Grant Reilly
5th September 2022
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The Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre (DHI) is very focused on supporting staff wellbeing and ensuring the provision of a healthy working environment. Earlier this year, the DHI Staff Wellbeing Working Group organised an online session, for all employees, that focused on movement and exercises specifically designed for people working at screens all day. Justin from Glimpse ~ Moving Well delivered these activities, and he has written a short blog which signposts tips and ideas relating to wellbeing.
The practice of safe, effective and time-honoured self-care techniques and physical movements to help manage or prevent common ailments is a sustainable approach. Being proactive with self-care and learning aligns us with our resourceful intelligence and natural abilities. Human beings have always depended on nature and the conscious development of care, for ourselves and others. There are a wealth of resources including online classes, Pinterest boards, digital health apps and other contemporary modes of information delivery - along with the latest scientific discoveries – which encourage us to take action and do something constructive to improve our quality of life.
The effective use and teaching of mind-body practices for thousands of years continues to grow and develop, reaching an increasingly diverse global audience. Yoga and Mindfulness are just two examples of such practices. Learning simple principles, techniques and practices as an embodied experience, allows people to notice and feel the positive changes in their own lives, and gives them more control and agency. When this is part of a community or group - online or in person - it supports our social interdependence too.
There is a lot you can do to manage your own health and wellbeing - both on a daily basis, and when ailments and health challenges are faced. One of the greatest opportunities for improvement is the shift in mindset around what is achievable. Empowering people with knowledge and resources can help them better manage their own wellbeing and health where possible. One example is to consider the Sympathetic Nervous System and the Parasympathetic Nervous System, and ways to maintain a healthy balance - particularly during times of additional stress and anxiety. In this instance, choosing to adopt a ‘breath practice’ can help to create calm and focus awareness as required, and apps and phone prompts can remind us to do this regularly. Sleep is also a key contributor to wellbeing, and it is possible to learn effective strategies for managing any disruption to sleep. Poor quality sleep can be understood better when the bigger picture is considered, looking at factors such as light and sound; temperature; posture; breathing or levels of melatonin. The addition of simple mind body techniques can be highly effective, even when these other aspects are compromised. It’s practical to gradually build a holistic awareness of what impacts positively and negatively, informing and increasing your choices. And this is true for many areas of wellbeing and the common ailments most of us experience at times in our lives.
This Pinterest board links to a range of wellbeing insights, ideas and resources - including mindfulness and breath practices.
Glimpse ~ Moving Well have developed a comprehensive range of wellbeing programmes, and a variety of ways for different organisations to engage. These include self-care and nature connection workshops, active design consultancy and holistic coaching and training.
More information can be found on their website.
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