Wellbeing

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...

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....

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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,...

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...

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....

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...

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,...

Tips for single parents juggling work and family

Oct 15, 2021

Mette Theilmann from Predictable Parenting shares her tips on how to juggle parenthood and work as a single parent. As a parent of three and a family coach for 18 years, I know how tough it can be juggling parenting and work. Worries about balancing everything — financial challenges, career fulfilment — can all add stress to our daily life. But doing it solo brings these challenges to a whole new level! There's no one to help...

10 signs you need a new job

Oct 08, 2021

Lioness Recruitment identify ten tell-tale signs that will help you recognise if it’s time to leave your current job and move on to pastures new. Everybody has the odd bad day at work and it’s normal to feel bored or frustrated every now and again. There’s nothing wrong with occasional blips, unless of course you find that it starts to happen regularly and every other day seems to be horrendous. If you recognise...

Stress: What it is and what you can do about it

Sep 30, 2021

Clinical reflexologist Nicola Stewart discusses stress, how it affects us and what we can do to manage it. If you find it hard to concentrate, struggle to make simple decisions, worry more than usual, feel ‘down’ or over-anxious, feel tired but can’t sleep – you may be suffering from stress. What is stress? Stress is what happens to the body when the level of pressure it is feeling goes beyond its...

The power of acceptance

Sep 23, 2021

Georgie Edwards explains how practicing acceptance can help us manage expectations and enable us to let go and just be . Before we start, Take a deep, long breath in through the nose. Sigh out of the mouth. Perfect. Now ask yourself this question... How am I doing? Try not to think about it too much; let the response come organically. Now, take one more deep breath and allow yourself to relax into this feeling...

What’s your fantasy digital team?

Sep 17, 2021

We’ve all heard of fantasy football teams, but who would you put in your digital dream team? Who do you need to achieve your digital strategy? Steve Dungworth, digital transformation adviser at Golden Marzipan, takes us through the ultimate ICT super team. Let’s face it, in the housing sector it’s unlikely that there will ever be enough people available to deliver at the pace of change required, especially if...

Apprenticeships in housing: The technologist’s apprentice

Sep 09, 2021

Mark Wilson, Head of IT at Vivid Homes, discusses the value of apprenticeships and how apprentices are making a real difference across their business. There was a time in my career when I had a ‘downer’ on apprenticeships, which was counter-intuitive because when I left school, I did a four-year Ministry of Defence apprenticeship. I’d become stuck in a rut, thinking that modern apprenticeships were not...

Habits for a happier life at home

Aug 31, 2021

Developing positive habits at home can actually impact your mood with positive effects. Lorena Romo from Porch shares her tips and suggestions on how to create household habits that will help you build a framework for a happier life. Building and maintaining good habits can provide our lives with a positive framework, but these habits don’t simply happen by chance. It’s pretty easy to fall into bad habits that impede...

Supporting wellbeing in the workplace