Cover Feature | Health & Wellbeing
Better health
makes business sense Whatever your role, whatever your sector, uncertainty fuelled by international conflict, rising costs and frenetic tech change continues to test businesses’ collective wellbeing. Mental wellbeing
Working long hours, and grappling
As hard as it might feel, it’s
with relentless disruption, it’s no
important to book off some time in
surprise research shows over
your day to step away from work,
half of UK small and medium-
have a daily walk or run, get some
sized business owners have
natural light and eat nutritious,
experienced poor mental health
right-sized portioned food away
Every Mind Matters website
over the past year.
from the keyboard. It will make a
(www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/)
huge difference because healthy
for information to help you take
For anyone caught in a cycle of stress, little sleep, poor diet and
changes start with little changes.
no exercise, it can feel impossible
Throughout your better
to break free and find a balance.
health journey local services,
But it’s a destructive pattern that
commissioned by Kent County
makes us less resilient and able to handle pressure, or take sound
Council (KCC) – such as
Live Well Kent (in partnership
No one should ignore unmanageable stress or anxiety. Visit the Better Health
self-care action. On the kent.gov Every Mind Matters webpage (www.kent.gov. uk/EveryMindMatters) you can find online advice and signposting to
with the NHS) and One You Kent
local support, including community
– from cancers and heart disease
because a healthy body
Kent, delivered by Porchlight and
to strokes.
supports a well mind.
the Shaw Trust.
decisions. Unhealthy lifestyles also increase the risk of serious illness
26 Thinking Business
(OYK) – are on hand to support
mental health services Live Well
You can also get details here about the NHS Kent and
Medway’s Mental Wellbeing Information Hub
(www.kmhealthandcare.uk/mentalwellbeing-information-hub) and the Release the Pressure campaign which offers a text service to people who are struggling to cope and need immediate help. Text the word “Kent” or “Medway” to 85258 to start a conversation with one of the many trained and experienced volunteers who can give help at any time, wherever you are. Help is also available via the Release the Pressure 24/7 freephone helpline 0800 107 0160. Whatever you do, don’t suffer in silence.
