Wellbeing

Worry Not (so much..)

Dec 13, 2023

Most of us know what it’s like to lie awake in the early hours, fretting about a myriad of things, unable to control our anxieties and incapable of finding a way back into the sanctuary of sleep. When this happens, we feel out of control. There seems no end in sight to our woes and they out-weigh everything else on our mind. Oftentimes, the things that trouble us then are quite petty – in the big scheme of things – but somehow they get...

Friendship: don’t take it for granted

Jun 27, 2023

What is friendship and why is it so important to us all? Of course, we all could relate instinctively to the answers, if we were pressed to do so, but many of us have never had to think about it too much: perhaps we didn’t stray far from where we were born, and still have the friends we made in our early schooldays. In that case, friendship is a natural result of shared experiences and upbringing, so it just happens. But what about those who...

Happiness Manifesto

Jun 27, 2023

Is there anything controversial about wanting people to be happy? My guess is you would struggle to find anyone objecting to it. Yet we, as a society, appear to be shy of promoting it. Where does it feature in the manifesto of any political party? And why is it that, although everybody knows happiness is one of those things money can’t buy, the main measure we use to gauge how well society is doing is firmly based on the health of its...

The Power of Silence

Mar 29, 2023

“The quieter you become, the more you can hear.” Ram Dass. The industrial age brought many unintended consequences for us to deal with and one of those was an assault on silence. So, how are we coping with that? Although it’s been around for a long time, ‘noise pollution’ is a relatively recent concept and is welcome because it implies general acceptance that an excess of superfluous noise is harmful to us. It can damage our ears, certainly...

Harmony

Mar 06, 2023

Although the concept of ‘work/life balance’ has gained popularity over the years, I think it’s time to add more nuance to the idea. The phrase seems to imply that there are just two elements to our time on Earth, but we all know it’s far more complicated than that. Whether we work or not, our lives comprise a set of circumstances that, ideally, we would like to manage harmoniously. Maybe that’s idealistic, but we can give it a go, starting...

Fun is Good for You

Jan 31, 2023

Do you love to sing, or dance, or laugh, or paint? If so, when was the last time you enjoyed your passion? “Fun is good for you” seems like an obvious statement but it’s as well to keep reminding ourselves, as it’s all too easy to get bogged down in dull, everyday routines and forget the joys of frivolity and self-expression. And, in case you need convincing, here’s some scientific explanation of how recreational activities bring us joy....

Keep on Running

Dec 21, 2022

There’s more to competing in the London Marathon than meets the eye. Yes, there’s the spectacle and the buzz on the day and yes, there’s the physical stamina and the training that must be required to achieve it. But what about the mental determination? A friend, who completed the course in six hours, tells us that it actually took him six hours plus six years to get over the finish line! Six years of training? Well not exactly. What...

Being a Good Listener

Oct 17, 2022

Sometimes, when our fears and problems begin to overwhelm us, we feel the need to talk to someone about them. It may be that we seek practical advice and solutions, or we might just feel the need to “get it off our chest”. Whichever it is, one thing is certain: we need a good listener, not someone who simply hears the ‘headlines’ and jumps to conclusions. We need someone who takes it all in, demonstrates empathy and provides the proverbial...

Understanding Procrastination

Jul 27, 2022

Everyone is familiar with procrastination, and we’ve probably all done it to some extent. Putting off tasks we don’t fancy is a human enough response and, therefore, not necessarily problematic. But for some individuals it can develop into a behaviour that borders on phobic and the perceived reluctance to tackle the in-tray can be interpreted as laziness. A manager, for example, might look at an overdue project and conclude that the employee...

How to answer common interview questions

Apr 12, 2022

Lioness Recruitment share their tips on how to answer the most common interview questions. Without the benefit of a crystal ball, it’s impossible to know what you’ll be asked in an interview and some interview questions are easier to answer than others. Whilst you can’t predict exactly what you’ll be asked, any question has the potential to trip you up – unless, of course, you’ve prepared in advance. There’s a wide range of questions...

Stress Management

Mar 30, 2022

Stress is usually thought of as bad for you, though it is an essential part of being human. Scientists have long known that the condition is caused by the brain releasing certain chemicals – adrenaline, cortisol etc. – for a very good reason: survival. But this is in reference to the “fight or flight” dilemma of primitive humans faced with the dangers of the natural world they shared with all kinds of predators and situations against which...

Why should we embrace routine?

Mar 10, 2022

Psychologist Rachel Ward Lilley discusses the importance of routine and how we should embrace rather than reject it. They say that routine can get us down, that the same old thing day after day dulls the senses, stifles creativity and bypasses the joys of spontaneous activity. If we stick too rigidly to procedure, we leave no room for happy serendipity. Yet routines are an essential part of life for most of us. And since there is no...

