The pressure of an increasingly demanding work culture in the UK is perhaps the biggest and most pressing challenge to the mental health of the general population.
The cumulative effect of increased working hours is having an important effect on the lifestyle of a huge number of people, which is likely to prove damaging to their mental well-being. The Mental Health Foundation is concerned that a sizeable group of people are neglecting the factors in their lives that make them resistant or resilient to mental health problems.
Long work hours are a given in our industry, and also glorified in our culture. It makes it even more important for us to be tuned into ourselves and our needs.
My question to you, chef, is this: do you know what supports your own mental or physical wellbeing?
(Quote sourced from the Mental Health Foundation).