Mental Health Awareness Month: What Actually Helps at Work
May is Mental Health Awareness Month — a chance to open up conversations, raise awareness, and more importantly, look at what actually supports wellbeing in the workplace.
At Pamper Puff, we’ve seen first-hand how small, thoughtful moments during the workday can make a big difference. People don’t need perfection. They need space to breathe, feel cared for, and reconnect with themselves. That’s where real support starts.
Mental Health at Work: Why It Matters
Mental health challenges are more common than many realise. According to the Mental Health Foundation, one in six UK workers experiences a mental health issue each week, with stress, burnout, and anxiety on the rise across all industries.
The impact is real. UK businesses lose an estimated £45 billion every year due to mental health-related absenteeism, presenteeism, and staff turnover (Deloitte, 2022).
Mental Health Awareness Month is a chance to move beyond policy and start creating everyday moments of calm, care and connection — in ways that actually feel good.
What Helps — And Why It Works
Supporting mental wellbeing doesn’t need to involve big programmes or overwhelming strategies. Sometimes it’s the smallest gestures that are the most effective. Here are five simple practices that really work — based on both research and our experience working with teams across the UK.
1. Restorative Breaks
Short breaks during the day help the body reset and the mind refocus. Whether it’s ten minutes of stillness, a guided meditation or a moment away from the screen, these pauses reduce stress and improve concentration.
Studies from the University of Illinois have shown that regular breaks can enhance productivity and mental clarity. In our sessions, we often hear people say they feel “lighter” and “more focused” — even after just 15 minutes of quiet.
2. Supportive Human Touch
Therapeutic touch, like a chair massage or hand treatment, has been shown to reduce cortisol, improve circulation, and provide a sense of calm and grounding. In busy environments, this kind of care is often missing — but deeply needed.
A Touch Research Institute study found that massage therapy reduces anxiety, increases alertness, and boosts mood. We see it daily: people visibly soften after receiving support through touch.
3. Creative Expression
Art-making allows people to switch off the thinking mind and access a different kind of calm. It’s not about being good at art — it’s about letting the nervous system settle.
A 2020 study in Frontiers in Psychology found that 45 minutes of art-making lowered cortisol levels significantly. In our workshops, people often report feeling more connected to themselves and more at ease with their colleagues afterwards.
4. Mindful Movement
Movement practices like yoga and pilates combine physical release with mental regulation. These practices support posture, reduce tension, and bring people back into their bodies.
According to Harvard Medical School, yoga can reduce anxiety and improve mood, especially when breath is integrated. In our lunchtime sessions, we often see that just one class can shift the atmosphere of an entire office.
5. Shared, Feel-Good Experiences
Sometimes, the most powerful support comes from feeling part of something. A shared moment — whether relaxing, creative or celebratory — reminds people they are not alone.
Gallup research shows that people with strong social connections at work are more engaged, less stressed, and more likely to stay in their roles. From creative workshops to wine and cheese tastings, we see how laughter, presence and connection support both morale and mental health.
How We Can Help
At Pamper Puff, we bring these moments into the workplace. Our services are designed to support wellbeing in a way that feels natural, enjoyable and restorative — especially during busy periods.
We offer:
On-site manicures to create moments of care and confidence
Chair massages to reduce stress and ease physical tension
Yoga, pilates and meditation sessions that reset the body and mind
Art therapy and creativity workshops for emotional release and team bonding
Wellbeing talks and group experiences tailored to your team’s needs
Wine & cheese tastings to bring a little joy and connection to your calendar
If you're looking to mark Mental Health Awareness Month or start building longer-term wellbeing into your workplace culture, we’re here to support you.