This weekend is the winter solstice; the longest night and the official start of winter.
It is also when the light begins to return and the days begin imperceptibly to lengthen.
For millennia, this time of year has been the centre of so many ancient celebrations of light. Buried deep in our ancestral memory is that belief that even in our hardest winters, the dark is half over. That the light has already started growing—slowly, imperceptibly—around us, as deep below the earth the snowdrop bulbs are stirring.
But as the proverb goes, it can feel darkest before the dawn. This rhythm in nature mirrors how it feels in organisations right now.
I have been privileged to support Freedom to Speak Up guardians working in the NHS with tools to help them to thrive. Working on the cultural frontline of the UK’s largest employer, they have shared with me both their passion for making a difference, but also the challenges they face in supporting people during these turbulent times.
Keep Britain working
Many of them are feeling the strain of being toxin handlers in a working environment suffering from chronic stress, both in and outside the health service. Their experiences are echoed in the recent publication of the Keep Britain Working report.
This report underlines the economic impact of the physical and mental health crisis in the UK. It estimates that this quiet crisis of ill health costs us £212bn with more than 1 in 5 people of working age not in the workforce.
This has increased since 2019, due largely to the fall out from the pandemic. Beyond the economic data, there is the human cost, the spiral where ill health leads to isolation and isolation compounds ill health.
Rehumanising the world of work
The report proposes that “rehumanising the workplace” is one of the core principles to guide the systemic changes needed in managing health and disability in work.
“Workplaces have become increasingly procedural and risk-averse. Too often, employees are treated as risks rather than as people to invest in. We need to rebalance this by reducing perceived risks, fostering constructive dialogue, and taking a person-centred approach that considers what is right for both the individual, and the employer, in their specific circumstances.”
In my work, I have seen the impact of unethical working practices on the health and wellbeing of people. And I have witnessed processes, originally designed to support, cause harm when applied without empathy. Making us feel like human “resources” not human beings.
While we may not be able to change the circumstances we face, we do have great influence over what we focus on. That means beginning with the person, before launching into a process.
Holding space for kindness and compassion in organisations must be the first step to rehumanising the world of work. But it can be hard stay positive when you feel overwhelmed with negativity – whether that’s at work or world events.
We are more likely to remember bad things, even if in reality they have been outweighed by the good. This negativity bias evolved to help us survive. Out in the wilds of prehistory, we needed to remember where the sabre toothed tiger lair was and not be distracted by the positive memory of the delicious berries.
Broaden and build
But in our current climate – where last time I checked there weren’t any actual predatory carnivores – we need to balance this negativity to improve our wellbeing.
One of the most effective ways to feel positive emotions is to develop a practice of gratitude.
Study after study has found a robust association between higher levels of gratitude and wellbeing, with long term benefits. It even has been shown to reduce inflammation in the body, improving immunity and health outcomes.
While it is easy to dismiss gratitude as a soft concept, the science says otherwise.
Here is Dr Fuschia Sirois from the University of Durham speaking about her work on chronic illness talking to Michael Mosley about how she found gratitude to be the most powerful in predicting wellbeing, over and above other factors, from wealth and health to personality traits like optimism.
And when we experience positive emotions our thought-action repertoire broadens, we’re able to expand our perspective. Professor Barbara Fredrickson discovered that this then gives us increased flexibility, inclusive thinking, creativity and problem solving, improving our ability to persevere when handling challenging tasks.
All qualities which are vitally needed for people and organisations to thrive – to ‘keep Britain working’.
Gratitude
I’ve found building a gratitude habit an effective way to manage stress and sustain positive emotions.
This year I have much to be grateful for. It’s been a tough year for me personally, but in the darkest times, the glimmers of gratitude shine even brighter.
Gowpen is now six months old, and I am feeling grateful for the kindness and support I have received from family, friends and colleagues as I set about establishing a new business, making a long held dream a reality.
A gowpen is the word for ‘both hands cupped together’. It is the most ancient and human of measurements, offering and receiving sustenance, refreshment, kindness, love.
My vision for Gowpen is based on this philosophy. Sharing my expertise, learning from others. Bringing together my experience and knowledge to connect ethical business practice with wellbeing to truly nurture workplaces where people can feel their best, give their best and do their best.
Take 10 minutes
Over the festive period, you face many inter personal challenges which test the season of goodwill.
And home may be just like the workplace in that regard, You may be dealing with inter-generational differences, communication issues, delegation problems, missed deadlines, even disciplinary matters (did someone cheat at monopoly?).
High expectations mixed with time pressures can be a recipe for emotional overwhelm, and taking time to pause can be a powerful antidote.
I invite you to try a simple, intentional practice:
- Pause: Spend five minutes each evening jotting down three specific things that went well.
- Reflect: Don’t just list them; ask why they happened, make them specific and different each day.
- Connect: Use these insights to show your appreciation of others. Voicing our gratitude creates ripples of kindness where the benefits extend beyond ourselves.
This isn’t about toxic positivity.
Gratitude doesn’t make problems and threats disappear. This time of year especially can be painful for many. It cannot improve the economic outlook or the cost of living crisis. It won’t change a toxic work environment or save jobs or stop wars. It won’t bring back loved ones or heal a broken heart.
But practicing gratitude helps us to nurture work (and home) environments based on appreciation and listening. A reminder that we are all “human beings, not human doings”.
This is what can sustain us through the dark times, until the green shoots of spring.
With gratitude to all those who have supported Gowpen on this journey thus far.
Wishing you a happy festive period, however you spend it.
At Gowpen, we help you bridge the gap between ethical business practice and employee wellbeing.
For Freedom to Speak Up guardians I have developed a wellbeing workbook to help you develop your personalised wellbeing plan.
Use the code GRATEFUL at the check out to claim your discount throughout December
Gowpen 