PHYD and Il Prisma, Italy
Belgium – Civil servants in Belgium have gained a new legal protection: the right to not reply to work calls, emails, or messages outside of normal working hours.
The ‘right to disconnect’ will impact 65,000 workers in Belgium and is intended to stave off excessive strain and burnout in the traditionally overworked public sector. During the pandemic, workers across the world saw work expand into their home and leisure time, and as wellbeing declined in the face of constant connectivity, governments have renewed efforts to foster balance. Portugal and Ireland have recently passed similar legislation.
Pre-pandemic, we highlighted the growing importance of flexibility in all aspects of life, showing how stoic attitudes towards work and time management may be detrimental to both productivity and wellbeing. Today, this trend has magnified and conversations around our collective relationship to work, happiness and welfare are central to policy-making.
London – The British department store is launching a wellbeing initiative called Superself to help clients rest and rejuvenate while shopping. With a range of events, experiences and activations, the project offers customers a chance to merge their self-care routines with their shopping ones.
Launching this February, the project will combine online and offline wellbeing activations. Customers in store will have the chance to unwind in calming sensory pods designed by immersive reality company Sensiks, equipped with virtual reality headsets, soothing voice activation and climate control. The pods aim to improve moods, reduce stress, and benefit physical health.
Expanding the definition of retail therapy, the store is also partnering with London-based women's charity The Stack World to offer customers breathwork workshops, confidence coaching, and sex therapy sessions. Offline, clients will have a chance to listen to a new wellbeing podcast as well as shop a range of mood-boosting vitamins and incense sticks.
Taking a fresh approach to Contemplative Stores, Selfridges is prioritising customer wellbeing by offering educational resources and workshops that will help people mental health solutions on-the-go.
SUPERSELF by Selfridges, UK
