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Why we grieve

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Why we grieve

Anyone who has had to manage the impact of grief understands how profound it can be. As a society, we don’t always make room for grief, and this can be especially true in our workplaces. After bereavement leave (a time often swamped by administrative tasks and funeral planning), we are expected to return to work and carry on - but this is easier said than done. 

In fact, managing our emotions in the weeks and months after bereavement can be so difficult that dealing with our everyday responsibilities seems nearly impossible, leading many to wonder why we feel loss so acutely.

In this week’s guest blog, the team at Harold Wood Funeral Services share their perspective on understanding why we grieve, and why it is a necessary readjustment in order to accept life as it is after experiencing deep loss.

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15 everyday mindfulness exercises to know

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15 everyday mindfulness exercises to know

Practising Mindfulness has many benefits, from calming nerves and anxiety to helping improve our focus and concentration. In this week’s guest blog post, we invite Valerie Teh, self-care practitioner and co-founder of wellbeing community Vana, to share 15 everyday Mindfulness exercises for everyone.

Learn a new language: an unexpected way to combat anxiety

Learn a new language: an unexpected way to combat anxiety

When it comes to self-care and improving your mental health, learning a new language isn’t generally the first thing that comes to mind. Nor is it the second, or third, or fourth.

Yet, studying the interplay of mental health and language learning has provided some incredibly interesting discoveries over the past few years, which warrants a much closer look at learning a second language as a means of boosting your mental state.

This week, guest writer John Ross explores the benefits of learning a new language for your mental health, and how it can boost empathy, confidence and self-esteem.

7 tips to help manage anxiety

7 tips to help manage anxiety

In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Week, with this year’s theme focused on Anxiety, we want to shine a light on this important topic and share tips on how to better understand and manage this state of being.

In the hustle and bustle of our everyday lives, it can feel like we’re living under increasing pressure to perform, succeed and reach goals. The reality is, high stress can lead to an increase in cortisol, the primary stress hormone, and adrenaline, leading us to feel in constant fight, flight or freeze mode. Short bursts of stress can help us to overcome difficult situations, however when stress escalates to a high level for long periods of time, this can have a detrimental effect on how we function on a daily basis.

One of the most common symptoms of chronic stress is anxiety, of which the symptoms include feelings of worry, fear, overwhelm and apprehension. Managing anxiety helps to improve our overall happiness, motivation, and enjoyment in life, and can prevent us from developing health issues.

This guest blog by Amelia Ruth explores how to identify the signs of anxiety, and 7 tips on how to manage anxiety in your everyday life.

Martial Arts and Mindfulness: cultivating present-moment awareness

Martial Arts and Mindfulness: cultivating present-moment awareness

Mindfulness is a state of present-moment awareness characterised by non-judgmental attention to one's thoughts, feelings, and sensations. It involves paying attention to the present moment with openness and curiosity without getting lost in the past or the future.

On the other hand, martial arts are a physical practice encompassing various forms of combat training. Martial arts disciplines emphasise values such as respect, humility, self-control, and perseverance, which align with the principles of mindfulness, making martial arts an ideal platform for incorporating mindfulness practices to enhance mental well-being and reduce stress.

In this week’s guest blog, Richard Sison explores the connection between Mindfulness and Martial Arts, and shares practical techniques for incorporating Mindfulness in Martial Arts training.