How Workplace Wellness Has Evolved: From Free Drinks to Genuine Health Support

From Mars Bars to Mindfulness

I was thrilled to be invited to give a Health and Wellness Talk to the Clarion Events operations team recently. It’s been 15 years since I last worked in that field, and I was genuinely delighted to see how much has changed.

Back in my day, workplace culture revolved around free drinks - if you didn’t go, you weren’t seen as a team player. It was almost a badge of honour to be out until the early hours and still show up on the exhibition floor the next morning full of energy. I used to gauge how stressful an event build-up was by how early in the day I reached for my first Mars bar!

Those were fun times, and I have some of my fondest memories from that period. But I also broke

a few times, and my health suffered as a result. It’s no surprise that Generation X still tends to drink more heavily than younger generations, we were actively encouraged to do so early in our careers.

When I became a manager, I was amazed to see my younger team members turning down team drinks. They were focused on getting the job done, progressing their careers, and feeling good, something we didn’t always prioritise. Now, many of us Gen Xers are the ones trying to cut down, as that nightly glass of wine has become ingrained in our routines.

The Shift Toward Healthier Workplaces

It’s so encouraging to see how much times have moved on. Today, there’s a real emphasis on healthy workplaces with proper support for both physical and mental wellbeing.

Many companies now offer onsite health, fitness, and wellness programs, along with resources for stress management and mental health support. The impression I got from my talk was that people genuinely care about looking after themselves, not just chasing a quick fix.

My focus was on staying healthy during event build-ups and busy work periods, and the audience was genuinely engaged. I hope they walked away with a few practical, sustainable tips to support their wellbeing.

Living in a Health Bubble and the Reality Outside It

Because I spend my days surrounded by health professionals, it sometimes feels like we’re the odd ones out. In a world of convenience food, takeaways, and rising food costs, many people are either cash poor or time poor, cooking from scratch becomes a challenge.  Healthy eating habits are hard to achieve, and a ‘balanced diet’ is confusing with so many self-professed experts on social media promoting their own agendas with little or no qualifications.

Our school system doesn’t help much either. There is very little nutrition education and gone are the days of Home Economics, when we learned to cook on a budget. Thankfully, advocates like Jamie Oliver and Joe Wicks are shining a light on the importance of healthier eating and exposing how big food companies often prioritise profit over product quality.

Balance, Not Perfection

Going out for dinner is always interesting, people often watch to see what “healthy” option I’ll choose. But honestly, I take off my health coach hat and order whatever I fancy. Life should include joy, and I love eating out with family and friends.

Because my daily lifestyle is healthy, the occasional indulgence doesn’t undo anything. It’s what you do most of the time that really impacts your health.

Health Coaching Is About Real Life

When people discover I’m a health coach, they sometimes get self-conscious about their food choices. But that’s not who I am. I only give advice when asked otherwise, I’m just me, juggling life like everyone else.

I’ve had my own health struggles, especially during a stressful period, and I was my own first coaching client. That experience taught me how to rebuild my health through:

• Eating a balanced, nutrient-dense diet

• Supporting gut health

• Getting enough sleep and rest

• Managing stress effectively

• Staying physically active

  
  

Good health isn’t one thing, it’s a combination of small, consistent habits that are individual. All of these are important factors for everyone. If you are struggling with your health then look at these areas in your life to see if you can identify where you need to prioritise.

Take the First Step Toward Sustainable Health

If you’re curious about how health coaching can help you make lasting, positive changes, I’d love to chat.

Book your free 15-minute call via my Calendly link or send me a message to get started.