Say hello to your 2023 Wellbeing Calendar! š
Get ahead of your health and wellbeing goals with Paycare!
Our 2023 Wellbeing Calendar (updated quarterly), is the perfect start point for any individuals looking for wellbeing motivation or tips, AND for businesses who are looking for inspiration for ways to create a healthier, more productive workforce by engaging their teams and promoting better wellbeing in the workplace.
Scroll below for national awareness days, free health tips blogs, resources and helpful ideas to kick-start a journey to better wellbeing – to help keep you, or your teams, in tip top shape ššŖāØ
Whether it’s achieving better sleep, improving our diet, taking care of our mental health or ways to look after our finances and more – there are an abundance of National Awareness Days taking place throughout the year that can only educate us, but encourage and give us the boost we need to help stay on track with physical and mental wellbeing targets!
So… if you’re new here – be sure to regularly check our health tips and workplace wellbeing blog for even more ideas š
And.. if you’re already part of the Paycare family – either a Paycare Policyholder or Corporate Customer – don’t forget to make use of your MyPaycare and MyPeople Log In areas to access wellbeing services, new blogs, resources and more š§”
What’s coming up?
April…
š¦ Ā Bowel Cancer Awareness Month – All Month
Did you know, more than 42,000 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer in the UK each year ā making it the fourth most common type of cancer? And, if Bowel Cancer is diagnosed at a localised stage, the survival rate is 90%? This month provides a huge annual opportunity to raise awareness of bowel cancer, along with ways we can all spot the signs and symptoms in order to take care of our health.
Check out Paycareās BlogĀ Bowel Cancer Awareness on the agendaĀ for stats, signs and symptoms to look out for and ways to seek help š Paycare Policyholders, donāt forget you have access to our 24/7 MyPocketGP for appointments and further support on a wide range of health concerns, all in your MyPaycare Log In area.
š§ Stress Awareness Month – All Month
Campaigned every April since 1992 to raise awareness of the causes and cures for our modern-day stress epidemic – this month provides an opportunity to dedicate time to remove the guilt, shame, and stigma around mental health – encourage others and yourself to talk about stress, and its effects and open up about our mental and emotional state with friends, families, colleagues, and professionals.
Paycare Blogs to support you: How can Paycare help me if Iām stressed,Ā Are you stress aware and Taking Time to De-Stress š§”
For those struggling: Our MyPocketGPĀ andĀ Confidential Counselling HelplineĀ (included in all Health Cash Plans including Individual and Corporate Health Cash Plans, AND ourĀ Bundle Wellbeing Package for businesses), are both available 24/7 via your MyPaycare Log In area š
š World Health Day – 7th April
75 years of improving public health – countries of the world came together and foundedāÆWHO to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable ā so everyone, everywhere can attain the highest level of health and well-being! Here is an opportunity to motivate action to tackle the health challenges of today Ģ¶ and tomorrow. This year’s theme is ‘giving access to healthcare without the prospect of financial hardship’. š
Top Tips for you: How to Access Reliable Health Information,Ā Health Help on Hand with GP in your PocketĀ andĀ Simple Health Checks You can do at Home.
If you’re a Policyholder, you can use your MyPocketGPĀ 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to talk to a medical professional about any health concerns you may have.
