Security professionals who operate in high-risk, complex environments are entrusted with the critical task of safeguarding people and places – often under extreme pressure. When the stakes are this high and you’re out of your comfort zone, productive downtime becomes an essential factor in wellbeing and operational effectiveness.
Downtime is dedicated time to recharge the body and mind, to maintain physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. In particularly high-pressure operational environments, downtime is essential for security and risk management experts to prevent burnout, improve morale and build stronger connections, all of which foster resilience and operational excellence.
But what does effective downtime look like for private security professionals who are located in high-risk and challenging locations?
Creating opportunities for constructive downtime
It’s difficult to switch off when your day consists of complex, high-risk work and your regular routines are disrupted. It’s even more difficult when you’re stationed in a remote location, and you’re separated from friends and family.
In this context, ensuring physical and mental wellbeing requires creative and practical solutions that give structure to rest and recuperation. At Hart, we consider our people to be our most important asset. We believe it’s our moral duty to care for our staff and continuously look for ways to support their mental and physical wellbeing. As part of our Duty of Care, we work hard to provide opportunities for connecting, keeping fit and celebrating.
Building camaraderie through shared activities
Participating in group activities outside of work presents opportunities to strengthen friendships and nurture mutual support – particularly valuable in environments where teamwork is critical to success.
Encouraging staff to form a committee to organise social activities provides a healthy outlet for stress, while strengthening team spirit and human connection outside of work. Various shared downtime experiences, from social initiatives, to barbecues or games evenings, daily exercise groups and fitness challenges, can all contribute to a feeling of camaraderie and support.
For example, in Somalia, the Hart Nationwide team came together to plant trees. This initiative promoted environmental responsibility while also fostering a sense of collective achievement and providing an opportunity for team building and goodwill outside of work.
Hart Nationwide team members came together to participate in UN Environmental Day by planting trees.
Staying fit and active together
Exercise reduces the body’s stress hormones, such as adrenaline and cortisol, while releasing natural mood boosters, like endorphins. Incorporating exercise into daily routines can be transformative. Hart strives to provide access to facilities such as gyms, tracks, sports courts and indoor activity areas to give personnel opportunities to stay active and connect.
Friendly tournaments and team sports provide opportunities for fun and fitness.
During a sports week in 2024 in Baidoa, Somalia, the Hart team joined Ghanaian police units and the Ethiopian Defence Force to participate in volleyball, football, and track and field events. Creating opportunities for team sports events encourages collaboration, while providing a blend of physical fitness and fun.
Celebrating cultural milestones
Sharing and celebrating diverse cultural traditions can have a profound impact on team morale. They provide opportunities to connect, foster mutual respect and create a sense of belonging.
In October this year, Hart’s Nepalese guards celebrated the major Hindu festival Dussehra (or Dashain in Nepal) in Afghanistan, together with one of our humanitarian clients. Observing this festival reminded all involved of the importance of shared traditions and resilience, even in challenging environments.
Hart celebrated Dashain with our humanitarian clients, seizing an opportunity to come together and share traditions.
Celebrations like these promote unity and reinforce the human connections that underpin effective teamwork. They bring team members together to honour traditions and share cultural experiences – a reminder that sharing values and experiences builds more inclusive and cohesive teams that respect and celebrate differences.
The value of rest
While group team-building activities are valuable, rest itself cannot be overlooked.
In environments where teams live and work in close proximity, adequate rest is vital, not just for individual health but for overall team dynamics. Rest enables people to recover from mental and physical fatigue, improving focus, performance, and decision-making.
Focus on creating opportunities for team members to recharge in ways that suit their personal circumstances. Rotations of structured leave, for example, ensure personnel can step away to spend valuable time with loved ones, and return with a refreshed sense of purpose.
While on-location, rest can also take the form of solo downtime. For individuals in high-pressure roles, moments of solitude can help reset mental clarity and prevent burnout.
Providing resources for wellbeing
Downtime also provides a valuable opportunity to take care of mental health alongside physical and social needs.
Technological advances have made mental health support services easily accessible worldwide. Hart invests in TRiM (Trauma Risk Management) to prioritise mental health and wellbeing for all security personnel and support staff.
Hart’s Wellbeing and Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) provides online resources through BetterHelp or Mental Health First Aid, both of which offer day-to-day support following stressful or traumatic events, and remote counselling via call or text. Ensuring support is always within reach has significantly increased engagement and retention.
Smart downtime for rest, recovery and resilience
From creative initiatives to group sports, cultural celebrations, or solo rest time, downtime is essential for maintaining a strong, focused workforce. When our teams are supported, they deliver world-class security solutions, even in the most challenging conditions. This commitment to wellbeing is not just good practice, it’s how we continue to uphold our standards of excellence for our clients worldwide.
Hart International is a leading provider of private security solutions, specialising in complex and high-risk environments. Contact Hart International today for security you can rely on, with teams you can trust.