Wellbeing initiatives to mark World Mental Health Day

Looking after our team’s wellbeing is one of our key priorities, and we are continually looking for ways to improve our work environment. So, World Mental Health Day (on 10 October) seemed like the ideal time for some team activities to highlight the importance of taking care of our mental and physical health.

“1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem of some kind each year in England “

Mind 2021

Getting some headspace 

Although World Mental Health Day fell on a Sunday, it didn’t stop the team from participating in a few activities throughout the week. To kick things off, MindSpace 247 founder Guy Outram gave us some tips on how to get more headspace. One of our key takeaways was to take the time to recognise how we’re feeling and to nurture our mental health. We consciously spend time looking after our physical health, but it’s just as important that we look after our mental health too. If we take the time to recognise how we’re feeling mentally, we can then take steps to improve it.

To help support our team’s mental wellbeing everyone has access to independent life coaches and therapists via Mindspace 247 who they can pick up the phone to any time.

“Physical activity has a huge potential to enhance our wellbeing. Even a short burst of 10 minutes’ brisk walking increases our mental alertness, energy and positive mood.“

Mental Health Foundation

7-day challenge

It’s easy to get caught up with work and forget to take a break or step outside, especially when you’re working from home, so we set the team a 7-day challenge to focus on their wellbeing. Daily tasks included cooking a healthy meal (for some it was tough avoiding a Friday night McDonald’s!), meditating or doing a deep breathing exercise, sharing a positive picture, going for a walk, and drinking at least 2 litres of water. Everyone got behind the challenge and shared pictures of their journey.

Here is a selection of our favourite:

We know that focusing on our team’s wellbeing is more than just a day or a week exercise, and we will continue the conversation. Occasions like World Mental Health Day help us to focus on the issue and have a little fun at the same time. We’re looking forward to the next challenge.