What is Well-being?

October 12, 2014

There are many varied definitions of well-being. However the CIPD sums it up nicely in its belief that well-being at work initiatives need to balance the needs of the employee with those of the organisation. They define it as: ‘Creating an environment to promote a state of contentment which allows an employee to flourish and […]

Why being stressed in the office can actually be good for you

October 12, 2014

What are you supposed to do if you think you are stressed? It’s a question relevant to thousands of Londoners, perhaps hundreds of thousands, especially at this time of year when holidays are behind us and we’re heading into winter – the season regarded by two-thirds of people in a recent survey as the most […]

Big Business Finally Learns That Wellness Is Good Business

September 12, 2014

2014 has been the year when the discussion of well-being has migrated from health and wellness magazines to business magazines. Wellness, and how to integrate it into our work lives, has become the hottest topic in the business pages. And that should come as no surprise. Because, though it would be nice if this change […]

Workplace Stress Leads To Less Productive Employees

September 12, 2014

Employees suffering from high stress levels have lower engagement, are less productive and have higher absenteeism levels than those not working under excessive pressure, according to research from professional services firm Towers Watson. The Global Benefits Attitudes survey found that levels of workplace disengagement significantly increase when employees experience high levels of stress. The study […]

70 million working days lost to stress in 2013

September 12, 2014

More than 70 million working days were lost to mental health illnesses in 2013, according to a report by chief medical officer professor Dame Sally Davies. The Employment is good for mental health report found that the number of working days lost to stress, depression and anxiety has increased by 24% since 2009. The number […]

How massage helps to reduce stress in the workplace: The Benefits of Oxytocin

August 12, 2014

By establishing regular office massage sessions, you will reap the financial rewards of a happier, healthier and more productive workforce, resulting in a more profitable business. Onsite massage helps to improve employee wellbeing by reducing levels of stress in the workplace. Primarily, massage helps to reduce stress levels because it stimulates the release of oxytocin […]

78% of global employers committed to healthy workplace culture

August 12, 2014

More than three-quarters (78%) of respondents are strongly committed to creating a workplace culture of health to boost employee engagement and organisational performance, according to research by Buck Consultants at Xerox. Its Working well: a global survey of health promotion and workplace wellness strategies research, which surveyed more than 1,000 employers in 37 countries, found […]

Employers focus on employees’ mental wellbeing

July 12, 2014

As staff wellbeing rises up the agenda for UK employers, there has been a particular focus on raising awareness about mental health in the workplace. Emma Mamo, head of workplace wellbeing at charity Mind, said: ‘Employers have a vital role in raising awareness of mental health among staff. After all, we all have mental health, […]

Why employers must tackle stress at work

June 12, 2014

Stress is a growing epidemic, with eight in 10 workers in the Capita Employee Benefits May 2014 employee insight report admitting to feeling stressed in the past 12 months. Longer working hours are a likely contributing factor – our report noted that just over one in three employees work beyond their contracted hours. A tough […]

Employee wellbeing rises up the corporate agenda

June 12, 2014

There are clear business benefits for organisations that support staff health and wellbeing, including lower absence rates, higher productivity and better employee engagement, according to the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) in a report published in May. Delegates at the Employee Benefits Summit, held on 14 and 15 May in Alicante, Spain, agreed that staff […]

The Ultimate World Cup Escape

June 12, 2014

Xhilarate is extremely excited to announce our partnership with Vinopolis this summer! If football’s really not your thing, we have the perfect package for you this World Cup season, in the form of wine, cocktails and a bit of pampering …. Introducing, London’s Ultimate World Cup Escape! On select Fridays and Saturdays between 13th June-12th […]

Be Mindful – Online Mindfulness Course

May 12, 2014

Mindfulness is a mind-body approach to well-being that can help you change the way you think about experiences and reduce stress and anxiety. Many people find it hard to cope with the pressures of modern living. Every day, a quarter of a million people miss work because of stress, with 75 per cent of all […]