www.yoomuse.com

A special thanks to DMH Stallard LLP for supporting us.

Dear Readers:

As spring is upon us, I want to take a moment to do something we don’t do nearly enough in this industry - pause…

Q1 is always demanding in financial services. The pace has been high, expectations higher, and most of us have had little time to come up for air. Spring is a genuine opportunity to reset - not just switch off email, but to reconnect with the things that actually sustain us….. rest, movement, good company and perspective.

This newsletter is focused on making the most of the spring season - both taking a break and as we move into Q2. I’d encourage you to read it, share it with your teams, and to lead by example and taking some time off.

Katherine x

If this newsletter has been forwarded to you, or you are reading the web version, sign up to receive all future emails direct to your inbox.

Pause

Mind & Connection: Resetting for Q2 - take a break to reconnect with intention.

Spring into Movement - draw from natural, sustainable energy sources.

YOO MUSE News

YOO MUSE Mentorship & Wellbeing Programme - sign up now for free! Or join the new cohort of Mentor & Wellbeing Champions.

YOO MUSE Events - subscribe to this newsletter to hear about our upcoming events.

Mind & Connection: Resetting for Q2.

The cost of carrying on

For senior leaders and managers in professional and financial services, Q1 rarely ends. It transforms into Q2 without a breath. The expectation to remain consistently high performing, decisive, and present for your teams is relentless. But sustainable leadership requires recovery, and recovery requires intention.

Burnout among senior professionals rarely looks like collapse. More often it looks like increasing cynicism, shorter tempers, poorer decision-making, and a creeping detachment from work that once felt meaningful. If any of these sound familiar, a break is not a luxury, it is a necessity.

Image: Unsplash

Making a break really count

Taking a break only delivers genuine recovery if you treat it as such. Consider the following:

• Set an out-of-office that is real - and resist the urge to monitor your inbox ‘just in case’. If your team sees you emailing on a day off, they feel they should too.

• Protect at least one full day with no agenda. Not a productive day off…. genuinely unstructured time. This is where creative thinking and renewed energy actually comes from.

• Notice what brings you back to yourself. Whether that is time with family, solitude, being outdoors, or reading something unrelated to work - do that deliberately.

Coming back connected

The period immediately after a break is one of the most valuable opportunities for genuine team connection. Rather than returning to a full inbox and back-to-back calls, try to carve out a conversation with your direct reports in the first day or two back.

Not a performance conversation or a priorities update. Simply, “How are you?” and then actually listen to the answer.

In high pressure environments, these moments of genuine human connection are what build the psychological safety that makes teams more resilient, more honest, and ultimately more effective. A manager who checks in is not a soft manager, they are a smart one.

Image: Unsplash

Spring into Movement.

Why this time of year matters

There is a reason people feel more energised in spring. Longer daylight hours increase serotonin production, cooler-but-mild temperatures make outdoor activity genuinely enjoyable, and the seasonal shift creates a natural psychological inflection point. A sense that change is possible.

For those of us who have spent January to March largely desk-bound, spring is an ideal time to build some momentum around physical wellbeing that can carry into the rest of the year.

Image: Unsplash

Small steps, sustained change

You do not need to commit to a training programme or a dramatic lifestyle change. The evidence on behaviour change is clear - small, consistent habits built on existing routines outperform ambitious targets that fade by May. A few practical starting points:

• A 20-minute walk at lunchtime three times a week delivers measurable benefits for cardiovascular health, mood, and afternoon focus. And requires no gym membership or kit.

• If you have children or family visiting over the Easter period, use it as cover to get outside. Egg hunts, walks, cycle rides…. movement that does not feel like exercise is still movement.

• As the evenings lengthen, consider replacing one commute or car journey per week with walking or cycling. Even a partial route makes a difference.

Remember: Easter and chocolate are inseparable and that is absolutely fine. Wellbing is not about restriction. Enjoy it! There is nothing wrong with the occasional indulgence.

