Lauren Lepley: Health equals wealth – a deep dive into holistic wellbeing and productivity

For a considerable part of my life, I was ensnared in the relentless hustle of the business world. As a business strategist, I thrived on efficiency metrics, growth trajectories, and ticking off boxes on productivity checklists. The relentless pursuit was fuelled by the belief that every second I saved could be quantified in pounds and pence. Yet, it wasn’t long before I stumbled upon a profound realisation. Beyond balance sheets and revenue forecasts, there lay a more significant equation: Health equals Wealth.

This awakening was neither spontaneous nor sudden. Rather, it was the culmination of mounting stress, countless sleepless nights, and that gnawing sense of exhaustion that lingered longer than a winter’s night. I was efficient, alright, but was I truly progressing?

In the contemporary corporate ecosystem, the defining metric for most professionals is efficiency. Having held Directorial positions globally and as a current business strategist, I can attest that the mantra ‘time is money’ often eclipses all else. A relentless focus on efficiency charts, productivity, and margins can sometimes blind us to a more profound truth: Health equals Wealth, truly.

This is not just a catchphrase; it’s the culmination of personal experiences shaped within the crucible of the corporate world. As meetings stack up, and deadlines loom larger, one can’t help but ponder: Amidst all this efficiency, are we truly progressing, or are we just spinning our wheels?

This realisation emerged as an offshoot of personal experiences: a litany of deadlines, a barrage of meetings, and a perpetual race against time. But when efficiency starts leading to burnout, we must ask: Are we truly progressing or merely running in place?

Positive Psychology, Holistic Health, and the Modern Professional

Positive psychology teaches us the nuances of human flourishing. It moves beyond mere symptom-treatment to foster attributes such as resilience, gratitude, and hope. A study in the “Journal of Occupational Health Psychology” emphasised that employees who embrace positive psychology practices exhibit heightened well-being and show a substantial reduction in chronic stress symptoms.

Then there’s holistic health, a term we increasingly encounter. In an era rife with digital interruptions and unyielding demands, recognising the interconnectedness of our mind, body, and spirit becomes paramount. Research has highlighted that integrating holistic health strategies in professional settings can result in a significant decrease in sick leaves, directly benefiting an organisation’s bottom line.

Strategising Well-being in the Professional Arena

Morning Rituals:

How professionals kick-start their day can profoundly impact their work. Incorporating mindfulness exercises, such as meditation or gratitude reflections, not only fosters focus but also instils a calm resolve to handle workplace challenges.

Incorporating Wellness into Work:

The average professional spends a significant portion of their day at work. Integrating wellness practices into this space can be transformative. Consider introducing ‘stretch breaks’, meditation corners, or even scheduling brainstorming sessions outdoors.

Learning to Delegate and Reflect: Even in a workplace setting, delegation is pivotal. Entrusting responsibilities and fostering growth within teams reduces individual burdens and cultivates a collaborative environment. Periodic reflection breaks can offer clarity and vision, it ensures that one remains aligned with both personal and organisational goals.

Navigating Burnout: Practical Guidelines for Professionals

Here, I will break down essential strategies and delve deeper into their implementation, ensuring you remain at the top of your professional game whilst steering away from burnout and overwhelm, keeping your health and wellbeing a priority.

1. EFFECTIVE TASK PRIORITISATION:

Adopt tools like the Eisenhower Box or the Pomodoro Technique. These can bolster productivity and ensure that professionals are investing energy in the right places.

What it is:

Task prioritisation is the process of determining the order and significance of tasks to maximise their impact and importance.

Eisenhower Box:

Inspired by former US President Dwight D. Eisenhower, this tool divides tasks into four categories based on their urgency and importance. This allows professionals to visually discern which tasks demand immediate attention versus those that can be scheduled or even delegated.

Pomodoro Technique:

Developed in the late 1980s, this time management method involves breaking work into intervals, traditionally 25 minutes, separated by short breaks. It aids in maintaining high levels of focus and gives regular intervals to recharge.

