In Norway, we put health on the agenda – and it truly made a difference

Feeling good at work should be a given. But in the middle of deadlines, meetings and everything that needs to get done, it’s easy to forget. That’s why it was so valuable to be a sponsor at an event where this was the main focus: health in working life, especially women’s health. It turned into a day filled with energy, care and important conversations. People from different industries came together, not just to listen but to actually talk about how we’re doing. What needs to improve. And how we can create change together.

A step out – with the same heart For us at Wellr, it wasn’t just a meaningful event. It was also an important step in our journey. Norway is one of the first markets we’re entering as we grow, discover new contexts and spread our way of thinking about health in working life. And it feels exactly right. Because whether we’re in Oslo or Östersund, at the core it’s about the same thing – creating workplaces where people can truly feel well.

Small words that make a big difference One of the things that stuck with us was something the speaker Paal Sprakehaug said: “Just the fact that others know that you know makes a difference as a leader.” You don’t need perfect solutions. Often it’s enough to show that you see, that you listen and that you care. That’s how conversations start. And it’s in those conversations that change begins to take off.

When someone dares to be honest Several participants shared their own experiences. About feeling unseen. About carrying things in silence. And about how much it means when someone asks: “How are you really doing?” It became so clear how powerful it is to dare to be open. When one person puts difficult things into words, it opens the door for others to do the same. It creates a sense of safety. And it builds workplaces where people don’t just function, but actually feel good.

A room filled with determination But what perhaps made the strongest impression was the feeling in the room. There was a clear sense of intent. No passive audience, but people who wanted to make a difference. For real. For us at Wellr, it was an obvious choice to be part of this initiative. We believe in workplaces where health is not something on the side, but a natural part of everyday life. Where leadership is more about presence and courage than perfect answers.

This was only the beginning What we experienced in Norway was more than an event. It was a sign that something is starting to happen. A movement where more and more people are beginning to understand that health is not something that just happens. It’s something we create together.