The past few years of social and economic instability, combined with a global pandemic have created a state of overwhelm, stress and exhaustion in human beings.

  • Physical, mental, and emotional health are declining;
  • Burnout is no longer a buzz word; it is becoming the norm;
  • People are less engaged, lack focus and resilience to change;
  • People are losing connection to themselves, loved ones, colleagues, the workplaces, and the natural world;
  • Loneliness is now the new silent epidemic that damages our health and overall wellbeing.

In short, we are having a human energy crisis.

Energy is a resource and a barometer for our overall levels of well-being. The level of energy we possess, reflects how we feel and perform as human beings. The more stressed, fatigued and lonely we are, the lower our levels of energy. The calmer, rested, connected and valued we are, the higher our levels of energy.

Energy is a human resource and the key to achieving a life of potential and fulfilment.

High levels of energy lead to the ability to unlock our human potential so we can start to thrive in all areas of our lives. We can only unlock human potential from a healthy baseline of energy. Let’s look at the inner human dimensions that generate energy;

  • Physical energy comes from nutrition, fitness, sleep and deep rest;
  • Emotional energy comes from emotional awareness and regulation;
  • Mental energy comes from self-awareness and mindfulness.
  • Spiritual energy comes from purpose, values, and connectedness.

We need to start looking in investing in these inner human dimensions to combat the human energy crisis.

For a few years now, organisations have been trying to combat this growing crisis with Health and Wellness programs (HWP). These intervention programs offered employees perks and lifestyle choice as a way of preventing chronic illness. This siloed approach of free gym membership, fruit bowls, desk massages, yoga classes, weight loss programs, health screenings, ping pong tables and bean bags have not been able to combat a growing workforce that continues to not ‘Be Well’.

We need to shift to a more ‘WHOLE-istic’ and multidimensional approach to what it means for a human being and an organisation to Be Well. It is about the person as a WHOLE, the team as a WHOLE and the organisation as a WHOLE.

Your organisation thrives when your people thrive.

According to recent research from Betterup, 90% of your employees are not mentally ill. They are suffering from overwhelm, fatigue, and chronic stress. They lack alignment of purpose and values with the organisation.

A PwC report of the “Great Resignation” showed that the key factors of employees leaving their job during the past year was lack of monetary and personal growth. Most of the surveyed employees leaving their jobs were factoring in their overall wellbeing. They want to continue learning and developing and be allowed to innovate and be creative in their job. They want to feel purposeful and valued.

We need to shift from a human energy crisis wellness approach to investing in human capital approach.

Workplaces need to start looking at creating a culture where the human being is allowed to develop, grow, and innovate so they feel purposeful and fulfilled in their job.

The human energy crisis cannot be fixed anymore with wellness programs and siloed approaches. It needs a “whole-istic” approach of investing in a more fulfilling employee experience and building the capability of the human being from within so they can start to flourish and thrive in all areas of their life – a state of total wellbeing.