It may seem obvious, but as the temperature drops, it’s essential to prioritise warmth for both physical and mental wellbeing. Whether your team is working from home or in the office, staying warm is crucial for health and productivity. Encourage your employees to layer thin clothes that trap heat, rather than relying on bulkier items, which can feel restrictive.

In the office, make sure to adjust the heating to ensure everyone stays comfortable. If you’re able to, consider providing portable heaters in individual workspaces to give employees control over their comfort.

At home, employees should aim to keep regularly used rooms heated to around 18°C. To help retain heat, remind them to close curtains at night and use draught excluders at doorways.

By supporting your team in staying warm, you’re helping to maintain their health, focus, and overall wellbeing throughout the winter months.

We all know that Vitamin D plays a vital role in maintaining our overall health, as it helps regulate the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body—nutrients essential for healthy bones, teeth, and muscles. But, getting enough Vitamin D is especially important during winter in the UK, as we all know we don’t get that all important sunlight as the summer when days gets darker quicker. A deficiency in vitamin D can lead to bone problems, such as rickets in children or osteomalacia in adults. Unlike many other vitamins, our bodies primarily produce vitamin D when our skin is exposed to sunlight.

From late March to early September in the UK, most people can get enough vitamin D by spending just 10 minutes outdoors each day. However, from October to early March, the lack of sunlight means our bodies struggle to produce enough vitamin D. For this reason, the NHS recommends taking a supplement of 10 micrograms (mcg) of vitamin D from autumn through early spring.

To help ensure your employees are getting the right levels of vitamin D, you could consider encouraging them to book a private vitamin D blood test to check their levels and take appropriate action. It's an easy step that could have a significant impact on their health and productivity during the colder months.

As we approach the colder months, it’s crucial to prioritise health and wellbeing, and one simple step your employees can take is to book their flu jab. The flu vaccine offers essential protection against the flu, which can cause symptoms like high fever, body aches, sore throat, headache, cough, and loss of appetite. For those with existing health conditions, the flu can be particularly serious—and in some cases, life-threatening—making the flu jab an essential step in safeguarding everyone’s health.

Employees who qualify for a free flu jab through the NHS can access it via their GP surgery if they meet any of the following criteria:

• Are 65 or over
• Have certain chronic health conditions (e.g., diabetes or heart disease)
• Are pregnant
• Live in a care home
• Are the main carer for an older or disabled person
• Live with someone with a weakened immune system
• Are a frontline health or social care worker

If any employees do not qualify for a free flu jab, they can still get one privately at a pharmacy for a nominal fee. Encouraging your team to take this simple step could help keep everyone healthier and more productive this winter.

As the days get shorter and the temperature drops, it can be easy for employees to fall into the habit of staying at home and skipping their usual exercise. However, maintaining an active routine during winter is more important than ever. Studies show that regular moderate exercise can strengthen the immune system, helping to prevent common colds and other illnesses, which are more prevalent in the colder months.

To keep your team motivated and moving this winter, consider encouraging these strategies:

• Exercise with a Friend – Exercising together not only makes it more enjoyable but also helps to keep employees accountable for showing up.
• Join a Gym – If employees usually exercise outdoors, a short-term gym membership can be a great solution for the winter months. It removes the barriers of poor weather and limited daylight hours.
• Try Online Classes – For those who prefer staying in, online workout classes provide the perfect opportunity to stay active without leaving the house. Employees can exercise in the comfort of their own home, no matter the weather.
• Set Realistic Goals – Winter isn’t the time for setting overly ambitious fitness targets. Encourage employees to focus on small, achievable goals to keep them motivated and on track.
• Incorporate Movement into the Day – If sticking to a regular exercise routine is difficult, encourage employees to find small ways to stay active throughout the day. Simple actions like taking the stairs instead of the lift, walking to a nearby bus stop, or even doing a few squats while waiting for the kettle to boil can make a big difference.

By promoting these easy and effective ways to stay active, you can help your employees maintain their fitness and wellbeing, even through the coldest months.

During the festive season, it’s easy for employees to overindulge with all the food, drink, and socialising that typically happens around this time of year. With office parties, lunches out, and get-togethers, it can feel like a constant indulgence of calorie-rich foods and drinks, often at the expense of more nutritious choices.

While it’s perfectly fine to enjoy the odd festive treat, it’s important for employees to maintain a balanced diet that includes plenty of nutrient-rich foods. Aiming for at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day, as well as limiting alcohol intake to no more than 14 units per week spread across three or more days, is essential for staying healthy.

