Unit Chambers recently attended Greater Manchester’s Workforce Engine Conference at Bupa’s offices, joining professionals from across the region to explore the connection between wellbeing, attention and performance at work.
The day brought together a range of speakers and perspectives, with discussions covering everything from meditation and gut health to workplace culture and the relationship between professional performance and personal wellbeing.
Several themes stood out, offering plenty to reflect on in how we approach our working lives.
The Value of Training Our Attention
One of the most interesting sessions explored the role of meditation in improving attention and concentration. Meditation expert Erkin Bek discussed how meditation can help us become more aware of our thoughts, manage a wandering mind and strengthen our ability to focus.
A particularly useful takeaway was that getting started does not need to involve long periods of practice. Even three minutes of meditation can be a starting point for building the habit over time.
This felt especially relevant in the context of modern working life. Research shared by Gosia Bowling, Bupa’s Head of Mental Health, highlighted that we are interrupted, on average, every two minutes. With emails, messages and competing priorities constantly demanding our attention, it is easy to see how maintaining focus can become a challenge.
The session was a reminder that attention is a skill we can work on, and that small, manageable changes may help us become more intentional about how we spend our time.
Understanding the Connection Between Stress and Gut Health
Dr Berit Nordstrand’s session explored the relationship between gut health, stress and everyday performance, highlighting the close connection between the brain and the digestive system.
Stress can affect digestion in different ways, sometimes slowing it down and contributing to symptoms such as bloating or discomfort. This connection is a useful reminder that our physical and mental wellbeing are closely linked, and that the effects of stress are not always limited to how we feel emotionally.
It also reinforced the importance of taking a broader view of wellbeing. How we feel physically can influence our concentration, energy and ability to manage the demands of the working day.
Can We Perform at Our Best Without Sacrificing Wellbeing?
Gosia Bowling also explored the relationship between performance and healthy working practices, raising an important question: can professional success and wellbeing genuinely go hand in hand?
Pressure is not always negative. In the right circumstances, it can encourage us to stretch our capabilities, learn new skills and grow in confidence. However, there is an important distinction between feeling challenged by our work and simply trying to get through it.
Performing well should not have to come at the expense of our wellbeing. Recognising when pressure becomes difficult to manage, and creating working environments where people feel able to speak up, are important parts of maintaining that balance.
The discussion also highlighted that workplace wellbeing needs to be practical. Listening to employees, understanding what they actually need and making support realistic and accessible are all important when turning good intentions into meaningful action.
Making Wellbeing Part of Everyday Working Life
A key theme throughout the conference was the importance of moving beyond conversations about wellbeing and considering how it can be put into practice.
Every workplace is different, so initiatives need to reflect the people they are intended to support. This means creating opportunities for honest conversations, listening to feedback and recognising that a single approach will not work for everyone.
At Unit Chambers, wellbeing is an important part of our working culture. We recognise the value of creating an environment where people feel supported, and events like this provide an opportunity to reflect on what we can continue to learn and put into practice.
The conference also offered a reminder that wellbeing does not always need to involve major changes. Small steps, from being more mindful of interruptions to making space for a proper break, can encourage us to think differently about our everyday routines.
A Day Full of Fresh Perspectives
The conference brought together a brilliant range of speakers and ideas, with plenty to take away and reflect on. One particularly memorable moment was a performance by Manchester rapper OneDa, who delivered a unique rap alongside a sound bath.
Thank you to Greater Manchester Wellbeing Series for the invitation, and to all the speakers and organisers for such an insightful day.
The discussions reinforced an important message: wellbeing and performance should support one another, not compete. By paying attention to how we work, listening to the people around us and making wellbeing a genuine part of workplace culture, we can take meaningful steps towards healthier and more sustainable working lives.