Helping employees with wellbeing is a hot topic in the workplace these days. Some organisations do it excellently, some less so and some not really much at all.

So let's look at 27 ways to improve wellbeing in the workplace. I should state, at this point, that I am not a medical doctor so please feel free to ignore my advice (not medical advice, of course!).

The first one is for you, and this list is for life outside the workplace too.

1. Sleep hygiene
2. Optimal nutrition
3. Movement
4. Correct hormone balance
5. Social connection and relationships
6. Stress management and mental health care
7. Adequate hydration
8. Regular exposure to natural light and outdoor time
9. Minimising alcohol, smoking and other harmful substances
10. Sense of purpose and meaningful activity

And, if I know people like I know people, I can guarantee we've all got all ten of those nailed, right??

If you're like me, you probably haven't — but it's ok because you're having a one-off yoga session at work next Tuesday lunchtime so it's all good! You'll tick numbers 3 and 6 that day, except your manager rolled his eyes at the idea of the team all trotting off to yoga during work hours (but it's lunchtime!) so I guess you'll go but also feel a bit stressed that it'll be a mental black mark against your name.

It's fine though - at least you've got that talk from the nutritionist guy during 'wellbeing week'. That'll instantly give you a tick in the number 2 box. And you've got a massive Stanley cup on your desk so as long as you remember to drink from it, 7 is completely sorted.

Let's expand the list out a little.

Numbers 11 to 20 are also on you (or are they?).

1. Switch off from work by turning off all devices at 6pm
2. Don't be tempted to turn on the work phone at 6.15 just to check for any urgent emails
3. Block out focus time periods in your calendar and highlight these to your team
4. Be clear with your team what types of queries really are urgent during your blocked focus time
5. Actually take your lunch break away from your desk (radical, I know)
6. Set realistic deadlines and push back on unrealistic ones before committing
7. Learn to say no (or at least "not right now") without excessive apologising
8. Take your full annual leave entitlement and don't check emails whilst away
9. Identify your energy peaks during the day and schedule demanding work accordingly
10. Build in buffer time between meetings

How much of this list really is in your control?

I suppose that depends greatly on how much your workplace culture really values wellbeing. Because although yoga at lunchtime and talks from nutritionists are the outward signs of a workplace that cares about wellbeing, the inward signs are what really give the game away.

A workplace that cares about wellbeing will facilitate numbers 11 to 20 (and ideally bring number 9 forward too).

In the same way that offering yoga at lunchtime doesn't help when most staff feel unable to take a lunch break, helping people to set boundaries, stop people pleasing and generally look after their internal workplace wellbeing cannot work if the culture of the organisation stops these behaviours dead in their tracks.

So many of my coaching clients understand the need to put into action numbers 11 to 20 but they're throttled by a culture that only says it's interested in wellbeing and doesn't follow it through with 'wellbeing everywhere' policies and practices.

So, if you're a leader, numbers 21 to 27 are for your consideration.

1. Model the behaviours you want to see - if you email at 10pm, they will too
2. Make it genuinely safe to switch off without career consequences
3. Measure and reward outcomes, not presenteeism or hours logged
4. Actively redistribute workload when someone is swamped rather than praising their resilience
5. Challenge meeting culture - do we need this many meetings, and do they need to be this long?
6. Create psychological safety where people can speak up about unrealistic demands without being seen as uncommitted
7. When people tell you they're overwhelmed, believe them and act on it rather than helping them 'prioritise'

What needs to happen in your workplace to make wellbeing more than just empty words and minimal actions? And for yourself? What are you in control of now and what can you influence to make a difference and model the behaviours you want to see?

I hope that's given you some optimally nutritional food for thought...

See you soon,

Sarah

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Reader, if this got you thinking - whether about how to succeed in your own career or how to support others doing the same - I've got some fantastic ways of doing that:
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🟠 Buy my book! The Core Career Dials is out now, wherever you buy books. Use it as a bundle of practical exercises to help yourself or to work with your team. Check which dial most needs your attention before you get stuck into the book.

🟠 Bring me into your organisation - wellbeing is just one aspect of helping people develop their careers. I can work with leaders who want to help people develop more effectively or work directly with your high potential talent, to help them stay and thrive.

🟠 Book a coaching programme with me. I mostly work through organisations but occasionally have open spots for individuals too.

Either way, reach out for a chat or hit reply to this email to get the conversation started.