We’re keeping the conversation moving on mental health
What’s the difference between a tough day and poor mental health? For some people, a tough day and the low mood that often comes with it can be cast aside without presenting a serious or lasting problem. For others, it can be a struggle to overcome obstacles that others appear to take in their stride every day.
Mental Health Awareness Week 2024 (13-19 May) shines a spotlight on mental health, reminding us that anyone can be vulnerable to poor mental health at any time, just as we are all vulnerable to catching a cold or breaking a bone. Often unpredictable, and sometimes debilitating, poor mental health affects around one in four people in the UK each year, according to figures from mental health charity Mind, and one in six people report experiencing a common mental health problem such as anxiety or depression in any given week.
Here at Highway Care, we aim to nurture a positive mental health culture, providing an environment where our team feel confident to seek support. We have four Mental Health First Aiders on our team and regularly include mental health guidance in our internal communications. This year’s theme for Mental Health Awareness Week is ‘Movement: moving more for our mental health’. While we understand that exercise is not a quick fix for mental health problems, it’s certainly one of the ways in which we encourage our team to improve their wellbeing and mental health resilience.
Movement with purpose
For people coping with poor mental health, both exercise and social situations can be tough, but they can also be very therapeutic. Throw in a good reason to get together with friends or family and there’s even more incentive to invest in movement as a means of self-care.
Our recent distance challenge was not instigated to provide mental health support; our goal was to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support, our nominated charity for 2024, but the positive impact was significant. Many of our team used their lunch break to get their steps in towards our grand total and enjoyed the exercise, social interaction, and time outdoors from making this one simple change to their day.
It can be hard during a busy working day to take time away from your desk and add movement to your routine, but the benefits reach beyond boosting your mood to boosting your productivity too. Research indicates that exercise boosts norepinephrine and serotonin, natural chemicals in our system which lift our mood, and supercharge energy and alertness. Our distance challenge has finished now – thanks again to all who took part and all who donated! – but it’s great to see that some of those who took part are sticking with the positive habit of a walk during their lunch break and reaping the benefits of a more positive mental health.
Movement on purpose
At Highway Care, not all of our team are office based, and it’s essential for colleagues who out visiting customers, installing road safety systems or working remotely to move as part of a positive mental health culture too.
Our Operations team have a physical job, so they get plenty of exercise as part of their role, but it’s important that movement for mental health is in addition to working routines and chosen specifically for supporting health and wellbeing.
While we’re encouraging our office-based teams and those working from home to try desk yoga for Mental Health Awareness Week, our focus on helping our whole team move more is year-round. Providing subsidised gym membership and a cycle to work scheme are just two of the ways in which we’re doing that, ensuring that colleagues can chose movement as part of their leisure time or their daily routine.
It’s good to talk
For those struggling with their mental health, there is no quick fix, but movement can play a role in both keeping mental health symptoms at bay and staying well. It’s also a conversation starter – how many chats begin with tips for the gym, sharing cycle routes, or talking about places to go for a walk? Between the endorphins released when we exercise and the social interaction it often provides, moving more is a step in the right direction for positive mental health.
