What Does Wellbeing Actually Mean and Why is it so Important in the Workplace?

Last week was World Wellbeing Week; seven days dedicated to promoting an overall awareness for the various aspects of wellbeing, including social, physical, emotional, financial, career, community and environmental wellbeing.

But when it comes to wellbeing, what does it actually mean? By definition, it is the state of being comfortable, healthy or happy. But can this really be applied universally?

The short answer is… there is no short answer! What I feel is my optimum state of wellbeing maybe completely different from yours. As people, we are all different and have different lifestyles, goals, expectations, abilities and dreams. Plus, each aspect of being comfortable, healthy and happy has many different components that can be taken subjectively.

‘Wellbeing can be understood as how people feel and how they function, both on a personal and a social level, and how they evaluate their lives as a whole." New Economics Foundation (2012)

Improving Your Wellbeing

The world we live in is complex. Therefore, understanding the requirements of wellbeing and the factors that influence a state of wellbeing; whether as an individual, community or organisation; is key to improving our own lives and those around us, at both work and at home.

We have identified five key areas to help improve your wellbeing:

Although there are many aspects to wellbeing that are out of our control, these five areas are well within everyone's range of abilities. The great news is that you can ease your way into each of them through small steps... small steps lead to big changes!

Wellbeing at Work

Promoting and supporting employee wellbeing is at the heart of Tonic's purpose. An effective workplace wellbeing programme can deliver a multitude of benefits for everyone; employees, employers and communities.

Research shows that employee wellbeing is more than just people’s medical health. Employers who confine their approach to conventional health factors, miss critical clues on how to optimise a healthy and productive workforce. Our holistic approach ensures this doesn’t happen.

Areas such as workplace mental health, working environment and balance all can play a big role in employee wellbeing as well as efficiency and performance.

When people are happy and content, businesses can thrive and societies flourish. Many believe that the workplace should do more than meet our basic financial needs and contribute to economic growth; it should also improve the quality of our lives by giving us meaning and purpose and contributing to our overall wellbeing. What do you think?

Mental Wellbeing

We all have mental health, the same as we have physical health; it can go up and down and from good to poor. Think about how much time we spend at work? It’s not surprising that workplace environments and culture can affect our wellbeing.

Mental Health is a significant issue in business, but it is also a complex and sensitive one that may require medical or specialist intervention. However, the Tonic team is well equipped with easily implementable techniques and approaches to ease mental strain at work.

Why Employers Can't Afford to Not Take Workplace Wellbeing Seriously

Our customer feedback continues to shows that employees not only feel good when their employer takes an interest in their health, but it also shows they care. We have found that the process of carrying out a health check is one thing, but finding someone who understands an employees’ worries or concerns and can talk them through and empathise - is equally as important.

The Tonic team are highly experienced, qualified and genuinely care. Our Health Checks are the foundation of our health promotion activities with each and every employee. They are just the starting point. From here, we build trusting relationships, raise awareness, help with interventions on a holistic level and really change lives for the better.

"Our programmes will help you to attract staff, retain them and create a vibrant working environment."

I feel that employee wellbeing has never been more critical. Do you agree? Visit our website to find out more about out Wellbeing Workshops. Or get in touch today to discuss your requirements.