To help your team stay on track and enjoy the festive season while maintaining healthy habits, here are some actionable tips that your office can implement:

Healthy Office Snacks

Instead of stocking the office kitchen with only chocolate and crisps, try offering healthier snack alternatives such as fruit, nuts, or veggie platters. Consider a “healthy snack box” subscription to make nutritious options easily accessible for your team. This can help employees resist the temptation of less healthy treats.

Provide Nutritious Catering Options

If your team regularly has lunch meetings or catered events during the festive season, ensure that nutritious options are available. Opt for menus that feature lean proteins, whole grains, and plenty of vegetables. You could also ask the caterers to include a selection of low-calorie, seasonal dishes to balance out heavier options.

Offer Hydration Stations

Make water and herbal teas easily available throughout the day, especially in the lead-up to office parties. Encourage employees to hydrate regularly and offer festive alternatives like sparkling water or non-alcoholic mulled wine during office events. This helps employees stay refreshed and curb any overconsumption of alcohol.

Lead by Example: Promote Moderation in Alcohol Consumption

Encourage moderation when it comes to alcohol by setting a good example as a leader. Offer non-alcoholic drink options at office parties and make sure the focus of social events is not just on drinking. Promoting non-alcoholic options and encouraging “one for one” (one alcoholic drink, one water) can help keep things balanced.

Provide Resources and Guidance on Nutrition

Consider sharing helpful resources or tips with your team, such as a guide to healthy holiday eating or a newsletter featuring simple and nutritious recipes for the festive season. Encourage employees to plan their meals in advance and incorporate immune-boosting foods like ginger, garlic, and citrus into their diet.

By implementing these practical tips and setting a healthy example, you can help your team navigate the festive season without compromising their health. Supporting their wellbeing during this time will not only ensure they stay on track with their health goals but also enhance overall productivity and morale in the workplace.

As we know, physical and mental wellbeing are closely linked, so looking after your team’s emotional health is just as important as supporting their physical health. With the long winter nights and the festive season's busy demands, employees may experience added stress or fatigue, which can have a negative impact on their mental wellbeing.

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD), or winter depression, is more common in winter months due to reduced daylight and colder weather, and some team members may experience more severe symptoms during this time. It’s vital, therefore, to recognise the importance of mental wellbeing and prioritise it, alongside physical health, during this season.

To support your team’s mental wellbeing during the winter months, it’s important to maintain social connections. Encourage employees to continue socialising, even when it’s tempting to stay indoors. Regular virtual check-ins, coffee breaks, or in-person meetups can foster communication and reduce feelings of isolation. You could also organise team lunches or after-work social events to strengthen relationships.

Another way to promote wellbeing is by encouraging employees to join clubs or groups that align with their interests. Whether it's an active group like a walking club or a more relaxed option such as a book club, these activities offer social interaction and a healthy way to unwind.

Additionally, it’s crucial to offer mental health resources and support. Make sure your team knows that they have access to employee assistance programs, counselling, and wellness workshops. Open communication about mental health should be encouraged, reminding employees that emotional health is just as important as physical health.

Finally, introducing stress-reduction practices like mindfulness, meditation, or yoga can greatly benefit employees. Offering workshops or sharing resources on these techniques can help employees manage stress, particularly during busy periods. Creating a supportive work environment that promotes mental wellbeing will help your team stay positive, engaged, and productive throughout the winter months.

As we approach the winter season and the festive period, it's the perfect time to encourage your team to take a proactive approach to their health. Booking a health assessment can provide valuable insights into their overall wellbeing and help identify potential issues early on. The sooner these health concerns are addressed, the easier it is to take action and maintain a healthier, happier lifestyle through the winter months and into the New Year.

At Bluecrest, our health checks, including blood tests for key health markers such as cholesterol, liver and kidney function, and diabetes, along with an assessment of the risk for certain health conditions. This is the perfect opportunity to gain a comprehensive understanding of their health in just a quick, easy, and stress-free appointment.

With over 350 venues across the UK and Ireland, our health checks are conducted by trained phlebotomists, offering professional services within 20 minutes of home. There’s no long waiting times, no invasive procedures, and no embarrassing questions—just fast, accurate, and convenient health checks.

Encourage your team to book a health assessment today. By booking now, they can make informed decisions and kickstart their health goals for the New Year.