There’s no denying the power of a hug. If you’ve ever said you’ve felt starved for touch, you’re actually not that far off. The same areas of our brain that are satisfied by eating are also satisfied by human touch, including hugs. A hug helps us bond with others and experience a sense of safety, comfort, empathy, and calm, qualities many deeply craved during a time of uncertainty. Source: verywellmind What Is the Power of a Hug? What is it about a hug that feels so good? The answer lies in oxytocin, sometimes known as “the love hormone.” This hormone plays a key role in the female reproductive system, particularly […]
There’s ways we can support our mental health all year round, but how can we use our current environment and the seasons to tailor how we look after our wellbeing? We’re exploring some tips on how we can use the arrival of spring to boost our mood and connect with the outdoors and others. Source: MentalHealthUK Take notice of your surroundings In the spring, our environment changes around us. Wildlife emerges, greenery and outdoor spaces begin to flourish again, and the weather is (normally) much more enjoyable. This provides us the opportunity to utilise being outside and appreciate what nature has to offer. There’s a difference between simply being outside […]
Most business owners and managers understand that to get the best out of the people you work with, you must treat them well. The positive momentum and enhanced morale engendered by kind and fair treatment help create a more motivated and productive workforce. Source: Business.com However, few management-level professionals realize that “kind and fair treatment” should extend to employees’ physical environments. Specifically, creating ergonomically optimized workspaces can protect your team’s health while helping to create a happy and productive work culture. We’ll explain more about ergonomics and why employers should invest in ergonomic workstations to boost productivity and morale. What is ergonomics, and what is an ergonomically designed workstation? Ergonomics is an applied […]
The vast majority of adults consume caffeine daily, with many relying on caffeine’s energizing effects to enhance their mood and optimize their performance. Caffeine is found naturally in many plants, including coffee beans, tea leaves, cacao pods, and kola nuts. Synthetic caffeine is also sometimes added to medications and energy drinks. Source: Sleep Foundation How Does Caffeine Affect Sleep? Caffeine consumption can make you fall asleep later, sleep less hours overall, and make your sleep feel less satisfying. It can also reduce the amount of deep, slow-wave sleep you get, which is a critical stage of sleep for feeling refreshed the next day. Caffeine affects the brain by blocking adenosine receptors. Adenosine is a sleep-promoting chemical that […]
Prioritizing fitness can give you a significant edge in the future of work, ensuring your career flourishes alongside your health. Source: Allwork The Importance of Fitness in the Workplace Staying fit goes beyond aesthetics; it plays a vital role in enhancing mental performance and overall job satisfaction. Regular exercise has been linked to improved cognitive function, better mood regulation, and reduced stress levels. In a world where the competition is fierce and the pace is relentless, maintaining your health can give you a significant edge. Benefits of Physical Fitness Most people are well aware of the physical health benefits of exercise, but healthy habits can have even deeper impacts on your […]
Gabriel Hoces repeats a word seven times when he discusses what it’s like to work in Denmark – “trust“. Source: BBC “No one is trying to micromanage you, or look over your shoulder,” says Mr Hoces, who works for a tech firm in Copenhagen. “Bosses aren’t coming in to check if you put in eight or nine hours a day, as they mainly only care if you completed your projects. There’s a lot of trust in Denmark in that way, and I don’t feel a hierarchy at my job. It’s all very democratic. It is no surprise to Mr Hoces, a married father of two young daughters, that Denmark is […]
Staying healthy and fit is more important than ever in 2025. With new trends, technologies, and research, there are many ways to improve your well-being. This blog will share easy-to-follow health and fitness tips that are perfect for everyone, whether you’re just starting your journey or want to level up your routine. Source: DV Studio 1. Stay Active Every Day Physical activity is key to good health. You don’t have to hit the gym every day; small changes can make a big difference. Walk More: Aim for 10,000 steps a day. Use a fitness tracker or app to help you stay on track. Stretch Regularly: Stretching keeps your muscles flexible […]
You can take your time and explore the RAIN meditation as a stand – alone practice or move through the steps in a more abbreviated way whenever challenging emotions arise. Source: Mindful.org When I was in college, I went off to the mountains for a weekend of hiking with an older, wiser friend of twenty-two. After setting up our tent, we sat by a stream, watching the water swirl around rocks, talking about our lives. At one point she described how she was learning to be “her own best friend.” A wave of sadness came over me, and I broke down sobbing. I was the furthest thing from my own […]
Source: Sleep Foundation Org Most people know firsthand that sleep affects their mental state. After all, there’s a reason it’s said that someone in a bad mood “woke up on the wrong side of the bed.” As it turns out, there’s quite a bit of truth behind this colloquial saying. Sleep is closely connected to mental and emotional health and has demonstrated links to depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and other conditions. Research is ongoing to better understand the bidirectional relationship between mental health and sleep. Both are complex issues affected by a multitude of factors, but, given their close association, there is strong reason to believe that improving sleep can […]
Our habits govern our lives, literally. Research shows that around half of our daily actions are driven by repetition. This is probably why behavioral scientists and psychologists have spent so much time writing about how to establish and keep positive habits. Source: Harvard business review Regular sleep and exercise, a healthy diet, an organized schedule, and mindfulness are just a few examples of practices that – if done regularly – can improve our work, relationships, and mental health. But what if those things don’t come naturally to you? What does it take to build a new habit? While there are plenty of hacks on the internet competing to answer these […]