Stressed Out Nation

Combating workplace stress

Ligtas training

Stress Awareness Month

April is Stress Awareness Month, a campaign observed since 1992. Its aim is to raise awareness of stress and its contributory factors. The most commonly cited reason for stress in the UK was money. A study by the Mental Health Foundation found 22% of respondents cited debt as the cause of their stress. Lack of proper sleep was also a major stress factor.

Poor sleep affects

Lack of sleep impacts long and short-term memory and can impair your ability to concentrate. This sleep deprivation then impacts concentration, creativity, and problem-solving abilities. Not only that, poor sleep patterns can impact your immune system, making you more susceptible to illnesses.

Sleep keeps your body functioning as it should because your mind and body can recharge. But sleep deprivation prevents your body from optimal functioning. The NHS website states that most adults need between 7-9 hrs sleep each night. But some people may need more, so it’s imperative that you learn to listen to what your body needs.

Figures published by the Mental Health Foundation found a staggering 74% of people felt ‘overwhelmed or unable to cope during the last year’.

The UK-commissioned YouGov survey surveyed 4,619 people and is thought to be the largest survey around stress.

This paints a bleak picture of the overall mental health of the nation.
The aim of Stress Awareness Month is to raise awareness of its causes and provide solutions to the ever-growing problem.

Awareness

At Ligtas we’re passionate about health and safety and also employee wellbeing. This awareness keeps our people up to date and allows them to develop their skills and competency in this area. This ensures that our staff can be effective in their roles.

One such way to increase awareness is through learning and development. A report commissioned by Deloitte found that for every £1 spent on mental health and wellbeing, employers get a return of £5. So the return on investment is clear.

Courses

Ligtas are pleased to offer the NEBOSH Working with Wellbeing course. This course provides the skills and knowledge required to tackle health and wellbeing. The course looks at wellbeing and why it matters. It also looks at practical initiatives to improve wellbeing and how to measure their effectiveness.

Who is this course for?

This qualification is for anyone who needs to gain a sound understanding of the principles of health and well-being management at work.

It is particularly suited to managers, supervisors, health and safety, and HR personnel, who have responsibility for or are involved in, the health and well-being of employees as part of their day-to-day duties. This isn’t a qualification for occupational health practitioners or for those who deal with specific medical aspects of health at work.

Benefits of training

There are a whole host of benefits, including:

Lower rates of sickness
Increased presenteeism whilst at work
Increased productivity
Happier staff
Increased morale
Improved staff retention rates

Take a look at our website to see if you are eligible for a Personal Learning Account (PLA). A PLA is a new initiative from the Welsh Government offering access to free and flexible courses to gain the relevant skills and qualifications needed to develop your career. Ligtas are proud supporters of PLA.

Please contact us to book a course or find out about the funding options via email at enquiries@ligtas.co.uk or via telephone at 02922 800 000 or bookings can be made via our website.

Keeping well

There are lots of ways to reduce stress, but it’s all about seeing these things as a priority. They’re often the very things to suffer when we feel stressed.