5 Ways to Well-Being for Employers: Mapping Mental Wellbeing Strategies

 Introduction

Supporting employee mental health has become a top priority for organisations striving to build resilient, innovative, and productive teams. With workplace stress and burnout on the rise, robust mental wellbeing strategies are essential for fostering a supportive environment where employees can thrive. The 5 Ways to Well-Being framework provides a proven roadmap to enhance mental health, social connections, and overall well-being within the workplace.

This whitepaper explores how the 5 Ways to Well-Being can guide employers in designing effective mental wellness approaches that improve engagement, morale, and organisational performance. By focusing on simple yet impactful strategies, organisations can map out a future where holistic well-being becomes central to workplace culture.

 The 5 Ways to Well-Being Framework

The 5 Ways to Well-Being, developed by the New Economics Foundation, provides employers with evidence-based actions to improve mental well-being for their workforce. It encourages individuals and teams to build habits that promote emotional stability, resilience, and a positive outlook on life.

 The Five Actions: 

1. Connect – Building relationships with others to create a sense of belonging and support.
2. Be Active – Incorporating physical activity into daily routines for improved mental health.
3. Take Notice – Developing mindfulness and awareness of one’s surroundings and feelings.
4. Keep Learning – Continuously acquiring new skills to foster a sense of achievement.
5. Give – Offering kindness and support to others to build stronger communities.

When integrated into mental wellbeing strategies, these actions inspire positive mental habits and enhance workplace culture.

 Mapping Mental Wellbeing Strategies: 5 Ways to Well-Being for Employers

1. Connect: Fostering Relationships and Team Bonds

Strong relationships are critical to mental well-being in the workplace. Encouraging employees to connect fosters collaboration, reduces isolation, and builds a supportive environment.

 Actionable Strategies: 

– Team-Building Activities: Plan team lunches, retreats, or virtual social hours to strengthen interpersonal relationships.

– Peer Support Networks: Create mentorship or buddy systems to help employees feel supported.

– Open Communication: Encourage leadership to stay approachable and facilitate regular one-on-one check-ins.

Example in Action: A financial company introduces monthly informal coffee meetups to strengthen team relationships, resulting in a 20% increase in employee satisfaction.

2. Be Active: Promoting Physical Movement at Work

Regular physical activity not only improves physical health but also reduces anxiety, stress, and depression, keeping employees focused and energetic.

 Actionable Strategies: 

– On-Site Fitness Classes: Organise corporate wellness programs with options like yoga, aerobics, or walking clubs.

– Active Breaks: Encourage walking meetings or stretch breaks to keep employees moving.

– Employee Wellness Challenges: Inspire friendly competition in activities such as step challenges or fitness goals.

Example in Action: A tech company implements a 30-day step challenge, increasing workplace participation in physical exercise by 40%.

3. Take Notice: Cultivating Awareness and Mindfulness

Helping employees stay present and aware of their emotions fosters better stress management and mental clarity in the workplace.

 Actionable Strategies: 

– Mindfulness Programs: Offer guided meditation sessions or access to mindfulness apps to build employee awareness.

– Gratitude Initiatives: Introduce gratitude journals or share daily appreciation moments during team meetings.

– Wellness Spaces: Create quiet zones or relaxation rooms for employees to decompress during the workday.

Example in Action: A healthcare organisation introduces meditation sessions twice a week, leading to a 25% decrease in stress-related absenteeism.

4. Keep Learning: Encouraging Growth and Development

Workplace learning builds employee confidence, combats stagnation, and stimulates intellectual curiosity.

 Actionable Strategies: 

– Skill Development Programs: Provide resources for employees to acquire new skills, such as workshops or online courses.

– Personal Growth Initiatives: Allow employees to pursue passion-driven learning, like creative classes or personal development books.

– Cross-Department Learning: Facilitate knowledge-sharing sessions where employees can learn about other departments or roles within the company.

Example in Action: An engineering firm introduces a monthly “Learn at Lunch” series, where employees present their expertise. This fosters learning and collaboration, improving engagement by 30%.

5. Give: Cultivating Generosity and Social Responsibility

Helping others provides employees with a sense of belonging and purpose while boosting morale and fostering community spirit.

 Actionable Strategies: 

– Volunteer Initiatives: Partner with local charities or NGOs for team volunteer opportunities.

– Recognition Programs: Create opportunities for employees to celebrate each other’s contributions.

– Supportive Workplace Communities: Encourage employees to lead well-being initiatives, such as organising charity runs or donation drives.

Example in Action: A retail company organises a monthly volunteer day where employees give back to their community, increasing overall morale and strengthening their brand reputation.

 Building a Holistic Well-Being Culture

Integrating the 5 Ways to Well-Being into mental wellbeing strategies creates a well-rounded approach to employee health. Employers must foster cultures of care and support to ensure these practices become embedded into daily work life.

 Steps to Build a Well-Being Culture: 

1. Leadership Advocacy: Leadership must model behavioural changes, participating actively in initiatives like mindfulness programs or volunteering.
2. Employee Feedback: Regularly collect and act on feedback to improve well-being programs.
3. Policy Alignment: Align workplace policies (e.g., PTO, hybrid options) to encourage flexibility and a balance between work and wellness.
4. Measuring Impact: Track performance metrics (anxiety levels, absentee rates, productivity scores) to assess the success of well-being strategies.

Example: A mid-sized company integrates well-being into its annual strategy by aligning leadership training with the “Connect” and “Be Active” principles. Engagement surveys show a 50% improvement in employee perception of workplace well-being after one year.

 The Benefits of Mapping Well-Being Strategies

 For Employees: 

– Improved Mental Health: Enhanced resilience and reduced stress levels.

– More Fulfillment: A sense of purpose from learning, connecting, and giving.

– Personal and Professional Growth: Opportunities to thrive personally while excelling professionally.

 For Employers: 

– Higher Productivity: Employees with good mental well-being are more efficient and innovative.

– Reduced Turnover: Prioritising mental health boosts employee retention and reduces hiring costs.

– Stronger Employer Branding: Demonstrating commitment to well-being attracts top talent and strengthens workplace reputation.

 Measuring the Impact of the 5 Ways to Well-Being

Tracking the success of initiatives is critical for understanding their effect and adapting them for better impact.

 Essential Metrics: 

1. Participation Rates: Monitor how many employees engage with well-being programs (e.g., fitness classes, webinars, etc.).
2. Mental Health Data: Track changes in self-reported stress and anxiety levels through pulse surveys.
3. Absenteeism: Evaluate reductions in stress and burnout-related absences.
4. Engagement Scores: Measure improved morale and overall satisfaction through periodic surveys.

Example: A company implementing weekly mindfulness sessions sees a 20% increase in employee engagement scores and a noticeable drop in sick days.

 Conclusion

The 5 Ways to Well-Being framework offers employers practical, impactful strategies to improve employee mental health and foster workplace resilience. By focusing on connection, physical activity, mindfulness, learning, and giving, organisations can help employees develop healthy habits while enhancing overall workplace performance.

Implementing these strategies doesn’t just provide short-term benefits—it builds a foundation for long-term wellness and success, where employees and businesses grow together. For organisations that recognise the value of mental health, adopting the 5 Ways to Well-Being provides a powerful step toward creating workplaces where well-being thrives.