At Seven, it’s crucial for all of us that we maintain a positive work-life balance to support our mental health. 

We know that employers play a vital role in ensuring employee wellbeing. With this in mind, we offer flexible working policies; paid sabbaticals and summertime Fridays; a private healthcare package that offers discounts, subscriptions and services to bolster our mental and physical health; and life, birthday and charity days. 

But perhaps most importantly, we have built a workplace culture that prioritises wellbeing. We actively encourage our team to take the time to do the things that make them tick, operate a total ‘open door’ policy – supporting everyone to talk about their concerns and worries – and host frequent team days, lunches and events as a chance to spend time together as friends as well as colleagues. 

This Mental Health Awareness week, we wanted to share some of the things our team does to support their mental health – whether that’s movement, music, food, or walking the dog. 

How Seven moves 

It’s well known that moving our bodies is good for us, and so it’s perhaps no surprise that many of us spend a lot of time exercising when we’re not at work. 

Bella, Account Manager, is often found cold water swimming; Sophia, Senior Account Manager, practices yoga after work to unwind; and Emma Croll, Account Executive, enjoys post‑work walks along the river, and releasing any pent‑up energy with some friendly competition at her weekly netball league 

Milly, Senior Account Executive, is a big outdoor enthusiast. She says: “Spending time outside is my favourite way to reduce stress and take a step away from work. From taking a quick walk outside at lunch or going on cycling and hiking holidays, making the most of nature and the outside world is how I let my mind relax.” 

Robyn, our Managing Director, often runs on her lunch break as an escape from the desk and a way to lift her energy levels in the afternoon. She also says that walking her dog is her “absolute favourite way to start the day. It’s much better than jumping straight on emails and means I’ve already got some fresh air and steps in before I open my laptop.” 

Robyn isn’t alone in this. Like many of us at Seven, Ed, Account Director, is also a proud dog owner. He says: “it might be a pretty obvious one, but walking the dog on the beach definitely aids my mental health. The sea is calming – and Margie is also a great listener.” 

The value of creativity 

Besides exercise, there are a number of other ways in which our team takes time to focus on themselves. 

Sean, Account Director, is rarely seen without a new book. He’s mastered the art of finding the best reads at charity shops, and always has a great recommendation. He also always has an enviable lunch in the office – and that’s partly because his way of relaxing is by spending a Sunday afternoon in the kitchen with the tunes on, prepping for the week ahead.  

Like Sean, our Senior Account Director, Kitty, loves cooking. She’s recently taken up sourdough baking, and the two of them are often comparing recipes and dinner party menus. 

Alice, Senior Account Director, likes to knit or crochet. She says: “It’s VERY good for mental health as you have to focus on the pattern, counting stitches, and not much else.” 

Slowing down  

Emma Harvey, our CEO, really values stillness when it comes to her mental health – a privilege often forgotten in our busy day-to-day lives.  

She says: “I have 30 mins at the start of my day, once my kids have left for school and before I start work, where I have my own version of meditation. Sometimes I zone out and sometimes I find myself working through my thoughts and processing my life admin – either way it makes me feel strong and mentally prepares me for the day ahead.” 

Sophia also focuses on the smaller moments, enjoying herbal teas before bed to help with sleep. And despite being able to talk to a brick wall – often guilty of starting up distracting conversations in the office – Bella also values quieter moments. “One of the reasons I love going home to Scotland is because it is so remote. It forces me to spend time with myself, up in the hills, to reflect on everything that buzzes round my brain and order my thoughts before they become overwhelming.”

Often when we think of ill-health, our brains are not the first thing to spring to mind. Despite how much progress we’ve made to destigmatise mental health and encourage much more open conversations, it is still often a secondary concern.  

But we know how important it is to look after our mental wellbeing – and this belief underpins how we work and communicate with one another, and with clients. Our team is full of people who care, who are kind and who are thoughtful – and that’s in part because we’ve created a culture that values balance in all parts of our lives. 

This Mental Health Awareness week, we stand in solidarity with anyone who has struggled with their mental health – in whatever shape, size or form this comes in – and encourage everyone to take a moment to refocus on the value of work-life balance.