with others and staying in touch fulfil a basic human need to be valued by other people, helping you to function in the world around you. This can take many forms, from getting involved with team sports or joining an exercise class to attending a networking event or doing a regular quiz evening. Whatever the event, it provides an opportunity to be social, make friends, and connect with others.
Upskill
Learning a new skill or improving an existing one can enhance self-esteem, promote social interaction, and encourage a more active lifestyle. Whether it's learning a new sport, attending an arts and crafts class, joining a choir, or acquiring knowledge, it can boost personal growth and enjoyment of life while providing an opportunity to meet other like-minded people.
Help others
Research has shown that those who perform an act of kindness at least once a week enjoy increased well-being and happiness. Those who help others are more likely to describe themselves as happy. Volunteering is a good way to do this, helping you focus on the needs of others rather than yourself.
NLIG – committed to employee wellbeing
We take the mental health and wellbeing of our staff seriously, and we have implemented the R;pple initiative. This is a software tool designed to intervene when people are at their most vulnerable. We also have a dedicated Mental Health First Aider available to support our employees when needed.
We encourage anyone experiencing anxiety to engage in regular exercise, connect with friends and family, and avoid unhealthy coping strategies such as increased alcohol consumption and smoking.
Full-time workers spend around one-third of their day at work, and long periods of sedentary behaviour can impact health and performance. Public Health England1 recommends 150 minutes of physical activity each week to increase energy, improve sleep, and maintain strength. Physical activity is also better for business, with physically active workers taking 27% fewer sick days2 and improving performance, morale, teamwork, and concentration.
Sources
1.gov.uk: Workplace health needs assessment
2.gov.uk: Working for a healthier tomorrow
fsb.org.uk: Getting started with workplace wellness