The Importance of Team Wellness
As Wellbeing Week, a celebration and focus-shifting event held each year in June, has drawn to a close, and we look ahead to the broader celebration of Wellness Month in August, it’s a timely reminder that wellness is something that should be on the agenda all year round. As our CEO, Liz Taylor, explains:
“Wellness, a word I once would have balked at, has become not just a professional focus for my team in recent years, but a personal priority for me. The importance of team wellness cannot be understated.”
Working in luxury hospitality and running a successful event management company, Liz has spent years putting other people at the centre. Making sure clients and guests feel their absolute best. Creating events with care, passion, and attention to detail is second nature. But somewhere along the way, Liz realised that she wasn’t showing the same attention or respect to herself. Here she shares her thoughts:
Like many in leadership roles within our industry, I’ve felt the weight of expectations. Looming deadlines. Travel that feels draining rather than uplifting. The constant demand to be available. Let’s be honest, events and hospitality do not come with a nine-to-five schedule. The pressure to be always ‘on’ is real, and the importance of team wellness was not on my agenda.
Something changed a few years back. Writing my book was a catalyst. It opened the door to talking therapy, a shift in perspective, a decision to put myself first. A conscious choice to prioritise wellbeing.
Switching off regularly. Exercising. Doing things that are just for me. Guess what? Not only did it help me become a more grounded and well-rounded person. but it also It also made me more effective in the workplace.
THE TREADMILL SHIFT (LITERALLY)
My journey to prioritising mental wellbeing began in the most practical way. Getting on the treadmill each morning. It’s now a non-negotiable part of my routine. It clears my head, boosts my energy, and most importantly, sets the tone for the day ahead. As I pound out the stress, it’s also where I find that spectacular ideas flow.
That small daily shift has had a ripple effect; my focus is sharper, my creativity has surged, and I feel more grounded when the pressure is on. The knock-on effect? My team feels it too. We’re more connected, productive, and resilient. In event management, these are not soft skills; they’re the cornerstones of success. So when you consider the importance of team wellness in your life, remember, it has a positive impact on those around you too. Plus, companies which offer a culture of wellness and wellbeing are attractive to work for. Whilst it is hard to recruit in the events and hospitality sector, wellness can give you the edge in securing top talent.
BENEFITS OF EMPLOYEE WELLNESS
In addition to being a strong, attractive potential employer, there are other benefits to investing in your team’s wellbeing. Simply put:
- Improved team health and reducing sick days
- Boosts engagement and productivity
- Alleviate stress
- Improves morale
- Boosts resilience
- Improves the company profile
Whether this is achieved by a corporate well-being programme and schedule of well-being led events, or something on a smaller scale, event professionals need to consider this carefully as there are clear benefits to the individual, and business. Here’s what I did.
PUTTING THE TLC BACK INTO TLC
I decided to practise what I preach and to share my newfound wellness focus with my team. In short, we put the TLC back into TLC.
Well, it was always there, but now it’s a priority, not a nice-to-have. Among many small changes, I introduced flexible working hours so they could fit exercise into their schedule.
Why? Not just because looking after my people is the right thing to do, but because a team that is mentally strong is more productive, creative, and dedicated. In short, they deliver! And not just that, they stay for the long term. We all know that finding and retaining a talented team is the ultimate workplace goal.
Here are just a few of the ways the TLC team prioritises their own wellness…
Frankie Lyons, PA to Liz Taylor
My bed is my sanctuary. I shut my bedroom door, settle in, switch off my phone, and let myself get lost in the latest TV series or film. Pure relaxation, no distractions, just me and the screen. Simple, comfortable, and exactly how I like to switch off.
Rebekah Spratt, Marketing Consultant
My biggest thing is my unwinding ritual at the end of the day. Spending most of my time online, in social media, and communicating across different clients with different tones of voices often leaves my head spinning. And if I find myself boxing off tasks until late, there’s no way I’m getting to sleep that night.
Each day, I try to use cooking dinner (with music) as my transition from work to OOO. I also make a conscious effort to stop scrolling through the news or Instagram after 9pm. And to avoid the temptation of scrolling in bed, I listen to an audiobook for 15 minutes or until I’m nearly asleep. Taking a bath or shower before bed also helps with minimising screen time before sleep.
Goldie Chadowitz, Event Producer
My best wellbeing habit is my post-school-drop-off workout, which sets me up for the day. I sweat, breathe, hydrate, exercise, and namaste myself for the day ahead!
After work or in the evenings, I put my phone on charge and zone out to my favourite series, which at the moment is Yellowstone. Getting lost in a drama is the best way to let my brain switch off.
Laura Callaghan, Senior Event Producer
I actually took up running a couple of years ago, it’s something I always did, but never regularly and never pushed myself. I joined a run club called Run Sandymoor. We meet up a few times a week, and all ages and abilities are welcome. I fell in love with the social, supportive community and how it made me feel overall. It made me feel a sense of calm when running on my own, and it has increased my stamina, endurance, and made me physically much fitter.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s not all rainbows and sunshine; there are some days when it’s really tough, a real mental battle with myself. Sometimes my brain wants to give up, but on those days, I remind myself of what I’m capable of. Sometimes the hardest part sometimes is getting out, but I never regret it afterwards – the endorphins and adrenaline after you’ve done it are a huge reward.
I enjoy a challenge and pushing myself out of my comfort zone and I always find a sense of relaxation amongst the madness in running and achieving something I never thought would be possible to achieve. It’s helped me a lot both mentally and physically and the ‘runners high’ at the end of the race really is something else!
LEADERSHIP MEANS LOOKING AFTER PEOPLE
It’s easy to get caught up in the logistics of events and hospitality: the run sheets, the timelines, the client emails at midnight. The same goes for luxury hospitality, where long hours, demanding guests, and anticipating their needs are the norm, along with the pressure to always strive for perfection. Your team simply won’t deliver to the standard you require if they don’t look after themselves. I’ve learned that a strong team culture starts with wellbeing. And that the importance of team wellness is a mantra that has to come from the top.
Whether it’s a short walk in fresh air, prioritise the importance of team wellness by switching to healthy snacks in the office, or simply checking in on one another, wellbeing needs to become part of your internal culture, not just during Wellness Month, but throughout the year. And if you want to offer something more structures, invest time and resources into well-planned team-building events. Opportunities to bring teams together and foster a better working relationship.