 A happy workforce has been proven to be more productive. |  If people feel good within themselves they perform better. |
More companies are taking the wellbeing of their staff more seriously and providing more support and understanding at last.
According to figures published by the NHS, more than 5 million people are signed off per year due to mental health such as depression and anxiety. In a separate report commissioned by Theresa May one in seven workers have a symptom of mental health and 300,000 people lose their jobs due to mental health every year.(1)
These are incredible statistics and although there is more awareness of mental health now because we have a better understanding and people are talking more and don’t seem to be as frightened of mental health issues as they did in the past, but the figures prove that a lot more could be done. People with mental illness should not be made to feel ashamed, worthless and isolated and should be treated with empathy and understanding and above all given support.
Interestingly, Stress Induced Depression, which is a common problem in the workplace is also nicknamed ‘The Curse of the Strong’ by Dr Tim Cantopher. A great read if you are interested about hearing more. And this is something I have had in the past so know from experience how debilitating it can be.
Basically Dr Cantopher, highlights that only people who are: high achievers; perfectionists; go that extra mile for everything and everyone; put others first including a business; and put themselves last are the ones who suffer from this common mental health problem, Stress Induced Depression. He highlights those who are lazier and put themselves first and less driven for a company and others would never push themselves and take on so much to become that stressed. Hence, this highlights that the people in a business that make the business thrive are those who are likely to suffer burn out and so it is vital to invest in these key people in every business to provide a synergistic benefit to everyone, including the business. It’s common business sense!
The average worker in Britain spends ⅓ of their week in the office and a large number of people spend much more than this plus there is more pressure to continue working when you get home and not switch off, so it is important that more companies provide support and invest in the physical and mental wellbeing of their staff to stop them having time off sick or worse ‘burning out’.
Thankfully, more and more employers are becoming aware of the importance of investing in the wellbeing of their workforce, if people feel good within themselves they are going to perform better and have a more positive outlook on things and be more productive.
These are incredible statistics and although there is more awareness of mental health now because we have a better understanding and people are talking more and don’t seem to be as frightened of mental health issues as they did in the past, but the figures prove that a lot more could be done. People with mental illness should not be made to feel ashamed, worthless and isolated and should be treated with empathy and understanding and above all given support.
Interestingly, Stress Induced Depression, which is a common problem in the workplace is also nicknamed ‘The Curse of the Strong’ by Dr Tim Cantopher. A great read if you are interested about hearing more. And this is something I have had in the past so know from experience how debilitating it can be.
Basically Dr Cantopher, highlights that only people who are: high achievers; perfectionists; go that extra mile for everything and everyone; put others first including a business; and put themselves last are the ones who suffer from this common mental health problem, Stress Induced Depression. He highlights those who are lazier and put themselves first and less driven for a company and others would never push themselves and take on so much to become that stressed. Hence, this highlights that the people in a business that make the business thrive are those who are likely to suffer burn out and so it is vital to invest in these key people in every business to provide a synergistic benefit to everyone, including the business. It’s common business sense!
The average worker in Britain spends ⅓ of their week in the office and a large number of people spend much more than this plus there is more pressure to continue working when you get home and not switch off, so it is important that more companies provide support and invest in the physical and mental wellbeing of their staff to stop them having time off sick or worse ‘burning out’.
Thankfully, more and more employers are becoming aware of the importance of investing in the wellbeing of their workforce, if people feel good within themselves they are going to perform better and have a more positive outlook on things and be more productive.
Great tips to unlock better wellbeing.
The government has published its own ‘5 Ways To Wellbeing’ (2), following work looking at how to achieve the best possible mental development and mental wellbeing for everyone in the UK to help unlock better mental health. These are:-
- Connect- So important to engage with those around you and build relationships.
- Be Active - You feel so much better from exercising and figures have proven how this helps to lower feelings of anxiety and depression.
- Take Notice- Be more aware of your surroundings and take time to appreciate what you can see, smell or even taste! Basically be mindful and be in the moment.
- Keep Learning- Learning something new is challenging and fun.
- Give- A smile, a thank you are all easy to do and are rewarding and this small gesture could make all the difference to someone’s day.
Companies up and down the country seem to be taking the health and wellbeing of their staff more seriously, not surprising based on those figures above and they are implementing different incentives. Some provide gym membership and more flexible working hours, while others have gone further and looked at ways to encourage natural light in the office space, encouraging staff to connect with nature and get outside on lunch breaks which has been proven to lift mood, and focusing on healthy eating all of which help to provide a healthy mind and body and allow the brain to engage and the body feel more energised.
Lincolnshire Police have even recruited fitness mentors to support the wellbeing of their staff. (3) and some companies have trained mental health first aiders and also offer confidential counselling to those who need it (4), another example that companies are more aware of mental health and not just supporting those with a physical condition.
Says it all really!. It’s great that wellbeing in the workplace is being taken seriously and ways to improve it have been implemented by some. Hopefully this will continue to be done and more companies take steps to value and invest in their employees.
Articles mentioned in this blog :-
- https://www.managementtoday.co.uk/why-mental-health-factor-every-business-decision/future-business/article/1453154
- https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/mental-capital-and-wellbeing
- https://lincolnshirereporter.co.uk/2018/01/lincolnshire-police-bring-in-fitness-mentors-to-boost-staff-wellbeing/
- https://www.theguardian.com/careers/2017/oct/11/six-steps-to-improving-mental-wellbeing-work
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