Mental Health at Work

15 Ideas for Random Acts of Kindness at Work

15 Ideas for Random Acts of Kindness at Work

This year, Random Acts of Kindness Day lands on 17th February, a key time of year to encourage us all to celebrate the many ways we can be kind to ourselves and influence positivity in the lives of others.

Life can sometimes feel weighed down with challenges, though there’s also immense beauty to recognise - particularly during these times of global economic uncertainty, it’s more important than ever to remind ourselves to be kind to one another and to give others hope. A small, random act of kindness really can go a long way, and make a big impact in someone’s day.

In the lead up to this awareness day, and in recognition of all the work we do at Calmer to support entrepreneurs, freelancers and business teams, guest writer Rebecca Leigh shares 15 ideas for random acts of kindness at work.

Out of Office: 5 Tips for your Mental Wellbeing

Out of Office: 5 Tips for your Mental Wellbeing

One of the main consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic amongst office workers is the shift in working habits. Continuous lockdowns taught us that working from home was not only possible, but often a more convenient and productive way for workers to get the job done.

As a result, vast numbers of people have remained at home instead of returning to the office, and working from home has become a normality for many of us.

This week, guest writer Rosie Buckley shares five tips to support your mental health and wellbeing in this ever-evolving world of flexible working.

A non-work alternative to men’s burnout

A non-work alternative to men’s burnout

Burnout, as we are slowly becoming collectively aware, is a condition typically associated with workplace stress that has become unmanageable. Its common effects - such as cynicism, exhaustion, reduced efficacy - were formally defined by the World Health Organisation (WHO) back in 2019, and they are felt by all types of individuals - regardless of age, gender, race, or any other demographic qualifier.

However, burnout’s causes are not the same for everyone. At the most granular level, each individual’s case of burnout is the unique result of their beliefs, life experiences, personality, cultural upbringing, and thousands upon thousands of decisions made over periods of years. Yet, if we look for generalised trends, we can see common causes when it comes to burnout among various groups of people.

In this guest blog post, Jim Young breaks down barriers to open up more meaningful conversations on men’s burnout, and identifies how “expansive intimacy” can help to be an alternative.

5 desk stretches to relieve tension at work

5 desk stretches to relieve tension at work

If you’re among the population of workers who spend most of the workday sitting at a desk, it’s likely you’ll experience tension and discomfort from time to time. While it’d be idealt for us all to have several breaks in our day to go for a walk or do some yoga, that’s not always possible depending on our circumstances.

As widely recommended, it’s important to take regular standing breaks to increase blood flow to the legs, and you also don’t have to leave your desk to relax your muscles and relieve tension. Desk stretches are a great way to prevent disruptions to your workflow when on the clock, while still practising self-care.

In this special guest blog post, Luke Strauss shares 5 different stretches you can do at the comfort of your desk to help with relieving tension whilst at work.

The importance of empathy in the workplace

The importance of empathy in the workplace

When it comes to empathy, many of us tend to view this as a soft skill. However, it can be an incredibly important talent to possess in the workplace.

Managers are likely to gain much clarity from observing their team’s emotions whilst at work. Introducing empathy can assist with resolving problems, as well as strengthen relations with colleagues and clients. Most of us are only taught practical and technical skills, however it seems that when it comes to interpersonal skills, we may have missed a trick.

In this special guest blog, Kayleigh Frost explores how empathy is defined in the workplace, and why it’s such an important personality trait to have for your staff and your business.