As we finally move on from the long, cold start to the year, dark commutes, the seemingly endless wait until payday, and weather that never quite lived up to a proper winter (with one Cornish village enduring an impressively damp 55-day streak of rain), the mood in the office has definitely started to lift.
The evenings are stretching out, the clocks have just jumped forward, and in the ever-sunny Leicester office we even saw temperatures hit a positively tropical 20°C.
It’s fair to say… spring has arrived.
Why this time of year matters more than we think
That lift in mood isn’t just coincidence.
As awareness of mental wellbeing has grown, so too has recognition of how tough the period between Christmas and Easter can be. Post-holiday finances, darker days and colder weather all combine to make this stretch of the year feel particularly challenging.
For some, this goes beyond just feeling a bit low. Conditions such as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) can have a real impact, affecting mood, energy levels, productivity and overall wellbeing.
Left unchecked, this can create a cycle that carries on well beyond the winter months.
While longer days, warmer weather and (of course) a bit of chocolate at Easter can help lift spirits, it does raise an important question:
Is there more we can be doing to support wellbeing throughout the year?
The Role of Employee Benefits
As awareness around mental health has increased, the insurance and Employee Benefits market has evolved alongside it.
Today, many Group Risk benefits, such as Group Life Assurance and Group Income Protection, include Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs) as standard.
These often provide:
- 24/7 mental health helplines
- Access to structured support
- Telephone or video consultations
At the same time, Private Medical Insurance providers have significantly enhanced their mental health offerings, with improved access and clearer pathways to support.
For employers, this means there are now more ways than ever to support the wellbeing of their teams, not just physically, but mentally too.
A good time to take stock
Even as we move into brighter, longer days, mental wellbeing remains an important part of everyday life.
Spring is often seen as a time for a reset, and that can apply to wellbeing just as much as anything else.
If you’re unsure what support is available, it’s worth checking what Employee Benefits you already have access to through your employer.
And for businesses, it’s a good opportunity to consider whether your current benefits offering is doing enough to support your people.
How we can help
At Clear Employee Benefits, we work with businesses to put the right support in place for their teams, including access to mental health resources when they’re needed most.
If you’d like to review your current benefits or explore what more you could offer your employees, feel free to get in touch.