Company/Voluntary Health Cash Plan companies – remind your team about their Wellbeing Services and Healthcare Treatments your employees can claim back money on. If youāre not a Paycare Corporate Customer and want to support your teams’ wellbeing, show them you care by giving them a Company Paid Plan – this can have a huge positive impact on employees productivity, physical and mental health, reducing absenteeism and presenteeism. Our amazing, affordable and high-value Bundle Wellbeing Package is also a simple and cost effective way to look after your employees from head to toe š
šāāļø On Your Feet Britain – Ā 27th April
This national activityĀ awareness day whenĀ 2 MILLION desk-based workers across Britain participate in a variety of fun and simple activities to #SitLess and #MoveMore at work, to get us all moving. On Your Feet Britain is a FREE and FUN way to reboot and energize your workplace habits. Check out Paycare’s On Your Feet Britain Top Tips Blog, The Hidden Benefits of Walking and our Stand Up For Your Health Guide šš
May…Ā
š Mental Health Awareness Week 15th– 21st May (#mentalhealthawarenessweek)
It’s time for the nationās biggest mental health conversation – this year’s theme around AnxietyĀ will increase people’s awareness and understanding by providing information on the things that can help prevent it from becoming a problem. The perfect time for us all to think about mental health, tackle stigma, and find out how we can create a society that prevents mental health problems from developing and protects our mental well-being…
Health Tips blogs for you, and your employees to support mental wellbeing: How can Paycare help me if Iām stressed?,Ā Are you stress aware?Ā Mood-boosting tips for Mental Health Awareness WeekĀ and 4 Ways To Reduce Anxiety. For those struggling: Our MyPocketGPĀ andĀ Confidential Counselling HelplineĀ (included in all Health Cash Plans including Individual and Corporate Health Cash Plans, AND ourĀ Bundle Wellbeing Package for businesses), are both available 24/7 via your MyPaycare Log In area š
š National Smile Month 15th May ā 15th June
Ran by The Oral Health Foundation, this week will be raising awareness of important oral health issues with the theme Brush for Better Health. This campaign is all about championing the benefits of having good oral health and promoting the value of a healthy smileā¦
Check out our Blogs: Top Mouth Care Tips,Ā 10 Tooth Brushing Mistakes to AvoidĀ andĀ Accessing dental care. OurĀ Health Cash PlansĀ for BOTH individuals and employees with a Corporate Paycare Plan provide Dental Cover ā including regular check-ups, dental crowns, fillings, x-rays, orthodontist treatment and much more. Routine check-ups helpĀ maintain oral hygieneĀ and our cover means youĀ no longer need to worry about the costs of dental emergencies šš¦·
June…
šØ Menās Health Week 12th ā 18th June
‘Encouraging conversations about preventable health issues faced by men.’ Menās Health Week raises awareness of the health issues that affect men disproportionately and focuses on getting men to become more aware of health problems they may have or could develop and gain the courage to do something about it.
Check out our recent top tips: Five Ways Men can improve their Health and Wellbeing! For those struggling: Our MyPocketGPĀ andĀ Confidential Counselling HelplineĀ (included in all Health Cash Plans including Individual and Corporate Health Cash Plans, AND ourĀ Bundle Wellbeing Package for businesses), are both available 24/7 via your MyPaycare Log In area š
š§” World Wellbeing Week 26th ā 30th June (#WorldWellbeingWeek)
Now in its fifth year,Ā World Wellbeing Week aims to provide the opportunity to celebrate the many aspects of wellbeing – physical, mental, financial and emotional health, social resilience and empathic corporate and civic leadership, and community. Over recent years, people have been adapting mentally and physically, with it different ways of thinking and a new-found resilience
An increasing number of businesses now also embrace wellbeing as a strategic priority, and the week will provide a platform for employers, large and small, to celebrate their own activities and events, and in so doing to show their appreciation for valued employees, customers, partners and suppliers. AĀ supportive working environment helps keep your existing staff happy, committed and performing their best now, whilst attracting better talent for the future. Download our workplace wellbeing brochure for more information š
Check out our recent blogs: Stay Focused on Personal Health & Wellbeing,Ā 4 Top Tips to help improve your Health and Wellbeing and Top financial wellbeing tips for individuals and employers.Ā Learn more about our amazing Wellbeing Package designed to look after your employees from head to toe: Bundle! š
For those who need further support with their wellbeing:Ā Our MyPocketGPĀ andĀ Confidential Counselling HelplineĀ (included in all Health Cash Plans including Individual and Corporate Health Cash Plans, AND ourĀ Bundle Wellbeing PackageĀ for businesses), are both available 24/7 š
For more health and wellbeing top tips across other various topics, click here to head to our main blogĀ šš§”
Previous Awareness Days – Q1
January…
š„š« Dry January ā All month
31 days alcohol-free! A break and a total reset for the body and mind with Alcohol Change UK. Improve your sleep, energy, mental health, concentration, skin, save money and feel an amazing sense of achievement.āÆāÆ#DryJanuary is about living better, feeling better. Check out Paycare’s Blog of Five key benefits to cutting your alcohol intake and follow us on Facebook and Twitter where we’ll share more top tips š
Paycare Policyholders, don’t forget you have access to our 24/7 MyPocketGP and Confidential Counselling Helpline for further support on a wide range of topics, all in your MyPaycare Log In area.
š Blue Monday ā 16th January
This #BrewMonday, Samaritans is reminding everyone – individuals and businesses – to reach out for a cuppa and a catch-up with the people you care about, whether that be family, friends, colleagues and loved ones. Take a look at How to Banish the Blue Monday Blues, ways to reduce anxiety, How can Paycare help me if Iām stressedĀ and how to be a good listener.
