In recent years, workplaces have made great strides in addressing mental health, but there’s a critical piece missing from the conversation – our physical health. We’re moving less, sitting more, and spending more time in isolation. It’s a lifestyle shift that’s having a profound effect on our mental well-being.

Dr. Peter Attia in Outlive and Michael Easter in The Comfort Crisis (two books that have profoundly changed my outlook on life) both emphasise how modern habits such as driving instead of walking, working from home, and generally losing a sense of what it means to be human, are contributing to a rise in anxiety, depression, and burnout. We human beings aren’t meant to be sedentary or isolated for long periods. As social creatures, we thrive in community and benefit from physical exertion. When we lose this balance, our mental health can suffer.

The science supports this. Physical inactivity is linked to mood disorders like depression, while regular exercise has been shown to alleviate anxiety and improve overall emotional well-being. Exercise, in fact, is not just preventive but can be an effective treatment for mental health conditions. It helps improve sleep, reduces stress, and can even foster a sense of accomplishment.

At Creed, we’ve embraced the idea that moving more and staying active can make a big difference. From ‘Talking Tuesdays,’ where we take our conversations outside for a walk, to our employee-run club that tackles a local 5k after work, we’re finding ways to keep moving. We’ve also got a bunch of gym enthusiasts (myself included), ultra-marathoners, and competitive 5-a-side footballers who help keep the energy up around here!

I believe that we need to make movement and social interaction as much a priority as mental health initiatives. Whether this comes in the form of ‘official’ company sponsored physical health initiatives or just a walk during lunch, team-building activities outside the office, or simply reconnecting with others face-to-face, these actions are more than just “nice-to-haves.” They’re essential to improving not just our mental health but our overall health span and life span.

So, let’s stand up, move more, and reconnect – our minds will thank us for it.

Dave Walstow – Associate Director