3 Helpful thoughts — So You Will Have More Workplace Wellbeing

Published in

Thrive Global

5 min readSep 10, 2017

Workplace Wellbeing is like Workplace Wellness 2.0

When talking about Workplace Wellbeing we are talking about more than physical health. Where organizations make sure you have a good office chair. Offer flu shots, maybe so you can work more… Encourage you to go to the gym and maybe even chip in on your gym membership.

When we talk about Workplace Wellbeing we take things further, in so many ways.
We add mental health. Social health. Financial health. Spiritual health and more into the mixture.

We expect more of organizations and we expect more of employees.

We want more quality of life for employees.
And better bottom line for the organizations.

All of this can be fun, easy, common sense…. As long as we agree upon that this is a joint responsibility of your employer and yourself.

First step might be to talk about expectations.

Talk openly about makes you experience workplace wellbeing. And what you expect from the workplace. How you want to be treated. What you expect from the relationship with your manager and more.

Don´t get offended when your organizations shares with you what is expected of you. Even though it may require something personal from you (like going early to bed).

But this is not only about Workplace Wellbeing. It is also about quality of life. So I want you to take full responsibility for yourself in this equation. I am sure it will lead to a greater sum of workplace wellbeing.

Here are 3 things I want you to do, for your own workplace wellbeing:

1. Make a decision and turn it into an action — for your wellbeing

I want you to prepare each day. That way you will be more in control of how your days go. And thus increase your chance of experiencing strong wellbeing.

Come up with your own evening habits. Habits you feel will help you finish each day well and prepare for the following day. This could be something like:

Pick out clothes for next day. You could do this maybe right after dinner, or any other convenient time.
Use an app or set your alarm to notify you 30 minutes prior to desired bedtime. Desired bedtime being about 7–8 hours before you have to wake up. Depending on how much sleep you feel you need. This will help you to show up at work fully rested. And with more energy to handle everything that the day will bring you.
Think about your day. What you can learn from it. What you can be grateful for. What you can be proud of. What you can celebrate etc.

Come up with your own morning habits. Habits you feel will help you start each day and prepare for the day ahead. This could be something like:

Take time to meditate.
Take time for a brisk walk or run around your neighborhood, or going to the gym.
Take time to do some exercises or yoga at home. A lot of helpful videos on YouTube and then there are all kinds of apps, I recommend this one.
Drink a glass or two of water. Take your vitamins. Have a healthy breakfast etc.
Sing and dance to your favorite song or some upbeat music. Something to boost your energy. This will get you in an awesome mental state, so you feel you can conquer to the world.

2. Be a good coworker — for your wellbeing

The better coworker you are, the better coworkers you will have. How you interact with others is what you will get back. And since we spend so much time with our coworkers this matters a lot.

How well do you do on this list?

Greet all coworkers with a smile and a cheerful greeting every morning.
Use every opportunity to help others out
Take time to read, listen and learn. Read books, whitepapers, articles etc. Listen to podcasts, audiobooks, webinars etc. Develop myself and share new ideas with coworkers
Use every opportunity to praise and encourage coworkers
Show real interest in my coworkers, as professionals and as persons
Being honest and give constructive feedback
Be a good listener
Share jokes, laugh and find ways to have fun
Put in an effort to have positive impact on the atmosphere and the workplace culture. Make people feel better when you come, not better when you leave
Go beyond expectations

Hope you got at least 8 out of 10, if not well then I want you to take some time and figure out how you will improve your score.

3. Make every day count — for your wellbeing

You have seven days in your week and none of them is called Someday. Use every day as well as you can. Use every day to be your best and have the wellbeing you want.

To grow as a person and a professional. To grow your reputation.
To improve and give to your community.
To make sure your immediate environment supports your needs. To find ways to protect the environment.
To keep track of your finances. Be sure about what you need for your wellbeing and what you do not need.
To work on your health. Exercise. Nourish your body and mind in a good way.
To strengthen your relationships, at home and at work. Create good memories. Have fun.
To build your legacy.