Employee Wellbeing
Developing a healthy work-life balance is essential to ongoing good health, happiness and well-being both in and out of work. This site provides some information to help you to achieve this.
- Eating a healthy diet
- Am I overweight?
- How can I lose weight?
- Getting adequate exercise
- Getting enough good quality sleep
- Stopping smoking
- Enjoying your social life
- Continuing Education
- Other Staff Benefits
Eating a healthy diet
Obesity and obesity-related conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer are on the increase. A diet low in saturated fats and sugar and high in fibre can improve your health and well-being and help to prevent long-term ill health.
Healthy guidelines include:
- Eating at least 5 portions of fruit and vegetables per day
- Eating more complex carbohydrates and wholemeal foods
- Reducing the salt and sugar in your diet
- Eating chicken and fish (especially oily fish such as salmon and mackerel) rather than red meat as a source of protein
- Reducing the amount of high fat dairy products
Enjoying eating and eating a variety of foods in moderation, and taking account of the low fat and sugar and high fibre guidelines, will improve your health and well-being.
Healthy diet guidelines (NHS Choices)
Am I overweight?
You can find out if your weight is healthy by calculating your Body Mass Index or Waist Hip Ratio.If this identifies that you are overweight or at risk of health problems there are many ways to help you tackle this problem to increase the likelihood of you losing weight and improving your health.
How can I lose weight?
Gradual weight loss through using a calorie controlled diet and increasing your exercise levels remains the best way to lose weight and maintain a healthier weight. Achieving a healthy weight may take time and determination but is worth the effort. There are a many support services available to help achieve the goal of a healthier weight. Here are a few:
Free On-line advisory service:
- Weight Concern, Self-Help Charity has an excellent self-help program to help you lose weight safely.
- Guide to treating obesity-NHS Choices
Local slimming clubs:
Most clubs charge a fee they are a proven way to help you lose weight.
Your general practice nurse may also be happy to advise.
Getting adequate exercise
Increasing your exercise levels can reduce the risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease and cancer. It can help you meet people, boost your energy levels, reduce stress and lift your mood. For health benefits aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise a day on five days of the week. The exercise does not need to be all in one go but should cause heart and lung rates to increase. The activity can be formal such as going to the gym, for a bike ride, or to the pool for a swim or it can be built into your day-to-day life such as walking to work, doing the garden and using the stairs rather than the lift. The University supports sports and social facilities which can help to make exercise fun and a part of your lifestyle.- How to start exercising
- Cycling
- University Club (Sport and Social) Membership
- Sport and Swimming Facilities
- Staff Well-Being
Getting enough good quality sleep
Sleep is essential for health and well-being. If our sleep is disrupted and we become sleep-deprived it can adversely affect our health in both the short and the long term. See the Good Sleep Guide for information on how you can improve the quality and quantity of your sleep and reduce the risk of ill-health.
Link: Good Sleep Guide
Stopping smoking
Smoking is the main causes of preventable ill health in this country. Giving up is not easy but once you have decided to there is plenty of support available to help you. You are more likely to succeed if you are supported. See the attached web link for advice and information.
Link to our stopping smoking page
Enjoying your social life
Having a social network, belonging to and contributing to your community will improve your health and well-being. There are many University supported events, groups and opportunities for skill development available some of which are listed below.
Continuing Education
The Department for Continuing Education offers courses for individuals and groups on a wide range of personal and professional subjects. Link to Department for Continuing Education