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Hello and welcome to the Fire on the Hill Wellbeing Digest for October, bringing you the latest stories on workplace mental health and employee wellbeing. In this edition, we discuss three recent trends: a TikTok-driven experiment known as “rejection therapy”; a new study on the surprising physical benefits of appreciating art; and new data on the rising toll of stress-related sick days.
Saying yes to embracing “no”
“Rejection therapy” is a recent social media trend where people deliberately seek out the discomfort of rejection to become less afraid of it. Originating as a self-help game, it went viral on TikTok. Posts with the hashtag #rejectiontherapy have more than 98 million views. Clips include creators doing things such as asking to take a nap on display furniture or requesting a free dress, simply to experience being told “no”. Some even surprise themselves with what they’re capable of – one TikToker applied for a dream marketing job for which she was under-qualified. When she got the job offer anyway, her takeaway was: “If you wanna do something, apply!”.
The idea is similar to exposure therapy: people report becoming braver about taking risks after experiencing repeated rejections and living to tell the tale. Advocates say it helps build a healthy tolerance for rejection, preventing fear from holding people back. Fear of failure is a common obstacle to progression for many. Accepting that you will be told ‘no’ more often is a useful way of developing soft skills. It shows us that the worst that can happen when we ask is usually just another ordinary day, so why not ask? In a work context, this could translate into bolder pitches, more open communication and increased confidence in asking for support.
Painting a positive outlook
New research shows that viewing art can reduce stress and calm the body. In a recent study by King’s College London, volunteers spent 30 minutes viewing original artworks in a gallery. The results were striking: on average, the volunteers’ cortisol levels dropped by around 22 per cent, compared to an average drop of just eight per cent in a control group who viewed printed reproductions. Meanwhile, markers of inflammation fell by around 30 per cent during the gallery visit, but remained unchanged in the reproduction group.
The group viewing original art also showed higher heart-rate variability, suggesting increased engagement. As study co-author Dr Tony Woods puts it, viewing art “doesn’t just move us emotionally; it calms the body, too”.
In practical terms, this means that art activates multiple bodily systems – the endocrine, immune and autonomic systems, for example – in a positive way. For employers, encouraging visits to museums or galleries, hanging original art in office spaces or sponsoring cultural outings could boost morale and have a measurable impact on employee wellbeing.
A gallery trip provides an opportunity for a mindful, screen-free break and demonstrates how cultural experiences can serve as wellness initiatives. For London-based readers, our office manager recommends the new Emily Kam Kngwarray exhibition at Tate Modern.
Stress-related sick leave on the rise
Rising stress and mental health issues are taking a measurable toll on businesses. In a recent CIPD survey, UK employees averaged 9.4 sick days over 12 months – nearly two working weeks – which is a steep jump from 5.8 days prior to the pandemic. Mental illness is now the number one cause of long-term absence, cited by 41 per cent of employers. This aligns with national figures: according to the Mental Health Foundation, an estimated 875,000 British workers experienced work-related stress, depression, or anxiety in 2022–23, resulting in approximately 17.1 million lost workdays. The Mental Health Foundation also notes that poor mental wellbeing costs UK employers an astonishing £42–45 billion a year.
Certain professions feel this strain more than others. The PR and communications industry continues to experience particularly high stress: a recent audit by CIPR/PRCA found 91 per cent of PR pros reported poor mental health in its more recent Workplace Mental Wellbeing Audit.
So, how can business leaders take steps to mitigate such issues? The CIPD recommends that leaders respond proactively by reducing workloads where possible, providing mental health training and offering flexible hours and easily accessible counselling services. A supportive culture that adjusts for those with long-term health issues can improve engagement and performance. Targeted interventions and early support can be highly effective.
