It’s been proven that our health, good or bad, can directly influence our ability to thrive, or fail in our careers. Whether it’s physical health, mental health, emotional stability, or even your office environment, being in good overall health is essential for performing well in the workplace. If we’re in good health, we are more capable of tackling what the day throws at us, making good decisions, gaining a better understanding and knowledge of tasks, and fostering the ability, drive, passion and desire to thrive in the workplace. However, career demands often spill into our personal lives making us feel stressed, overworked and overwhelmed, resulting in an unhealthy emotional and mental state towards your work. This begs the question, how do we stop the latter and promote good health within our careers?
First up: Physical health in the workplace
Regular exercise, a balanced diet, and proper hydration are crucial for improving an employee’s overall health and well-being. Those who prioritise these habits reap significant benefits in the workplace compared to those who do not. An NHS report found that only one in three adults receive the recommended amount of physical activity each week.
Consistent physical activity, including both cardiovascular workouts and strength training, enhance cardiovascular fitness, build muscle strength, and improve flexibility. This has been proven to lead to increased energy levels and heightened productivity at work. Additionally, a diet packed with essential nutrients supports brain function, stabilises mood, and reduces the likelihood of fatigue, thereby enhancing cognitive performance throughout the day. Adequate hydration further bolsters mental clarity, perfect for when making decisions in the workplace.
In contrast, individuals neglecting these practices often experience higher stress levels, fatigue, and decreased concentration in work, negatively impacting their performance and overall morale at the office. Promoting a workplace culture that values physical health not only benefits individual employees but also fosters a more positive and productive work environment.
Next up: Mental Health & Stress in your Career
Stress by definition is the body’s reaction to feeling threatened or under pressure. A little bit of stress is actually good for us as it helps to get things done or focus on something that needs our attention.
The NHS say, when we are stressed, our body releases a hormone called adrenaline (often called the “fight or flight” hormone), which usually gives us a boost or motivates us to act quickly. But too much stress can affect our mood, our body, relationships and our career – especially when it feels out of our control leading to ’burnout’.
It’s not surprising in a post brexit, covid and challenging market a report by CIPHR found that 23% of adults say that work in ‘general’ makes them feel stressed, and 18% say that workload demands are another cause of stress for them. Experiencing stress in your career can have significant negative effects on both your professional and personal life. It can lead to decreased productivity, impaired decision-making, and strained relationships with colleagues. Moreover, chronic stress can take a toll on your physical health, leading to issues like headaches, fatigue, and even long-term conditions like heart disease.
Career stress can seep into your personal life and vice versa, affecting your mood, sleep quality, and overall well-being. Thus, understanding and managing stress effectively is essential for maintaining a healthy work-life balance and ensuring sustained success in both your career and personal life too.
Now Let’s Talk About Environment and Perks:
Your environment plays a huge part in your health and career with many businesses cultivating a work culture that promotes exercise and positive health habits as integral components of employee well-being. Some companies offer perks like fruit boxes to encourage healthy eating habits, recognising the impact of nutrition on productivity and overall health. For instance, at Kingston Barnes, we foster an active team-building environment by organising group activities that promote physical fitness. We’ve also provided free gym passes, exercise classes and discounts on healthy habits.. Additionally, we leverage state-of-the-art mental awareness apps to support mindfulness and stress management for our colleagues.
The physical environment in which we work plays a crucial role in our overall health and well-being too! A well-designed workspace can significantly influence how employees feel and perform. Features like big windows, bright walls, and an airy atmosphere with tasteful decorations and plants not only enhance aesthetics but also contribute to a relaxing and inviting environment. Natural light from large windows promotes alertness and regulates circadian rhythms, while white walls create a sense of openness and cleanliness. Adding plants not only beautifies the space but also improves air quality by increasing oxygen levels and reducing pollutants. Such a conducive environment can reduce stress, boost mood, and enhance overall well-being, fostering productivity and creativity among employees in the workplace.
What about the people we work with?
With the average UK worker spending 36.5 hours per week at work (albeit sometimes remotely) Factors such as the people we work with are vital to our health. After all, we will be spending more time with our colleagues than our own families! The people we work with play a pivotal role in our mental health and overall well-being. A supportive and like-minded group of colleagues can make a significant difference in fostering good mental health at work. When surrounded by understanding and empathetic individuals who share common goals and values, employees feel validated, encouraged, and less isolated. Positive workplace relationships promote open communication, trust, and mutual respect, creating a supportive environment where challenges can be faced collectively and successes celebrated together.
Conversely, a toxic or unsupportive work environment characterized by negativity, gossip, or lack of teamwork can contribute to stress, anxiety, and low morale. Cultivating a culture of support and camaraderie among colleagues not only enhances mental health but also improves job satisfaction and overall productivity in the workplace. If you experience the latter in your place of work, then perhaps start looking for another role or have a meeting with your manager.
Stress Management Resources:
Offering stress management resources such as mindfulness programs, relaxation techniques, encouraging exercise, a better working environment and stress-reduction workshops can help employees not just cope with work-related stress and improve resilience but also to flourish and operate to their full potential.
Effective stress management resources both inside and outside the workplace are crucial for maintaining mental well-being. Within the office environment, offering flexibility in work hours and the option for remote working can significantly reduce stress by allowing employees to manage their schedules more effectively and achieve better work-life balance. Improved communication channels, such as regular feedback sessions and open-door policies with managers, facilitate a supportive atmosphere where concerns can be addressed promptly. Understanding the specific stressors at work through assessments and discussions with supervisors enables targeted improvements or resolutions.
Often, stressors can be alleviated or eliminated with simple adjustments that arise from constructive conversations between employees and their managers, fostering a more harmonious and productive work environment overall. Outside the workplace, resources like mindfulness apps, stress reduction workshops, and access to counseling services further empower employees to manage stress effectively and maintain optimal mental health.
Let’s Talk self-care:
It’s crucial for individuals in the workforce to recognise that their well-being should always take priority, regardless of the demands of their job. When stress becomes overwhelming, it’s easy to feel expendable, but in reality, no job is worth sacrificing one’s health and happiness, after all, it’s said that everyone is replaceable within their jobs, and your job role and career path can be easily filled by someone else in just a matter of weeks!
Health, nutrition, exercise, and sufficient sleep are fundamental pillars that significantly impact one’s career trajectory. Achieving 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night is crucial for cognitive function, memory consolidation, and overall well-being. Pairing adequate sleep with a balanced diet rich in nutrients supports optimal brain function and sustained energy levels throughout the day. Regular exercise not only improves cardiovascular health and strengthens muscles but also enhances mood and reduces stress, fostering a positive mindset crucial for productivity and career success. Together, these habits create a robust foundation for professional growth, ensuring individuals can perform at their best, make informed decisions, and maintain resilience in the face of challenges in their careers.
Acknowledging the need to prioritise self-care doesn’t signify weakness; rather, it’s a sign of strength and self-awareness. By understanding your limits and taking proactive steps to manage stress, individuals can safeguard their physical and mental health, enabling them to perform better in their roles over the long term. Remembering that they are irreplaceable as individuals is the first step toward fostering a healthier work environment and achieving sustainable success in any job.
Employee and employer relationship, it’s a two way street
Feeling unheard, micro-managed, overwhelmed or stressed in your career is a steer in the wrong direction for poor health in the workplace, but this, my friend, is a two-way street! It’s the classic employer Vs employee relationship, and if there’s a lack of communication between the two parties it’s a recipe for a career failure. Employers need to ensure they’re being inclusive, flexible and above all approachable towards their employees, and employees need to feel like there’s an open door policy if their health, both mental and physical, isn’t a positive one within the workplace.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed in work due to workload or personal issues, it’s important to inform your employer right away, you could work on a plan of action together which could include a decreased workload, more breaks or even days off. If your employer is good at their jobs, there’s always a resolution.
Under the new flexible working regulations imposed by the Government in 2023, employees are entitled to request flexible working arrangements from the very first day of their employment rather than after 26 weeks as it previously was. This includes requests for part-time, term-time, flexitime, compressed hours, and varied working locations.
Managers play a huge role in ensuring their employees have a good work-life balance and their health is in a good place when at work. This comes from fostering a supportive and inclusive work culture where employees feel valued, respected, and supported by their colleagues, and managers can positively impact mental and emotional well-being at the workplace.
Approaches that businesses can take to help bolster its employees health
It starts with an open line of communication, flexibility and an understanding that each employee requires different needs for them to be ‘healthy’ in the workplace. It could start with a busy mum needing to alter her hours for the school run, or it could be recognising that some of our employees need more time on projects or need a decreased workload due to personal wellbeing. Employers wanting to take it up a gear could look at a weekly running club or HIIT class that could be introduced, a weekly fruit box to accompany the milk delivery, and healthcare programs that encourage and reward positive active lifestyles. There are lots of initiatives that employers can introduce to ensure a stable balance between good health, happy employees, and a flourishing career.
Aligning health with your career is not just about being physically fit, it’s about optimising your overall well-being to thrive personally and professionally in the workplace. By recognizing the symbiotic relationship between health and career success, you pave the way for a fulfilling and sustainable professional journey. Let’s make sure we’re aware of our health within the workplace and ensure the health and well-being of our employees.