’Tis the season to be jolly …so let’s avoid the festive folly ! As we dive into the festive season, so we dive into the magical mix of #stress, Christmas parties, and the not-so-magical consequences of one too many festive beverages! Picture the office Christmas bash – set meal, open bar, Christmas playlist serenading in the background, and promises of not talking about work . It’s all about letting our hair down (metaphorically), letting go of our #stress and embracing the holiday spirit (metaphorically and literally). A glass of holiday cheer can be just what we need to get the party started ..read more

Workplace stress has become “endemic in the post pandemic world.” The Health and Safety Executive defines work-related stress as “the adverse reaction people have to excessive pressures or other types of demand placed on them at work.”  The latest estimates from the Labour Force Survey show that stress, depression, or anxiety account for 50% of all work-related ill health cases. In general, the rates are significantly higher among female workers as well as medium and large businesses. Furthermore, they have been compounded by the coronavirus pandemic. The main causes of job-related stre ..read more

Question: What ONE emotion can all these behaviours signal? Laughing Covering your face Yawning Changing the subject Smiling Being passive Getting angry Avoiding eye contact Talking excessively ? Answer: FEAR When we’re afraid: Laughing can make the situation more ‘bearable’. Covering your face can alleviate feelings of being exposed. Yawning can project nonchalance or brings the situation to a close. Changing the subject can shut the conversation/situation down. Smiling can be another attempt at denying the situation, like laughing. Being passive can be an attempt to disown th ..read more

All negative emotions are caused by RESISTANCE. When we feel angry, depressed, discouraged, fearful, or stressed we focus on justifying the situation we are in: I’m angry because… I was just blamed for something that wasn’t my responsibility I’m depressed because… it doesn’t seem to matter how hard I work, it is rarely appreciated I’m discouraged because… I received negative feedback about a project I worked very hard on I’m fearful because… it’s clear that my line manager doesn’t like me I’m stressed because… I’m overwhelmed by my workload Resistance is caused by feelings, thoughts, and be ..read more

I’ve been climbing the walls lately! For lots of reasons in all fairness, but on a literal level, because I go bouldering. Bouldering is one of the things I do to challenge myself, to take me out of my comfort zone . And let me tell you, it works . Sometimes I am jubilant in my adrenalin-spiked successes , while more often than not, I’m defeated by holds that don’t seem to hold me and reaches that seem beyond my reach . What’s been interesting is to observe is how I react to those defeats . Primarily, I would NEVER speak to anyone else in the way that I speak to myself in my mind. I have a lo ..read more

Life can be full of ups and downs, and sometimes the #stresses and #challenges we face can seem overwhelming. This beautiful snowdrop, with its elegant petals and subtle markings, serves as a reminder that #resilience is ingrained in the fabric of life. Despite their delicate and fragile appearance, they have evolved unique #adaptations to #survive and #thrive in challenging conditions. Snowdrops often emerge through snow or frozen ground because they are highly adapted to withstand freezing temperatures. Their leaves contain specialised antifreeze proteins that prevent ice crystal formation ..read more

Do you consider both sides of the coin? Imagine the joys of the open road and the freedom of the journey. What about the risks of the unpredictable nature of driving? The fun of getting to know someone new and finding your own individual “happily ever after”! Are there any potential red flags? Reaping the rewards of a potentially lucrative return on investment. Have I forgotten the risk of a potential loss? Experiencing novel cultures and sights and creating lasting memories. What cautions do I need to be aware of in unfamiliar places? According to Abraham Hicks, every subject is two subjects ..read more

Anger is a feeling NOT a behaviour. Anger isn’t negative. It’s a feeling. Feelings aren’t positive or negative. They just are. Anger is a signpost. It tells us to pay attention because something needs attention – a problem, an issue, a concern. It’s there to guide us. Anger is a finely tuned survival mechanism. It’s the fight part of fight-flight. It is designed to unleash unused reservoirs of power. It is adaptive. So the next time you feel angry, pay attention to what needs to change then channel your energies into making the change …with kindness ..read more

How do businesses maintain a culture of emotional wellbeing without sacrificing productivity? Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the demand for mental health expertise by all business sectors has never been higher from leaders wanting to know how to help employees stay and do well. Here are a few ways in which businesses can show employees they matter, and their emotional wellbeing is important: Build a high-trust culture to help employees feel seen and heard. Trust employees to self-regulate and get their work done efficiently without micromanaging their time. Acknowledge that emotional we ..read more

Do you struggle to express your feelings? If so, here are some reasons why: The British culture prides itself in maintaining a ‘stiff upper lip’. We like to ‘grin and bear it’ and ‘keep calm and carry on’. Most of us are not taught HOW to express our feelings so don’t have the vocabulary. Many of us were taught NOT to. We prioritise what we THINK  over how we feel. We’re taught that feelings aren’t productive and there isn’t really a place for them, so we get used to shutting them down and ignoring them. Expressing our feelings can make us feel VULNERABLE . We worry what othe ..read more