Mental health awareness week: Talking, struggles and looking out for people

Man and woman talking
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It’s mental health awareness week in the UK and I recently watched comedian Jason Manford’s video in which he candidly talks about his “mental health scare”.

Two things particularly struck me. He talks about the invaluable support he has had from family and friends.

Talking about how you are feeling is important and it really does help.

Not failing

He also said: “Just because you are struggling, doesn’t mean you are failing.”

It is a very important point to remember.

We don’t feel like a failure when we are laid up in bed with the flu probably just a bit sorry for ourselves. Not feeling well, not feeling yourself isn’t a failure.

My own message is to look out for each other. Just because someone is happy on the outside doesn’t mean they are on the inside.

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The accidental freelancer: Thoughts on my first year of being self-employed.

Health advice from 1890 that is still pertinent today

IMG_3875At the launch of Stride Treglown’s 10 Essays To Shape Future Places yesterday Duncan Cadbury, chair of the Bournville Village Trust, gave out a copy of George Cadbury’s ‘Suggested Rules of Health’ dating from circa 1890.

Among the often sage and surprisingly timeless advice, it contained this pearl of wisdom:

“Anger and worry will wear you out much more rapidly than hard work. Cultivate a cheerful and thankful spirit.”

It was really interesting to hear Duncan and Iain Tuckett, chief executive of Coin Street Community Builders talking about creating sustainable and viable communities and I’m proud to have had a small role working on this thought-provoking book.

Continue reading “Health advice from 1890 that is still pertinent today”

How switching off makes you work better

adult arrival beard boss
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Rose Padfield wrote a really interesting piece about how switching off can stimulate creativity and working less is actually smarter as you tend to be more productive than working longer.

Presenteeism, she says, has become the badge of the busy and important.

Recently, a fellow freelancer told me that she went for walks to generate ideas.

And I must admit that it is during the quieter moments when I’m not attached to a phone or laptop that gems pop into to my head.

Who doesn’t have a brainwave when they are in the shower or just before falling asleep?

Four-day week experiment

Perpetual Guardian in New Zealand trialled a four-day working week while still paying a five day a week salary to see if a better work-life balance would be beneficial to the business.

Continue reading “How switching off makes you work better”