How to implement:

• Daily Task Categorisation with the Eisenhower Box

Kick off each workday by itemising your tasks and placing them within the Eisenhower Box, a tool designed to visually help you discern tasks based on urgency and importance.

• Employing the Pomodoro Technique

For tasks demanding immediate attention, leverage the Pomodoro Technique. Work in focused, timed intervals, usually 25 minutes, punctuated by short breaks. This method bolsters concentration and ensures efficient use of time.

• Consistent Prioritisation Rituals

Emphasise the importance of consistency in task prioritisation. Adopting these techniques as daily rituals can transform not just how you work, but also drastically amplify your overall productivity.

1. SCHEDULED DISCONNECTS:

With professionals spending an average of 6.3 hours a day just checking emails^(3^), scheduled ‘digital detoxes’ can combat information overload. This could be as simple as an hour post-lunch without screens or dedicated weekends unplugged.

What it is:

Scheduled disconnects are deliberate breaks from technology, primarily digital screens, allowing for mental rejuvenation.

How to implement:

• Daily “Screen-Free” Intervals

Carve out specific periods during your workday, such as the post-lunch hour, to disconnect from digital screens. This not only helps in combating the typical afternoon slump but also ensures mental rejuvenation during peak working hours.

• Weekend Digital Sabbatical

Dedicate portions of your weekend, if not the entirety, for a comprehensive digital detox. Unplug from gadgets, immerse yourself in hobbies, nature or reading, and use this time to mentally recharge, preparing for the week ahead with renewed vigour.

• Mindful Digital Engagement

Become acutely aware of your screen time, consciously choosing to engage in activities that don’t involve screens, thereby promoting a balanced digital lifestyle.

1. FOSTERING GENUINE CONNECTIONS:

Beyond workplace networking, building authentic relationships can be a source of support and rejuvenation. Organising team retreats or wellness workshops can be both professionally rewarding and personally refreshing.

What it is:

This emphasises the development of authentic, meaningful relationships in professional settings, moving beyond mere transactional interactions.

How to implement:

• Emphasis on Team-Building Activities

Organise retreats or wellness workshops to nurture genuine camaraderie and team cohesion.

• Advocacy for Open Communication

Champion a culture of transparency, bolstered by regular feedback sessions to facilitate understanding and collaboration.

• Mentorship and Peer-Support Initiatives

Launch mentorship programs or peer-support groups to fortify professional bonds and provide avenues for guidance and assistance.

1. EMBRACING ACTIVE LIVING:

Physical well-being is irrefutably linked to productivity. Encouraging standing desks, walking meetings, or even having fitness challenges within the workplace can invigorate teams.

What it is:

Active living promotes incorporating physical activity into daily routines, recognising its integral role in enhancing productivity and mental well-being.

How to implement:

• Adoption of Dynamic Workstations

Champion the use of standing desks or treadmill desks to combat the ill effects of prolonged sedentary behaviour.

• Promotion of “Walk-and-Talk” Meetings

Introduce the concept of mobile meetings where discussions are held during walks, integrating movement with professional discourse.

• Workplace Fitness Initiatives

Launch fitness challenges within the organisation or collaborate with local gyms to establish corporate wellness programmes.

1. ASSERTIVE BOUNDARY SETTING:

Professionals must master the skill of assertive communication, learning when and how to say ‘no’. This is especially crucial in today’s remote-working setups, where personal and professional boundaries often blur. Mastery in assertive communication ensures a harmonious work-life integration.

What it is:

This skill involves communicating your needs, preferences, and limits in a manner that’s clear, direct, and respectful.

How to implement:

• Assertive Communication Training

Provide training sessions to educate professionals on the nuances between being assertive versus aggressive in their communication.

• Defining Work Hours in Remote Setups:

Encourage professionals to establish and communicate specific start and end times for their workdays, ensuring a clear demarcation between personal and professional time.

