Workplace Health & Wellbeing
Five Ways to Wellbeing
Improving your mental health when you’re at work can feel like a challenge. It’s even harder if you work in a busy or stressful environment.
Five Ways to Wellbeing, created by The New Economics Foundation and based in evidence and research, offer some simple steps which you and your employees can do every single day.
With the people around you. With family, friends, colleagues and neighbours. At home, work or in your local community. Think of these as the cornerstones of your life and invest time in developing them. Building these connections will support and enrich you every day.
23% of employees report feeling lonely at work
https://www.sylobeyondhr.com/social-wellbeing-building-connection-community-and-belonging/
Go for a walk or run. Step outside. Cycle. Play a game. Garden. Dance. Exercising makes you feel good. Most importantly, discover a physical activity you enjoy and that suits your level of mobility and fitness.
Being physically active reduces the risk of depression by up to 30%
https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/movement/movement-research
Be curious. Catch sight of something beautiful. Remark on the unusual. Notice the changing seasons. Savour the moment, whether you are walking to work, eating lunch or talking to friends. Be aware of the world around you and what you are feeling. Reflecting on your experiences will help you appreciate what matters to you.
Taking 10 minutes a day to pause and be aware of your how you are feeling leads to a 6.9% increase in overall well-being.
https://www.bath.ac.uk/announcements/just-10-minutes-of-mindfulness-daily-boosts-wellbeing-and-fights-depression/
Try something new. Rediscover an old interest. Sign up for that course. Take on a different responsibility at work. Fix a bike. Learn to play an instrument or how to cook your favourite food. Set a challenge you will enjoy achieving. Learning new things will make you more confident as well as being fun and connecting with others.
77% of adults report a boost in their self-confidence after picking up a new skill or fresh learning challenge.
https://www.tes.com/magazine/archive/six-reasons-why-adult-education-benefits-learners
Do something nice for a friend, or a stranger. Thank someone. Smile. Volunteer your time. Join a community group. Look out, as well as in. Seeing yourself and your happiness, linked to the wider community can be incredibly rewarding and creates connections with the people around you.
Individuals who participate in community-focused giving are 31% less likely to feel lonely or isolated.
https://www.royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk/about-us/our-impact/our-research-policy-work/volunteering-a-powerful-social-prescription/