Improving staff wellbeing through mindful movement
Scottish Ballet
Working in partnership with Scottish Ballet, we delivered free online wellbeing sessions for NHS Lothian staff, providing an opportunity for them to take a break from everyday challenges, be present in the moment by focusing on movement, position and breathing, and letting go of stressful thoughts.
The fluid movements of the choreography helped connect mind and body, supporting healthy joints, strong bones and physical strength, improved breathing and posture to help easy muscle tension, and reduced fatigue and tiredness.
The gentle exercise and mindful movement also helped release endorphins, improving mood and reducing stress.
Staff found the sessions to be both fun and enjoyable as well as beneficial for physical and mental health.
These sessions were very accessible and easy for all levels to join in with. I’m not fit at all at the moment but managed these sessions. Afterwards I felt more invigorated and positive both mentally and physically.”
Outcomes
Staff from a range of professions signed up to take part, including nurses, doctors, allied health professionals, IT, and corporate services, with representation from a variety of areas, including primary care, acute, community and support services.
Half of the attendees took part in the sessions at home and as part of their home working day, with a few staff participating in the session before coming into work or on their day off. Staff working on clinical sites used spaces such as offices and seminars rooms and the majority of attendees were able to complete the sessions without interruptions.
Participants liked joining the sessions via Microsoft Teams so they could choose whether to have their camera off or on while doing the exercises.
132 NHS Lothian staff signed up for the sessions
How the sessions made a difference to staff
Supporting the mental and physical health and wellbeing of NHS Lothian staff is an important factor in helping us deliver our mission of improving health in the Lothians.
By working together with partners such as Scottish Ballet, we can bring the transformative power of the arts to healthcare settings through a dynamic interdisciplinary programme of participatory arts.
I loved the fusion of Yoga and Ballet movement. I would love to continue it. It set me up with a really positive start for the day. Thank you.”
96%
of staff indicated an improvement in their emotional wellbeing
“I definitely felt much more relaxed after each session and was able to go through a busy day without being stressed.”
100%
of staff indicated an improvement in their physical wellbeing
“I have had quite a few injuries such as a frozen shoulder and very tight muscles which make me feel very stiff. This class really helped, I got up early on days off to join in and it was a great start to the day.”
86%
of staff indicated an improvement in their levels of confidence and motivation
“Trying a ballet class is somewhat outside of my comfort zone but I have felt very welcome and I have noticed that they have lifted my mood and increased my confidence.”
64%
of staff indicated an improvement in feeling connected with others
“Although it was me that signed up, we did the sessions as a team. This helped the whole team feel valued and connected. We felt more energised. It gave us the need to take a break which we don’t always do.”
84%
of staff indicated an improvement in feeling valued as a member of staff at NHS Lothian
“The sessions gave me 30 mins of care for my mind body and soul. This allowed me to feel cared for by my employer…I had something positive to talk to my patients and other staff about. I had something to look forward to at the end of the week.”
Case Study – Ballet and Lunch
Suzanne McHattie, Principle Sonographer at St John’s Hospital shared their experience:
Currently there are only 2 of us doing it but I am trying to get more staff involved. I see it as such a useful and helpful thing for us so it has been a great opportunity to take part. Luckily the timing coincides with our lunch break at the department so we go into my office, shut the door and do the session together. We like to have a good chat while we do it and eat our lunch at the same time.”
Suzanne went on to explain that:
as sonographers, the work we do means we suffer from a lot of upper limb disorders, we have a lot of staff who are off sick with work related injuries. Having the ability to do something like this at work is a god send. I had a sore shoulder a couple of weeks ago and did the session, by the end of the day it had eased and wasn’t as painful. That to me is a big deal.“
Suzanne shared another benefit of the sessions for her team:
We work all day in the dark, so coming out a lunch time to do this is just great for the body.” Julie Eastwood, Senior Radiographer, who was taking part with Suzanne exclaimed: “this is actually a good workout, I am sweating this week!”
Thank you
Thanks to Scottish Ballet for their in-kind contribution of the wellbeing sessions and ongoing partnership with Tonic Arts.
