Blueberry Marketing Solutions | The Stressbusting Guide You Need to Read

Angela Kunawicz 12th May 2022

The Stressbusting Guide You Need to Read

WHETHER you’re working from home, studying for exams, dealing with a break-up or simply need a better work-life balance, everyone feels stressed and lonely sometimes.

In the nation’s largest stress survey, the Mental Health Foundation found that 74 per cent of the UK reported feeling overwhelmed and unable to cope at times.

To mark Mental Health Awareness Week, Blueberry has developed some practical tips to help you tackle stress and loneliness.

Raindrops on Roses

Chillout tunes are a must. Music affects the parasympathetic nervous system, which controls your body’s ability to relax. Playing soothing, meditative music or calming nature sounds can slow your heart rate and breathing, lower your blood pressure, and encourage your muscles to relax.

Me Time

Full-time employees in Britain work approximately 42 hours a week, almost two more than the typical EU employee, said the TUC (Trades Union Congress). And after dealing with a national pandemic, it is more important than ever to make the most of your free time. Whether you spend more time with friends and family, soak in the bath with a great book or mountain bike in the countryside, ensure you set aside ‘me time’ to socialise, relax and exercise.

I Like to Move It, Move It

Not only does exercise increase your overall health, fitness, and sense of wellbeing, but it also has direct stressbusting benefits. Exercising releases feel-good endorphins, which help reduce intense emotions, clear your thoughts, and help you deal with your problems head-on.

I’m All Ears

A good support group of trusted colleagues, friends, and family can help ease your troubles. Just being listened to can help you feel supported and less alone. Many people find it cathartic to openly talk about their feelings. Your allies may be able to lend a hand or simply help you put things into perspective.

Unhealthy Crutches

Don’t rely on alcohol, smoking or caffeine to help you cope with stress. Easier said than done, but it could lead to an unhealthy dependence, exacerbate your problems, and ultimately create new ones. Adopt healthy stressbusters that are sustainable and don’t compromise your safety and wellbeing.

Disclaimer: The Stressbusting Guide You Must Read is a simple guide. Any reliance you place on the info is entirely up to you.

Written By Angela Kunawicz

Angela is an award winning journalist, videographer and marketeer who has worked in regional and international media outlets across the UK and Middle East, including the BBC and Abu Dhabi Media Company. With a flair for human interest stories, hard news and campaigns, she has also been commended for her outstanding photography and video productions.

Also written by Angela

Why the Holidays Are a Golden Opportunity for B2B Marketers

MANY businesses assume the holiday season is just for B2C brands chasing Black Friday deals or Cyber Monday clicks. But in our experience, the festive season offers B2B marketers’ unique opportunities to stand out and make a significant impact! While many may see the holidays as a time to slow down, it’s actually the perfect moment to accelerate your B2B efforts and set the stage for success.

The Business Case for Degree Apprenticeships

DEGREE Apprenticeships are helping organisations to bridge skills gaps, increase staff retention and improve productivity. Discover how these professional pathways boost the UK economy and provide candidates with an alternative route to employment.

Bridging the Skills Divide: Key Actions for UK Employers & Educators

Discover how the UK's most significant skills gap in 18 years affects industries and what businesses and educators can do to close it. Explore skills-based hiring, upskilling, and strategic partnerships to meet future workforce demands.

How To Conduct an Effective Mid-Year Business Review

WITH both feet firmly planted in the pivotal Q3 of the year, conducting a comprehensive mid-year review of your business’s performance is crucial. This analysis is not just a formality, but a powerful tool to maintain the effectiveness and efficiency of your business strategies.

Blueberry Empowers British Exports with Department for Business & Trade Partnership

BRITISH businesses looking to expand their global footprint can expect a significant boost after Blueberry secured a new partnership with the Department for Business and Trade (DBT).

Selling to Schools

THE UK’s schools and local authorities are as unique as the children they support. It goes without saying that school funding and spending needs to reflect this. The government has pledged an extra £2 billion of revenue funding to schools this academic year and the same again in 2024-25. And while schools can choose how to spend this supplementary funding, why should they invest in your services and how do you know if they’re the right fit for your business? With more than a decade of experience in the education sector, Blueberry is here to guide you through the process and help you meet your business aspirations.

PART TWO: Is the word ‘apprentice’ tarnished?

IN the final instalment of our series on apprenticeships, we rebuff the stereotypes, uncover some remarkable success stories, and discuss the Government’s £8M pledge to increase degree apprenticeships. We also hear from the Chief Ofsted Inspector and numerous reputable employers, careers counsellors and work experience advisors about their thoughts on the matter.

Is the word 'apprentice' tarnished?

A RECENT careers survey of more than 5,250 youngsters found that almost half of those pursuing a university degree considered apprenticeships to be “second rate” in comparison. Of those, 40 per cent thought an apprenticeship wasn’t an option for their chosen career path and a comparable number argued that degrees had a significantly better reputation.

“Having children is now seen as a personal choice, a luxury, like buying a Porsche. You shouldn’t get one unless you can afford to maintain it.”

