Pop Culture Highlights How Exercise Can Improve Mental Health
The workplace should take note
A quarter of employees in South Africa have been diagnosed with depression, with the country’s economic contributors aged 25 to 44 being most affected and taking more than 18 days off work as a result, according to a recent study conducted by the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG). “While treatment or talking to someone is advised when dealing with mental health issues, the importance of exercise and healthy living is taking centre stage across pop culture channels,” says Sarah Rice, Chief People Officer at Skynamo.
This was illustrated in the recently released documentary produced by Jonah Hill on Netflix called ‘Stutz’. While highlighting the power of talk therapy, Hill’s therapist, Phil Stutz, outlines various tools that he has developed to help people manage depression, including his ‘life force’ model.
“This is a three levelled pyramid focussing on aspects that drive us forward,” shares Rice, who refers to the film where Stutz says that your life force is the only thing that’s capable of guiding you when you’re lost. “The bottom level of the pyramid is your relationship with your physical body, the second is your relationship with other people and the top level is your relationship with yourself.”
“While we are the only ones who are responsible for our relationship with ourselves, considering the fact that we spend a large amount of time in the office, companies should think about offering activities to improve employees’ wellbeing such as forming a running club or introducing yoga classes. These activities should be built into the company calendar so that it gives people permission to do them and not feel like they’re taking away from work time,” explains Rice.
Not only does this assist with the exercise aspect but also gives colleagues the opportunity to form a real connection and bond with each other, she says. “Additionally, it shows that the business is really keen on providing employees with a work-life balance – something which is trumping salary as a priority for most professionals.”
“This will improve the company’s wellbeing too as it will result in increased employee productivity, reduced absenteeism, higher quality work, and even an R83.40 return for every R20 the business invests in the physical and mental health of employees, not to mention a 14% increase in profitability,” points out Rice.
She notes that, luckily, international companies like Google, Accenture, Microsoft and Nike are recognising that physical health is part of mental health. “A number of South African companies such as Absa, Discovery, Alexander Forbes, Unilever and South African Breweries are tapping into this as well.”
Victoria Henry, Head of Group Marketing at Alphawave, a specialised technology investment group with 16 companies in its portfolio, of which Skynamo is a part, echoes this by saying, “Mental health has definitely moved up the agenda in the workplace. It’s good to see more and more companies taking this seriously. Happy and healthy employees are better employees. Supporting employee mental health can increase engagement and performance, so it’s important that companies are investing in this.”
To encourage corporates – as well as individuals – to get active and connected to each other, Skynamo, in partnership with Alphawave, will be sponsoring the third annual Skynamo CROSS CHALLENGE – South Africa’s biggest off-road triathlon. A crucial component of the event is the Skynamo Corporate Challenge where teams will get to cycle, run and swim for the chance to win prizes, bragging rights and a trophy to showcase in the office – not to mention a team building experience full of exhilarating adventure and healthy competition.
Jacques de Villiers, co-founder of event organising company Scuttle adds that being outdoors and exercising greatly enhances mental health, especially since this reduces employee screen time. “Funnily enough, 70% of employees say that they would exercise more if they spent less time at their computers.”
The Skynamo CROSS CHALLENGE will be taking place on Saturday, 25 February 2023 in Grabouw with races for all ages and fitness levels. The full race comprises a 1000m swim, 22km mountain bike ride and 7,2km trail run, while the sprint race is approximately half the distance. There are also race options available for kids.
In the lead up to the Skynamo CROSS CHALLENGE, teams can test their fitness levels and group dynamics at the Lomond and Franschhoek Cross Triathlons taking place in December 2022 and January 2023 respectively.
Rice concludes by saying, “To help employees’ mental health in 2023, businesses should be raising awareness around and encouraging healthy living. Employers need to see employees as whole people, not just as ‘work people’, and must support them in living their best lives.”
To register, or for more information, go to www.scuttle.co.za/scuttle-events/crosschallenge. Online entries close on 20 February 2023 and no entries will be taken at the event.
