Written by Adrian Firth, Employee Benefits Consultant, Mattioli Woods
This year, Mental Health Awareness Week’s focus is on ‘moving more for our mental health’, something which is particularly relevant to the industry which Mattioli Woods works in – financial services.
Often employees find their daily routine is based around being immobile at their desks, glued to their laptops reading reports and paperwork, or dealing with Teams/Zoom calls and meetings, with not many opportunities to actively move during the working day.
There are numerous studies that show the links between exercise and mental wellbeing, the old adage that exercise is more effective than medicine has been scientifically proven. The timing of this campaign is particularly opportune, considering getting outdoors in May when the clocks have ‘sprung forward’ and we have lighter evenings and spring is underway. However, without a little motivation many of us struggle to fit getting outdoors and exercising into our busy work/life schedules.
In all UK industry sectors (not just financial services!) employers are fast realising that performance at work is linked to overall wellbeing and we tend to prioritise mental, physical and financial wellbeing as the targets of our activities. With Mental Health Awareness Week, it is worth concentrating on how the physical element can improve mental wellbeing over the coming months as a way of overcoming the challenges of modern-day life.
Reduce stress and enhanced mood
Exercise can be used to get away from the distractions of our daily lives – social media, work schedules, the daily news and a never-ending list of chores. It is a chance to forget these things and improve our fitness, triggering the release of endorphins which in turn switches on the ‘feel good’ factor. It does not have to be an ultra-marathon, it could be couch to 5k, yoga, dancing, a brisk walk, anything that increases the heart rate, alleviates tension and elevates your mood.
Managing anxiety
Acute stress and anxiety disorders affect millions of people worldwide and will inevitably be affecting friends and colleagues around us. Engaging in regular exercise can significantly improve these feelings of being overwhelmed by improving our relaxation time and boosting self-esteem. The rhythmical nature of swimming, running and cycling can help the mind into a meditative state which, despite the exercise, can foster a sense of calmness.
Cognitive function
Did you know that exercise boosts your mental capacity. Physical activity enhances blood flow to the brain delivering oxygen and vital nutrients which foster improved brain function. Studies have shown that this improves memory, allows for longer periods of concentration and helps greatly with age related cognitive function decline by creating new brain cells and strengthening the neuropathways.
Enhanced sleep and rest
A good night’s sleep is essential if you are going to function well. Even the lightest of exercise and increased heart rate can promote better sleep patterns, reducing nightly disruptions and mitigating the resulting mental health issues caused by poor sleep. Some light exercise can help rid the body of excess energy and make it much easier to unwind and achieve a full restful night.
Loneliness and isolation
Loneliness and isolation can have a detrimental effect on mental wellbeing and mental health in general. Exercise provides the opportunity to interact and engage while fostering a feeling of belonging, as well as giving a new opportunity for social interaction. So, whether it is a team sport, fitness class, yoga group or just a walk with a friend or colleague, these interactions help reduce the impacts of social isolation.
So, exercise is not just good for your body, it is vitally important for your mind too!
Mattioli Woods
At Mattioli Woods, we are aware of our responsibility to enhance our employees lives and make our business a great place to work. We have wide reaching employee benefits and flexible working alongside financial education and mental health champions. But each year, in spring, we have our annual ‘Spring Challenge’. It is a friendly competition to complete a challenging distance through walking, cycling, running and swimming where colleagues email their activities, and we keep tabs on the distances covered towards a common goal. In recent years we have ‘virtually’ completed Route 66, visited all our offices across the UK on the way to the South of France, and this year, we have three teams competing to complete 1,000 miles across Europe.
All activities are equally valued, from the dog walk and group lunchtime ‘team walks’ from the office to the marathon runners and keen cyclists. With weekly updates, it brings us together, celebrates our achievements and most importantly, gives us the motivation to enjoy the outdoors and improve our mental wellbeing.
