In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic and the associated lockdowns and behavioural changes, individuals are presenting with new health challenges.
Nuffield Health’s 2022 Healthier Nation Index reveals some of the key health trends currently facing employees – which employers have a responsibility to understand and support.
Changing health trends
As we transition out of the pandemic, the way individuals manage their health is changing.
And while some of these signs are positive, for example, nationwide total cholesterol levels improving compared with previous years, there are also red flags that need addressing.
Surprisingly, physical health is one aspect that seems to have borne the brunt of the pandemic. While many individuals embraced having extra time to spend exercising during the lockdown of social spaces, this attitude wasn’t the norm.
In fact, less than half of individuals (40%) are currently meeting recommended exercise guidelines each week – down from 55% last year.
And while Nuffield Health data suggests many adults are only missing this target by five minutes, this adds up over weeks.
However, this rationale similarly suggests that those currently under the recommended guidelines can similarly reap the rewards of just five extra minutes a day.
That’s why we urged individuals to find five minutes each day to add physical exercise to their routine – totalling 35 minutes over a week and pushing people towards the 150-minute target.
Unsurprisingly, given the relationship between physical and mental health, 40% of individuals are also experiencing above-average levels of anxiety. And the impact is being felt in the workforce.
The workplace impact
The impact of changing health behaviours is being felt in the workplace – with over a third of employees admitting to taking time off work due to neck or back pain (37%) or mental ill health (39%).
Both of these figures are up compared with the results from the 2021 index.
Employers looking to avoid this disruption and the resulting impact on productivity must understand the risk factors facing their team and offer relevant support.
And with 40% of businesses adopting hybrid working in the last six months, this involves assessing the physical and emotional impact of the modern flexible approach.
Not only does the challenging balance of office working and unhealthy remote working habits continue to cause stress and anxiety among conscientious employees, but it is also having a physical impact.
The emotional stress of this working model can directly contribute to physical illness – including feelings of nausea, fatigue and headaches – but hybrid habits are also causing injury.
For example, poor ergonomic home office setups and the tendency to work longer and sit for hours at a time are causing an increase in neck and back injuries.
For those experiencing challenges managing their health post-pandemic, formal support and knowledge are key. So, it’s a worrying statistic that one in three UK workplaces still offer no emotional wellbeing support to staff.
How can employers support staff?
Those looking to remedy this trend must directly address the unique and specific challenges.
This may include promoting a home working budget to fund proper equipment, as well as inviting a physiotherapist to offer advice on comfortable home office designs.
Similarly, employers should reaffirm hybrid working expectations – such as how staff are not expected to work longer hours to compensate for not commuting, or to answer emails outside of working hours.
Business leaders can also signpost individuals towards the emotional support offered by the company.
This may include remote cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) or employee assistance programmes (EAPs) which offer direct, confidential access to a mental health specialist who can help them understand and challenge unhealthy mental habits such as negative thoughts and catastrophising.