International Relaxation Day 2024

International Relaxation Day will be held on the 15th August, 2024. A day to relax or choose to learn new relaxation techniques. Or perhaps take some time out in a busy day to relax. Since 1985, National Relaxation Day is held annually on the 15th August in the USA. Nowadays, with thanks to social media platforms many people around the world celebrate National Relaxation Day and more recently, International Relaxation Day.

Director of the National Wellbeing Service Ltd, Dr Stephen Palmer PhD who is a registered a Counselling and Health Psychologist said: ‘Research has found that relaxation techniques can reduce stress and anxiety and enhance performance. They are often used with coaching, counselling and therapy. These techniques are simple to learn and apply within one’s daily routines. The National Wellbeing Service launched an International Relaxation Day website in 2023 which has videos on easy to learn relaxation technques. Well worth a visit.’

International Relaxation Day is an opportunity to reflect and share the importance of relaxation and how people, families, organisations and communities can learn about applying relaxation in their daily lives and routines. Social media can be used to share what methods you have found useful to aid relaxation. You can use the hashtags: #InternationalRelaxationDay #InternationalRelaxationDay2024 #Relaxation

If National Relaxation Day is recognised in your country then you can use the hashtag: #NationalRelaxationDay

International Relaxation Day Website

In 2023, the National Wellbeing Service Ltd launched a website dedicated to International Relaxation Day which includes information about how to relax. It also has a Research Hub for health practitioners, teachers, health coaches, doctors, psychologists and other professionals who may wish to use relaxation in their area of work. The development of this website will be an on-going process and new material will uploaded over the coming months.

World Hepatitis Day 2024

Held on July 28th each year, World Hepatitis Day (WHD) is the day to raise awareness of viral hepatitis. On this day we aim to unite the global community to demand action from decision makers globally to prioritise the elimination of viral hepatitis. WHD is one of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) officially mandated global public health days. It is a day when the world comes together to raise awareness of hepatitis, one of the most deadly and neglected diseases and health crises   – one that is claiming a life every 30 seconds.

Globally, 354 million people live with hepatitis, with more than 1.1 million lives lost each year to hepatitis B and hepatitis C. Yet, we have the tools to eliminate the disease by 2030. On July 28, we raise our collective voices to call for more action for the people affected by hepatitis. Across the world, campaign supporters will raise their voices on social media, hold webinars, speak to the media and hold events to spread the message and raise awareness of hepatitis.

Whether you have one minute or an hour, there are plenty of ways you can get involved in World Hepatitis Day to make sure that the world knows that Hepatitis Can’t Wait. Get involved on social media. The hastags are: #WorldHepatitisDay #WHDRelay, #NotWaiting #HepCantWait #NoHep Visit the WHD website for more information.

National Academy of Relaxation

The National Academy of Relaxation is an education, research and membership faculty of the National Wellbeing Service Ltd. A key aim of the Academy is to promote relaxation techniques and strategies to enhance physical and psychological wellbeing. There are many decades of research that demonstrate that simple relaxation methods can reduce blood pressure and heart rate. The National Academy was launched in August, 2022.

Our affiliated organisation, Centre for Stress Management was launched in 1987 and since the 1990s it has provided professional body recognised and approved training for health professionals in stress management.

Mental Health Awareness Week

Hosted by the Mental Health Foundation, Mental Health Awareness Week takes place from 13-19 May 2019. The theme this year is Body Image – how we think and feel about our bodies. A time to reflect on Mental Health & take action.

New report on Body Image

New data is available on the extent of body image concerns across the UK, how body image impacts mental health, plus practical steps we can take as a nation. Read the Mental Health Foundation new report on body image.

The National Wellbeing Service Ltd supports Mental Health Awareness Week.

National Work Life Week 2018 is taking place from 1st – 5th October 2018

This week is an opportunity for both employers and employees to focus on well-being at work and work-life balance. Employers can use the week to provide activities for employees, and to showcase their flexible working policies and practices.

Join the conversation using #WorkLifeWeek and tweet us @workingfamUK

Visit the National Work Life Week website for further information.

Ideas on Achieving a healthy work-life balance are on the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) website.

World Hepatitis Day

We could not be more excited to celebrate our second birthday this World Hepatitis Day (WHD) on Saturday 28 July, 2018. It’s been another great year and as a movement is only a movement if people are behind it, we want to thank each one of you who have contributed to its success so far.

