Blue Monday: Interview with Steph Hind, Co-Founder of Heka

PA Life’s feature writer interviewed Steph Hind, the Co-Founder of Heka, a platform designed to help all manner of organisations service their employees with flexible, tailored benefits across thousands of choices, ensuring that employees have access to the support offerings they need, no matter their personal or professional goals. We explored the topic of ‘Blue Monday’ with Hind, who shared her perspective and top tips for navigating this challenging day as well as the wider issues affecting our mental wellbeing in general.   

Blue Monday typically falls on the third Monday of January and is often dubbed the “most depressing day of the year.” Coined in 2005, the concept of Blue Monday is based on a combination of factors. The most common contributors to many feeling ‘blue’ include post holiday financial strain, dark winter days and the New Year’s resolutions you vowed to stick to, starting to slip away.

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Hind highlighted how closely employee wellness is tied to business success, pointing out that creating a positive work environment is a key part of any job. She explains, “When employees feel happy and supported, they thrive and do their best work.” Prioritising wellness doesn’t just help the employees—it also benefits the company by reducing sick days, increasing productivity, and helping retain staff for the long run.

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You don’t need to have it all at once

Steph Hind, who shared her ‘CEO secrets’ with the BBC back in 2021, discussed how you can run a business and raise children. Hind openly expressed the struggles with PA Life, how it’s simply not possible to have everything at once. But does note that “this does not mean you cant have it all over a period of time.” It is all about being realistic, we don’t need to be super humans and have it all at once.” She also shares that Heka provides organisations with access to over 25,000 unique wellbeing experiences, services, and products tailored to improve employee happiness and engagement. Using AI positively to tailor each personal experience, improving all ages and work life balance.