With anxiety and stress levels understandably high at the moment, there’s a lot to be said for kindness – which is why it’s this year’s theme for Mental Health Awareness Week.
In response to the global pandemic, this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week is focusing on the topic of kindness.
Each day, whilst we idly watch countless news reports and digest numbers and graphs, we thrive in the positive news stories that stem from kindness. In this time of adversity, the strength in kindness is shining through. Whether that’s through gratitude each Thursday when we #ClapForOurCarers, support and revel in the determination of 100-year old veteran Colonel Tom Moore raising millions for the NHS, or even just checking in with a friend or colleague who’s struggling – kindness is becoming a cornerstone of this crisis.
Aside from helping carry us through an incredibly challenging period, demonstrating kindness has been proven to have numerous positive benefits on our health:
- Acts of kindness release serotonin. This reduces stress and increases happiness which improves overall sense of wellbeing.
- A boost of serotonin can help increase energy levels and lift employee morale and positivity in the workplace.
- Kindness also releases the hormone oxytocin, which reduces blood pressure.
- Endorphins, sometimes referred to as the body’s natural painkillers, are released when practicing kindness. They can help to reduce pain.
In the workplace, the health benefits outlined above can improve the physical and mental wellbeing of staff. Ultimately this can help to lower sickness and absence. The higher levels of engagement and positivity can also contribute to staff retention and productivity.
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Get your team involved in Mental Health Awareness Week
This Mental Health Awareness Week, why not invite your staff to participate in an acts of kindness challenge? Each day over the next week (18-24 May), challenge employees to perform one act of kindness. This can be towards colleagues, friends, family or even themselves – and document them in your company Slack channel, Teams page or on your intranet. Tag us in your posts on social media and follow us @UrbanApp, where we’ll be sharing a selection of your acts of kindness throughout Mental Health Awareness Week.
Looking for an act of kindness for your team? Get in touch to book a virtual wellbeing session or gift Urban vouchers to your employees as a thank you this Mental Health Awareness Week.