Mental and emotional health, physical health and a healthy lifestyle all contribute to an individual’s health and wellbeing. The following section includes definitions of each of these facets of health, why they matter and things to consider. Health and wellbeing issues will change with time, not only because of pandemics or the economic environment but also as the societal concept of health and wellbeing changes. The last few years has seen post-traumatic stress disorder, financial stress and the wellbeing impact of menopause become more relevant and visible in the workplace. Our evaluation of health and wellbeing needs to bear this ever-changing landscape in mind.

• Mental and emotional health
  • supporting the management of active mental disorders and day-to-day stressors to ensure a person’s ongoing wellbeing and happiness is maintained.
• Physical health
  • for most NHS organisations, physical health will focus on musculoskeletal health which is an important component of maintaining a person’s functional abilities, both in and out of work.
• Healthy lifestyle
  • not all diseases are preventable but a large proportion of deaths, particularly those from coronary heart disease and lung cancer, can be avoided. Health is not only about avoiding disease – diet, exercise, hydration and sleep are essential.

Useful resources and links

• What it means to have a healthy lifestyle
• Mental Health Hubs
• Wellbeing apps
• Invictus Games Foundation with NHS England and NHS Improvement
• Supporting Our People
• Support for our diverse colleagues

Case studies

• Helping our people manage stress and anxiety – West Midlands Ambulance Service
• How to establish a model of psychological support for employees during COVID-19 and beyond – Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust
• The impact of listening – University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust

Improving personal health and wellbeing