How To Boost Workplace Wellbeing Within Your Workplace

It’s no secret that workplace well-being is essential for a happy and productive workforce. A recent study by the University of Warwick found that happy employees are 12% more productive than their unhappy counterparts.

So, how can you create a workplace that promotes wellbeing? In this blog post, we’ll explore some simple ways to boost workplace wellbeing within your organisation.

Six Pillars of Employee Workplace Wellbeing

According to the UK’s Health and Safety Executive (HSE), there are six pillars of employee wellbeing:

1. Physical wellbeing – Physical well-being is all about taking care of your body. It includes things like maintaining a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet, and getting regular exercise.
2. Mental wellbeing – Mental well-being is about taking care of your mental health. It includes managing stress, getting enough sleep, and staying positive.
3. Social wellbeing – Social well-being is all about maintaining healthy relationships. Some examples of this include social solid support networks, feeling connected to others, and being involved in meaningful activities.
4. Financial wellbeing – Financial well-being is about feeling in control of your finances. It includes things like having a healthy relationship with money, being able to meet your financial obligations, and feeling financially secure.
5. Environmental wellbeing – Environmental well-being is all about feeling comfortable in your work environment. It includes having a clean and safe workplace, feeling connected to nature, and being able to control your work-life balance.
6. Spiritual wellbeing – Spiritual well-being is about having a sense of purpose and meaning in life. It includes having a robust personal value system, feeling connected to something larger than yourself, and leading a fulfilling and satisfying life.

How To Boost Workplace Wellbeing Within Your Workplace?

1. Encourage regular breaks

Make sure your employees take regular breaks to rest and move around. Research shows that sedentary behaviour is bad for our health, so encourage your team to get up and walk around every 20 minutes.

There’s no substitute for fresh air and sunshine, so try to get your employees outside for at least 10 minutes each day. If possible, set up a walking or cycling group so employees can socialise while they exercise.

2. Promote healthy eating

Encourage your employees to eat a healthy diet by providing healthy food options in the workplace. This could include having a fruit bowl in the kitchen or providing healthy snacks for employees to munch on throughout the day.

Optimum nutrition is essential for good health, so ensure your employees access healthy food options.

You can also promote healthy eating by holding regular cooking classes or nutrition workshops. This is a great way to educate your employees about the importance of good nutrition and help them make better food choices.

3. Create a stress-free environment

One of the best ways to promote employee well-being is to create a stress-free environment. This means having a clear and concise communication policy, setting realistic deadlines, and providing adequate resources.

It’s also important to encourage employees to take regular breaks to rest and relax. Make sure your team has access to a quiet space where they can take a few minutes – this could be a break room or an outdoor area.

4. Encourage social interactions

Encourage social interactions by hosting regular workplace social events. It could be anything from a team lunch to an after-work drinks event.

Ensure you create opportunities for employees to interact with each other personally, as this will help them build strong relationships and feel more connected to their colleagues.

5. Promote physical activity

Encourage employees to be physically active by incorporating physical activity into the workplace. This could include having standing desks, holding walking meetings, or providing gym memberships.

It’s also essential to encourage employees to take regular breaks to rest and move around. Research shows that sedentary behaviour is bad for our health, so encourage your team to get up and walk around every 20 minutes.

6. Offer flexible working arrangements

Offer flexible working arrangements to promote employee wellbeing. Usually, this could include flexible hours, job sharing, or working from home.

Flexible working arrangements can help employees feel more in control of their work-life balance. This, in turn, can lead to reduced stress levels and improved mental wellbeing.

7. Invest in employee development

Invest in employee development to promote engagement and motivation. Suggest things like training programs, mentorship schemes, or career development planning.
Employees who feel they’re learning and growing are more likely to be engaged and motivated. As a result, it can lead to improved mental well-being.

8. Promote a healthy work-life balance

Encourage employees to maintain a healthy work-life balance by promoting leisure activities and personal time. This could include having regular social events, flexible working arrangements, or offering time off for personal commitments.

A healthy work-life balance is essential for good mental wellbeing. Employees with a good work-life balance are less likely to experience stress and burnout.

9. Offer employee assistance programs

Offer employee assistance programs to promote mental wellbeing. This could include counselling services, stress management programs, or mental health days.

Employee assistance programs can help employees deal with stress, anxiety, and other mental health issues. This, in turn, can lead to improved mental wellbeing.

10. Encourage positive thinking

Encourage positive thinking by promoting a positive work environment. This could include regular team-building activities, fun workplace perks, or positive reinforcement.

Employees who feel optimistic about their work environment are more likely to be engaged and motivated. This, in turn, can lead to improved mental wellbeing.

As a result, they are more productive, have increased job satisfaction, and are less likely to experience stress and burnout.

Final Thoughts

As we know, things have been tough lately. We’re all feeling the strain of working from home, homeschooling our kids, and dealing with the general uncertainty of the world.

But it’s important to remember that we’re not alone in this. We can do plenty of things to boost our workplace well-being and ensure we care for ourselves.

So, what are you waiting for? Implement these workplace wellbeing tips today and create a healthier, happier workplace for everyone.