Mamma Wellbeing

As workplace stress reaches all-time highs, what should we do as leaders to put well-being back on the table? Globally, workplace stress and worry remain at record highs. Measuring wellbeing indicators including daily negative emotions, burnout and engagement, Gallup’s 2024 report found that the majority of the world’s employees continue to struggle. According to the poll, 41% experienced ‘a lot of stress’ on a daily basis. Although it marks the first drop in this figure since the pandemic, levels of stress still stand higher than the pre-pandemic average. In addition, 1 in 5 employees experience loneliness, while a whopping 62% and 15% are not engaged or actively disengaged at the workplace, respectively. Beyond being inherently worrying for global health and wellness, these trends also represent dangers for businesses. Gallup estimates that low engagement and enthusiasm among employees cost the world’s economy 9% of global GDP. In other words, when businesses fail to prioritise holistic sustainability—which includes the well-being of nature and people—they’ll fail to see progress. The thing is, most business leaders know this. The data is clear. That’s why as leaders, we need to start taking the approach of ‘doing well by doing good’ seriously. We know that companies thrive when the communities in which they operate thrive. To fully embrace workplace wellness, leaders must invest in employees’ health in a myriad of ways, from encouraging a healthier work culture to being vulnerable about our own struggles and how we personally navigate feelings of stress and anxiety. We need to participate in not only the conversation, but our actions as well. For me, mindfulness practices have always been my go-to. Infusing wellness techniques such as basic breathwork, yoga practices and simply being consciously present in the moment have guided me through many challenges over the years. I was glad to be able to share these tips at Regal Hotels’ Employee Wellness Session last year, which guided employees on long-term wellness habits that could be incorporated in daily routines, from the office to home. We can’t overlook the importance of driving a sense of purpose either. I’ve always said that we need to be driven by our ‘why’—and mine is to create a better, healthier and more inclusive world for future generations. If organisations and initiatives are mission-driven, their own community will naturally feel a sense of meaning, belonging and satisfaction by contributing to a greater good. There’s still a long way to go, but the consensus is clear. Workplace wellbeing is here to stay and the only true way forward to create lasting change for society, the environment and our workforce. #WorkplaceStress #MindfulnessPractice #Health #Wellness #WorkplaceWellbeing