This week is Mental Health Awareness Week and a great opportunity to learn how to help employees. Over the years this initiative has grown to be a prominent cause for, workplaces, and organisations of all kinds getting involved. It’s a chance to get everyone focused on mental health, the things that help to protect and nurture it, and encourage openness about our experiences of mental health.
Why Mental Health Matters
First things first, mental health is just as important as physical health. It affects how we think, feel, and act. When employees feel mentally well, they perform better, are more engaged, and contribute positively to your company’s success. A happy, productive and healthy workforce will only benefit a company and the employees overall morale.
Why Movement is This Years Theme?
One of the most important things we can do to encourage employees to help protect their mental health is regular movement. Our bodies and our minds are connected, so looking after ourselves physically will help us to prevent problems with our mental health.
As we all know regular exercise and physical movement releases “feel good” hormones, that reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. It can also help people feel better about their bodies. It can improve sleep too. If it involves other people, like being part of a team, or exercise group this can also improve mental health.
Given all these benefits, here’s what you can do to help your people to encourage more movement and improve their mental health:
Create a Health-Friendly Work Environment
Flexible Hours: Remember that employees have personal lives and responsibilities outside of work. Offer flexible work hours or the option to work from home when feasible. Empower employees to manage their schedules to accommodate their unique needs.
Ergonomic Workspaces: Design comfortable and ergonomic workstations for in-office employees. Ergonomic chairs, adjustable desks, and proper lighting can significantly reduce physical discomfort and related stress.
Wellness Programs: Implement wellness programs that encompass physical, mental, and emotional health. This could include yoga or meditation sessions, stress management workshops, or even fitness challenges to promote overall well-being.
Team Support: Encourage the development of supportive relationships among colleagues. Promote team-building activities that help build trust and friendships. Consider creating peer support networks where employees can turn to each other for emotional support and advice.
Virtual Team-building: Combat isolation and promote a sense of belonging among remote workers through virtual team-building activities. Virtual happy hours, team trivia, or even online escape room challenges can help employees connect and have fun together.
Mental Health Resources: Provide access to mental health resources and teletherapy options. Ensure employees know how to access these resources and that they are aware of the business’s commitment to supporting their mental well-being. If possible, build these into your employee benefits policies so employees have access to wellness programs.
Consider Rewarding Your Team With New Experiences
Rewarding your employees with memorable experiences can be a fantastic way to encourage physical movement and support mental health. Whether you’re in the UK or the USA, we’ve got you covered with a wide array of experiences that cater to all tastes.
Rewarding employees with new experiences can have several benefits for their mental health:
Novelty and Excitement: New experiences stimulate the brain and trigger the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward. This can create feelings of excitement and anticipation, which can help alleviate stress and boost mood.
Reduced Stress: Stepping away from routine and trying something new can provide a break from daily stressors. Engaging in novel activities can shift focus away from work-related pressures, allowing employees to relax and recharge mentally.
Enhanced Creativity: Experiencing new things can spark creativity by exposing individuals to different perspectives, environments, and challenges. This can lead to fresh ideas and innovative thinking, which can be beneficial not only for work but also for problem-solving in various aspects of life.
Building Resilience: Facing and adapting to new experiences can help individuals develop resilience. By stepping out of their comfort zones and successfully navigating unfamiliar situations, employees can gain confidence in their abilities to overcome challenges, both at work and in their personal lives.
Strengthened Social Connections: Many new experiences involve interacting with others, social connections are crucial for mental well-being, and engaging in shared experiences can strengthen bonds among team members, fostering a sense of belonging and support.
Sense of Accomplishment: Accomplishing something new, whether it’s mastering a new skill or conquering a fear, can boost self-esteem and self-efficacy. Recognising and celebrating these achievements can reinforce positive feelings and motivate employees to continue pushing their boundaries.
Overall, providing employees with opportunities to try new experiences not only rewards them for their hard work but also contributes to their overall well-being by promoting mental stimulation, stress relief, creativity, resilience, social connections, and a sense of accomplishment.
Reward a wellness experience
We’re huge advocates of helping people have a balanced lifestyle and champion wellness within the workplace. We’ve created wellness collection vouchers that businesses can give to their colleagues as a reward or special incentive.
Our two wellness collections in the UK are filled with a range of experiences that your teams can choose from, including traditional wellness adventures like spa days and getaways or unique takes on the definition of wellness, these collections are sure to bring a smile to anybody’s face.
| Experience Wellness Collection Choice of 79 experiences- £100 | Discover Wellness Collection Choice of 35 experiences- £50 |
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Hopefully by now you have learned how to help employees with mental health. Remember, when employees feel valued and supported, they’re more engaged, productive, and likely to stick around for the long haul. What to find out more about our range of wellbeing experiences? Get in touch below:
