07. wellbeing at the workplace...

​07.

You often talk about health and wellbeing at the workplace.
What does that mean exactly?

In the last few decades we have started to recognise the complexity within which we all work and the increased demands of our jobs. Which also brought to the table the topic of creating a better working environment.

We know that burn out, depression and anxiety are now the most common issues with the corporate (and not only) working environments. And for a long time, many companies would include a list of health benefits like massage chairs and discounts to gyms and fitness centers, or even company held yoga classes.

But to be fair to the reality we are facing - adding one or two yoga classes or a mindfulness app to an environment and demands that are triple to those of a generation ago, often feels like putting a plaster on an open wound. Small and insufficient.

When it comes to wellbeing in the workplace, we must also look into:

• Expectations versus resources and time needed to deliver
• Boundaries and uninterrupted time for rest and reset
• Communication patterns and healthy team dynamics 
• Policies versus their actual implementation and use
• Emotional support, team roles and accountability
• Personal freedom and ability to delegate and ask for help
• Creativity and purpose versus expectation to deliver
  
  

Those who work for themselves - on free practice like hairdressers, consultants, entrepreneurs, creatives and so many more - are just as exposed to these aspects.

And what about genetics - is this not the main factor behind our health?
         An excellent question. Let us talk about genetics and epigenetic…