LIKE it or not, that provocative comment forms part of a fierce debate about the UK’s exorbitant childcare costs and an equally unfair ‘motherhood penalty’. And with a slumping economy and the second most expensive childcare costs in the world, it’s easy to see why many women believe it’s too costly to start a family. Blueberry marks this year’s International Women’s Day (#IWD) by discussing the challenges working mothers face to maintain their career and find reasonably priced childcare.

Putting People First – why investing in your staff is paramount

At Blueberry we know that the most important asset to our company is our employees. As the heart of our business, its crucial to be mindful of their wellbeing, nurture their interests, and develop their skills. By looking after our staff’s interests, we can deliver a service that sets us apart from the rest.

Hard Skills v Soft Skills: How Important Are They?

Discover the main differences between hard and soft skills and find out why having strong soft skills can lead to greater career progression and long-term job security.

My Blueberry Apprenticeship Journey

WHAT’S it like to be an apprentice? Delve into National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) with Blueberry's Jessica Parker as she discusses her year-long apprenticeship, buying her first home at 23 and her impressive career progression.

Banish the January Blues with Blueberry’s Hilarious Comedy Duo The Lovely Boys

If your New Year’s resolutions are already a distant memory, then don’t despair. Turn that frown upside down with the help of our northern clowns.

Practical Steps to Help Your Business Thrive During a Recession

WITH the threat of a nationwide recession, inflation at a 40-year high and a cost-of-living crisis to grapple with, businesses are under pressure to save costs and increase revenue.

Class Act - Blueberry Helps Youngsters Achieve Their Career Goals

BLUEBERRY has joined forces with Positive Footprints to deliver their award-winning personal development programmes to youngsters in Leeds. Thanks to a cash injection from the team, Rothwell Victoria Junior School pupils will participate in the Raising Aspirations scheme aimed at developing workplace skills.

Blog: Confessions of a Pregnant Blueberry Director

EVERYONE knows that moving house is one of the most stressful experiences of your life. How about moving home when you’re heavily pregnant? We caught up with Blueberry Director and mother-of-two Pamela Welsh about how she coped with the challenge. Now firmly settled in her cosy new abode and back to work, she reflects upon her 14 successful years at the firm and how she juggles work and family life.

Five Steps to Support Pregnant Employees

Bosses need to look after their pregnant employees. But there’s a lot more to it than offering them decaffeinated tea, seat cushions and flexible working hours. Check out our top five tips to supporting pregnant workers.

Five Common GDPR Myths Rebuffed

REALITY TV star Ferne McCann has called on the police to investigate shocking leaked voice recordings of her allegedly belittling a former TOWIE co-star. While it’s not been confirmed who is speaking in audio notes, which were exposed by an anonymous Instagram account, it got me thinking about data profiling, processing, and enhancement.

LEEDS WINTER COAT APPEAL – FINAL PUSH FOR CHILDREN’S COATS

TIME is running out to raid your wardrobes, dust off your suitcases and root through your underbed storage for your pre-loved coats, hats, gloves, and scarves.

Leeds Winter Coat Appeal

WHILE many of us are relishing in the prospect of wrapping up warm in our toasty jackets and bobble hats, countless people won’t be able to afford a coat this winter. In fact, almost a quarter of under 16s in Leeds are living in poverty and an overwhelming 75 per cent of these live in working households, according to Zero Waste Leeds. Now in its second year, the Leeds Winter Coat Appeal aims to collect more than 2,000 good quality coats, hats, scarves, and paired gloves to handout to the needy.

INTERVIEW: WE CHAT TO BLUEBERRY'S RESIDENT BASSIST & SELF-CONFESSED PUNK

HEAR from Blueberry’s bass player Thom Pighills about his European tour, kick-starting a rehearsal place for fellow musicians and his passion for rock music.

INTERVIEW: Blueberry's Talented Max Purcell-Burrows on Glastonbury 2022 and the highs of performing with TC & The Groove Family

HEAR from Blueberry’s resident trombonist Max about the buzz of live jazz and why his band’s debut album is a love letter to Leeds.

How Much Does it Cost to Live in Leeds vs London?

EVER wondered how much it actually costs to live, work, shop and socialise in Leeds? How about in London? Find out in our Leeds versus London infographic.

How to Save like a Pro

HOUSEHOLDS across Britain are feeling the pinch as the cost-of-living rises. Check out Blueberry’s top 10 tips to save money.

All you Need to Know About the Rising Cost of Living

UK INFLATION is rising at its fastest rate in 30 years as fuel, energy and food costs continue to soar. Read Blueberry’s blog on the rising cost of living and discover our tips on how you can manage your finances.

Diversity in the Workplace

EMPLOYEES are your face in the marketplace. So, it makes sense to have employees who reflect the ethnic, gender and age composition of your customer base. In less than 20 years, one in four of us in the UK will be over 65. That's more than 14 million people.

If the pandemic has taught us anything, it's not to sweat the small stuff

MORE than two years after the COVID-19 pandemic upended our lives, many of us will feel a huge sense of relief as the last remaining restrictions finally come to an end. England and Northern Ireland have already removed all constraints, and Scotland and Wales are due to follow suit by the end of March. As we enter this new phase of ‘living with Covid’, many of us are returning to our normal workplaces, while myself and others continue to enjoy the flexibility of hybrid working.