returning to work after lockdown · 2020. 7. 28. · many of us are also returning to work having...
TRANSCRIPT
Returning to Work
After Lockdown
How to keep your
employees healthy and
well through proper
nutrition
Non-Manual Workers
Hapi Nutrition UK
CONTENTS
What is the primary issue on most
employers minds?
What can be done in the current
situation?
What can proper nutrition do for non-
manual workers specifically?
Why is good nutrition important?
© Hapi Nutrition UK - Return to Work After Lockdown_Non-Manual Workers 2020 www.hapinutrition.co.uk 2
There is so much being reported on immunity, it’s hard to separate fact from fiction or
even know where to start with the vast amount of information being posted online. Whatyou might not know is that nutrition has a significant role to play in natural immunity, and
in this report, we look at the proactive measures that can be used through nutrition tohelp keep not just your immunity strong, but also your mental and emotional wellbeing,
and how to get back to normal after lockdown.
The number one cause for absenteeism in the UK is minor illnesses such as colds and
coughs. So, even in normal times, employees are most susceptible to bacterial and viralinfection, let alone during a pandemic.
It’s fairly common knowledge that people eating a poor diet are deficient in certainnutrients and more prone to infections and chronic diseases. But a lot of us still don’t
see the link between what we eat and how we feel, even though it affects every aspectof our lives from immunity, sleep, mental health, cognitive function and performance, to
the prevention, recovery and management of injury and chronic conditions.
Added to which people are mentally struggling with other psychological issues from
lockdown and the everyday pressures of life - not to mention the extra strain on thosewho are already coping with mental health issues.
What is the primary issue on most
employers minds?
HowHowHowHow dodododo youyouyouyou keepkeepkeepkeep youryouryouryour staffstaffstaffstaff safe,safe,safe,safe, healthyhealthyhealthyhealthy andandandand well?well?well?well?
Minor illnesses, including coughs and coldsaccounting for 38.5 million days
Musculoskeletal problems including back pain, neckand upper limb problems accounting for 27.8 million
days
Mental health conditions including stress, depressionand anxiety, accounting for 17.5 million days
“Other” conditions including accidents, poisonings and
diabetes
An estimated 141.4 million
working days were lost
because of sickness or injury
in the UK in 2018, an
equivalent to 4.4 days per
worker. According to the
Office for National Statistics,
the four leading reasons for
sickness absence in 2018
were minor illnesses,
musculoskeletal, “other” and
mental health conditions.
© Hapi Nutrition UK - Return to Work After Lockdown_Non-Manual Workers 2020 www.hapinutrition.co.uk 3
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One of the biggest concerns on employers and employees minds right now is how to
keep their immunity strong. There needs to be a focus on staying healthy and mentally
balanced while returning to work and nutrition can help. For example, early research
suggests that something as simple as taking vitamin D could help to reduce the risk of
contracting Covid-19, as Nordic countries with higher vitamin D levels have lower
infection and death rates. There are also links between deficient vitamin D and
depression. Aside from supplementing, getting out during spring and summer and
exposing as much of your skin as possible to sunlight without sunscreen, then covering
up just before you start to turn pink, is essential for your innate vitamin D production.
Eating fish, especially salmon and sardines, cod liver oil, red meat, liver, full-fat butter
and eggs will also provide you with small amounts of vitamin D. When looking at overall
immunity, good foods to include would be an array of brightly coloured vegetables and
fruit, healthy proteins, healthy fats and herbs and spices. Drinking plenty of water is also
vital for all the cells and organs in the body to function.
Immunity isn’t just about eating the right
foods to bolster natural good health, it’s also
about looking after mental health, getting
adequate sleep and adopting a healthy
exercise regime. That’s why we target these
things holistically, addressing the four pillars
of health, through practical nutrition and
healthy lifestyle advice.
What can be done in the current situation?
With all the stress of Covid-19 and lockdown, many of us have been eating and
drinking too much which will be negatively impacting our immunity, general health
and mental-emotional wellbeing. As an employer, you can support and motivate your
staff, providing what they need to get through this challenging time as smoothly and
healthily as possible, and Hapi can help you do that.
© Hapi Nutrition UK - Return to Work After Lockdown_Non-Manual Workers 2020 www.hapinutrition.co.uk 4
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Aside from cultivating a robust immune system, particularly as we go into autumn andthe start of cold and flu season, there are other important health issues to consider for
people working in an office environment. For example, desk workers tend to be lessmobile and according to researchers, physical inactivity is the fourth leading cause of
death worldwide. Prolonged sitting is linked to obesity, metabolic syndrome, type 2
diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. It can also cause postural changesand work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSD) like chronic lower back pain.
Simple and achievable lifestyle changes can make the world of difference to thesedisease risks added to which increased physical activity and nutritional support raises
energy, boosts brainpower, immunity and productivity.
Certain jobs and working environments also come with added stress which can
contribute to WRMSD from increased or chronic muscle tension. The pain, discomfortand limitations caused by WRMSD can also contribute to feelings of anxiety, stress and
depression. Workplace pressures and stress also directly impact the mental health of
employees and this is one of the biggest challenges employers face today with 12.8million working days per year lost due to work-related mental health issues.
What can proper nutrition do for non-
manual workers
specifically?
