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04/03/24 Unveiling the Silent Epidemic: The Critical Link Between Low Vitamin D and Health Issues

In an age where health is at the forefront of everyone’s minds, there’s one silent epidemic that often goes unnoticed: low Vitamin D levels. Beyond its role in bone health, emerging studies have shed light on the profound impact Vitamin D deficiency can have on overall well-being, unveiling the link between inadequate Vitamin D levels and a spectrum of health issues.

As researchers continue to examine the role of Vitamin D, alarming connections between its deficiency and various illnesses have come to light. Here’s a closer look at some of the most compelling findings:

Immune System Vulnerability: Numerous studies have linked low Vitamin D levels with compromised immune function. This vulnerability not only heightens the risk of common infections but also increases susceptibility to more severe illnesses, including respiratory infections and autoimmune diseases.

Mental Health Disorders: The relationship between Vitamin D and mental health is garnering increasing attention. Research suggests that insufficient Vitamin D levels may contribute to the development of mood disorders such as depression and anxiety. Furthermore, low Vitamin D has been associated with cognitive decline and an increased risk of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.

Cardiovascular Health: Evidence indicates that Vitamin D plays a crucial role in cardiovascular health. Low levels of Vitamin D have been linked to hypertension, heart disease, and increased risk of stroke. Addressing Vitamin D deficiency may prove to be a pivotal step in mitigating these cardiovascular risks.

Bone Health and Beyond: While the association between Vitamin D deficiency and bone-related issues like osteoporosis is well-established, recent studies have illuminated its broader implications. Inadequate Vitamin D levels have been correlated with muscle weakness, chronic pain conditions, and even certain types of cancer.

Despite the mounting evidence highlighting the significance of Vitamin D in maintaining overall health, deficiency remains prevalent worldwide. Factors such as limited sun exposure, lifestyle choices, and dietary habits contribute to this widespread issue.

Download our Vitamin D factsheet for free today.

12/06/23 5 reasons to start corporate massage today!

Corporate chair massage can provide several benefits to your company. We have been offering it to the workplace since 1998 and are one of the first companies to offer to multi location corporations. Our therapists are expert in their field and deliver wonderful treatments – take a look at our google reviews and if you need further help deciding about implementing read on…..Our top 5 reasons to implement an on-site massage service for your employees:

  1. Stress reduction: Chair massage helps alleviate stress and tension. By reducing stress levels, employees may experience improved focus, increased productivity, and better overall well-being.
  2. Improved morale and job satisfaction: Offering on-site chair massage demonstrates that the company values its employees’ well-being and is invested in creating a positive work environment. This gesture can boost employee morale and job satisfaction, leading to higher employee retention rates.
  3. Increased productivity: By providing chair massage, employees can experience relaxation, reduced muscle tension, and improved blood circulation. This can result in increased energy levels, better concentration, and enhanced productivity during and after the massage sessions.
  4. Preventing and managing musculoskeletal issues: Prolonged sitting, poor posture, and repetitive tasks can contribute to musculoskeletal issues such as neck pain, back pain, and repetitive strain injuries. Regular chair massage sessions can help prevent and manage these problems by relieving muscle tension, improving flexibility, and promoting better posture; and one for this week – Loneliness Prevention Week:-
  5. Team building and employee engagement: Chair massage sessions can foster a sense of camaraderie among employees. It provides an opportunity for team members to connect, relax together, and engage in conversations outside their usual work tasks. This can improve communication, collaboration, and team spirit.
  6. Attracting and retaining talent: Offering on-site chair massage can be an attractive perk for potential employees, especially in competitive job markets. It can set the company apart from others and contribute to attracting and retaining top talent.

Speak to us about visiting your place of work and arranging for first therapy day.

12/06/23 Loneliness prevention week 12th – 18th June

Loneliness prevention week is an important opportunity to address and support employees who may be experiencing loneliness. Here at Workplace Healthcare we think this is really important and have written some strategies and initiatives that can help in supporting employees and fostering a sense of connection and belonging, try one of these this week:

Promote social connections: Organise some team-building activities, both in-person and virtually, to encourage employees to connect with one another. This could include team lunches, coffee breaks, virtual happy hours, or group activities such as game nights or wellness challenges. Book a yoga class with us! Or get employees to bring their favourite board game in and set them up in the canteen.

Encourage social interactions: Create opportunities for social interactions throughout the workday. For example, consider implementing a buddy system where employees are paired up to provide support and engage in regular check-ins. Encourage collaboration on projects to foster teamwork and relationships.

Establish employee resource groups or affinity groups within your organisation to bring together employees with shared interests or backgrounds. These groups can provide a platform for employees to connect, share experiences, and support one another.

Offer resources and support for mental health and well-being, such as access to counseling services, your EAP, or book a wellbeing workshop with us. Promote the availability of these resources and destigmatise seeking help.

