Why Professional Wellness Is Important

Did you know it's #professionalwellnessmonth ?

This special month aims to shine a light on the workplace and the importance of employers providing a holistic environment for all employees. It also focuses on how organisations that place emphasis on professional wellness are largely more successful, attract top talent and drive employee retention.

Reality

Adults spend a significant portion of their lives working in their offices. New research released has discovered that the majority (81%) of UK office workers spend between four to nine hours sitting at their desks each day, equating to an average of 67 sedentary days per year.?

Therefore it’s important that there is a healthy connection between work and an individual’s overall well-being. There is enough research to show that the personal well-being of an individual, which comprises a good exercise routine, healthy diet and sleep patterns makes them highly productive and valuable to an organisation whilst providing higher engagement levels and robust work culture.

In fact, 70% of employees enrolled in wellness programs have reported higher job satisfaction than those not enrolled in the companies’ program. (Aflac, 2019)

How you can practice workplace wellness

Take a break from work

It’s completely okay to take a few days off from work if you’re experiencing increased amounts of stress or burnout. Use this time to catch up on some errands or pursue hobbies that you’ve put on the back-burner. You can finally read that book you’ve been wanting to, watch movies, or simply allow yourself to rest and do nothing. It is important to be able to recharge to perform better in life.

Reconnect with your colleagues

Reach out to some colleagues that you may have lost touch with. Check up on colleagues who may seem stressed or overburdened with work. If possible, offer to help them out and ease their burden.

Introduce team-building exercises at work

Team building is an important part of the overall well-being of any organisation. Many people do not get time to mix with other departments due to hectic work schedules. How about introducing team-building activities at work itself? It can be anything fun like a 30-minute yoga class or weekly pub get-together after work.

Benefits of positive professional wellness

A good workplace wellness culture will help to attract the right talent as people want to work with such companies. What’s more, it can also help you retain the right talent as an employee who is experiencing high levels of job satisfaction is unlikely to leave the organisation unless for a personal emergency.

Finally, improved professional wellness can also improve a company’s goodwill when employees speak about it with their peers. A productive work environment that is free of toxicity and stress is essential to the growth of the employees and organisation. Such an environment fosters teamwork and encourages a more cohesive work model between teams that ultimately leads to the success of the organisation.