A growing body of research has shown that mental
health is not all in our heads. You may have heard
that your gut and brain are connected and they
communicate with each other. Poor gut health can
lead to anxiety, depression and mood swings and
stress can lead to digestive disturbance and
inflammation. Food can be a key intervention for
dealing with depression and anxiety. For example, did
you know that around 90% of serotonin, the ‘feel-
good’ hormone is manufactured in the gut?
Consuming daily pre and probiotic foods can improve
gut health, creating the optimal environment for
serotonin production. Eating tryptophan-rich foods
can also increase it.
© Hapi Nutrition UK - Return to Work After Lockdown_Non-Manual Workers 2020 www.hapinutrition.co.uk 5
Anxiety and stress drain energy and create the impulse to reach for sugary and high
carb foods which provide a temporary mood and energy boost. Unfortunately, thiscreates a vicious cycle of blood sugar spikes and crashes which cause mood and
energy swings, leading to more sugar cravings. The long-term impact is decreasedbrainpower, stamina, and productivity and increased anxiety, depression and weight
gain. All this adds up to lowered immunity, accruing mental health issues and a
heightened risk of chronic disease and infection.
What can proper nutrition do for non-
manual workers
specifically?
It’s also vital to stay energised for maximum productivity, especially for those working
during unsociable hours or in an environment where it’s difficult or impossible to choosehealthy food options. Having access to expert nutritional support provides the
knowledge and tools to enable your employees to make the right food choices for theirindividual needs and provides practical solutions and achievable tips when in a pinch.
When it comes to WRMSD, adding omega-3 fats can also
help to reduce inflammation in the body, improving joint,
muscle and back pain, protecting ligaments and tendons. Its
ability to modulate inflammation decreases the overall risk of
disease and speeds up recovery, helping to naturally
regulate the immune response.
In 2018/19, 602,000 UK workers suffered from work-related stress, depression or anxiety and 12.8
million working days were lost due to this. It accounted for 44% of all work-related ill health cases
and 54% of all working days lost due to ill health.
© Hapi Nutrition UK - Return to Work After Lockdown_Non-Manual Workers 2020 www.hapinutrition.co.uk 6
It’s important to improve stress resilience by reducing
sugar and high carb cravings. Key to this is eating mood-
enhancing foods and balancing blood sugar levels.
Picking healthier complex carbohydrate foods, reducing
sugar, caffeine and alcohol and adding healthy protein to
every meal and snack is the way forward. Mood-boosting
foods include plenty of water, healthy omega-3 fats and
healthy proteins. Brightly coloured vegetables and fruit
will also provide essential uplifting, stress-busting
nutrients including magnesium, zinc and B vitamins.
What can proper nutrition do for non-
manual workers
specifically?
Many of us are also returning to work having comfort eaten and drunk our way through
the extra strain of Covid-19 and lockdown. With home and work pressures, stress eatingis not uncommon.
Outside of work, people may also be turning to alcohol as a way to unwind after a
stressful day. In this instance, looking after liver health is essential. Aside from cutting
down, one very simple but effective way to promote liver health is to drink plenty ofwater to help cleanse the liver, flush out toxins and keep hydration levels where they
need to be. This is also highly beneficial for general health.
Nutrition plays a vital role in overall health and wellbeing and it’s essential to tailor a
company nutrition program to suit you and your employees with workable, appropriatesolutions.
© Hapi Nutrition UK - Return to Work After Lockdown_Non-Manual Workers 2020 www.hapinutrition.co.uk 7
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Research shows that an integrated, holistic work placed health program thatencourages healthy behaviour around nutrition, sleep, exercise and a healthy work/life
balance, can positively impact presenteeism.
A balanced diet is the cornerstone of health. Without it, we are more at risk to all kinds
of chronic disease including heart disease, cancer and diabetes. As well as for proactiveprevention, nutrition can be used to help with the management of these and other
chronic health conditions including obesity, digestive issues such as celiac and crohn’sdisease, insomnia, arthritis, osteoporosis, skin disorders including eczema, psoriasis
and acne. It can also help to ease the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause.
Good nutrition truly has the power to improve every aspect of our lives and whencombined with healthy lifestyle changes it has even greater potential.
So, how can Hapi help? We offer an innovative and customisable solution to providing
workplace nutritional consultancy. We can create bespoke solutions to focus on your
priorities whether that’s addressing specific work related health concerns such asmental and emotional wellbeing, weight management etc., helping to shape your return
to work solution, how to incorporate healthy eating and education into your corporatestrategy, or providing remote personalised and tailored support for your employees.
By having a healthy nutrition and lifestyle program in place you can directly impact thehealth and wellbeing of your employees for the better while also enabling improved
productivity and increasing your bottom line. Contact us at [email protected] tofind out how we can help you.
Why is good nutrition important?
It’s important to say that it’s not about completely changing
your lifestyle or what you eat, and can sometimes be assimple as making small changes. This can make a dramatic
difference and that’s all about knowledge and changinghabits. This can however be easy to say but harder to do, but
through having access to personalised nutritional and
lifestyle support, you gain key knowledge and understandingof how food and lifestyle strongly influence health which is
essential for wellbeing and longevity.
© Hapi Nutrition UK - Return to Work After Lockdown_Non-Manual Workers 2020 www.hapinutrition.co.uk 8