If you get a feeling in the pit of your stomach, around tea time on a Sunday, and start worrying about work on Monday, you are certainly not alone

Do you experience the ‘Sunday Scaries’?

That feeling in the pit of your stomach, around tea time on a Sunday, that the weekend is nearly over and it’s back to work when you wake up on Monday morning?

If so, you are not alone.

A new report has shown that work stress is the most common trigger for Britons who feel anxiety about the week ahead.

And 1 in 7 of us are now feeling those ‘Sunday Scaries’ according to a survey of more than 4,000 people, the findings of which were released just over a week after the World Health Organisation (WHO) released its first-ever set of guidelines on how to improve mental health in the workplace.

Anxious about working

Research by the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities has found 53% of people feel anxious about working in person, rather than from home.

The statistics paint a worrying picture for managers and bosses who are faced with making the working environment one in which staff can not only spot the signs of colleagues when they are struggling with their mental health, but also provide support for those members of staff too.

“The well-being of the individual is reason enough to act, but poor mental health can also have a debilitating impact on a person’s performance and productivity,” said WHO director-general Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus who announced new guidelines to help prevent negative work situations and cultures and offer much-needed mental health protection and support for working people.

“The guidelines also suggest employers should make adjustments for workers with mental health conditions as well as offering support for those returning to work after mental health-related absences.”

Wellbeing Therapy Solutions MD Kate Jackson said that more and more companies were starting to be aware – and act upon – supporting their employees towards better wellbeing and mental health.

Mental health absences

“There are 72 million days a year lost to mental health absences in the UK economy and, on the back of Covid having such a big effect on all of our lives, more business owners are starting to realise the importance of doing everything they can to improve the wellbeing and mental health of their staff,” added Kate.

“Forward-thinking businesses are not only upskilling their staff and making them aware of the importance of positive mental health within the workplace, they are also keen on creating a positive wellbeing culture at work where people can be honest and open up to colleagues about any issues they are facing.”

Wellbeing Therapy Solutions have a number of workplace wellbeing packages they are offering to businesses and organisations.

Gold, silver and bronze packages are available where a number of services can be purchased and planned to meet the mental health and wellbeing needs of a specific team in a consistent and transparent manner.

Find out more: Wellbeing Therapy Solutions’ Workplace Wellbeing Packages

Find out more: WHO Guidelines on Mental Health at Work