Let’s face it, at times life can get a bit too much. 

Work, family, social life and other commitments can leave us feeling stressed and burnt out. But as we now know, this is no longer a problem that is left at home, this is something places of work need to be mindful of. 

This is backed up by a AON’s ‘Mental Health Crisis Guide,’ where they found that 88% of workers expect their employer to support mental wellbeing in the workplace. That’s why wellbeing days are a total game-changer. Now offered by PeopleUnboxed to their staff for over 4 months, these dedicated days off are a chance to unwind, recharge, and allow staff to do whatever makes them happy.

I want to be clear though, this isn’t the only thing we do at PeopleUnboxed to create a culture of wellbeing. Creating psychological safety, having regular catch ups, putting people first, and being genuinely empathetic to individuals and their needs are some of the pieces of the puzzle.

Wellbeing Days are just a newer piece of the PeopleUnboxed puzzle, which speaks to the point that creating a positive culture of any kind is an ongoing journey rather than a final destination.

Wellbeing days unboxed.

Before we look at the positive difference these days can make, and spoiler alert, it isn’t just to make people feel good, I want to give some context behind how they started for PeopleUnboxed. Tony Manwani, Co-Founder of PeopleUnboxed had this to say;

“It was a suggestion through our Staff Happiness Survey that we thought was a really nice idea! We had been considering offering something, but didn’t know what. What Jo and I were sure of, was that we wanted to have an individualistic approach, rather than a one size fits all.”

From there, PeopleUnboxed’s Wellbeing Days were born. Once a quarter every staff member gets an additional day off and £50 towards what they do. Simple, yet very effective in making it bespoke to the individual.

As I said before, there are more to wellbeing days than just feeling good. Various studies have shown that they can have a significant impact on both individual and organisational wellbeing:

• Improved mental health:
  • Reduced stress and anxiety
  • Enhanced mood and overall wellbeing
  • Increased job satisfaction and motivation
• Boosted productivity:
  • Refreshed and focused minds
  • Increased creativity and problem-solving abilities
  • Higher levels of engagement and productivity
• Stronger company culture:
  • Demonstrates a genuine commitment to employee wellbeing
  • Fosters a positive and supportive work environment
  • Enhances employee loyalty and retention
• Reduced absenteeism and presenteeism:
  • Fewer sick days due to improved health
  • Decreased presenteeism, where employees come to work despite feeling unwell
  • Staff showing up, recharged and ready to go again

Recharge, Refocus, Repeat.

Whilst still in it’s infancy as an initiative, we’ve already seen such variety in the days that have been taken. Other than mine, I’m going to leave the real-life examples anonymous, so see if you can work out which team member did what.

“I put my day and money towards a hair cut and style at a salon. I worked out that I hadn’t treated myself to this in about 10 years, as my money usually gets spent elsewhere and indulgences like “making myself feel good”, get put at the bottom of the list! So it was nice to put my kitchen scissors away, and get pampered for a couple of hours!”

“I went and spent the day at a spa. I pressed pause on a busy life and indulged in a bit of me time.”

“I spent my wellbeing day with my daughter going for lunch and spending quality time together.”

“I went shopping with my sister and niece. A girls trip out is always good for the soul.”

“I had an amazing time at London’s “The Formula 1 Exhibition” on my first Wellbeing day. They had so many cool interactive things to do, and the footage of the races was super intense. I even got to see some of those legendary cars up close. Educational, tons of photo opportunities and a chance to bring out the competitive streak too. Great day.”

“I used my wellbeing day for a bit of self-care, spending time at the hair salon and treating myself to an eyelash appointment with my wellbeing budget, before a girls’ getaway – a small treat that helps me unwind, boost my confidence and feel my best.”

For me, I’ve recently moved to the coast and saw it as an opportunity to buy a sea kayak to go paddling in the open ocean with my kids. No distractions, within nature and where I really connected with my kids. Connection, nature and activity, this is what is going to guide my choice for my next Wellbeing Day. I’m thinking about beach yoga… but maybe I’ll save that for the Spring!

How to make the most of your wellness day.

To truly benefit from a wellness day, try these tips:

• Unplug completely: Ditch your phone, forget about work emails, and just switch off.
• Do what you love: Whether it’s spa days, catching up with a friend, hiking, reading, or simply binge-watching your favourite show, make sure it’s something you enjoy.
• Take care of yourself: Use the day in a way that recharges your batteries.

So, the next time your company offers a wellbeing day, don’t hesitate to take advantage of it. Your future self will thank you!

If you have any suggestions for my future wellbeing days that support my “connection, nature and activity” I’d love to hear them, contact me via LinkedIn or rich@peopleunboxed.co.uk