Hello,
Welcome to April’s blog!
Spring is well and truly here, which means warmer days and bursts of colour around the garden. It’s an event I wait for eagerly each year as it means I can finally get back in my garden and start growing lots of new flowers and vegetables. It’s a hobby I have enjoyed for quite a few years and one which is also a great stress relief and a workout!
Moving away from the pretty flowers and back into the office, I wanted to touch base on a few topics in this month’s blog.
April is Stress Awareness Month
April is also known as the stress awareness month, which I want to touch on as we all get it in one form or another. For me juggling work and a 9-month baby can be quite a task and some days can be harder than others. But I have built a community around me from family, other first-time mums, to business professionals who love to see Max grinning away on Zoom.
According to mentalhealth.org ‘In the past year, 74% of people have felt so stressed they have been overwhelmed or unable to cope’. That is such a high figure, and with pressures on areas like finances seen across the country I am not really surprised.
I may not have the answer for dealing with financial situations, but I can recommend some awesome financial advisors, so please let me know if you would like to be introduced.
Instead I want to share a couple of tips I find helpful for when things just become a bit too much.
1. To begin with, as I mentioned before I love to be outside with nature. Gardening is a key area I would recommend to anyone as 10 minutes of pottering around with your fingers in soil is a great stress relief.
This is something I cant wait to introduce Max to, as I was introduced to growing simple plants when I was young too and the passion has clearly not left me.
2. For my number two, its another outdoor activity and this time its going for a walk and getting lost in nature. Whether you wander around on your own to enjoy nature or take a friend/pet/child why not make something of the walk.
I like to take trips to Dalby Forest as there is always something to see and give removing myself from the house and getting some fresh air helps. So, if you’re in the area I would recommend checking it out!
3. Do something you love, this could be watching a film, reading a book, taking a bubble bath, completing a level on a video game. Taking yourself away from the stress and do something you love.
4. Dance like no one’s watching, I’m sure you have been told this one before. But it does work!
This is something I enjoy and I can happily say my taste in music is varied, so music will be played loud and in random to get me off my bum and wiggling my way around the room. Not sure if my dancing is that bad with a baby giggling at me though!
Whatever works for you keep at it, as stress is the killer of joy and really needs to take a back seat.
If you are feeling stressed and just fancy a cuppa then drop me a message.
Always a student
I recently re-joined the FSB as I thought it was good to have them in the background for support for any business topics, but I found they had a new offer on CIPD training courses. With over 690 courses in a variety of subjects it’s a great opportunity to keep growing. I always love learning and why not keep it up in topics that are all CIPD accredited.
So far, I have been focusing on admin skills but the list of topics I want to study keeps growing from marketing to health and wellbeing. There are even topics for around children’s development which will come in handy for Max.
If you’re looking for some training opportunities in various fields then I would recommend taking a look. It costs £80 + VAT for an individual and there are so many opportunities, so head over and take a look if your after something in particular.
Good Business Charter
Another opportunity I spotted recently and thought why wouldn’t I want Team B VA to involved is the Good Business Charter. In a nutshell they are a not-for-profit company who look to award businesses who follow 10 responsible business practices, ranging from environmental to paying suppliers on time.
Its free to sign up and a great way to show off your company!
Once accredited, you get a welcome pack to help you spread the word.
Who wouldn’t want to work with a responsible company!
Memorable moments
A section I want to include in my blogs going forward, as I want to share what I have helped my clients with.
So, to begin with, a memorable moment in business, is probably sending my clients son off on his gap year experience before starting veterinary school. Instead of the ideas my client suggested I researched opportunities which would benefit his learning and experience. So where did I send him?
Seychelles to do conservation work and look after the marine life there, my client agreed it was the best option and told me his son came back beaming as he absolutely loved it and made so many great memories.
That’s what I call a win!
Well, that concludes the April blog, and I hope I gave you some inspiration to look into some of the opportunities mentioned. If you hear of anymore, please let me know as I would love to get involved.
I hope you have a lovely Easter, and are prepared for the oncoming bank holidays.
If you have a question about the above topics, please do not hesitate to get in touch; or if there is something you would like to read about.
See you soon, I’m off on Easter egg hunt!
Rachel