Workplace Wellbeing and Stress Management

What would change in your business if your employees weren't carrying so much stress?

Imagine your team arriving at work feeling ready for the day, rather than already mentally exhausted by everything ahead.

Imagine employees who can deal with a demanding customer, an unexpected problem or a looming deadline without feeling completely overwhelmed.

People who finish their working day and actually enjoy their evening, rather than spending it thinking about tomorrow.

And imagine having a team that feels genuinely supported, valued and appreciated.

What difference could that make to your business?

Because when employees have the opportunity to feel calmer, clearer and more confident, they may find it easier to manage the everyday demands of their working lives.

And that can have a positive influence on the wider workplace.

At Phoenix Hypnotherapy, I help businesses in Cheltenham, Gloucester and across Gloucestershire support their employees through practical workplace wellbeing and stress release sessions.

Whether you're looking for a one-off wellbeing experience or regular support for your team, my sessions are designed to fit around the needs of your business.

What is workplace stress really costing your business?

Not every cost appears on a spreadsheet.

Sometimes it's the employee struggling to concentrate after another sleepless night. The confident colleague who's started questioning every decision. Or the valued team member who eventually needs time away from work.

And the national figures tell an interesting story.

22.1 MILLION working days lost to work-related stress, depression or anxiety in Great Britain during 2024/25.

52% of work-related ill health cases involved stress, depression or anxiety.

9.4 DAYS of sickness absence per employee, on average, according to the CIPD's 2025 survey. This includes absence for all health reasons, not just stress.

Sources: Health and Safety Executive, 2024/25; CIPD Health and Wellbeing at Work, 2025.

Health and Safety Executive, work-related ill health statistics.

But behind every statistic is a person. And behind those people are businesses trying to keep everything running.

What difference could it make if your employees felt calmer, more confident and better supported?

That's where a thoughtful workplace wellbeing programme can play a part.

The CIPD's 2025 Health and Wellbeing at Work report also recorded an average of 9.4 days of sickness absence per employee annually among the organisations surveyed, across all causes of absence.

These figures highlight why employee wellbeing deserves serious attention.

Of course, no relaxation session can remove unrealistic workloads or solve every workplace problem.

Employers also need to address the organisational factors that contribute to work-related stress.

But offering employees practical opportunities to relax and manage everyday pressures can be a useful part of a wider wellbeing strategy.

How can workplace stress management sessions help employees feel better?

Imagine an employee arriving at a session with a mind full of unfinished tasks.

Their shoulders feel tense. Their thoughts are constantly jumping ahead. Even sitting quietly feels unfamiliar.

Then, for a little while, there's nothing they need to solve, organise or remember.

They have an opportunity to settle their thoughts, relax their body and experience a little mental breathing space.

They might leave feeling lighter, calmer and more settled.

Perhaps they return to their work with a clearer perspective.

Perhaps they discover that they can pause without feeling guilty about everything still waiting for them.

And perhaps they begin to recognise that feeling stressed doesn't have to mean remaining in that state for the rest of the day.

That's the experience I want to make available to your employees.

Through guided relaxation and hypnotherapy techniques, sessions encourage employees to develop greater awareness of their responses to everyday stress and discover practical ways to relax.

Everyone responds differently, and results cannot be guaranteed. However, giving people opportunities to practise relaxation can be a valuable addition to their wellbeing routines.

What are the benefits of workplace wellbeing sessions for employers?

When employees feel supported, it can make a meaningful difference to their experience of work.

And supporting your employees doesn't have to mean organising an expensive away day or introducing another complicated programme.

Sometimes, a relatively small investment of time can give people an opportunity to reconnect with themselves and practise techniques they can use beyond the session.

Workplace wellbeing sessions can help your business:

• Give employees practical opportunities to relax and manage everyday stress.

• Demonstrate that employee wellbeing is taken seriously.

• Encourage healthier responses to everyday workplace pressures.

• Provide a shared wellbeing experience that staff can enjoy together.

• Complement your existing employee benefits and mental health support.

• Offer regular opportunities for staff to pause and develop relaxation skills.

For employers concerned about sickness absence, staff morale, engagement and retention, wellbeing activities can form part of a broader approach to supporting employees.

Imagine a workplace where employees feel better supported and more confident about managing the pressures they face.

What workplace wellbeing sessions can businesses arrange?

Every business operates differently, and what works for an office-based team may not work for a busy retail environment.

That's why I offer flexible workplace wellbeing sessions to suit your organisation.

Online or on site group relaxation sessions

Bring a little calm directly into your workplace.

Employees are guided through a relaxing group experience, providing an opportunity to switch their attention away from daily demands and enjoy some time for themselves.

These sessions are suitable for office teams, professional services firms, staff wellbeing days and organisations wanting to provide a regular wellbeing activity.

Short stress release sessions for retail and shift workers

Not every business can release 20 or 30 employees from their duties at the same time.

For retailers, customer-facing teams and shift-based organisations, I can offer shorter group sessions arranged around your operational requirements.

This allows employees to participate in smaller groups while your business continues to function.

