20 Minutes Matter - Healthy Work Campaign

Understanding your lunch break: complete the following 2-minute questionaire and go in the draw with a chance to win 1 of 5 book tokens valued at £20

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This April is Stress Awareness Month and in line with this, Workplace Health will be running the first of its three annual campaigns. The campaign will align under the ‘Healthy Work’ theme of Being Well at UCL and will focus on stress in the workplace and how 20 minutes of dedicated time to focus on the ‘self’ can improve both physical and mental wellbeing. 

Across the UK, there is a growing trend of taking less of a lunch break or no lunch break at all, in a bid to increase productivity and remain on top of workloads. The compounding issues of this trend leads to both physical and mental strain on individuals, resulting in an increased stress level and eventual burnout. 

UCL’s sickness absence data, does highlight that stress is one of the leading contributing factors and reasons for staff to take a leave of absence. Additionally, it is clear that musculoskeletal (MSK)is also a major contributing factor and when grouped together make for one of the largest reasons for staff to take sick leave.  

The benefits of a lunch break taken away from the desk and combining a small amount of exercise cannot be understated with UCL researcher Dr Sarah-Naomi James (UCL Dementia Research Centre and MRC Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing at UCL) saying that ‘Exercise is essential for keeping our brains healthy,’ which is a vital part of being able to perform our jobs.  

Another fellow UCL researcher Dr Jo Blodgett, first author of the study from UCL Surgery & Interventional Science and the Institute of Sport, Exercise & Health, said: ‘The good news is that whatever your physical ability, it doesn’t take long to have a positive effect on blood pressure. What’s unique about our exercise variable is that it includes all exercise-like activities, from climbing the stairs to a short cycling errand, many of which can be integrated into daily routines.’ 

This working week, we are encouraging staff to take a break from their job in a bid to highlight how it can benefit your mental and physical health while also increasing your productivity. Taking a break is essential for your mind, body and work and the campaign week is a great place to start. Small changes are a great place to start and will help to build healthier habits that supports you in the long run.

Monday 24 March

• Wellbeing course – Taking a break from social media 
• Your commute meditation: - 8 - 8.30am
• Energy shift yoga: 5 - 5.30pm

Tuesday 25 March

• Wellbeing course – boost your energy 
• Mindfulness with Olga Zubko: 12.30 - 1pm
• Yoga: 12-12.30 
• Project Active Barre – Tuesday – 12:00 – 13:00
• Project Active Barre (Women Only) – Tuesday – 13:00 – 14:00
• Project Active UCL East Run Club – Tuesday – 13:00-14:00

Wednesday 26 March

• Wellbeing Course – Physical activity and nutrition myth busting 
• Pilates beginners: 12-12.30 
• Mobility and flexibility: 6 - 6.30pm

Thursday 27 March

• Wellbeing course – your wellbeing in focus 
• Gentle morning workout: 8 - 8.30am
• Pilates intermediate 12-12.30 
• Project Active Barre (Women Only) – Thursday – 12:00 – 13:00
• Project Active Vinyasa Yoga – Thursday – 13:00 – 14:00

Friday 28 March

• Fun Friday workout: 8 - 8.30am
• Family fit: 12 - 12.30pm
• Project Active Sound Meditation (Exam Toolkit) – Friday – 12:00 – 13:00

Ongoing

Internal

• Prejudice in Power: Contesting the Pseudoscience of Superiority
• Seeing and Unseeing the Pyramids: Lee Miller in Egypt

Wellbeing courses - same as during the week:

• Wellbeing course – Taking a break from social media 
• Wellbeing course – boost your energy 
• Wellbeing Course – Physical activity and nutrition myth busting 
• Wellbeing course – your wellbeing in focus 

External

• Foundling Museum
• British Museum
• Charles Dickens Museum
• British Library