We understand that extra support may be needed from time to time – Paycare Policyholders and Corporate Customers – donāt forget that our Confidential Counselling HelplineĀ allows Policyholders to speak to a qualified counsellor via telephone when you need it the most š
February…
š¬ Time to Talk Day – 2nd Feb
Time to Talk Day is the nationās biggest mental health conversation – a day for friends, families, communities, and workplaces to come together to talk, listen and change lives. Check out MIND’s Tips to Talk and share with your friends, family and colleagues. Paycare’s blog also shares information on Making Mental Health a Global Priority, Cost of Living Tips for those with financial worries or concerns, and The Benefits of open Communication in the WorkplaceĀ š
For those struggling, ourĀ MyPocketGPĀ andĀ Confidential Counselling Helpline (included in all Health Cash Plans including Individual and Corporate Health Cash Plans, AND our Bundle Wellbeing Package for businesses), are both available 24/7 š
š¤ National Sickie Day – 6th Feb
Did you know there are an estimated 350,000 absences from work on the first Monday of February every year? The day when a higher number of employees call in sick than any other day of the year and some are deemed to be doing so unnecessarily because they are not really sick… Post-holiday blues, gloomy weather, anxiety/depression, financial worry and absenteeism (due to workload worry, colleague tension, personal life distractions, mental health problems or not fulfilled with employment), can all contribute towards employees calling in sick.
Here are some great tips on how to support your team in light of the awareness day, and we’re calling on employers to recognise the very real problem of absenteeism in our National Sickie Day Blog. If you’re struggling, at work or home, do reach out to your employers or professionals for support – all Paycare Policyholders have access to our Confidential Counselling HelplineĀ š
š§” Random Acts of Kindness Week – 17th Feb
Random Acts of Kindness is a week dedicated to taking that extra, conscious step to brighten somebodyās day. Whether it’s surprising your team with an early finish, complimenting somebody on a job well done or placing a funny note in your childās lunch box – there are so many ways that you can join in, spread some kindness and make someoneās day.
Paycare practice kindness in many ways – whether it’s volunteering in the community and donating to local charities, or being kind to our team by providing them with a Health Cash Plan, giving birthdays off, Wellbeing Days off and more. Whether you’re an individual or organisation, we’d love to know how you show kindness – get in touch with us!
The power of kindness is infinite – as explained in our Kindness the Key to a Happy, Healthy Workforce Blog. We also share the scientific links between kindness and physical/mental wellbeing in our Kindness is a Chemical health tips blog and love these 7 Steps to Creating Kindness in the WorkplaceĀ š„°š
March…
āØ Employee Appreciation Day ā 3rd March
Calling all businesses out there – this is a SUPER popular awareness day to get involved in! Strong employer-employee relations are at the core of any truly successful business – reward and thank employees for their ongoing hard work and efforts, strengthen the bond between employer and employee, and highlight trust, loyalty, motivation, and morale.
We talk all things employee appreciation in our blogs – 13 reasons why your staff will love you, 8 ways to show appreciation to your employees and why it’s important to celebrate Employee Appreciation Day today and everyday! Team appreciation can a huge positive impact on employees increasing morale, productivity, motivation & reducing absenteeism and presenteeism. You can do this by providing your team with a Company Paid Paycare Plan, Bundle, arrange team days, birthdays off and much more! š
š¦· World Oral Health Day ā 20th March
It’s extremely important for people to value and take care of their oral health and to make the right decisions to protect it. World Oral Health Day is all about reducing the burden of oral diseases, which affect individuals, health systems and economies everywhere, and most importantly, focusing on the importance of caring for your mouth at every stage of life.
Take a read of our Top Mouth Care Tips,Ā 10 Tooth Brushing Mistakes to Avoid and How to Access Dental Care Blog.. Our Health Cash Plans for BOTH individuals and employees with a Corporate Paycare Plan provide Dental Cover – including regular check-ups, dental crowns, fillings, x-rays, orthodontist treatment and much more. Routine check-ups help maintain oral hygiene and our cover means you no longer need to worry about the costs of dental emergencies š
š° Debt Awareness Week 21st ā 27th March
Debt Awareness Week is all about helping people open up and get the help they need – encourage those struggling to open up and ask for help – without feeling judged, ashamed or embarrassed. Telling someone about your struggles is the first step to getting things back on track.
Here are some amazing guides and tips to help you start those difficult, and often very daunting conversations. We also share some Cost of Living Tips including a catch up of our recent webinar we delivered with WCCU, and ways to take care of your financial wellbeing. If you, or your team, are struggling with financial issues and would like further support, do make use of ourĀ Confidential Counselling Helpline, available day or night via telephone š§”