Monthly corporate wellbeing sessions

Imagine giving your employees a regular opportunity to relax and develop a calmer response to everyday pressures.

Monthly sessions can include different themes, such as stress release, overthinking, confidence, self-belief and relaxation.

Sessions can be delivered online through Zoom or at your premises by arrangement.

Tailored workplace wellbeing programmes

For employers wanting something more individual to their organisation, we can discuss a programme that reflects the particular pressures their teams experience.

Whether you're looking for a one-off session, quarterly wellbeing experiences or an ongoing monthly programme, we can explore a suitable arrangement.

Why choose Phoenix Hypnotherapy for employee wellbeing in Gloucestershire?

I'm Lesley Ford, an award-winning Clinical Hypnotherapist specialising in anxiety, stress, emotional wellbeing and confidence.

I've worked as a therapist since 2005 and bring together experience in hypnotherapy, NLP, EFT and coaching.

I'm registered with the General Hypnotherapy Council and have received multiple awards recognising my work in clinical hypnotherapy and emotional wellbeing.

My approach is warm, practical and focused on helping people experience a different way of responding to thoughts, feelings and everyday situations.

I understand that businesses need wellbeing activities that are easy to organise, professional and respectful of employees' time.

Most importantly, I want employees to have an experience that feels genuinely beneficial to them, rather than another activity they're expected to attend.

Where can I arrange workplace wellbeing sessions in Cheltenham and Gloucester?

Phoenix Hypnotherapy provides workplace wellbeing and stress management sessions across Cheltenham, Gloucester and surrounding Gloucestershire areas, including Tewkesbury, Cirencester and the wider Cotswolds.

Sessions can be arranged at your business premises where suitable facilities are available.

Online corporate wellbeing programmes are also available throughout the UK.

Whether you employ five people or several hundred, we can discuss a format that suits your team and your business.

Frequently asked questions about workplace wellbeing

How can employers help employees manage workplace stress?

Employers can support staff by addressing workplace stress risks, managing workloads appropriately, encouraging open communication and providing suitable wellbeing resources.

Practical relaxation and stress management sessions can complement these measures by giving employees opportunities to develop helpful ways of managing everyday pressures.

Enquire about Corporate Wellbeing

Can workplace wellbeing programmes reduce sickness absence?

Effective workplace wellbeing strategies may support employee health and attendance, particularly when they address the underlying causes of work-related stress.

However, relaxation sessions alone cannot be guaranteed to reduce sickness absence. They are best used alongside appropriate workplace policies and organisational support.

What happens during a workplace stress release session?

Employees take part in a guided relaxation experience designed to encourage physical and mental calm.

I use relaxation and hypnotherapy techniques, explaining the process beforehand so everyone understands what to expect.

Nobody is required to discuss private matters or share personal experiences with colleagues.

Participation is always voluntary.

Can workplace relaxation sessions improve employee focus and confidence?

Relaxation may help some employees feel calmer and more mentally settled, which can support their experience of everyday tasks.

Regular sessions can also explore confidence, overthinking and responses to stressful situations.

Individual experiences and outcomes vary.

How long does a corporate wellbeing session last?

Sessions can be adapted to your organisation.

Short introductory experiences may last approximately 20 minutes, while regular group wellbeing sessions can be arranged for longer periods.

The duration is agreed in advance.

Can workplace wellbeing sessions fit around retail shifts and busy schedules?

Yes. Sessions can be arranged for smaller groups at different times, allowing businesses to plan around staffing and operational needs.

This can be particularly useful for retailers, customer service teams and organisations working across different shifts.

How many employees can attend a group relaxation session?

I can work with small or larger groups, depending on the available space, session format and needs of the organisation.

For larger teams, multiple sessions can be arranged.

Do employees need to know anything about hypnotherapy beforehand?

No previous experience is needed.

I explain what happens, answer questions and ensure employees understand that they remain in control throughout the session.

How much do corporate wellbeing sessions cost?

Prices depend on the length of the session, number of employees, location and whether you require a single session or an ongoing programme.

Please contact me for a tailored quotation.

Can an employer pay for individual hypnotherapy sessions for an employee?

Yes. Businesses can arrange to fund individual sessions as part of their employee wellbeing provision.

Sessions are confidential, with therapeutic information not shared with the employer without the employee's appropriate consent, except where disclosure is legally required or necessary for safeguarding.

The number of sessions and funding arrangements can be agreed in advance.

Could your team benefit from feeling calmer, clearer and more confident?

You don't have to wait until workplace stress becomes a bigger problem before giving your employees an opportunity to look after their wellbeing.

Whether you're exploring a new employee benefit or looking for something different to complement your existing wellbeing programme, I'd welcome the opportunity to discuss what could work for your business.

Let's explore how Phoenix Hypnotherapy could help you create a calmer, more supportive workplace.

Contact Lesley Ford, Clinical Hypnotherapist.

Telephone: 07376 622015

Enquire about Corporate Wellbeing

Corporate wellbeing sessions available in Cheltenham, Gloucester, across Gloucestershire and online throughout the UK.