Taking charge of your well-being

This past weekend marked Global Wellness Day. It was a time to pause, breathe and ask ourselves: “What do I need to live a healthier and happier life?” Join us in this edition of ‘Thrive in 5’, as we dive into this question from the perspectives of individuals and employers.

Where are we now?

• The purpose of Global Wellness Day is to recognise the value of our lives and strive to be healthier versions of ourselves.

• Remember, wellness isn't just physical. It involves seven dimensions: mental, physical, social, financial, spiritual, environmental and vocational.

• These factors are all interdependent. When one is out of balance, the others are invariably affected.

What can you do?

• To be healthier, you need to be proactive about your health and take care of your body and mind before it breaks down - so do employees.

• Proactive health care means individuals need to take control of their health by exercising, healthy eating, going for regular health checkups, practising mindfulness and keeping their stress in check.

• Employees in the workplace are increasingly  mindful about their well-being, and this goes beyond the physical. Employers should focus on building a culture of holistic well-being, which includes physical, emotional, financial, social and career support.

• This can be through organised HR activities, and must extend to a deeper level and be built into the company’s ethos, too.

What's next?

• Wellness is multidimensional (mental, social, financial, spiritual, environmental, vocational), so strive to expand your efforts across as many of these facets as possible.

• Employers that prioritise well-being and mental health in the workplace will be rewarded with a more resilient and productive workforce.

Whether you're a manager or an employee, just getting started or are seasoned at meditation and self-care, wellness is central to your overall well-being and should be put at the top of your priority list.