Why It’s Important To Look After Your Employees Mental Health in 2024

January can be a challenging month for many. It’s cold and dark outside, bank accounts are low after Christmas spending and the return to work and normal day-to-day routine after the break and festivities of December can leave employees feeling low and demotivated.

A recent report by the NHS revealed that 2 million people in the UK are affected by the winter blues, also known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD). This disorder can last for months throughout winter and includes symptoms such as sleep problems, overeating, depression and irritability.

You can read the report "Beating the winter blues" here

But SAD is not the only mental health concern that employers should be looking out for in 2024. Poor mental health is a year-round illness that can affect anyone at any time for a number of reasons, including as a result of burnout.

Burnout is a specific type of stress usually found in workers who feel fatigued and under a lot of pressure. It can manifest itself in many ways, such as exhaustion, reduced job performance and increased absence from work.

It’s clear that when employees are overworked and undervalued, their emotional well-being is at risk which could have a substantial impact on your business too.

A Deloitte survey found that 61% of workers who left their jobs in 2021 or were planning to leave in 2022 cited poor mental health as the reason, highlighting the cost that businesses could face if they do not address this issue.

Improving Employee Well-Being And Engagement

Employers and business owners should make improving the well-being of their employees a priority in 2024. Not only will this increase productivity and engagement within your team, but it will drastically decrease the likelihood of employees leaving your company. 

By making a considered effort to address issues of poor mental health, and put measures in place to tackle it, your employees will feel valued and supported. This, in itself, will give them a more positive outlook on their work-life.

You can simply start by creating an honest dialogue around wellness at work and ensuring there is a clear policy in place for workers who are struggling with their mental health. This should outline who they can speak to about their concerns and provide them with resources to help them manage their mental health. 

But there is another way to support your employees and their mental health…

My Ideas On How Promotional Gifts Can Support Your Team

Promotional merchandise may not be the first thing that comes to mind when discussing ways to improve employee mental health, but it is a cost-effective and impactful option. 

Company Merchandise Gifts For The Desk

For Wellness At Home, These Promotional Items Can Be Effective

It’s just as important for you to consider ways to support your employees’ wellness at home as it is in the workplace. This forms part of establishing a good work-life balance which is necessary for improving overall mental well-being. 

When you encourage your workers to decompress outside of work and take time to switch off and relax, they will return to the workplace feeling well-rested, inspired and happy. 

Our home spa and wellness promotional products are the perfect way to unwind after a long and stressful day at work. This extensive collection includes items for pampering yourself

We also have a collection custom candles that are a brilliant promotional gift idea for employees who appreciate aromatherapy and relaxation.

Custom herbal teas have similar benefits when it comes to promoting health habits at home. The antioxidants and vitamins in these beverages help naturally lower your cortisol levels, equating to less stress and anxiety. 

Alternatively, custom puzzles are an entertaining and effective branded gift idea for helping employees decompress whilst at home. 

For example, our Wooden Cube Puzzle and 1000-Piece Puzzle in a Box offer relaxation and fun that distract from workday stresses and give people something light to focus on instead. 

Don’t Forget Your Team Members Who Work From Home

Remote working has become more common following the 2020 lockdowns, with many businesses either closing down their offices for a remote-first approach or offering hybrid and flexible work options. If your company does the latter, then it is essential that employees who work from home are not neglected when discussing mental health in the workplace.

Though it has many benefits and is often cited as being better for workers’ mental health, working from home has its challenges. Remote workers can feel isolated and struggle to disconnect from work outside of office hours. 

In fact, a survey by the RSPH revealed that 67% of employees felt less connected to their colleagues and 56% found it harder to switch off. You can read the full survey here

Therefore, you mustn’t forget team members who work from home should you decide to invest in promotional gifts to help boost morale. They need the support as much as the employees who are in the workplace most days. 

Promotional gifts are a simple way of helping remote workers feel included and part of the business whilst lifting their spirits and giving them an outlet to relieve stress and improve focus. 

Speak To The Merchandise Ltd Team About Branded Products For Your Business.

If you are committed to improving employee well-being in 2024 and want to start by creating branded products for your business, then we are here to help.

As the award-winning sourcing city distributor of the year between 2017 - 2023, we provide a range of unique promotional products with unmatched service. 

You will have access to UK-based account managers and professional merchandise consultants with worldwide supplier connections to source the top promotional products for your business.

We even offer options for shipping to multiple addresses should you have offices based across the UK. Our team would be glad to help coordinate promotional gifts for multi-office deliveries. Or promotional sets for your home-based employees.

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Written By Roman Hust

Director At Merchandise Ltd

Tel: 01895 438459

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