Global Leaders in WellBeing Week starts today, Monday 2nd November. It has been created to run alongside the newly formatted ‘Leaders in WellBeing – Re-imagined 2020’ online summit which will be streamed for the entire week. Like its sister awareness week, World WellBeing Week which has gained worldwide popularity mid-summer during the last week of June, Global Leaders in WellBeing Week will be held annually during the first week in November and marks the coming of the winter months.
This awareness week is different – not only will it continue to heighten awareness of the value and importance of good health and wellbeing, it will also celebrate the many organisations and individuals in the Channel Islands who are already leading from the front and embracing wellbeing to help their families, teams and colleagues to live their lives to the full.
The Summit provides the opportunity for participants worldwide to experience physical and emotional wellbeing, whilst also being intellectually inspired by over 30 experts in all aspects of wellbeing, including social, physical, mental, emotional, financial, career, community and environmental wellbeing, whilst also participating in Global Leaders in WellBeing Week to stage their own wellbeing activities locally with their teams.
2020 has been a year of challenge, yet it has also been one of tremendous reflection, rebirth and growth. It has given us the opportunity to slow down, reconnect with ourselves, our families, our community, and it has given businesses the nudge to reassess how and where they work. This in turn has brought unprecedented change, and with it, immeasurable benefits for our work-life balance.
Wellbeing depends largely on how each individual views their own state of health and happiness, although there are common areas which affect every human being including security, home, food, the means to earn money, connection with family, friends and close community.
Connection is a vital human need and of course the pandemic, social isolation and working from home has challenged this in a major way, which is why it is wonderful to see how volunteers have sprung into action to support their communities, and organisations have reached out to their people in a way often never before needed or experienced. In so doing they have created a new and more effective way of operating. Strict procedures have been relaxed and trust has been developed on a new scale.
Discussing personal issues in the work environment, either in person or online, is also something which the pandemic has forced us to face and the importance for both men and women to open up and discuss issues which have been previously ‘quiet’, including women’s health, men’s health and mental health are now central on the agenda. To break the stigma in this way is a very positive thing for employers and employees alike.
The pandemic has also called upon businesses and individuals to develop their resilience. The implications of the initial lockdown was such a shock for many, it really caught us unaware. Now, we will be ready for whatever challenges come our way, and let’s face it, life is full of challenges.
And where does this all take us? The global wellness trends as referenced in The Future of Wellness 2020 report has predicted new directions in health and wellness for the last 15 years. This year the report includes a Shift from Sleep to True Circadian Health, Ageing Rebranded (for the 60+ generation) to Positively Cool, Mental Wellness and Technology, The Wellness Sabbatical, and In Wellness We Trust in the list of 10 trends they say are shaping the future of wellness.
Doctors and practitioners the world over are recognising the benefits of preventative health
To quote: ‘mental health is moving far beyond the psychiatrist’s couch. Technological advancement has pushed digital therapeutics to the forefront of convenience – in people’s pockets, on their laptops and even within Facebook Messenger. And with that, the category expands to include a suite of wellness products and services.’ This is why the NHS approved Thrive WellBeing World mental health app has been brought to the Channel Islands, and specifically to businesses, from the small business owners in the recent WellBeing Pilot, to the delegates of the Leaders in WellBeing Summit. One recent participant described it as a ‘game changer’ for her and her business.
Certainly doctors and practitioners the world over are recognising the benefits of preventative health, and as a result, more people are living longer and healthier, although we have all been working longer and longer hours to keep up and burnout is on the increase. This is why the focus on wellbeing and work-life balance which leading employers are already embracing is so crucially important. The most successful going forward will be those where the work and wellness elements are flexible, specific to each person’s needs.
The focus on employee wellbeing is a welcome development for many, although of course, the health and wellbeing of the leaders themselves is also vitally important to enable them to remain healthy, calm and focused during crises. If they augment this with authenticity, kindness and compassion, they will be able to lead and better engage their people more effectively, which in turn will make their businesses more resilient.
Beverley Le Cuirot is the Founder of Leaders in WellBeing, WellBeing World and WellBeing At Work. She also recently co-developed the WellBeing Pilot for Small Business Owners.
