by Olivia | Aug 18, 2016 | Featured, General, GloWellness
As Sweden moves to a six-hour working day to help increase productivity and make people happier – it begs the question of whether we are allowing enough time to implement the much publicized ‘work/lifestyle balance’ ethic across Europe and the UK.
Employers in Sweden have already made the change, with the claim to get more done in a shorter amount of time and ensure people have the energy to enjoy their private lives.
The new strategy is already proving a success with Toyota centres in Gothenburg, Sweden’s second largest city, having made the switch 13 years ago, with the company reporting happier staff, a lower turnover rate, and an increase in profits in that time.
Part of the deal is that staff members are not allowed on social media, meetings are kept to a minimum, and that other distractions during the day are eliminated – but the aim is that staff will be more motivated to work more intensely while in the office.
This shorter work day ensures that people have enough energy to pursue their private lives when they leave work –which can be difficult with eight-hour days.
So how long before the UK realizes that the often sluggish workforce is due to lack of stimulation and long hours, often spent with wasted energy from overly tired employees who have little or no energy for their family and offspring let alone any kind of social life.
The UK are certainly behind the times, and should take a tip from Europe where a German couple who were family friends, renegotiated with their bosses a four day week twenty years ago, to enable them to enjoy their country retreat for three days instead of two – and reported that it worked for both and their companies issued new employment contracts for both after a six month trial period.
So how long do we have to wait until our crusty outmoded system of employment and bullish employers realise that they are killing productivity and the entire British workforce.
For those of us who are or have worked in a strictly run office of employment, with an eight hour day, know that a lot of time is wasted with secret texting or sneaky fag breaks and a bellyful of resentment.
Do we really think Brexit will fix it for us, or are we going to fall deeper down the slippery slide to hellish employers and working conditions now that we won’t have Europe to inspire us into a less Dickensian working environment.
by Dee | Aug 9, 2016 | Featured, General
A recent sequence of events has guided me into a life change that even I hadn’t considered an option. As a confirmed Londonite and urban stalwart of 30 years, the country life has never been my bag. But as I have braved the delights of English village life for the past few months, am now seeing the advantages of this less frenzied lifestyle.
It has been many years since I owned a pet, and I have secretly longed for a dog, having been brought up with a variety of animals ranging from a boxer, a poodle, a great Dane and a pony. So when the opportunity of a Labrador puppy was presented to me last week, all my animal-maternal instincts came to the fore, and after much deliberation, I have agreed to take on the huge responsibility of owning a female honey blonde girl puppy – in erm two weeks time. Yikes!!!
I have to say that without the local kennel owner promising me huge support with training and dog sitting, plus other neighbours saying they will dog sit, I would not be going ahead. But now that I have made the commitment it feels right, and I am excited about the prospect of owning a doggy.
My daughter who has just given birth to twin boys is over the moon as is my granddaughter, now aged 5, as it is easier for them to visit than take on another responsibility at this stage, so good all round. They have already named her Milly, and so Milly it is.
So what next, well you will be pleased to know if you are pet lovers, that I will be documenting this exciting new journey, with all its challenges and delights, and giving you complete and utter ‘hands on’ advice if you are thinking of acquiring a pet, or are already a pet owner.
The first task I have been strongly advised to do is to insure Milly from the outset, with the ‘no ceiling’ option on the insurance as people have been caught out with the plan. Plus it does not cost a lot more, and could save you a great deal by selecting this option.
Then ensure you have all the toys and comforts in place for your new arrival – including a puppy cage for those first few months. The latter has been highly recommended by a pet lover, who has offered to lend me theirs. It is amazing the amount of support you will get when you put the word out.
I will also be giving you some incredibly invaluable training tips from an expert to help you with those first few weeks of settling the animal into your home.
But all in good time, and will be back to you soon as I am just off to Pets at Home to book Milly’s jabs – they are the less expensive option to the vet – which you should investigate as you embark on your new pet ownership adventure.
http://www.petsathome.com/ Have stores Nationwide for all your pets needs.
by Jackie Brooks | Jul 13, 2016 | Featured, General, GloWellness
Our lives are one big ‘stress ball’ – sounds like a song doesn’t it! Well we are advised endlessly on how to avoid the negative effects of stress itself. But a recent survey has revealed that stress can indeed be a healthy stimulant for the brain and can in fact prolong life and in some cases enhance mental activity.
As someone who has studied psychology and indeed been in therapy myself, albeit as part of my degree education, my very wise counsellor would always say to me if I was feeling the pressure of any situation ‘go with the stress and don’t try to push it away, because if you do it will come back tenfold’. He would also insist, well before his time that a little bit of stress won’t kill you, but indeed would give you the awareness and energy needed to act in certain situations.
A bit like an actress friend who always has first night nerves, which are always viewed as a positive in the theatre, as they give the performers an edge when they appear on stage.
A recent study has revealed that short time stress has a positive impact on the immune system – which is great for fighting infection or healing wounds. In one study, individuals who experienced moderate levels of stress before surgery were able to recover faster than individuals who had low or high levels.
Stress can help us meet our everyday goals at work and at home. The family and financial responsibilities can come with some pressure and stress, but without these elements their endgame would hardly ever be achieved, and as long as the stress does not get out of hand, can help finalize any undertaking, either commercial or domestic. It can even assist with boosting memory.
Technically speaking, when the brain perceives some kind of stress, it starts flooding the body with chemicals like epinephrine, norepinephrine and cortisol. This creates a variety of reactions such as an increase in blood pressure and heart rate. Plus, the senses suddenly have a laser-like focus so you can avoid physically stressful situations — like crossing the road and avoid being run over by a bus!
The key to stress is to keep it under control and not live in a constant state of anxiety. When this happens it can have a negative effect, and there are many self-help books and homeopathic remedies on the market to alleviate this kind of constant pressure without running to your GP and getting hooked on tranquillizers.
We would advise that you pick up Stanford professor Kelly McGonigal’s new book, The Upside of Stress, a fascinating and quick read on some concepts that might just give you an insight into the benefits of stress.
For instance, she states that while we tend to view stress as the enemy, there are actually other beneficial and physiologically positive types of stress; and that making stress to work for you is as simple as changing your mindset and the way you view stress itself. A fascinating and informative read and one that may also change your life.
