Let’s dive straight into the fundamentals of hybrid work wellbeing. Out of sight, out of mind. It’s an old adage, and we use it as a cautionary tale to warn ourselves and others that we need to intentionally focus on the things that matter, otherwise we end up neglecting them. Add to this the other saying ‘a problem shared is a problem halved’, and you’ve got the problem and solution to wellbeing during hybrid working neatly sewn up.
All of the data from the last two years has indicated that people have actually worked longer and harder than ever before. The word burnout keeps recurring in news items and articles at the moment, and we know from our experience and research that people struggle to put wellbeing at the forefront of their day when working in a hybrid way.
The advice from Tuddl is to harness the power of the team (it’s our mantra!). Utilising the crowd to stay well is a fundamental that everyone can jump on board with:
1. Share what you are trying to do, get ideas and input
Want to exercise more, or take breaks that recharge you? Tell the team, ask them for ideas and, fundamentally, ask for help. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by how many offers come in – we are a species that likes to help each other, so use that capacity to hit your goals.
2. Buddy up and double your chances of success
Research shows that we are twice as likely to achieve something if we do it with someone else. So, if it’s healthy snacks, get someone else to create a ‘menu’ with you, and both use it, or if it’s a regular break, diarise it together and call or message in when it starts.
3. Make time to talk about wellbeing achievements/struggles
Make space on your team agenda to ask a simple question – ‘How well are we?’ – don’t leave it until someone is failing to ask the question. Making it a regular conversation ensures it’s an area of sharing rather than shame, and, if done properly, people will get lots of new things to try, and support in doing them.
4. Build wellbeing into any physical team meetings or events
Use the time together to invest in some healthy snack eating (they are not as bad as we all think), do the meeting as a walk and talk, put huge jugs of water on the tables, ask people what time and length of meeting fits them best. Be intentional about wellbeing,
We know that hybrid work wellbeing needs more than these four things – self discipline, personal planning and focus on own wellbeing are all critical. But, with hybrid working comes the risk of isolation, so all of these well-intentioned actions will suffer if you are feeling lonely and unsupported. Connect the team through wellbeing.