Energy management, not time management

We often speak about time management, but another concept is energy management. You can have all the hours in the world and still produce poor-quality work if your physical reserves are depleted.

Sleep, movement, and nutrition are not wellness extras, they are performance fundamentals. As you head into Q2, ask yourself honestly - are you operating on a sustainable energy baseline, or are you running on adrenaline and caffeine?

The best time to answer that question is now, before Q2 picks up pace. Use the break to build a physical foundation that will carry you through the months ahead.

Here’s a thought

A question to ask your team this week:

“What’s one thing that would make Q2 feel more manageable for you?”

Ask with genuine curiosity rather than as a preamble to a workload conversation. And then - where you possibly can - act on what you hear.

This question does three things at once. It signals that you care about your team’s experience, it gives people permission to raise concerns early rather than when they’re already struggling, and it gives you immediate insight about where the pressure points are before they become problems.

It takes five minutes. It costs nothing. And it is exactly the kind of leadership that makes people want to bring their best to work.

YOO MUSE Mentorship & Wellbeing Programme

Would you like to join as a YOO MUSE Mentor & Wellbeing Champion in April 2026?

Here’s what it’s all about: 

Benefits to you as a mentor & wellbeing champion:

• Positive impact on others and enhanced sense of purpose

• Fresh perspectives which could help you in your own business

• Leadership development - strong communication, empathy, and problem-solving skills can be further developed in this role

• Insight into what matters to people at work

• Reverse mentoring and increased self-awareness by reflecting on your own experiences

• Expand your professional network

• Increased awareness of your own staff and colleagues – a positive and supportive work environment can increase productivity and job satisfaction

Benefits to a mentee:

• Sounding board and confidante

• Draw on real life experiences from a senior person from a similar professional field

• Improved self-confidence

• Career guidance

• Boost communication skills

• Networking opportunities

• Connection and emotional support

• Increased self-awareness - through reflection and feedback, mentees can gain a deeper understanding of themselves and their goals.

• Enhanced wellbeing – from adopting healthy habits and a positive mindset

• Expand professional networks

• Gain fresh perspectives

Reply to this email if you are interested.

The YOO MUSE Mentor & Wellbeing Champions come from a variety of backgrounds in financial and professional services and bring a wealth of personal knowledge and experience. They have also navigated their own work-life challenges and understand that your challenges may be very different to their own. They are here to support, listen and inspire you, as well as encourage you to navigate your own 'unknowns' towards your career and wellbeing goals.

The YOO MUSE Mentor & Wellbeing Champions have backgrounds in:

• Corporate Law • Commercial Law • Investment Research • Compliance Advisory • In-house Compliance • Finance (Valuations, M&A, Fund Management) • Risk

Selwyn Renton Erik Guertler John Yates John Tatham Claire Rigby

Stephen Skeels Nine Adamenko Leigh Bunnell Joseph Lazaris Charlene Fletcher

A unique blend of career mentorship and wellbeing support, helping professionals in the financial services industry to achieve both their personal and career goals.

We have partnered with the EIS Association so the programme is now available to Corporate Members who are members of the Green Shoots programme. However, you do not need to be a Corporate Member of the EIS Association to join. If you’d like to know more about the Mentorship & Wellbeing Programme, or if you wish to become a Corporate Member of the EIS Association, please reply to this email.

🌟Free to financial services (or legal/accounting services) professionals

🌟Mentor & Wellbeing Champions are independent from your organisation

🌟A unique blend of career mentorship and wellbeing support

🌟Networking opportunities with peers who also care about wellbeing

🌟Join a community of like-minded people

YOO MUSE Events

At YOO MUSE we will be organising events throughout the year; some will be informal, some will be technical and some will be somewhere in between.

If you are reading this newsletter online, be sure to subscribe to our emails to hear about upcoming events.

We look forward to the getting together again soon!

