Well, the leaves may have all but been blown off the trees, we may have more dark hours than light ones but some things remain throughout each season … your In Equilibrium Newsletter has just dropped into your Inbox!

Welcome to our final edition of 2009 where, along with all our regular items, we are pleased to unveil our latest podcast; let you know about various useful case studies which have recently been added to our website; introduce our new online training course; and include links to three resources which we felt may be of interest.

In Equilibrium News

New podcast available
In our latest podcast, consultant Dot Gourlay introduces a critically acclaimed framework entitled “CUSP” which can be used either to prevent stress or to reduce the risk when stress has occurred.  You can listen to the 3 minute podcast on our website or by clicking here http://www.in-equilibrium.co.uk/resources/podcasts

Stress Management Training promotes Emotional Well-being
We are delighted to be involved in the Wellness Works Project.  In 2007 Community First secured resources from the Big Lottery Health and Wellbeing Programme and, in partnership with Relate Worcestershire, set up the Wellness Works Project.  Its aim is to promote emotional and mental health in the workplace amongst Worcestershire employers.  During the first 18 months of the project’s life, a positive impact has been felt by more than 60 public, private and not-for-profit organisations.  To look at some case studies and find out more about the training delivered, read more … http://www.in-equilibrium.co.uk/resources/articles/training-to-cope-with-stress-and-mental-health

High quality online stress management training
We have recently introduced an online training course entitled “Managing Stress in the Workplace”.  This has been developed to complement the in-house training courses we provide and can be a very cost-effective method of familiarising people with the principles of stress management.  To find out how you can get a free one month trial, read more … http://www.in-equilibrium.co.uk/online-training

Coaching case studies
We have recently added some coaching case studies to our website which illustrate the range and scope of situations where our experienced consultants can undertake corporate coaching.  Read more … http://www.in-equilibrium.co.uk/who-we-work-with/case-studies/corporate-coaching-case-studies

New consultant joins the team
We are delighted to welcome Lynn Macleod who has recently joined us.  Lynn is a certified executive coach and experienced management trainer who provides coaching and training for both individuals and teams.  She has 16 years experience gained from helping all levels of managers and employees in both the private and public sectors get the best from themselves and their teams.  Read more … http://www.in-equilibrium.co.uk/about/our-consultants/lynn-mcleod

Stress Tip

It’s simple, we can all do it, you don’t have to be good at it and no-one else needs to be involved … what is it?  Read our latest tip to reduce your stress ... http://www.in-equilibrium.co.uk/resources/hints-and-tips/tips-for-managing-your-own-stress

Websites of Interest

www.behappybehealthy.co.uk – interesting website whose aim is to help make life happier and healthier by offering support, empathy, advice and information.  In doing so, personal experience has been used alongside advice from health experts and therapists.

www.2minutes.org.uk – can you afford not to spend two minutes watching this powerful short film from the British Heart Foundation which enables you to experience what it’s like to have a heart attack and could help, as they say, “save the life you love”?

Resources

Labour force statistics for 2008/9 are now available on the Health & Safety Executive’s website
If you would like to know, for example, the average length of sickness absence per case of mental ill-health; or how many people working in Britain are experiencing levels of stress which are making them ill, please read more here … http://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/causdis/stress/index.htm

Pan-European Opinion Poll on Health & Safety
The European Agency for Safety & Health at Work has released the results of a poll conducted in April and May of this year which involved over 27,000 interviews.  The results provide current data on people’s perception of their working environment and are compared to the other participating countries.  Read more … http://osha.europa.eu/en/statistics/eu-poll

Stress Inspection Pack now available on the Health & Safety Executive’s website
If you would like to know what inspectors are looking for when they visit an organisation, this new stress topic inspection pack has the answers.  Read more … http://www.hse.gov.uk/foi/internalops/fod/inspect/stress.pdf

Amanda's Column

With Christmas socializing just around the corner, Amanda shares some thoughts about how we handle disappointing nights out.  Read more ... http://www.in-equilibrium.co.uk/subscribe/newsletter-back-issues/amandas-column

Stress in the News

NHS Health and Well-being Review
Dr Steve Boorman, Lead Reviewer, has published an interim report setting out the results of the work and thinking on how to improve the health and well-being of NHS staff. He made a number of recommendations to improve staff health and well-being and highlighted the next steps to be taken.  Read more … http://www.nhshealthandwellbeing.org/InterimReport.html

A response to the NHS Health and Well-being Review
After the publication of the report, the following comment was printed in The Guardian which puts the case that the figures used are inaccurate as they will include those who have to stay away from work when perfectly well in order that patients are not put at risk.  Read more … http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/sep/04/nhs-sick-leave-response/print

Why lean is mean … (in the office)
According to a recent research study, productivity and morale could be increased by a third if employees are given the freedom to develop the look and feel of their own office environment.  Read more … http://www.ambius.co.uk/ambius-news/latest-news/news_184875.html

Join in! It’s good for your health
This article looks at the evidence provided by scientists to suggest that being part of a social group can be better for a person’s health and well-being.  In one study fire-fighters were asked to rate their sense of group cohesion and went on to illustrate the effect that had on their resilience to stress. Read more … http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/join-in-its-good-for-your-health-1784986.html

… and finally …

Sweet Dreams, or are they?
According to an expert, sleeping together may be bad for you and getting a good night’s sleep is more important than cosying up between the sheets with your partner.  Sounds like the basis for a good “discussion” over the Christmas holidays!  Read more … http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/information/news/?entryid17=75117

 Quotations

"Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood."
Marie Curie
Scientist & Nobel Prize Winner
(1867 – 1934)

“We spend January 1st walking through our lives, room by room, drawing up a list of work to be done, cracks to be patched.  Maybe this year, to balance the list, we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives … not looking for flaws, but for potential.”
Ellen Goodman
Author, Journalist, Speaker & Commentator
(1941 –    )
 
 
Direct to your Inbox
If this newsletter has been passed on to you and you would like to receive it directly in future, or if you know of someone who might be interested in receiving the next edition, please go to our website or click here to complete the form http://www.in-equilibrium.co.uk/subscribe

You may also be interested in the following courses we have available:

Managers Managing Stress
http://www.in-equilibrium.co.uk/assets/files/Managers-Managing-Stress.pdf

Developing Personal Resilience
http://www.in-equilibrium.co.uk/assets/files/Developing-Personal-Resilience.pdf

How to Increase Your Energy Levels
http://www.in-equilibrium.co.uk/assets/files/Energy.pdf  
 

Thank you for taking the time to read our newsletter, your comments are always welcome.   Although a little early, may we take this opportunity to wish you a peaceful Christmas and a very happy 2010 when it comes.