• Regular Check-ins and Feedback:

Advocate for consistent check-ins and feedback sessions to ensure that set boundaries are both acknowledged and respected by all team members.

1. DIGITAL DETOX SESSIONS:

With a staggering average of 6.3 hours spent by professionals merely checking emails, carving out designated ‘no-screen’ intervals can help combat digital fatigue.

What it is:

A digital detox involves intentionally disconnecting from digital devices, such as computers, smartphones, and tablets, for a specific period to reduce stress, increase focus, and recharge mentally.

How to implement:

• Scheduled Breaks:

Dedicate specific times in your day as ‘digital-free’ zones. For instance, the first hour after waking up and the last hour before sleeping can be kept strictly device-free.

• Weekend Detoxes:

Choose one day over the weekend where you minimise or completely avoid digital screens. Engage in activities that do not involve devices, like reading a physical book, nature walks, or board games.

• Email Management:

Limit checking emails to specific intervals rather than continuously throughout the day. Tools like “Inbox Pause” can be utilised to manage incoming emails effectively.

1. AUTHENTIC PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIPS:

Beyond conventional networking, nurturing genuine connections provides an invaluable reservoir of support and insight. Initiatives like team retreats or collaborative wellness workshops offer dual benefits – professional growth and personal rejuvenation.

What it is:

Moving beyond superficial professional connections to form genuine, trust-based relationships with colleagues, which can foster a sense of belonging, increase job satisfaction, and provide essential support during challenging times.

How to implement:

• Team Retreats:

Organise periodic retreats where team members can bond outside the conventional office environment. These retreats can incorporate team-building activities, brainstorming sessions, and relaxation periods.

• Collaborative Wellness Workshops:

Introduce workshops that focus on mental well-being, meditation, or even hobbies like painting. Collaborative activities can pave the way for genuine conversations and connections.

• Mentorship Programs:

Establish mentor-mentee relationships within the organisation. These relationships can offer guidance, support, and foster deep professional bonds.

1. PRIORITISING PHYSICAL WELL-BEING:

Encouraging habits such as standing desks, walk-and-talk meetings, or office fitness challenges can significantly boost energy levels and overall team morale.

What it is:

Emphasising the importance of physical health and integrating physical activities within the professional environment to enhance productivity, reduce stress, and foster team cohesion.

How to implement:

• Standing Desks:

Introduce and encourage the use of standing desks in the workplace. These desks can alleviate the issues associated with prolonged sitting.

• Walk-and-talk Meetings:

Instead of traditional sit-down meetings, suggest walking meetings, especially for one-on-ones. They can stimulate creativity and ensure that participants remain physically active.

• Office Fitness Challenges:

Organise monthly or quarterly fitness challenges. It could be steps challenges, yoga challenges, or even simple stretching routines. Consider partnerships with local gyms or wellness centres for added benefits.

1. CRAFTING CLEAR BOUNDARIES:

In our increasingly digitised world, it’s pivotal for professionals to delineate personal and work boundaries.

What it is:

The act of setting definitive limits between personal and professional spaces, ensuring that one does not infringe upon the other, thereby preserving mental well-being.

How to implement:

• Defined Work Hours:

Whether working from an office or remotely, set specific start and end times for the workday. Communicate these boundaries to colleagues and superiors.

• Dedicated Workspaces:

Especially in remote setups, it’s vital to have a dedicated workspace at home, separate from leisure areas.

• Notification Management:

Use tools and apps to mute work-related notifications outside work hours, ensuring you’re not perpetually ‘on call.’

Concluding Thoughts

The multifaceted challenges of the modern professional sphere necessitate a more holistic approach to success. In an environment where burnout looms large, professionals armed with strategies that prioritise their holistic health stand out.

At the core, real efficiency isn’t about merely cramming tasks into finite time slots. It’s about ensuring that each task, each meeting, and each decision is imbued with purpose and meaning. For when professionals wholeheartedly embrace the mantra ‘health equals wealth’, they unlock a richer, more fulfilling professional journey, ensuring both career success and personal well-being.