How are you providing employee support during these uncertain times?

As COVID-19 continues to spread and impact businesses, it’s important to remember that your team is being impacted, too. More than ever, employees need support and encouragement to keep going.

 That support is always best when it comes from leaders.

Whether you offer support through an open-door policy, flexible work options, or simply promote wellness resources, doing so shows your team you care about their well-being and success.

Offering appropriate employee support helps your employees stress less and stay healthy because they know you’ve got their back — through thick and thin.

Here’s a look at how you can provide employee support during these unique times.

Are you ready to let go of 2020?

One way to do so is to refresh your mental health to start with a clean slate, good intentions, and healthy habits.

Since everything starts with the mind, clearing it of this year’s mental clutter is one easy way to step into the new year without mental baggage.

 Below, we share 15 ways to mentally refresh. You’ll find activities from decluttering to connecting with others and everything in-between. The goal of each is to renew your mind and help you feel happier and less stressed.

As you reflect on this year and decide what to take forth with you into 2021, we hope you’ll add refreshing mental health to the top of your list.

Here’s a look at how to refresh mental health in 2021:

Ready to adjust your fitness routine for the new year?

If you’re tired of your gym being closed and outdoor exercise is not an option, it’s time to check out some free fitness resources to keep yourself in tip-top shape. Plus, if your wallet is on a budget, free is always an incentive to give a workout a try — even if it’s a trial run.

Whether you’re into yoga, no-equipment workouts, or intense cardio sessions, there’s an app or online resource for you.

Below, you’ll find fitness resources for:

• Workout variety
• Short-on-time workouts
• No-equipment workouts
• Gentle workout options

In this post, we’ll review free fitness resources anyone can use if their regular gym is closed. As we go into 2021, make it your best year yet — physically and mentally —by using these exciting fitness resources.

Is there a vaccine for COVID-19?

The short answer: Yes.

On December 11, 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued the first emergency use authorization (EUA) for a vaccine for the prevention of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in individuals 16 years of age and older. 

Below, we cover when you can expect the vaccine, who will get it first, and facts about the benefits of the COVID-19 vaccine.

In times of overwhelm, finding joy may feel like life’s best kept secret.

Or maybe even a chore. Perhaps you don’t notice joy is missing until life feels too stressful, and, well, joyless.

When a life crisis hits or a string of bad luck ensues, it’s normal to think, “I don’t have time for relaxing, sparking joy, or slowing down.” It can be tough to find joy when life keeps throwing curveballs (ahem, 2020).

But alas, that’s when it’s pertinent you set aside time for finding joy.

Plus, joy benefits your overall life by:

• Raising your mood
• Supporting longevity
• Boosting your immunity
• Promotes a healthier lifestyle

In this post, you’ll find nine simple ways to seek joy and bring it into your life during the roughest of times. Here’s how:

There’s no denying handwashing prevents the spread of germs.

Between the pandemic and flu season, National Handwashing Awareness Week — which is December 1 through the 7 — is the ideal time to discuss the importance of handwashing at work.

Intentional handwashing is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your employees from getting sick.  

This week, consider taking some time to share handwashing facts while letting your employees participate in fun handwashing awareness activities.

Below, you’ll find interesting facts and creative activities to share and get your employees excited about handwashing.

World Kindness Day is November 13.

Right about now, we could all do or witness acts of kindness to lift our spirits.

When we are empathetic and kind, it can improve confidence, happiness, and overall optimism. And when others experience or witness our kindness, it may encourage them to do some good of their own.

Collective acts of kindness lift up both individuals and communities, which is why sprinkling a little extra sweetness out into the world on November 13 can start right in the workplace.

Ready to get started?

Below are ideas that can be tried both inside and outside the workplace. Whether your team works together in an office or remotely, they can spread empathy through different variations of these World Kindness Day activities.

Here’s a list of some of our favorite ideas:

In need of some fresh health tips to share with your employees?

Sharing health tips is a simple way to get wellness content in front of your employees without hassle — especially when they’re in an easy-to-digest format like the list in this post.

These are easy to share on your team’s Slack channel, in an email, at your next meeting, or even on your office bulletin board.

Below, you’ll find tips to encourage your employees to focus on their physical and mental health that they can start using as soon as today.

Ready for health points to share that will keep your team feeling their best?

Here are 35 health tips your employees will appreciate:

There is no denying anxiety levels are at an all-time high for many people.

This month alone, people Googled the keyword “natural anxiety supplements” 8,100 times. In March and April, at the height of the pandemic lockdowns, related terms for anxiety relief hit over 12,000 monthly searches.

Individuals everywhere are looking at how to reduce anxiety naturally. It’s a safe bet that some of those searches came from yourself or employees, too.

Luckily, anxiety management techniques are available, as are ways to learn how to reduce anxiety naturally. By sharing this post with your team, you’ll give them tools to learn how to reduce anxiety on their own terms.

Here’s a look at how to reduce anxiety naturally. No meds required.

Mindfulness in the workplace isn’t anything new.

In fact, companies like Apple, Google, and Nike are big proponents of it. The leaders of these Fortune 500 companies know the cost of burned out employees who have been “multitasking” for too long.

But, multitasking is a myth. Being mindful and focusing on one task at a time, it turns out, is way more productive.

With the current pandemic, working from home situations may start to feel like 24/7 work situations; lay-offs mean employees are taking on more work than normal to keep businesses afloat. And, with workers tethered to their phones, it's hard to shut off busy brains.

Focusing on being mindful and intentional can create space and time to respond instead of reacting throughout the workday.

This post will highlight simple yet effective ways to help team members be more mindful. Below, you’ll find ways to encourage workers to set daily intentions, set aside “playtime” sessions, and practice in-the-moment connections.

If you want to see your employees and your management team benefit from mindfulness, below are a few activities and ideas to introduce the idea in your workplace.