SafeHR: Global Wellness Day – 8th June 2024

Turkish wellness pioneer, Belgin Aksoy founded Global Wellness Day (GWD) in 2012 and it is now celebrated in over 170 countries. Now in its 13th year, GWD is an annual event dedicated to inspiring as many people as possible to prioritise their health and wellbeing.

The theme for this year’s GWD is #MagentaNature. This event aims to draw attention to humanity’s connection with the natural world and underscore the importance of reconnecting with nature for our overall wellbeing. It encourages us to recognise and embrace the transformative power of harmonising with the environment.

Across the globe, more than 150 GWD ambassadors, key supporters and volunteers are leading the initiative, and people of all ages are being invited to adopt a lifestyle in unity with nature.

Unfortunately, as individuals we only recognise the value of wellness when our health is at risk. The pandemic provided that stark realisation and was a wake-up call to understand how precious good health and wellbeing is. At SafeHR we know important it is to encourage people to take care of themselves.

The four pillars

As individuals we should take more responsibility for self-care. By participating in regular exercise, healthy eating and relaxing activities, you actively support your health and wellbeing and applying the four pillars of Global Wellness Day:

• Eat Natural: Embrace nourishing natural foods, celebrating the diverse gifts nature offers.

• Be in Nature: Immerse oneself in outdoor environments, allowing the senses to revel in nature’s wonders.

• Protect Nature: Take conscious steps to reduce ecological footprint and preserve the environment.

• Be in Nature (Spiritual): Engage in spiritual practices fostering a deep connection with the natural world.

As Aksoy commented herself “connecting with nature is not just an activity; it’s a way of thinking. Those who choose to live well, come to realise that connecting with nature is also a way of life”.

GWD is an invitation for individuals to actively participate in their own well-being and contribute to a harmonious relationship with the world around us.

How can organisations take part?

The theme for this year’s GWD is #MagentaNature. This event aims to draw attention to humanity’s connection with the natural world and underscore the importance of reconnecting with nature for our overall wellbeing. It encourages us to recognize and embrace the

transformative power of harmonising with the environment. Having an ESG policy at the core of your business is more than simply “a good thing to do”. For businesses of all shapes and sizes, being socially responsible is a growing priority.

Why take part?

In the UK, stress, depression, and anxiety now represent 49% of all work-related ill health and have become the leading cause of workplace absences in Great Britain. This significant trend highlights the urgent need for addressing mental health in the workplace and prioritising health and wellbeing generally.

A guiding principle of Global Wellness Day is that “one day can change your whole life” so why not find out more and what you or your organisation can do to change for the better?