We are convinced that self-care should not only have a firm place in the private sphere, but should also be on the radar of employers. After all, managers in particular are aware of the pressure to perform and need to find a way to deal with it, because nobody benefits from burnout. It is therefore important to raise awareness of the fact that health always comes before work.
Content
2 What can a company or organization do?
5. companies that take responsibility
6. the Shakti essentials for all office athletes
What is employee health?
When we talk about health, we often think of physical health first, but mental health is just as important. Poor physical health can lead to poor mental health and vice versa. That is why the definition of employee health encompasses not only the physical but also the mental state.
What can a company or organization do?
From an economic perspective, it is a fact that healthy and satisfied employees cost a company less. But promoting employee health is also worthwhile in terms of work culture and cooperation. It is quite logical that a person who feels seen, supported, secure and recognized does a better job than someone who is only there because they have to be. So we're not just talking about more productivity or less absenteeism, but also a better company image, more commitment and less fluctuation.
In view of the current trend towards more home offices and remote working, many teams are currently having to redesign these conditions. And the trend towards New Work fits in perfectly here: people need to be able to come to work in their entirety, not just in one role.
The following measures can already help to create a better working atmosphere:
- Create structures in which those affected can talk openly about their illnesses.
- Take the next "How are you?" seriously instead of just as a polite phrase.
- Careful handling of questions about illnesses, as these are often taboo in society.
- Creating space and competence in dealing with emotions - both are components of a sustainable working environment.
- Introduce honest, short check-in rounds as a format to combat loneliness.
- Promote the 4-day workweek: This has been proven to reduce sick leave, increase productivity, and increase employee satisfaction.
- Mindfulness, meditation, therapy, exercise, taking breaks and eating healthy are among them when we talk about taking care of our health, just like doctor visits.
It is always important to look at both sides: Body and psyche. Companies need to look at the overall situation. Breaks on the acupressure mat can help here.
We are happy to support you and your company's well-being with suitable products. Simply write a message to [email protected].
Chronic diseases on the job
While the saying goes "stay at home when you're sick", this does not apply to people with chronic illnesses, as they are accompanied by them every day. As a study by Frankfurt's Goethe University shows, around 50 percent of all people in Germany are affected. If so many people are chronically ill, perhaps our understanding of health needs a general update.
We need a working environment that enables everyone to work well. A start can be made by dealing openly with the topic of illness. After all, if we assume that 50 percent of the team are carrying something with them, it should no longer be taboo to talk about it. Provided, of course, that those affected want to.
Many people are not aware that complaints such as allergies, anxiety disorders, asthma, arthrosis, high blood pressure, back pain, migraine, depression, endometriosis, eating disorders, cancer, Crohn's disease or addictions are also included. Pretty much no one is completely healthy, on close inspection. That's why it makes more sense to adapt the job to people's needs than the other way around.
For some conditions, an acupressure mat can be a real help in releasing stress and counteracting pain:
- Arthritis & Osteoarthritis
- Depressive moods
- Polyneurotherapy
- During cancer therapy
When we let go of that, we realize that we can't control everything. No one can be completely healthy all the time.
Focus on mental health
Employers should be aware that stress is a major factor contributing to depression and burnout. Time pressure, overtime, constant availability, social conflicts - all of these can make a job hazardous to health. Often, the stresses have merely shifted from the physical to the psychological. Absenteeism due to mental illness has doubled in the last ten years. Even more knowledge on the part of companies about how to deal with problems and crises can be a great help.
For example, in many countries there is an obligation to complete first aid courses for mental health, equivalent to that of a medical first aider. The earlier those affected receive professional help, the better their chances of recovery. More than 40% of the German population experience a mental disorder requiring treatment at least once in their lives. Despite this, there are many uncertainties and prejudices surrounding this topic. MHFA courses provide the knowledge to recognize mental health problems and crises in loved ones and the skills to competently support those affected.
If you want to focus on and support people, you cannot leave out their illnesses. Suffering and pain are human and exist just as much at work as in private life.
Companies that take responsibility
We have contacted companies that have the health promotion of their team on the screen and ordered acupressure pillows, rings or acupressure mats for their employees from us. We wanted to know how they came up with it and how acupressure is received by the team.
Katja from Viva la Mama writes: "Our team was delighted with the rings and they are actually being used by everyone. A good investment for us and a much nicer and more sensual gift than the usual sweets and office stuff."
Viva la Mama is a young label from Berlin. They design, produce and sell jackets for pregnant women and babywearing moms. Every year, the team gives small Christmas surprises to all employees and there have already been fans of our acupressure mats.
Isabel, the shopping manager, describes her experience with the massage ring as follows: "When I have the ring with me at work, I use it all the time. I massage all my fingers because it really does me good. It also warms up cold mouse fingers. If I don't look after the ring, my 3-year-old son grabs it. He thinks it's great too."
