NHS Trust’s Wellbeing Sessions Help Reduce NHS Staff Stress Levels

Wellbeing sessions for NHS staff have led to a significant drop in stress levels, with 96% of participants reporting lower stress and better sleep after taking part.

The sessions, which focus on functional breathwork and movement, will be recognised at the Working Well Conference and Awards 2025, taking place on Tuesday 14th October at the Royal Cornwall Showground in Wadebridge.

Celebrating Workplace Wellbeing

The awards highlight the importance of health and wellbeing in the workplace, showcasing best practice and inspirational success stories from across the region. They also celebrate people’s achievements in promoting better mental and physical health at work.

Revolutionary Breathwork Sessions

Mental health issues such as stress account for 25 to 27% of sickness absences across the NHS, which employs more than 1.5 million people. The Trust’s wellbeing sessions aim to improve these sickness rates by helping staff regulate their nervous systems and feel more grounded, even in high-pressure environments.

The four-week sessions are delivered both in person and online, allowing for instant stress relief during face-to-face classes and longer-lasting benefits through digital access. They blend breathwork, movement, and evidence-based behaviour change to help improve sleep, focus, and overall wellbeing.

Exploring the Benefits

Sports and exercise technician Lucy McCormick, who runs the sessions, was inspired to bring functional breathwork to her colleagues after seeing the benefits herself.

Lucy said:

“I looked into functional breathwork after experiencing a period of stress. I was interested in its benefits for sports performance. I found it effective for reducing stress and helping me to sleep better.

“I felt driven by the benefits. In 2023, I signed up to breathwork training. As a health and wellbeing champion, I thought it could help my colleagues.”

Functional breathwork uses nasal breathing and the diaphragm to promote proper breathing patterns. Reported benefits include improved physical health, better stress and anxiety management, enhanced sleep quality, and sharper mental focus.

Lucy added:

“We had great feedback from staff. They report feelings of calm, reduced stress, and improved focus. Many fell asleep during the sessions! It shows breathwork’s potential as a wellbeing tool.”

Speaking about the upcoming awards, Lucy said:

“We are excited that our breathwork and movement programme will be recognised at the Working Well Conference and Awards! We are looking forward to meeting others who are delivering inspiring workplace programmes.”