April marks Stress Awareness Month

April marks Stress Awareness Month, a pivotal time to emphasise mental well-being.

At LEAD Network, we believe that promoting the advancement of women in the retail and consumer goods industry isn't just about breaking glass ceilings; it's also about fostering environments where women can thrive, grow, and lead without unnecessary stress.

In line with Stress Awareness Month, we're proud to reaffirm our commitment to supporting the well-being of all women professionals in our industry. From implementing flexible work arrangements to providing robust mentorship programmes, together with our partners companies prioritise creating a supportive ecosystem that acknowledges and addresses the unique stressors women may face in the workplace.

Let's unite in acknowledging the significance of stress management and supporting one another's mental health journeys.

Here is a mindfulness exercise:  Five Senses Practice (Simply Notice)

Begin  with a slow, deep breath. Continue to breathe slowly and deeply as you engage in these exercises, as this type of breathing calms your sympathetic nervous system (the one responsible for your fight-or-flight stress response) and activates your parasympathetic nervous system (the calming one dubbed “rest-and-digest”).  This exercise can help you center yourself and reset when you’re particularly stressed or anxious. Begin to get in the habit of pausing now and then to concentrate on the tangible things around you. To practice noticing your five senses:

• Identify five (more or less as you desire) things you can see with your eyes.
• Note five sounds you can hear with your ears.
• Discover five scents you can smell with your nose.
• Experience five textures you can feel with your fingertips.
• Savor five unique tastes (this works at home or during a meal but isn’t a great idea on the bus)