Together we stay stronger Stress awareness Throughout November we’ll be supporting National Stress Awareness Day which takes place on Wednesday 4 November, helping to raise awareness of stress and its impact and reduce the stigma while promoting the importance of wellbeing and stress reduction.
What is stress? Stress is the body's reaction to feeling threatened or under pressure. It's very common, and can be motivating to help us achieve things in our daily life, sometimes helping us to meet the demands of home, work and family life. But too much stress can affect our mood, our body and our relationships – especially when it feels out of our control. It can make us feel anxious and irritable, and affect our self-esteem. Experiencing a lot of stress over a long period of time can also lead to a feeling of physical, mental and emotional exhaustion, often called burnout. Stress affects people differently, and the things that cause stress vary from person to person. The level of stress you are comfortable with may be higher or lower than that of other people around you. Stressful feelings typically happen when we feel we do not have the resources to manage the challenges we face. Pressure at work, school or home, illness, or difficult or sudden life events can all lead to stress.
Signs of stress or burnout If you are stressed, you may: Feel overwhelmed. Have racing thoughts or difficulty concentrating. Be irritable. Feel constantly worried, anxious or scared. Feel a lack of self-confidence. Have trouble sleeping or feel tired all the time. Avoid things or people you are having problems with. Be eating more or less than usual. Drink or smoke more than usual. Click here for top tips to deal with stress and burnout.
Click here for some top tips to address stress.
A message from Rob Tansey: Take some ‘me time’ every day With the different coronavirus measures across the UK and as we come into winter and darker days and nights, we understand that these factors along with others may have a further impact on mental health and wellbeing. We therefore want employees to ensure they take time out for themselves during the working day whether you’re working from home or on site, to go for a walk, do some exercise, read a book, listen to music or have a virtual coffee break with colleagues. Taking a little time for yourself refreshes and re-energizes you. It allows you to think more clearly and make better decisions. Other benefits include the ability to sleep better, less fatigue, depression and anxiety, greater resistance to sickness, and less tension. So I would urge everyone to take some time out each day for themselves, especially to get outside and enjoy some fresh air, as this is so important to looking after our overall health and wellbeing. Rob Tansey Group HR Director For information, tools and links of many areas of health and wellbeing please click here to visit our My Barratt Benefits website
Together we stay stronger Working from home Many of us have been working from home since March, and for most of us doing so for the first time. Working from home under these conditions can be challenging and cause us and those close to us, additional stress and tension. Our Working from Home Guide highlights support available to you, including how to avoid these challenges as well as guidance to look after your health and wellbeing and finding a home/life balance. Click here to view the Working from Home Guide. Click here for simple tips from NHS Every Mind Matters to help you while working at home, to feel more productive and take care of your mental health in these difficult times.
Working on site On site you will notice the current SHE campaign displayed on posters ‘It’s ok not to be ok’. On every live site there is a Health and Wellbeing noticeboard which contains a wealth of information relating to health and wellbeing including signposting for immediate help and support. Scan the QR code to download the FREE Construction Industry Helpline app, with key support areas including:
Mental wellbeing: covering anxiety, depression, anger, suicidal thoughts, sleep and building Resilience. Physical wellbeing: covering aches and pains, nutrition, weight management, cancer, alcohol and drug addiction. Financial wellbeing: covering budgeting, debt management, tax and legal advice, retirement planning and emergency financial aid.
Ways to manage stress Meditation webinars Our partner the Lighthouse Club Charity is offering interactive meditation webinars, a straightforward introduction to meditation from a construction professional explaining how a consistent practice can benefit your mental health every day. Click on the dates below to register for available sessions: Wednesday 11 November (12-1pm) Wednesday 9 December (12-1pm) Learning and Development Our L&D team continue to run a variety of short, interactive webinars. Please see below dates and times this November for topics which can contribute to reducing stress: Collaboration: Tuesday 3 and Thursday 19 November 10:00-11:00 Keeping connected: Tuesday 3 and Thursday 19 November 14:00-15:00, Wednesday 11 November 10:00-11:00 Managing workload: Wednesday 4 and Tuesday 24 November 10:00-11:00, Thursday 12 November 16:00-17:00 Understanding flexible working: Wednesday 4 November 11:00-1:00, Tuesday 24 November 16:00-17:00 Working together: Thursday 5 November 13:00-14:00, Tuesday 17 and Wednesday 25 November 10:00-11:00 Mindfulness practice: Friday 6, 13, 20 and 27 November 12:00-12:30
For information, tools and links of many areas of health and wellbeing please click here to visit our My Barratt Benefits website
Together we stay stronger Ways to manage stress continued
Visit MyLearning on Our Place to view the suite of short eLearning modules around stress management which covers: Managing stress Stress management (Stress awareness comes first) Reducing stress – Meditation and visualisation Reducing stress – Techniques to relax Stress management – Taking care of yourself Reducing stress through time management Access to MyLearning is also available via smart phones by downloading the SumTotal Mobile app from your App Store/Play Store Managing our stress and mental health webinar – FURTHER DATES AVAILABLE!
