Looking after my wellbeing these days is a non-negotiable. I injured my neck in a surf boat accident when the surf boat ran me over and it hit me on the back of the head.
We had caught a wave coming into shore. It was day 2 of a 7 day surf boat marathon, called the George Bass and we had already crossed the finishing line out to sea. It was time to come safely to shore.
The wave we caught was a ripper but the problem came when we span around side ways and were side on to the next wave. The wave had tipped the boat, and I found myself high side. I fell out of my seat and then entered the water shore side. Kris who was in bow seat also got out but she was smarter than me at the time and went around the front of the boat.
Once in the water I tried to outrun the boat as the next wave caught it up. I changed my mind mid-sprint to turn towards the boat and push it away as it hurtled down on me. I wasn’t strong enough and the boat ran me down and ran me over, cracking the back of my head on the underneath of it as my face was forced underwater.
I had one hand up which a bystander who had seen the writing on the wall and had sprinted towards me from the beginning.
Lots of pain, physio and pilates later, I decided that my health was too important.
I decided to live life with no regrets and enjoy it as much as possible. So two weeks ago, off to an Ayuvedic retreat in Bali I went. I was curious to see if I could do something for the stiff neck and hips. Thanks mum for the gammy hips.
With meditation and yoga twice a day and my irritated hips couldn’t cope with too much cross legs so at times I had to sit on a chair.
It bruised the ego a bit, but what else could I do?
The ROI on the one week retreat was huge. I’ve come back feeling younger, a bit thinner (yeh!) and my body is less tight. I loved it so much I am planning for 2 weeks next year.
Workplace ROI for well-being programs
Did you know, according to PwC and Beyond Blue, the ROI for successful implementations of wellbeing strategies for a workplace is 2.3? That is for every dollar spent on successfully implementing an appropriate action, there is an average of $2.30 in benefits to be gained by the organisation.
- Improved productivity
- Less sick leave
- Less presenteeism
- Lower compensations claims.
The research shows that unless there is leadership and management support for improving culture and mental health of the workplace then any changes will not be effective.
What was intriguing in this study was that different industries experienced different ROI and it can depend on size of the organisation.
Small organisations: Mining industry ROI was an average of 14.5 for implementing any one action. That is crazy.
Small essential service providers receive also an average ROI 14.5
I wonder what it would be with your organisation?
Some strategies the study analysed:
- Worksite physical activity programs
- Coaching and mentoring programs
- Mental health first aid programs
- Resilience training
- CBT based return to work programs
- Well-being checks or health screenings
- Encouraging employee involvement.
Other strategies that I think would give more ROI for a well-being program, I did for a whole department where we reduced sick leave from 9 people a day to 3-4 people.
- Well-being committee
- Good induction process that increases connectivity
- Notice boards that celebrate progress in department and improve communication
- Visioning training for all team to increase innovation and engagement
- Leadership training and coaching to improve engagement, reduce stress and team autonomy
- Individual coaching for leaders who may have had a complaint against them or are struggling
Other ideas for well-being programs include:
- Peer support programs
- Vicarious trauma training
- Hot and cold debrief trainings for leaders
- Leadership training around supporting team through critical incident.
- Looking at polices to ensure they are trauma-informed.
If you and your team have found other interventions useful. I would appreciate if you shared them. I love a well-being solution!
There is so much you can do to reduce the Psychosocial hazards. Just pick one at a time and start to plan the development for you and your team.
Don’t forget yourself. The QUALITY OF YOUR LIFE depends upon it and YOU ARE WORTH IT.
Warmly,
Michelle
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