Taking Care of Your Mind (and Your Colleagues!) During UK Heatwaves

01 Jul Taking Care of Your Mind (and Your Colleagues!) During UK Heatwaves

Even though us Brits enjoy the summer, according to a scientific research —high temperatures may have a major influence on mental health, according to recent study, which is something that is not often considered.

Because of climate change, heatwaves are becoming more common and extreme here in the UK, therefore it’s important to think about the safety of employees during these times. Imagine yourself sitting in a stuffy office, glued to your computer screen. That sounds like a certain way to get irritable, lethargic, and generally thinking, “Ugh, is it five o’clock yet?”

When the Sun Gets Angry, Your Mood Gets Grumpy

Extended periods of high temperature can mess with our sleep cycles. As a result, our hormones may be disrupted, causing us to experience emotional fluctuations similar to those of a teenager — feeling satisfied one moment, then furious at the photocopier for jamming for the eleventh time that day.

However, it doesn’t end there. Additionally, the heat may deplete our vitality, making even simple chores seem like an impossible effort to complete when wearing flip-flops. Normally alert and engaged, our minds become as lethargic as melting ice cream. Making decisions? Ignore it. concentrating on that spreadsheet? It could as well be penned in ancient Egyptian script.

Additionally, heatwaves can be extremely difficult for people who already deal with anxiety, despair, or bipolar illness. It worsens pre-existing symptoms like pouring petrol to the fire.

Beating the Heat and Keeping Your Head (Cool)

Employers must provide a safe and healthy work environment, which includes keeping everyone reasonably cool—or at least somewhat cool—during a heat wave. When the temperature starts to rise, businesses may help their teams in the following ways:

• Flex Your Work Hours: Let’s be honest, no one produces their best work while they are perspiring all over their clothes. Encouraging workers to work from home or modify their schedules during the warmest times of the day can have a significant impact.
  Dress for Success (Against the Heat): Get rid of the stuffy workplaces and uncomfortable suits! Encourage team members to dress comfortably so that air can circulate. Instead of polyester horrors, picture sundresses and linen shirts.
• Hydration Stations – The Oasis in the Office: : Ensure that water is easily accessible during the working day. Provide colourful water bottles or jugs at designated hydration stations to promote regular top-ups. Extra credit for providing cold fruit slices, which are a tasty and revitalising way to keep the water flowing.
  Clear Communication Is Essential: Inform staff members that they can voice concerns if the heat is bothering them. Encourage the creation of an atmosphere in which individuals are at ease to voice worries about their well-being.

Mental Health Matters, Rain or Shine

Heatwaves point towards an all-year emphasis on mental health in the workplace, not just when it gets hot outside. Consider it being proactive: by ensuring employee well-being, we achieve a more resilient and high-performing workforce. Allow us to offer a solution – why not invite mental health speakers to your corporate events?

But the speakers don’t all have to be doom and gloom. They can be fun, informative, and even funny. Consider a lunchtime session where an accompanying mental health professional talks through the warning signs of common conditions. Perhaps they can include some stress-management and sleep-enhancing tools and practices. Not only can this raise awareness of mental health but it also helps break the stigma around it. Witnessing others share their mental health stories can cycle the message that “we’re in this together,” opening your team up to getting help when it is truly needed.

Building a Culture of Wellbeing

Ultimately, prioritising employee health (both physical and mental) leads to a more engaged workforce that is able to be productive in the long term. The next time the temperature soars, bear in mind — staying cool is about more than just your office thermostat. We need workplaces driven by mental well-being regardless of the forecast. Consider the benefits you get when your team, their happiness and well-being are an investment that in turn creates a connected workplace which is more positive and productive.

Get in touch with The Right Address UK speaker bureau for help and advice in finding you the best mental health speakers and motivational speakers in the UK for your next corporate event – email: enquiries@therightaddress.co.uk  Tel: +44(0)1895 827800