In the workplace, in recent years, the approach we take to wellbeing now extends much further beyond simply how an employee feels. Indeed, employers now recognise that they should take a holistic approach to wellbeing. In this, employers acknowledge that bad workplace wellbeing affects the number of sick days employees have, burnout, and job performance.
Research from Gallup shows that if employees are not looking after their wellbeing, 61% are more likely to experience burnout often or always. They also found that 48% of employees are more likely to report daily stress if employers don’t provide employee wellbeing initiatives.
Such statistics show just how important it is to look out for your employees and their wellbeing. However, with the rise of technology, caring for your employees wellbeing can be as simple as downloading an app.
At Myles Wellbeing, we have researched a range of apps which can be used to take a holistic approach to wellbeing.
1. Wellbeing App: Myles Wellbeing
A great holistic wellbeing app is Myles Wellbeing as it tracks both physical activity and meditative or mindful activities.
Myles Wellbeing is an inclusive app for employers who want to support their employees with leading healthy lives and rewards them for doing so. Designed to encourage individuals in teams and organisations to become more physically active, it provides motivation through gamification including trophies, points and challenges. The platform also harnesses powerful social dynamics through interaction with peers.
The Myles app moves past regular step challenges as it normalises activities and sports so that everyone can see themselves on a fair leaderboard, no matter how they exercise. The leaderboards also reward individual improvement as well as total effort, making it a level playing field for different fitness levels.
The app connects with over 30 smartwatches and fitness apps, allowing users to compete with colleagues and earn rewards for hundreds of activities and sports. These rewards are in the form of ‘Smyles’ which can be exchanged for a range of rewards.
2. Reading App: Blinkist
Reading is a great way to de-stress and so prevent burnout. You can escape into fiction and take your mind off whatever thoughts and pressures you are currently facing.
For example, the app Blinkist is great for listening to or reading book summaries. Reading is also scientifically proven to reduce stress, so apps which promote reading are amazing. Reading captivates one’s imagination and by focusing on one single task, you will increase relaxation. In a study conducted by the University of Sussex, individuals who had read for merely six minutes exhibited slower heart rates, less muscle tension, and reduced stress levels.
3. Sleeping App: Sleep Cycle
Ensuring that you get enough sleep is a really beneficial way to improve wellbeing. If we do not get enough sleep, our mental functioning–including concentration, productivity and alertness– will be negatively affected the next day. This means that you will feel more pressure at work, which can build up and result in stress.
The app Sleep Cycle analyses your sleep, tracking deep sleep and snoring, and eventually wakes you up at the most perfect time, making you feel rested in the morning.
It is recommended that you aim to get at least seven to nine hours of sleep every night. Apps such as Sleep Cycle provide your own ‘sleep statistics’, so if you’re not getting enough sleep, you can make healthy habit changes, such as going to bed earlier.
4. Journaling App: Notes
Feeling stressed can sometimes be an isolating sensation and can negatively impact your wellbeing– you feel all the pressure on yourself but often don’t want to burden others with how you’re feeling. However, stress is a very common feeling, and, in fact, 7% of UK adults feel stress every day, according to new data.
Journaling can be a great way to de-stress as you can note all your thoughts by typing them out, rather than writing them down. This can then remain private, or by writing them down, you may find it easier to share them with a friend or colleague. A notes app often comes with every phone, so save yourself the hassle of downloading a new app, and try it out!
5. Calming App: Headspace
Mindfulness apps are a great preventative measure when it comes to mental wellbeing. For example, the Headspace app is useful to de-stress and so improve wellbeing.
It’s easy to use and has a clear layout, but also don’t have to pay to get basic tasks which can really help. Through scientific research, their calming activities and brain exercises help you create life-changing habits which will support your mental health.
Impressively, Headspace tells us that it is proven to reduce stress by 14% in just 10 days. Their meditation and mindfulness tools help you relax your mind in minutes and improve focus, so why not download it and feel the benefits.
6. Gaming App: Tides
If gaming is more so your thing, there are plenty of apps that will relax you, reducing stress and improving your wellbeing. One app is Tides which is a simple fishing mini-game, offering respite from a pressuring workload or stress.
The app describes itself as “A small game, designed to be a meditative escape with serene visuals, calming music, and simplistic gameplay”. Indeed, the tranquil music accompanied by a mass of visually beautiful fish relaxes any mind and body, offering you a great way to de-stress and improve wellbeing.