Michèle Lindner, the managing director of GfN Herstellung von Naturextrakten GmbH even gave us a short interview and an insight into her decision-making process:
How did you actually come up with the idea that an acupressure pillow would make a great employee gift?
Michèle: The relaxation and health of my employees is very important to me. I had several acupuncture treatments during a difficult time in my life, which really helped me to heal. And these Shakti tips reminded me of that. A few months ago, I visited a yoga studio and had the pleasure of standing barefoot on a Shakti mat. I felt what it triggered in my body. The first contact with my bare foot was quite painful. Now I often stand on my Shakti Mat, but very carefully.
Of course, I myself am a big fan of sustainable and fair production in order to really support the countries and cooperatives that in turn support women or disadvantaged groups. So the social idea was definitely at the back of my mind.
What feedback did you get from your colleagues about the acupressure pads?
Michèle: We have generally received positive feedback about the bolsters. Some of the employees (including myself) then decided to buy the matching mat as well.
Many of our customers and important business partners, for whom we had also ordered the acupressure cushions as a Christmas gift, were naturally very surprised. But it has to be said that we put a lot of thought into this every year, because a run-of-the-mill gift is out of the question for us. It always goes down very well with employees, customers and business partners.
How much attention do you pay to work-life balance at GFN Selco?
Michèle: I make sure to offer employees opportunities for fitness and health. For example, we have set up a fitness room here and everyone is given the opportunity to use a work bike (which is very popular). We also try to offer the option of working from home and flexible working hours in many areas. I try to make sure that there is no accumulation of overtime (we strictly adhere to the official overtime regulations). We also try to limit the amount of overtime by always hiring enough employees so that the work that needs to be done can be done in regular working hours.
One of my top and most important quality goals is healthy and motivated employees. And I can only achieve this by treating my employees with respect, fairness and appreciation and not by squeezing the maximum performance out of them in order to optimize my profit. It is important not to minimize burdens and barriers, but to focus on them and address them.
At QAware, a consultancy and project house for software technology in Munich, CEO Christian Kamm inspired the entire team with the topic of acupressure. He explains: "I originally got to know the Shakti Mat during a visit to my daughter in Berlin. At first I could hardly stand it. Then came the deep relaxation and I was thrilled. When the coronavirus period came soon after, we at QAware were looking for useful tools to support our team at home as much as possible. I suggested sending everyone a Shakti Mat to help them relax effectively during the Zoom breaks. The idea was very well received by our almost 200 employees. We also found the sustainability aspect of the Shatki Mat very valuable: the fact that it is made with high-quality and natural materials, sewn locally by women in India who can earn a living with it. A successful product all round!"
We are happy to support you and your company with the right products to increase well-being in the workplace.
The Shakti essentials for all office athletes
It's often the little breaks that make a big difference in our everyday lives. These three tools can help you with cold, stiff fingers or a headache, for example, and get your body to switch off and relax for a moment. They reactivate your self-healing powers and trick your mind for a few moments. This will make it easier for you to really look away from the screen for a moment and engage with your body.
This contains the perfect package for your workday:
Shakti headband
Sometimes everything is too much and you can't manage to switch your head off? Or the first signs of a headache appear in the morning? Then the headband can help you do something about it. The 264 tips will help you and act like a head massage. Practical: you can adjust the intensity yourself using the Velcro fastener. If you often suffer from stress, triggered migraines or headaches, the acupressure headband can really make a difference to your working day. When folded, it is smaller than a pencil case and fits in any pocket.
Shakti ring
Your hands work all day long - whether you're sitting at the computer or working as a craftsman. From time to time they may feel stiff or cold. This little tool works its magic by simply rolling it up and down your fingers. It relieves blockages, pain and tension and promotes blood circulation in your fingers. With its handy size, you can even keep it in your pocket at all times.
Shakti doormat
Tired feet are not uncommon for people who have to stand or walk around a lot in their job. But it also makes perfect sense to use the doormat while lying under your desk. It gives you the refreshing and invigorating feeling of a foot massage and helps you to relax. When you fold up the mat, it is smaller than a laptop and can be transported in a space-saving manner - with its 2,640 plastic tips, this mobile massage always fits perfectly in your luggage for your next business trip.
Sources
- https://www.stiftung-gesundheitswissen.de/presse/immer-mehr-menschen-mit-chronischen-erkrankungen-ueber-jahrzehnte-beeintraechtigt (Abruf, 05.05.2022)
- New Narratives. The magazine for new work. Issue #12, We are all sick!
- https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/healthcare-systems-and-services/our-insights/innovating-employee-health-time-to-break-the-mold (Abruf, 05.05.2022)
- Global, regional, and national prevalence of overweight and obesity in children and adults during 1980-2013: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2013. The Lancet. 2014
- https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/themen/gesundheit/belastung-des-menschen-ermitteln/deutsche-umweltstudie-zur-gesundheit-geres (Abruf, 05.05.2022)
- https://www.mhfa-ersthelfer.de/de/ (Abruf, 05.05.2022)