Due to the success of the recent ‘Managing our stress and mental health’ webinar which we ran in conjunction with our Group Risk Broker, Willis Towers Watson, we are delighted to offer further dates as below. The session will look at understanding and managing our own stress and mental health in light of some of the challenges faced by COVID-19. The session will be interactive and will provide information, tools and tips to support you in maintaining good mental wellbeing throughout COVID-19 and beyond. 100% of delegates who completed the feedback survey said they would recommend the webinar to others! Click on the date below to select your chosen session to register. Once you are approved by the host, you will receive a confirmation email with instructions for joining the session. Tuesday 17 November 10:30-11:30
Wednesday 25 November 10:30-11:30
Wednesday 2 December 14:30-15:30 Happiful magazine Did you know that you can register to receive the Happiful eMagazine for FREE . Happiful is a mental health and wellbeing magazine on a mission to create a healthier and happier society through inspiring life stories and positive news. Each month you receive your online magazine which includes of range of information, podcast links, hints, tips, stories and much more. Click here to register now for the November Stress Special edition. Podcasts There are many podcasts that have been produced around helping stress. Please click here to view podcasts for your wellbeing as recommended by the Mental Health Foundation. Apps There are a number of apps available for free download which include some from the NHS library. Click here to view those recommended. In addition there are also a number of meditation and sleep apps available for free download including: For information, tools and links of many areas of health and wellbeing please click here to visit our My Barratt Benefits website
Together we stay stronger The Headspace app teaches you how to meditate and includes guided meditations.
The Calm app features meditation, sleep aid, gentle movement and stretching and music designed to help you focus, relax and sleep.
The Insight Timer is a smartphone app and online community for meditation. The app features guided meditations, music and talks posted by contributing experts.
During November our health and wellbeing partner Vitality Health will be running a series of sessions: MINDFUL MONDAY: Mindfulness practices can help us increase our ability to regulate emotions, as well as decrease stress, anxiety and depression. It can also help us focus our attention and observe our thoughts and feelings. As we become more present, it can help us to make better decisions, to manage our emotions and to be fully engaged. HIIT: Join one of our Vitality Coaches and qualified personal trainers for a 30 minute blast of high intensity exercise interspersed with low intensity recovery periods. This is a perfect way to improve your muscle strength, cardiovascular fitness and muscle toning all with minimal equipment required. Get ready to get a sweat on! HEALTH @ WELLBEING @ HOME: Register and submit your questions regarding mental health and wellbeing, nutrition and diet or physical activity and exercise and our amazing coaches will be delighted to answer them for you. There are so many conflicting ideas around all of these topics, so let our coaches guide you through all the information. Click here to view the full calendar of events and to register for your preferred session.
Help and support Mental Health First Aiders Remember we also have a team of qualified Mental Health First Aiders within our HR and SHE teams. The role of a Mental Health First Aider is to be a point of contact at work for any employee who is experiencing a mental health issue or emotional distress, including for those who may be impacted by lockdowns and other measures as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. This interaction could range from having an initial conversation through to supporting and signposting the person to get appropriate help. To see the contact details of all our Mental Health First Aiders please click here. We know that sometimes it can be difficult to manage the pressures of life or you may just want to speak to someone to get advice or support on an everyday issue. Whatever the need there is professional, confidential support and help available to you. Click here to view the help and support available. For information, tools and links of many areas of health and wellbeing please click here to visit our My Barratt Benefits website