How to have a great first day in a new job

Feb 22, 2022

Lioness Recruitment share their top tips to help you make the most of your first day at a new job. The first day at a new job normally means excitement mixed with a few nerves. You’ll be learning so many different things about your new role as well as about the office dynamic and company culture. Every organisation’s onboarding process is different, with some having a set formal structure and others leaving you to find your own feet....

February reads: 10 book recommendations

Feb 17, 2022

We have picked out ten books that aim to improve your performance and wellbeing. Whether you want to reduce stress, become more productive or unleash your full potential, we hope these books help you feel more inspired and positive. Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before? by Dr Julie Smith (Michael Joseph | Hardback, audio, ebook | January 2022) Dr Julie Smith draws on her experience as a clinical psychologist and shares all the skills...

What makes resolutions work?

Feb 09, 2022

Psychologist Rachel Ward Lilley tells us what she has learned when it comes to New Year's resolutions. So, how did your dry January go? Did you find it hard to refuse a drink when those around you were lapping it up? Did your resolution crumble on that Friday evening, after a tough working week? Or did you sail through your self-imposed challenge without faltering? Now that we are well into February, it could be useful to take stock of...

How to create light in the dark

Jan 20, 2022

Mette Theilmann shares her tips on how to bring light into your home during the long dark winter months. Yes, it’s that time of the year when we start thinking about bedtime at 4 o’clock because it gets dark so early! But maybe we can embrace and enjoy these ‘cosy’ moments by bringing light into the house when we don’t get enough of it from outside. In Denmark we take the light very seriously - the winters can be very long and sad...

7 things to consider before accepting a job offer

Jan 11, 2022

Lioness Recruitment list seven important points to consider before accepting a new job. When you’re considering a job offer, there’s more to think about than just how much you are going to be paid. While pay is an important factor, make sure you also contemplate any other potential advantages versus drawbacks to ensure that it won’t cost you in the long run. Here are some things to consider before accepting a job offer, including what...

7 tips for a stress-free family Christmas

Dec 15, 2021

Mette Theilmann from Predictable Parenting shares her tips on how to create a family Christmas that everyone will enjoy. Let me start by saying that as a Dane I LOVE Christmas! Even the dark cold winter evenings can be magical. It’s a time of the year where we can believe in anything; Santa, elves, angels, miracles, wonders and the love of mankind. A happy family is based on cooperation, connection and communication. But sadly, for...

Christmas presence

Dec 08, 2021

Georgie Edwards shares her thoughts on how to enjoy Christmas by embracing the present moment. If you're stuck for Christmas present ideas this year, I've got the perfect one for you. The gift of P R E S E N C E. 'Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That is why it is called the present'. — Alice Morse Earle. It's the warm-up to Christmas; we've waited all year for the magical month of December, maybe even two...

Christmas joy: Celebrating the festive season your way

Dec 01, 2021

Psychologist Rachel Ward Lilley shares her thoughts on why we should celebrate Christmas in a meaningful way, without feeling restricted by traditions and expectations. Have you ever felt sorry for shopworkers who are obliged to listen to those Christmas soundtracks for a month or more before the big day dawns? I don’t know how they cope. I mean, some of the musical numbers are undoubtedly enjoyable, but the law of diminishing returns...

The difference between employee benefits and staff perks

Nov 24, 2021

When looking for a new role, salary is usually the top consideration for most employees because it’s the reason they work in the first place. Remuneration is followed by the role being a good fit logistically for the candidate. After this, many people are interested in the employee benefits as a potential draw to work for an organisation. Benefits can be a fantastic way to ensure a happy and productive workforce but what do they actually...

How self-care benefits you and others

Nov 15, 2021

Psychologist Rachel Ward Lilley discusses the importance of practicing self-care and how it benefits not only yourself but others. Some dismiss self-care as self-indulgent mollycoddling, but that is an unbalanced perception of what has proven to be an effective discipline with far-reaching benefits. Within my field of work, self-care is the recognised starting point to effect positive interventions in personal welfare. Self-care is tried...

November reads: book recommendations

Nov 12, 2021

This month we've listed our favourite books to improve your performance and wellbeing. Whether you want to reduce stress, become more productive or unleash your full potential, we hope these books help you feel more inspired and positive. The Comfort Book by Matt Haig (Canongate Books | Hardback, Ebook, Audiobook | July 2021) The bestselling author of Reasons to Stay Aliv e brings us The Comfort Book which is a collection of...

From technophobe to IT trainer: My journey to becoming a digital devotee

Oct 22, 2021

Molly Gilbert, Digital Customer Engagement Officer, tells us about her journey into IT at PA Housing. When I started working in PA Housing’s customer contact centre in Leicester three years ago, I was a complete technophobe – I didn’t even know how to use Excel. I’ve now helped on organisation-wide CRM projects and am helping to build a chatbot. I’m also the person who liaises between residents, staff members and the technical team to...

Supporting wellbeing in the workplace