Feeling upbeat with longer and brighter April days
April days are longer and brighter - make use of them!
Spring is here
Although it's tempting to think of ourselves as unchanging, people's interests and energy change with the seasons and April is a good time for both individuals and businesses to start some new and healthy ways of working and being.
April is National Stress Awareness Month and the lighter days maybe make it easier to think how to get a better balance and make dis-stress less likely.
5 Ways to Mental Wellbeing
The evidence suggests that a small improvements in wellbeing can help people flourish.
More than 10 years ago nef (new economics foundation) was commissioned to draw from cutting edge worldwide research to develop some simple evidence-based actions to improve personal wellbeing and help to decrease some mental health problems.
The five ways to wellbeing offer a positive antidote to our tendancies to rush and over-focus on problems and what isn't working. Many organisations use the 5 Ways as a framework for their Health & Wellbeing strategy - you'll see many tailored images and words on a search. The 5 Ways are:
Give - you time, your attention, your resources. Say 'thank you'
Connect - talk, listen, build relationships
Be active - do what you can and what you enjoy
Take notice - be curious, open to enjoying simple things, live in & savour the moment
Keep learning - embrace new opportunities,set (and achieve!) a challenge
There'll be more in future eNewsletters about each Way and what you can do to make them live in your workplace
What would be useful to you and your business?
Wellbeing@Work is here to support Southampton businesses to look after the health & wellbeing of you and your staff - because looking after people is important and because it makes good business sense. It's a free service. So in addition to what's already available, what information, support, activity, events and/or resources would you find useful?
Downloadable items for your Health & Wellbeing Noticeboard
Awareness raising talks and workshops
Training for managers so they feel more confident and skilled to have conversations about health with their staff
Wellbeing@Work B2B Breakfast - 25th June 2019 - the White Building
Put the date in your calendar and find information about the event and how to book in the May newsletter
This month's resources to share - getting active and sleeping well
Regular small actions add up to big change - as well as being good for our fitness and energy, being physically active leads us into more refreshing sleep and so feeds the wellbeing cycle. Moving our bodies also helps to move our emotional and mental states. This month's Active April Calendar from Action for Happiness gives a suggestion for each day. It's also available as an App
Sleeping well - the nhs has lots of tips and advice about getting good quality sleep as well as the potential risks of poor sleep
Make it easy for your staff to walk or cycle to work (at least part of the way...) - My Journey can support your business if you want to encourage your staff or provide facilities
Running - follow the 9 week nhs programme Couch to 5k or join the weekly 5km Southampton park run (open to all running abilities...)
Get involved in trying to break the Guiness World Record for chair based exercises - fun, learning and fitness all at the same time - Saints Foundation are seeking to break the world record for the number of people doing chair based exercises at the same time - April 15th at St Mary's Stadium (open to all abilities)