To mark WHD, we’ve been raising awareness of diagnosis rates around the world to help find the missing millions. To get involved and show your support include the #NOhep and #WorldHepatitisDay hashtags in your social media posts.

More information, visit our webpage.

The National Wellbeing Service Ltd supports Mental Health Awareness Week. Stress is everywhere, and it is directly linked to our mental health. 1 in 6 adults in Britain will experience depression, anxiety or problems relating to stress at any one time. The Mental Health Foundation, organiser of Mental Health Awareness Week, says:

“By tackling stress, we can go a long way to tackle mental health problems such as anxiety and depression, and, in some instances, self-harm and suicide. We will look at how we can tackle stress and help improve our mental health.”

The National Wellbeing Service publishes three academic online journals: 

– International Journal of Stress Prevention and Wellbeing (IJSPW)
– European Journal of Counselling Theory, Research and Practice (EJC-TRAP)
– European Journal of Applied Positive Psychology (EJAPP)

We now have a central hub so that the articles can be found on one page: http://www.nationalwellbeingservice.net/nws-journal-articles-2017/

Take a look if you are interested stress prevention, wellbeing, counselling and/or applied positive psychology. All articles can be viewed online.

The National Wellbeing Service is keen to promote Mental Health Awareness Week, held on 8-14 May 2017 which is focusing on mental health from a new angle. Rather than ask why so many people are living with mental health problems, we will seek to uncover why too few of us are thriving with good mental health. With people struggling to cope with the demands of life and stuck on getting through the day, we will explore:

how many of us are surviving or thriving, and the difference between the two
why some communities are under strain and what government can do to support them to thrive
what steps we can take to look after our mental health, building resilience to cope with the demands of life.
Throughout the week the personal stories of people who are surviving or thriving will be highlighted.

On facebook and twitter please use the hashtag: #MHAW17

JOIN US FOR WORLD HEPATITIS DAY 2016 held on the 28th July

The theme for this year’s global campaign is ELIMINATION.

The National Wellbeing Service supports and promotes World Hepatitis Day 2016.

2016 is a pivotal year for viral hepatitis. At the World Health Assembly in May, WHO Member States are set to adopt the first ever Elimination Strategy for Viral Hepatitis, with ambitious targets and a goal to eliminate hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030. This will be the first time national governments sign up and commit to the goal of eliminating viral hepatitis.

Canada takes a stand against Viral Hepatitis

OTTAWA, June 16, 2016 – The Honourable Jane Philpott, Canada’s minister for health, reaffirmed today Canada’s commitment to participate in the global fight against viral hepatitis.

Speaking at a breakfast on Parliament Hill organized by the Canadian Society for International Health (CSIH), Philpott said to the health professionals, government officials, civil society representatives and hepatitis survivors in attendance,  “We are committed to do the work to end hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030. We are working closely with provinces and territories to address the ongoing burden of viral hepatitis.”

Canada, along with 193 other Member States, recently adopted the Global Strategy on Viral Hepatitis at the World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland. The goal – the elimination of hepatitis B and C by 2030 – signals the greatest ever global commitment on viral hepatitis.

The Parliamentary Breakfast also marked the launch of the World Hepatitis Day campaign in Canada.  WHD, celebrated annually on July 28, is dedicated to raising awareness about viral hepatitis and promoting prevention, and access to testing, treatment and care. Again this year, the Canadian campaign is spearheaded by CSIH and links some 65 organizations planning more than 100 events across the country. This year’s theme is: Know your status? Get tested. Know your options.

Eva Slawecki, Executive Director, CSIH said, “Hepatitis is not just somebody else’s problem. Thousands of Canadians may be affected by the virus and not know it yet. We urge everyone to get informed and get tested.”

Dr. Curtis Cooper, Director of The Ottawa Hospital Regional Viral Hepatitis Program, said, “The adoption of the Global Strategy is a milestone in the fight against viral hepatitis. It is now up to every country that signed on, including Canada, to do what it takes to eliminate these diseases.”

Facts:

• Viral hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver caused by one of five hepatitis viruses. Hepatitis B and C may lead to liver failure, cancer, disability and death.
• There are some 600,000 Canadians living with hepatitis, many of whom are unaware of their condition. Worldwide, more than 400 million people are infected, and 1.4 million die every year from the condition – more than HIV/AIDS or malaria.
• For more information on the Global Strategy on Viral Hepatitis: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/2016/wha69-28-may-2016/en/

The Canadian Society for International Health (CSIH) brings the Canadian global health community together to better achieve a shared goal of improving health worldwide. www.csih.org

Mental Health Awareness Week 2016

16-22 May, 2016 

Every year, thousands of supporters across the UK take part in Mental Health Awareness Week. This year the week will take place from May 16-22 on the theme of relationships.

