In May, we’re concentrating on improving our wellbeing through taking notice and being active, as part of our five ways to wellbeing.
This month, and as part of Mental Health Awareness Week (15 – 21 May), we’re focusing on building resilience, something which can help us to manage periods of stress.
A small amount of stress can help us to complete tasks and feel more energised. But stress can become a problem when it lasts for a long time or is very intense. There are things we can try to build our resilience and different things work for different people. Here are some ideas you could try:
Look after your physical health
Getting enough sleep, staying active and eating a balanced diet can make stress easier to manage. But sometimes, stress can make it feel difficult to keep on top of these things. But small changes can make a big difference.
Later in the month, we’ll share Bob Dixon’s story and how he cycles to work to help his physical and mental health.
Feel revitalised with a free massage!
On 17 and 25 May, The Little Calm Company will be visiting Carnival House to provide colleagues with a free 15 minute massage. Massage releases feel good chemicals that revitalise us when we go back to work. Heart rate and blood pressure go down, as do levels of stress hormones such as cortisol.
Click here to book your free massage.
Have a think about how you can replicate this calmness outside of work, reading a book, using the Calm or Headspace app or taking a walk in nature.
Take a short break
This could be some time away with friends or something as simple as a lunchbreak .This might feel hard if you can’t do anything to stop a situation that is making you stressed. But if you can allow yourself a short break, this can help with how you feel.
Coming soon! Later this month, we’ll be launching our new wellbeing space at Carnival House, a calm, relaxing space you can drop into whenever you need a quiet moment in the office. Our colleagues and Mental Health First Aiders will also be sharing some books and resources – we’ll share more about this soon.
Take a break and have a chat with someone over some good mood food!
This month, our Atrium Cafe are focusing their dishes on health and wellbeing as part of Mental Health Awareness Week.
Develop your interests and hobbies
Research shows that people with hobbies are less likely to suffer from stress, low mood, and depression.
If stress is making you feel lonely or isolated, shared hobbies can also be a good way to meet new people. Why not play a game of pool in the Atrium or join in with some of the Shipmates activities like our quiz night?
Build your support network
Support from people you trust can make stressful situations easier to manage. This could include friends and family, or through work.
Organise your time
Try to identify when you have the most energy, such as in the morning or in the evening. Set smaller, achievable targets to help you feel more in control. And be clear with others about what you can take on. In some situations, it might not always be possible to say no to things, or tell people exactly how you feel. But if you can, let people know if their demands are unreasonable or unrealistic.
Supporting you
Some people think that our response to stress is something we can all easily control. But there are some causes of stress that are beyond our control. This makes dealing with stress very personal – it may be harder for some of us than for others and sometimes it is hard to know where to turn. If you need help to manage pressure or stress, here are some things that can help:
Download our managing pressure guide, full of practical advice and sources of support.
Reach out to a Mental Health First Aider.
Get in touch with our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), a free, independent and confidential service available to you and your family 24 hours a day. They can help you to manage emotional, legal, financial and work-life worries.
Download the Stress Buster webinar to open up the conversation on stress, which, with the right support, can be in our power to manage
Are you a line manager?
Join a virtual event with our EAP to help you spot the signs of struggle and understand how the EAP can support you and your team. Join the session on Wednesday 17 May, 14:30 – 15:30. Click here to add the session to your diary.
Supporting you to have a #GoodDayAtCUK
What makes a good day at Carnival UK is different for each of us. One colleague might be looking for financial advice, while someone else is focused on eating well for heart health, and another needs guidance on mental health support for a team member. Take a look at our Wellbeing hub for more information.