Regularly recognise and appreciate employees’ contributions and achievements. Provide constructive feedback and opportunities for growth to help employees feel valued and connected to their work. Roll our manager training to ensure they are kitted out with skills for recognition and reward.

Utilise internal communication channels, such as team chat platforms or intranet, to facilitate communication and collaboration. Encourage employees to share updates, ideas, and engage in discussions to foster a sense of community.

Offer training programmes on topics such as emotional intelligence, effective communication, and building relationships. These programs can provide employees with valuable skills to navigate interpersonal dynamics and support their colleagues. Laughter yoga may seem like a silly thing to bring into your workplace, however it fosters a wonderful sense of safety and connection with a team.

Lead by example: Leaders and managers play a crucial role in setting the tone and promoting a supportive work environment. Encourage leaders to prioritise employee well-being, model positive behaviors, and actively engage in creating a sense of community within the organisation.

Remember, it is essential to tailor these approaches to the specific needs and culture of your organisation. Regularly assess and evaluate the effectiveness of these initiatives and be open to feedback from employees to continuously improve your efforts in combating loneliness and fostering a sense of belonging.


06/07/22 5 tips for great workplace wellbeing days

Thinking of running a staff wellbeing day? Want to have an impact, not just tick a box?

sharing employee's top stress busting tips

sharing employee’s top stress busting tips

Wellbeing days can be a great way of letting staff know you are there for them, you care. There is a buzz around, toxic workplaces are going to be a thing of the past, companies are raising the game when it comes to employee care – here are my top 5 tips for your wellbeing day:

1. target your audience – what does wellbeing mean for different areas of your business? It could be comfy shoes for traffic wardens not on-site massage (which is one of our most popular office choices. Ask your employees what they feel they need – but be sure to let them know you can’t deliver everyone’s dream list!

2. planning with ease – after all, it is a wellbeing day. You don’t want the planning to give you a big fat headache! You can enlist a wellbeing company (us) to do this for you – or if you have a small budget you will be able to find professionals to deliver your services online or by recommendation. Start planning early so that you ensure you have your space booked and your services checked in nice and early.

3. advertise – start this early – use posters, social media, let people know what you are doing. Builders to your event can drip messages of wellbeing to your staff in advance and the more they see healthy messages the more they will become familiar with the idea and more likely to implement change.

4. mix the message with fun! puppies learn new tricks best when there is fun involved! From my experience we are similar…if you have a stand or area dedicated to cancer, male and female health, health screening, be aware these topics can bring up some delicate issues for some employees. Having some support in the way of counselling and some services that let staff engage in fun activities can help create a holistic feel to your event.

5. evaluate and reward – what worked? What will you book next time? What did people enjoy the most? always get feedback on the day if possible and then reinforce the wellbeing message a few weeks later – this will help employees make more lasting changes.

Most importantly – book something for yourself! 98% of times when we are visiting the company to run the days the organisers don’t book something for themselves! We often send our on-site massage team in the following week for big events just to reward the planners! What a treat!

Want us to plan your day? Get in touch! victoria@workplacehealthcare.co.uk


29/06/22 Top 5 Benefits of on-site chair massage – 85% reduction in stress and anxiety

Many companies are enlisting our help with employee return to work programmes. We are noticing high levels of anxiety and stress – mainly around energy management, time management and social anxiety. We have some great training packages specifically designed to target theses areas, combined with an in-house corporate massage service we can make a win win for employees and employers. Nivati in the US has carried out research into the most popular 20 minute chair massage with some amazing results:

1. Stress Reduction

great chair massage

great chair massage


Stress levels were measured before and after each treatment and they found a huge 85% reduction in stress.

2. Lowered levels of anxiety and depression
Excellent news here – the office massage was seen to reduce anxiety by 26%, and depression scores also improved by 28%.

3. Reduction in Muscle pain and tension
Amazingly, regular corporate chair massages seemed to almost half back pain and tension with a 48% decrease.

4. Improved sleep and sleep quality
Over multiple studies, the average improvement in sleep quality was 28%. That includes increased duration as well as fewer sleep disturbances.

5. Energy – clarity and focus
After on-site chair massages, employees showed increased alertness, speed, and accuracy in maths tests – this is no surprise as massage helps to connect us to our breath, helping us to be in a more coherent state.

These numbers are from 15-20 minute sessions in the workplace, not full body in spa treatments – which makes this service and the benefits of it, available to almost everyone. Low cost – high reward. Get in touch to see when we can visit you – UK wide.


14/06/22 On-site massage therapists needed

We are looking for great therapists to join our team. We offer on-site massage and corporate therapies across the UK. Great for helping employees back into the workplace – come and help us make people feel good! If you have good experience, your own chair and would like further details please get in touch – victoria@workplacehealthcare.co.uk


30/09/20 Employee Virtual Wellbeing Ideas

As teams are working remotely, social connection is challenged so to are our foundations and our normal.  It can be really helpful to give employees some tools to connect.  Pulling on themes that are interesting and engaging.  I am taking part in a free bicycle maintenance workshop tonight, have a regular meditation practice and enjoy the scenery of my home town and having some outdoor ‘walking’ meetings, and still the times are challenging.  I hope these simple ideas will give you some thoughts if you are looking to build rapport and engagement:

Bingo! how about arranging some virtual employee wellbeing bingo.  We love this one – Printable Bird Bingo.  One person will need to pay and download it and then send it around to the other players for printing at home.

