Wellness in the Hospitality Industry – Part 3
The third part in our series of four we’ll be diving deep into key topics affecting mental health in the hospitality industry.
We’ll explore the current medical versus holistic approaches to treatment and support.
As Guardians of the Hospitality industry, Spayse International is reframing perceptions that mental health issues are something to be ashamed of. We all have mental health – it’s about changing the conversation so people can relate. Harnessing increased awareness around wellbeing, we want to act as a catalyst to implement better models in the hospitality industry long term.
Creating positive change in the hospitality industry, Spayse continues to advise clients on best-practices in taking care of candidates welfare and development. Putting the following steps in place, Spayse International’s mission is to ensure risks are managed ahead of time:
Holistic vs Medical Approaches to Wellness
As the number of cases of mental health episodes rise – 1 in 3 professionals are expected to experience a problem within their careers – so do pressures on medical services for those seeking help. Faced with government funding cuts reported to be below that for 2012 despite increased demand, due to increased waiting times and reduced availability, the National Health Service is bearing the brunt of the health epidemic of our time. Alleviating pressure on services, the use of alternative therapies are becoming increasingly popular in the treatment of mental health.
Holistic approaches to mental health are not new yet previously treatments have been viewed as too specialist to the wider public, with limited resources on how best to apply practices to the workplace. As the wellness trend moves mainstream, therapies become more accessible with better information and awareness of the benefits to be had.
Spayse International explores a selection of these treatments in relation to the hospitality industry, along with how companies can implement into wellness strategies to improve overall health of employees:
- Mindfulness: from reframing traditional thought patterns to reducing stress and increasing positive thoughts and feelings of wellbeing, the benefits of meditation and mindfulness are multiple. In high-stress environments in the hospitality industry, taking ten minutes a day quietly to yourself to refocus attention on the breath is vital in lowering cortisol levels and generally feeling more centred.
- Acupuncture & reflexology: applying pressure to various key parts of the body, often involving micro needles, acupuncture and reflexology work with the body’s endocrine system to promote natural self-healing in a safe and controlled way.
- Functional diet & nutrition: eating healthily is a simple yet effective way of promoting good mental health. Ensuring a balanced diet filled with leafy greens like spinach and kale; plenty of fatty fish rich in omega-3 and high in antioxidants; plus low levels of sugar are great for boosting brain power and thinking clearly. Increasing nuts and seeds as healthy snacks throughout the day can also help reduce energy slumps.
- Self-care education: described as giving adequate attention to one’s own physical and mental wellbeing, taking time out of a busy schedule to make time just for yourself is often a luxury in today’s fast-paced lifestyle. It is however, a necessity. Increasingly studies show that even ten minutes a day saved for self-care can reduce stress and improve wellbeing. Being present and aware, any early warning signs of mental health episodes can be identified and dealt with before they escalate.
- Hypnotherapy: a state of human consciousness involving focused attention on a problem or situation, during hypnotherapy the mind is used as a tool to reduce stress or break habits.
- Exercise as a stress reduction technique: whilst many people exercise as a way of keeping fit and losing weight, benefits can be seen on the mind as well as the body. Releasing vital endorphins as feel-good messages to the brain, all types of movement can induce the meditative affect to lower stress levels, increase self-confidence and improve mood.
Introducing Spayse International partnership with Zoe Clews
Speaking to hypnotherapy expert Zoe Clews she believes hypnotherapy – and holistic healing practices in general – should be reframed as a viable and effective option for improving mental health, especially in the workplace.
“Hypnosis is a way of achieving brilliantly positive change, no matter how insurmountable the problem may seem.”
In a treatment session, focusing intently on a memory, thought or feeling, awareness of peripheral stimuli are reduced whilst openness to suggestion are heightened. Goal-focused methods are applied often in conjunction with cognitive behavioural therapies (CBT) for a desired outcome such as increasing motivation or changing behavioural patterns.
Used to combat anxiety, chronic pain, depression, insomnia and phobias, as well as improve confidence, hypnotherapy can be applied a variety of ways to increase better mental health.
Zoe sums it up, “We’re all individual and we all have our own story and a unique vision of where we want to be.”
#SpayseStories – Wellness Panel event
Spayse International is built on a foundation of integrity and excellence, driven by results. We aim to create positive change in the hospitality industry. Spayse continues to advise clients on best-practices in taking care of candidates welfare and development. Invested in not only progressing long-term company culture on behalf of clients but advancing substantial and fulfilling careers on behalf of candidates. We hold wellness as a core component of these values.
We’re bringing together the brightest minds in hospitality wellness, including Eventwell, Sanctus and Zoe Clews.
Join us for the #SpayseStories Wellness Panel event.
We’ll be discussing strategies to increase awareness and education of health-based initiatives along with a key framework of how to implement these into your businesses.
Tickets can be purchased through Eventbrite
Included in the price: entry, breakfast & networking.
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Event Details:
Mental Health in the Hospitality Industry – £34.80
May 23rd, Wednesday, 08:00 – 10:00
The Ivy Tower Bridge, London
Read Part One and Part Two of this four-part series on Wellness in the Hospitality Industry.
Get in touch with the Spayse team to discuss your company’s wellness policies for 2018: info@Spayse.com
© Spayse International 2018
