To highlight Mental Health Awareness Week, this year’s theme is Movement: moving for our mental health, underlining the vital connection between body and mind.
It’s perhaps a no brainer that exercise – or any physical movement – reduces feelings of stress and anger, but how often do we make time for it as a means of looking after ourselves? Often referred to as the ‘silent killer’, stress has become a growing issue in many UK workplaces and yet stress in work is often unavoidable. Studies show that the most common cause of stress is work-related stress, with 79% of individuals often feeling it, with one out of 14 adults experiencing stress daily.
That’s not all. 60% of 18–24-year-olds and 41% of 25–34-year-olds feel pressured to succeed, compared with just 17% of 45–54-year-olds and 6% of over 55s (Mental Health Foundation and YouGov). 23% of adults also say that work causes them stress (CIPHR), and 13.7 million working days are lost each year in the UK because of work-related stress, anxiety and depression, costing £28.3 billion yearly (NICE).
The Workplace Health Report also revealed that 76% of employees report moderate-to-high or high levels of stress, with 33% reporting that high levels of stress impact productivity. The top cause of work-related stress is workload (73%). Yet the right amount of stress can actually be good for us and be motivating, reflected by 54% agreeing that the perfect amount of stress enables them to thrive.
Yet when stress levels become overwhelming, it becomes a problem that can negatively impact both employees’ performance and wellbeing. Effective stress management not only benefits individuals, but also contributes to a healthier workplace and organisation as a whole. As well as setting some time aside regularly each week to move more, it’s also crucial for leaders to offer assistance in order to protect their employees’ mental wellbeing and address issues such as stress and burnout.
Here are four effective ways employers can enhance staff health and wellbeing:
- Empower employees to have greater autonomy in how they do their work
Studies have shown that having limited control over how work is done is not only linked to poorer mental health but also to higher rates of heart disease. Additionally, the combination of high work demands and low job control significantly increases the health risks. Just small adjustments in worker autonomy can have a positive impact on employee wellbeing.
2. Offer employees the chance to recognise and resolve any workplace issues
Providing employees with chances to engage in workplace enhancements can be a successful method to promote their overall wellbeing. Research has shown that employees who have the chance to collaborate on problem-solving are less inclined to express a desire to leave their jobs, which is a significant advantage for organisations aiming to retain their valuable workforce.
3. Have a team mentor to support employees’ personal needs and development
Mentoring and mental health go hand in hand, with studies showcasing the benefits it has on both professional and personal development. One of the greatest benefits of having a mentor is the positive impact it can have on performance and career growth, which ultimately impacts business growth. By having a mentor, employees can receive guidance and support for both their professional and personal lives. This empowers them to create a clear and actionable plan for their future while also receiving the necessary support to thrive in the workplace, enhance their skills and advance in their career.
4. Encourage measures to cultivate a feeling of social inclusion among your staff
Developing a work culture where employees can foster supportive connections with their co-workers can greatly contribute to enhancing the wellbeing of workers. Studies have revealed that these relationships in the workplace are linked to reduced psychological distress, which is a key indicator of mental health issues.
Over time, companies that prioritise the health and wellbeing of their employees are more likely to have employees who also prioritise the company’s health and wellbeing. This is a desired outcome for all effective leaders, and a win-win for both team and a company’s bottom line.
And don’t forget . . . we can take immediate steps ourselves to reduce stress. As our duty to self-care, we need to allow time for movement! For instance, taking a lunchtime stroll or walking to work a couple of times a week instead of driving will make a marked difference to our overall health.
Better Workdays
Ford & Stanley’s mission is to create one million better workdays through facilitating great recruitment, developing effective leaders and providing occupational mental fitness & performance coaching for teams and individuals.
Want your organisation to become part of the One Million Better Days revolution? Contact the team on 01332 344443.
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