Welcome to the world of workplace wellness! We understand that, as an employer, the health, safety, and productivity of your employees are your top priorities. In challenging times like the ongoing pandemic, stress and anxiety can sneak up on individuals, even with robust employee wellbeing support in place. That’s why we’re here to provide you with some fun and engaging tips to promote workplace wellbeing using gratitude and mindfulness.
Let’s face it, the world has changed in ways we never imagined. But amidst all the chaos, there have been silver linings, allowing many of us to thrive through change. Happiness and peace of mind don’t mean everything is perfect. Life will always have its ups and downs. However, what matters is doing our best and making choices that align with our wellbeing. It’s the perfect time to hit pause, take a deep breath, and start practising gratitude.
The Power of Mindfulness and Wellbeing at Work
Mindfulness is a game-changer when it comes to enhancing emotional intelligence, improving job performance, achieving work-life balance, and reducing stress levels. It equips employees with the tools to deal positively with difficult situations and fosters stronger work relationships within teams. Moreover, it creates a healthy dynamic between employees and their managers, promoting a supportive work environment.
Exciting Tips for Promoting Workplace Wellbeing:
- Embrace Mindfulness: Start small by simply noticing your thoughts, feelings, body sensations, and the world around you. Take a few minutes each day to observe your breathing or enjoy a walk in nature during your lunch break. Practising mindfulness acts as a great distraction from wandering thoughts and helps bring focus and clarity.
- Cultivate Gratitude: Ground yourself in the present moment by focusing on gratitude. It’s not just about looking on the bright side of setbacks; it’s about expressing gratitude to someone in your life and counting your blessings. By making thankfulness a daily habit, you can rewire your brain to appreciate the little things and find peace amidst fears and anxieties.
- Explore Relaxation Techniques: Remember, relaxation means different things to different people. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach. The key is to give yourself enough time to breathe, appreciate yourself, and change your environment. Social media offers a wealth of mental health apps that provide reminders for breathing exercises and offer educational tools like lectures and webinars from mental health experts. Check out “Head to Health,” an Australian government website that provides valuable links to helpful resources.
Lead by Example: Prioritise Wellbeing as an Employer
As an employer, you play a pivotal role in prioritising the mental health and wellbeing of your employees. Incorporating wellbeing programs into their work routine is a powerful way to do so. Research has shown that mindfulness programs, among other practises, can have a positive impact on employees’ physical and psychological wellbeing, leading to increased productivity and overall job satisfaction.
But it’s not just about offering these programs; it’s about actively participating in them yourself. When senior management engages in these activities, it sends a powerful message to employees that their wellbeing is valued. It also highlights the importance of wellbeing in the workplace because leaders face the same challenges as their team members.
Research supports the “inside-out outside-in” IO-OI model, which focuses on developing wellbeing in the workplace. This model emphasises selective exposure, confirmation bias, and attitude development, creating a series of feedback loops that support individual and organisational growth.
By implementing mindfulness programs and leading by example, you can improve the wellbeing and productivity of your employees. Remember, leaders drive organisational change, and prioritising mental health and wellbeing is a significant step towards creating a healthier and more productive workplace.
Building Resilience: Strategies for Challenging Times
In times of adversity and change, accurate and timely information is essential. Unfortunately, social media has become an unreliable source, often spreading misinformation and conspiracies. It’s crucial to ensure that your employees have access to trusted and reliable sources of information.
As an employer, it’s your responsibility to provide accurate and timely information during times of change. If you’re planning to transition back to the workplace after remote work, give your employees enough time to process the changes. Offer avenues for further consultation and support if needed. By providing reliable information, you can help your employees make informed decisions and feel more secure during periods of uncertainty.
Encourage Participation and Inclusion
Encouraging employees to participate in wellbeing programs is a powerful way to create a healthy and productive workplace culture. Make sure everyone feels included and motivated to take part, whether it’s through mindfulness exercises, wellness workshops, or simple activities like walking around the office. Every small step counts when building a healthier workplace culture.
The Bottom Line
Promoting workplace wellbeing is crucial, especially in today’s changing work landscape. Prioritising the mental health and wellbeing of your employees is not only the right thing to do, but it’s also a smart business decision. By incorporating mindfulness and gratitude practises, introducing relaxation techniques, and leading by example, you can help your employees manage stress, enhance job satisfaction, and improve overall productivity.
Let’s create a workplace culture that values and prioritises the wellbeing of every member of our community. Together, we can build a healthier, happier, and more productive work environment.
Author Teresa Coffey
Sources
https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2012/01/mindfulness-matters
https://www.cdc.gov/workplacehealthpromotion/index.html
Williams, P., Kern, M. L., & Waters, L. (2016). Inside-Out-Outside-In: A dual approach process model to developing work happiness. International Journal of Wellbeing, 6(2).
Williams, P., Kern, M. L., & Waters, L. (2017). The role and reprocessing of attitudes in fostering employee work happiness: An intervention study. Frontiers in Psychology, 8, 28.
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