July is SOCIAL WELLNESS MONTH
Social wellness is relevant to absolutely everybody and an undermined cause in the world we live in today therefore, the month of July is dedicated to reminding people of its significance.
What Is Social Wellness?
Social wellness is about solidifying healthy and compassionate relationships with one another. According to the National Health Institute “positive social habits can help you build support systems and stay healthier mentally and physically.” During these tough times of social distancing, it has become increasingly important to maintain and build authentic relations in a working environment and at home.
Why Is Social Wellness Important?
The Working World: Companies have a responsibility to imbed social wellness values in their company, as it positively affects the interactions and relationships between the employees. Furthermore, employees gain a greater sense of belonging and appreciation. This improves self-esteem and productivity, uplifting the company alongside. Avoiding investing time into improving social wellness will most likely lead to de-motivated and inefficient staff, which may minimize the potential of company growth.
Selective Consumers: Consumers are becoming more vigilant when investing in a certain company or brand, taking into consideration how they treat their staff and what they stand up for. Companies, who do not do what matters and move with the times, will likely see a lack of growth in areas such as sales, investments, revenue etc. The importance of social wellness is consequently unavoidable.
Staff Retention: A business that does not encompass social wellness may cause deficient appreciation felt by employees, which may lead to the possibility of losing quality staff who add significant value. Therefore, adding social wellness to a company’s core operations will help with staff retention. One of the ways this can be achieved is through creating programmes providing support to staff members in need.
Health: World Health Organisation (WHO) defines health as not only the absence of illness moreover “a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing.” According to a recent survey conducted by The Office of National Statistics, a majority of people have high levels of anxiety due to lack of wellbeing and loneliness.
Business Benefits of Social Wellness
Productivity and engagement of an individual increases as they feel more valued in the organisation.
As staff members’ efficiency in performing tasks improves, the overall business growth is inevitable.
Stronger internal relationships mean greater staff retention, improved loyalty towards the company and each other.
Reduced absenteeism through staff feeling more appreciated for the work they do and ease of communication between company members making the working environment more relaxed.
Health Benefits of Social Wellness
The immune system becomes stronger in fighting off diseases prolonging life with people who have strong social networks.
Social wellness improves overall mental health, as anxiety and the feeling of loneliness reduces.
The response to stress becomes much more manageable with a good social network therefore chances of having high blood pressure reduces.
A strong social group enables a much longer life.
How to Encourage Social Wellness at Work?
Regular Staff Meetings: Through regular meetings, staff members are reminded to continuously work towards mission statements and be up-to-date on any business decisions. Furthermore, during the meetings, it is important to encourage each other to keep going, celebrate achievements, and remind each other of their importance to the company.
Flexible Working Hours: Adopt a relaxed approach, giving staff freedom to catch up on their personal lives. With the Pandemic on the rise, people will have different priorities at different times, therefore; it is important to set clear objectives and deadlines in which they can workaround. Trust people to get their work done on time and avoid micromanaging.
Days off Work: In these tough times people may need more time off to care for loved ones at home and reach out to others in isolation hence, the consideration of reasons concerning social wellness should be accepted as valid.
Communication: A company’s core values should not only reflect services offered but also how strong and open internal relationships are essential. Ways in which these can be achieved are discussed below.
Team Causes: Coming together for a common positive cause; to work selflessly for the greater good of charity can help build stronger relationships between employees and the company. A possible method of achieving this could be through, organising fund-raising outreach challenges for staff in teams.
Build Strong Relationships in The Business: There are three key factors that are needed to build relationships in a business and should be supported by HR specialists:
Making sure that you understand it takes effort to build a healthy relationship and whether or not you are committed to follow it through.
Consistently conveying your appreciation for each other’s relationship is important to continue to enhance social wellness.
It is necessary to understand the sudden change from freedom to isolation may cause behavioural changes. Therefore, it is important not to criticize or blame anyone for anything, including yourself.
Red Swan Partners believe that social wellness is important to individuals and companies alike. We strive to make sure that social wellness is part of everything we do.
Helpful Social Wellness Books
Belong: by Radha Agrawal
Mosby’s Pocketbook of Mental Health: by Patricia Barkway, Debra Nizette
Opening Up: The Healing Power of Confiding in Others: by James W. Pennebaker
The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business: by Charles Duhig