“Seeing your own successes in Firstbeat Life motivates you to continue”

“It’s nice to be able to take a Firstbeat Life measurement whenever you want and for the length of time you want. Next, I’m going to measure all five days and see the impact of my exercise depending on what time of day I exercise.” – Anoora Kosunen, Benefit manager.

“The measurement has opened my eyes, among other things, to how sleep should be obtained. While falling asleep on the couch by the TV may feel sweet at the moment, it is not very restorative, at least for me.” – Anne Rautu, Marketing Manager.

In many cases, the coronavirus pandemic meant the loss of customers or even the closure of the entire business, but in Finland’s largest unemployment fund, the JRC, it was reflected in a completely different way. Subsistence allowance applications and new members came in at an unprecedented rate and even though a hundred new employees were hired, all hands on deck felt by no means enough in the busiest times.

“When the worst turmoil was going on, work was done 24/7. Yes, it was felt in the body – and was visible in the Firstbeat Life measurement. The total score dropped rapidly, ”says Anne Rautu, the JRC’s Marketing Manager.

Fortunately, Anne, like many of his colleagues, had already made one measurement with Firstbeat before the rush brought by the coronavirus pandemic, so they already had an idea of ​​their own baseline against which they could then compare the data of an “insanely busy work week”.

“I realized that the first measurement is the starting level that helps a little to see what things are worth paying attention to – but its the following measurements that really start to tell you which direction to go and what is happening in everyday life,” Anne says.

The last year has been a tough one for Finland’s largest unemployment fund at the JRC. Fortunately, Anne Rautu, Marketing Manager, has occasionally been able to find her escapes.

Fortunately, Anne also got access to the Firstbeat Life service, which allows her to take measurements as often as she wants. There are plans to test and measure different time periods and ways to spend time.

“A typical day, a normal weekend, a little more of a unique weekend… It’s good when you don’t have to ‘save’ or ‘optimize’ measurement days, but can live quite normally and measure whenever you feel like it,” she explains.

“Seeing the right choices in measurement results helps to commit to them”

Anne has already gained a lot of insights from Firstbeat Life’s measurement data about what things affect your own sleep and recovery and how they could be improved. However, she honestly acknowledges that there is still work to be done in terms of practical implementation.

“I know how to act. For example, I should take a break from work and relax in the evenings…but it still doesn’t get done enough. However, I believe that awareness is already the first step. And when I see even small positive changes in the measurement data, it will definitely encourage me to do more,” Anne states.

Her colleague, benefit manager Anoora Kosunen, is a good example of this. Anoora’s Firstbeat measurements have been on an upward trajectory, which has boosted motivation.

“My original Firstbeat Life measurement showed I had challenges with stress and sleep. I started to increase exercise and found a suitable diet. This has been reflected in the following measurements, which has motivated us even more,” says Anoora. And she also rejoices at the unlimited measurement possibilities possible in the Firstbeat Life service.

“Seeing the benefits of your right choices in the measurement results encourages and helps you stay in those choices. It makes sense to measure often so that you can see new things from everyday life again,” she says.

Anoora Kosunen’s measurement results have been improving, the total well-being scores have risen steadily, which has inspired her even more.

However, Anoora reminds us that it is not a question of any shocking changes in life, but of small changes introduced in everyday life.

“I don’t think I’ve made any big changes or thought about these things an awful lot. The changes have taken place a little subconsciously, and then the measurement results only give me a real idea of ​​how anything has really had a positive effect on the body and endurance.”

Anoora Kosunen knows that (remote) working days are not always easy, but even small deeds make them much more comfortable, such as adding small outdoor moments or taking care of regular eating.

“Firstbeat Life lets employers know what their employees need”

Both Anne and Anoora seem pleased that the employer has wanted to offer them the opportunity to monitor their own well-being with the help of Firstbeat.

“Well-being at work is affected by everything you do in your free time – and vice versa: working days affect your endurance. I think it is really good to have the opportunity for a service that takes well-being into account,” says Anoora.”I think that there is a place for various measures in well-being at work: sometimes it’s nice to just go for a refreshment among co-workers, but in the long run, such a service gives a lot to yourself – and certainly to the organization.”

Anne, on the other hand, reflects and believes that the employer can use the anonymous group data they receive for the benefit of the employees.

“It also helps the employer to know better what employees need: whether there is more need to, for example, increase exercise or invest in sleep. Based on this, it is certain to make choices and target correctly.”

Do you want to help your employees find a better balance between stress and recovery and lead well-being at work with knowledge?