Supporting mental health at work one session at a time
Here at Sport Swansea we are passionate about the positive impact sport and physical activity can have on mental health and wellbeing.
We aim to raise awareness of the importance of prioritising mental wellbeing and how taking part in sport and physical fitness can help indivdiuals combat any struggles they may be facing.
Tackling these struggles starts with talking about them, and one of the most important places where this must be addressed is the ‘workplace’. This year’s theme, set by the World Federation of Mental Health, is workplace mental health and highlights the important of addressing mental health and wellbeing in the workplace for the benefit of people, organisations, and communities.
To ensure we are looking after our staff, we find ways to encourage them to take part in activities to help benefit their wellbeing. Our Get ACTIVE programme has mental health and wellbeing at its heart. The programme offers regular free of charge timetabled activities on campus for students and staff, as well as off-site activities including walks, surfing, and kayaking.
One of Get ACTIVE’s most popular staff focused sessions has been yoga, which is well known to provide therapeutic effects, reducing stress, easing anxiety and helping people manage depression.
The Get ACTIVE programme’s yoga sessions are consistently sold out, with Swansea University staff members looking for a place to switch off from workplace worries and find a calming place for their wellbeing. We caught up with a few staff members to tell us how these sessions helped them:
“It’s great to have a chance to relax and stretch midday within the campus. I love the Yoga sessions in the Shed. It always gives me energy and helps me relax, which is needed in a busy work week. I would love to continue next year! The timing is perfect.” - Marcela
“One of the rare activities that directly improves the wellbeing of University staff.” - Alan
“Hugely beneficial for managing stress while in work (as well as improving fitness).” - Tom
“Excellent way to ensure staff take a lunch break, that is active and conducive of promoting positive wellbeing which supports staff work life balance and is great for physical health as well. Thank you, Stacey, and the Get ACTIVE team, this has been really needed.” - Menna
“It’s a good mental break during the day.” - Andrew
This is just a handful of the incredible comments received from the Get ACTIVE yoga sessions! 74% of participants rated the sessions a 10/10, with 87% stating they found the yoga sessions ‘excellent’.
Finding the balance between mental wellbeing and working can be difficult, however we’ve pulled together a few suggestions of different activities that can help both staff and students to prioritise their mental wellbeing while studying or at work:
- Take a quick walk during your break! This doesn’t have to be anything too strenuous or long, a 10-minute stretch will do the job if that’s all you have time for!
- Join one of our Get ACTIVE yoga sessions. Rewind and switch-off from the workplace, and find your zen – click here to see our yoga sessions.
- Talk about your feelings – this can be difficult to do sometimes, however don’t underestimate the importance of having a chat. If you are open about your feelings, it may encourage others to do the same! Whether it’s a chat during lunch, or a cuppa and a walk in nature, these conversations are important to have.
- Check out the ‘How to Support Mental Health at Work’ guide for more guidance on how you can help improve your own, or someone else’s mental health at work.
If you are struggling with mental health at work, or just need to have a chat, we have several support systems at the university to help with this! Get in touch, we’re always here to help and listen!