Healthy and supportive relationships are key to good mental health. Join us in celebrating the people and connections in our lives that add to our wellbeing and help us thrive.

Hold an event

Think about ways you can bring people together and start conversations around mental health. Some suggestions could be to:

• Host a wellbeing walk – with friends, colleagues or people in your community
• Set up a stand in your local hospital, community centre, library or supermarket
• Hold a series of lectures or talks on mental health – make it interactive as possible and get the audience involved!

The Mental Health Foundation fundraising team have got you covered with more event ideas for the workplace, schools and your communities.

You can add your event to the activity map – you can also see what other people are planning during the week.

Spread the word

During the week, the Mental Health Foundation will be posting stories and information on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Please follow them to help share their messages and to join in the discussion. You can also let them know what you’re getting up to by using the tag #MHAW16.

Visit the website for more information.

Mental Health Awareness Week 2016

16-22 May, 2016 

Every year, thousands of supporters across the UK take part in Mental Health Awareness Week. This year the week will take place from May 16-22 on the theme of relationships.

Healthy and supportive relationships are key to good mental health. Join us in celebrating the people and connections in our lives that add to our wellbeing and help us thrive.

Hold an event

Think about ways you can bring people together and start conversations around mental health. Some suggestions could be to:

• Host a wellbeing walk – with friends, colleagues or people in your community
• Set up a stand in your local hospital, community centre, library or supermarket
• Hold a series of lectures or talks on mental health – make it interactive as possible and get the audience involved!

The Mental Health Foundation fundraising team have got you covered with more event ideas for the workplace, schools and your communities.

You can add your event to the activity map – you can also see what other people are planning during the week.

Spread the word

During the week, the Mental Health Foundation will be posting stories and information on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Please follow them to help share their messages and to join in the discussion. You can also let them know what you’re getting up to by using the tag #MHAW16.

Visit the website for more information.

World Health Day 2016: WHO calls for global action to halt rise in and improve care for people with diabetes

First WHO Global report on diabetes: 422 million adults live with diabetes, mainly in developing countries.

6 APRIL, 2016 | GENEVA – The number of people living with diabetes has almost quadrupled since 1980 to 422 million adults, with most living in developing countries. Factors driving this dramatic rise include overweight and obesity, WHO announced ahead of World Health Day.

WHO is marking its annual World Health Day (7 April), which celebrates the Organization’s founding in 1948, by issuing a call for action on diabetes. In its first “Global report on diabetes”, WHO highlights the need to step up prevention and treatment of the disease.

For more information, visit our National Wellbeing Service World Health Day 2016 webpage.

International Day of Happiness 20th March, Every Year!

Striving for a Happy Planet

International Day of Happiness is a day to be happy. Launched in 2013, the United Nations has celebrated the International Day of Happiness in order to recognise the importance of happiness in the lives of people around the planet. The UN launched 17 Sustainable Development Goals that seek to end poverty, reduce inequality, and protect our planet which are three key items that lead to happiness and wellbeing.

The United Nations invites any person of any age to celebrate the International Day of Happiness each year on 20th March.

Show you support by tweeting on the 20th March with the hashtag  #InternationalDayOfHappiness

OCD Week of Action, 15-19 February 2016

From the 15th to 19th of February 2016 will be OCD Action’s Week of Action. During this week, they will be encouraging people to take action and fight against Obsessive Compulsive Disorder known as ‘OCD.’ Visit our webpage for more information including a video and mood self-assessment test.

Heart Month 2016

Every February is our Heart Month. There are things you can do to help your heart and you can encourage your friends, family and work colleagues to take action too. Visit our National Wellbeing Service webpage for more information.

Now in its 15th year, Mental Health Awareness Week aims to encourage the conversation around mental health to fight discrimination and stigma and promote good mental wellbeing. For one week in May, Mental Health Foundation campaigns around a specific topic. This year the week will fall from 11-17 May and will be on the theme of mindfulness.

News update: The importance of managing occupational safety and health (OSH) and in particular psychosocial risks and stress in the workplace was demonstrated in the sharing of good practices. A two-day benchmarking event for Official Campaign Partners of the Healthy Workplaces Campaign was organised by the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA). For further details, see the event summary.