How our Colleagues Manage Stress

At Bruntwood, mental wellbeing is very important to us. We spoke to a number of our colleagues for Stress Awareness Week to find out how they de-stress and maintain that all-important work/life balance.

Fresh Air - ‘I love to get outside and go for a walk at lunchtimes. Even if I’m not feeling particularly stressed, just getting outside for a change of scenery so I can breathe and reset - no music, no conversation - that massively helps me.’

Journaling -  ‘Personally, writing down whatever is bothering me is really beneficial. If I can put the words down on the page about what I’m finding especially challenging, then for some reason whatever it is doesn’t feel as daunting and I can see a clearer way around it. Even if it’s the tiniest thing which I think would be a waste of time to write down, it’s always worth doing it because you sometimes don’t realise how the little things can get to you. I guess there’s also something about the nature of writing down your thoughts - it’s quite a mindful activity so I imagine that’s quite therapeutic in itself.’

Mindfulness - ‘For me, it’s all about prioritising our own wellbeing, which I do by practising mindfulness. It’s a technique that encourages us to be fully present in the moment and become totally aware of our thoughts and feelings without distraction. I like to carry this through by turning off/muting my phone/laptop during meetings which allows for more active, mindful listening. It’s definitely improved my interpersonal skills as a result.’

Going for a run - ‘Initially, I took up running to get more physically fit, but I’ve actually found it great for de-stressing too. I can’t honestly say I’ve ever ‘looked forward’ to a run but, when I’ve been having a stressful day it really takes your mind of whatever’s been bothering you - and once I’ve finished, I’m always glad I did it. I think having that time to blow off steam and have an outlet for day-to-day stresses is so important.’

Asking for help - ‘I find it really useful and necessary to have a support network around me. I’m fortunate enough to have a very understanding family who I can always talk to when I’m struggling. But I’ve also found Bruntwood’s voluntary ‘wellbeing champions’ concept so, so beneficial. In the business, there is always someone who you can talk to (who isn’t my manager or even a colleague I work closely with) - who wants to be there and can offer a sympathetic ear, in confidence. I think, as work and life (and balancing the two) can often be stressful, it’s great that companies like Bruntwood are starting to recognise this and enable colleagues to support each other. Having a chance to get someone else’s opinion on a problem will normally help to put it into perspective, make you realise you’re not alone, and also offer a fresh understanding of how to move forward.’

We’re always looking for new and innovative ways to tackle the stresses of modern life. Is there anything here you do already? Or maybe you’ve thought of something that isn’t mentioned… Tweet us @Bruntwood_UK to let us know how you manage stress.