Vegan Cook Off.  Well – it helps that I know how amazing the food from this lady is – you can join her for a cook along at home.  You can then all sit down and have your dinner together on zoom or teams?!!  Check out Rethink Vegan tonight is chickless creamy Pie.

Nutrition Session.  Ok we sell this…so we are biased in our thinking – however it is easy to get stuck in a rut with food at the best of times and in our Nutrition and Immunity workshop explore the immune system and why we need it,  look at our innate and adaptive immunity – what is the difference and why do we feel so horrible when our immune system is “working”?  We explore Stress / gut / sleep and immunity and find out the link?  Ginger, garlic and honey – do it as your grandma would? (old wives’ tale?) and we look at the myths and facts around vitamins for our immune support.

Book Club.  Virtual book club – you have to have some form of hot drink and sweet (raw baked full of goodness or not) treat to make it authentic (or a glass of wine) and this is a great way of pulling people together.  amazon or audible have some great suggestions if you are stuck or try and pick a good classic.

We would love to hear about the ways you are keeping your team engaged so we can share them.  We attended a socially distanced silent disco for one lovely company at our dear friends plush tents and they have some great outside distanced ways to work with you all if you feel the need to sit around a camp fire and enjoy the natural space in the spring.  Get in touch with us: victoria@workplacehealthcare.co.uk for more ideas and our virtual employee wellbeing brochure.


04/06/19 Employee Wellbeing Day snaps

Oh we love running wellbeing days. We take all the work out of it for you. Our experience shows that a good balance of fun and information is a winner, so leave your day in our capable hands.

inside our wellbeing day yurt for employee workshops

inside our wellbeing day yurt for employee workshops

 

 

great chair massage

great chair massage

 

 

 

 

sharing employee's top stress busting tips

sharing employee’s top stress busting tips

on-site massage

on-site massage

workplace healthcare wellpoint kiosk

workplace healthcare wellpoint kiosk

workplace fitness - tai chi

workplace fitness – tai chi




12/03/19 Corporate Nutrition Food Demo’s

When you work with wonderful ingredients, nutrient dense great food is an easy result.  In his book, A.W.Danzer explores Organic vs Non Organic food  with Crystallisation images from research by LifevisionLab of Soyana.  Now I have an organic veg patch, it provides most of our families veg, however when my other half does the shopping he never supplemented with organic…after viewing this book he does now!  Take a look at it, the images are striking.  so pay attention to your ingredients, pay attention to where you are when preparing your food, in the moment, using love and nourishment, and attention to how you eat.  The ancient yogi’s have a saying – eat standing and death will look over your shoulder.  Eat mindfully, focussed on your food – this way you will gain the full experience of your dish and nourish your mind, soul and body.

 


28/03/17 3 tips to reduce stress and calm your body and mind

Try our 3 tips to reduce stress and calm your body and mind.  Use them as much as possible.  They are skills that you can learn, and like learning a new language, you won’t be able to just do them (some may be able to) they will take practice and perseverance.  Luckily, they are relatively easy to learn and can be done at home or in the office.

1. Be here – right now

Many of us are on automatic pilot.  You know when you arrived somewhere but don’t know how you got there?  That isn’t being in the present!  Bringing yourself into the present is a massive first step into getting to know yourself and understanding what makes you react to certain events and situations.   Use your body: clap your hands, slap your body (use a cupped hand and pat this around the whole of your body), shake (stand and start shaking your body – you can use your voice to if you aren’t worried about looking odd).  Use your mind: think of 5 things you can see, 4 things you can hear, 3 things you can sense, 2 things you can smell.

2. Concentrate your worries!

Sometimes our minds race around and dart – I remember hearing that the mind untrained is like a wild dog!  I can certainly relate to this at times.  Try this simple exercise.  Draw a circle on a piece of paper.  On the inside write down all the things you can control and have an influence over, on the outside write down all the things that you can’t.  Open your heart and know that you can still care about the things on the outside, even if you cannot actually change them.

3. Reframe your catastrophes

If you are really in the loop of worrying about something, and you have worked through number 1 and 2, it is time to reframe your worry.  Have a think and feel about what it will be like in 3 years time, will it still be affecting you?  What is the worst that could happen? Think about some coping strategies you could use to survive it.  You can also look for opportunities, what haven’t I seen that could turn this into a positive?  Can I laugh about this?

 

Looking for more?  Our training team regularly run managing pressure, resilience, worklife balance and work smart workshops – get in touch to arrange for an informal training needs chat.