Wellbeing

Wellbeing is defined by the Oxford English Dictionary as “the state of being comfortable, healthy, or happy.” However, it is important to realise that wellbeing is a much broader concept than moment-to-moment happiness.

Five great ways to promote wellbeing:

• Connect: Build connections with people around you.
• Be active: Boost your energy and mood by doing something active.
• Take notice: Be curious about the world and savour the moment.
• Keep learning: Learn something new to boost your confidence and have fun.
• Give: Do something nice for someone.

There are other areas that may affect life when it comes to well-being.

It is a legal requirement for organisations with 5 or more staff to carry out documented health and safety risk assessments of all of their significant hazards. Although it is your responsibility to undertake risk assessments on your premises.

Walker Health and Safety Services can support you through the risk assessment process or can carry out the risk assessments on your behalf. You are still responsible for risk assessments on your premises.

If you require any more information on our Health and Safety at work services, Contact us today!

Mental health

Mental health is a state of well-being in which an individual realises his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and is able to make a contribution to his or her community. In some companies an employee is trained as a First aider in mental health.

If you would like to find out more, view our latest blog: https://www.walkersafety.co.uk/blog/2020/02/mental-health-at-work-quick-facts-2/

Working from home

There are some perks to working from home that some of us can enjoy (bye bye commute!), but feeling stress, boredom, anxiety and uncertainty is also completely normal. Alongside this, many of us are worried about future job prospects and trying to look after kids as well. These simple tips can help you while working at home, to feel more productive and take care of your mental health in these difficult times.

To find out more read our previous blog: https://www.walkersafety.co.uk/blog/2020/03/working-home-covid19/

Menopause

Although women cope differently with menopause, severe menopause symptoms can greatly affect your wellbeing.

The average age of the natural menopause is 51 years but can occur much earlier or later. Menopause occurring before the age of 45 is called early menopause and before the age of 40 is premature menopause. Late menopause may also occur but by the age of 54, 80% of women will have stopped having periods.

Generally, women having an early or premature menopause are advised to take HRT until approximately the average age of the menopause, for both symptom control and bone protective effect.

Some women are not prepared for the onset of menopause and its symptoms. It would be great to provide further information to employers and employees. Get in touch if you need support.

You might find it helpful to…

• Find out more about menopause in general
• Talk to your GP about treatment choices
• Talk with a manager / HR department you feel comfortable with
• Use technology where it can help you – setting up reminders on your phone or taking more notes
• If you have supportive work colleagues talk about your experiences with them, you may find you’re not alone. Humour can help deflect embarrassment and increase your confidence
• Look into mindfulness techniques you can practice at work and home
• Consider lifestyle changes – could you exercise more? Stop smoking or set a revised weight goal?

If you would like to find out more click on the links below: 

• https://www.walkersafety.co.uk/blog/2020/09/menopause-at-work-risk-assessments-policies-guidelines/ 
• Menopause Matters, menopausal symptoms, remedies, advice

Stress

Stress symptoms can affect your body, your thoughts and feelings, and your behaviour. Being able to recognise common stress symptoms can help you manage them. Stress that’s left unchecked can contribute to many health problems, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity and diabetes.

Emotional symptoms:

• Depression or general unhappiness.
• Anxiety and agitation.
• Moodiness, irritability, or anger.
• Feeling overwhelmed.
• Loneliness and isolation.
• Other mental or emotional health problems.

If you would like to find out more click on our previous blog: https://www.walkersafety.co.uk/blog/2020/04/managing-stress-pandemic/

Get support

• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/mental-health-helplines/
• https://www.talkingmenopause.co.uk/
• https://www.acas.org.uk/working-from-home
• https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/publications/how-to-in-later-life