Our Mission

At YOOMUSE we believe that mental and physical health are closely linked, and this plays a huge part in our professional and personal lives. We are passionate about empowering individuals to take control of their health and wellbeing, and believe that the work environment and culture can embrace this notion and benefit massively as a result.

What do you think of YOOMUSE?

Here are some ways you can support us:

• Add us to your contacts, ‘safe sender’ list so we continue to reach you.

• Share our publication with anyone who may enjoy it (see social share links at top of email).

• Follow us to find out what we are featuring each month (see social media links at the bottom of this email).

• Send us your thoughts (by replying to this email) on what else you would like to read about.

• Become a Partner or Sponsor of YOOMUSE and join us in our mission!

www.yoomuse.com

A special thanks to DMH Stallard LLP for supporting us.

Dear Readers:

Do you ever suffer from ‘imposter syndrome’? Yes? This newsletter may resonate with you….. In this newsletter, we will explore one way imposter syndrome reveals itself in a team of decision makers.

If this newsletter has been forwarded to you, or you are reading the web version, sign up to receive all future emails direct to your inbox.

Katherine x

Pluralistic Ignorance

“I know what you are thinking” - an article by Simon Webber at The Decision Arc, about how to banish pluralistic ignorance from team decision-making.

Decision Mapping: See clearly how your team actually makes decisions - take the assessment.

YOO MUSE News

YOO MUSE Mentorship & Wellbeing Programme - sign up now for free! Or join the new cohort of Mentor & Wellbeing Champions.

YOO MUSE Events - subscribe to this newsletter to hear about our upcoming events.

“I know what you are thinking”

At least, I assume I know what you are thinking. And I’m wrong.

Image by Dylan Gillis - Unsplash

Sometimes, I assume you agree with me and never think to check. Sometimes, I assume you disagree and I keep quiet to avoid the conflict. Rarely, do I stop to wonder how wildly inaccurate my assumptions might be or what it could be costing us both.

Let’s imagine….

Our team’s trying to make a decision. I think we’re making a mistake. But I assume I’m the only one who thinks that, so I just stay silent on this one. Everyone else seems comfortable (it doesn’t occur to me that I can’t actually tell what they’re thinking from how they ‘seem’).

As it happens, I’m not the only one who thinks we’re making a mistake, and I’m not the only one who’s staying quiet. In fact, we’re the majority, we just don’t know it. So the mistake is made.

Why on earth would we stay silent? We’re intelligent folk who want the best outcome and are generally happy to advocate for it. But we’re also social creatures. We want to agree, we don’t want to be naysayers or outliers, we wonder if we’re missing something obvious to others, and we sense our group can tolerate only so much disagreement. We have a sense of a reservoir of ‘disagreement capital’ which we’re reluctant to waste when (we assume) we’re in a minority of one. We pick our battles. So the mistake is made.

Keep reading….

The Decision Arc was founded by Simon Webber, who has spent 25 years advising, and sitting on, Boards and decision teams within financial services. He has seen how leadership teams really make decisions and what it costs them when the patterns go wrong.

Simon has turned a long-term fascination with how groups handle decision-making into The Decision Arc, which brings together his working life and studies (having completed a Masters in political philosophy) while working in financial services.

The Decision Arc lets leadership teams see how they decide by default, understand the benefits that brings them, and see what is costs them. Then offer practical governance interventions to manage these costs, both formally, and as tips for leaders.

Simon can be contacted via the website: https://thedecisionarc.com or on Linkedin.

Decision Mapping: See Clearly How Your Team Actually Makes Decisions.

The way a team tackles decisions contains a hidden pattern, which sets them on a certain trajectory. It defines where they’ll naturally add value, but also where they’ll predictably incur costs. Some teams delay when they should act, others commit when they should explore. The patterns are persistent, observable, and costly.

The Decision Arc has developed eight distinct Decision Postures, across which the trajectory of your team can be mapped, based on a short survey completed by each of the team’s members. Decision Postures emerge from how the team operates together…

Here’s a thought

Pluralistic ignorance is also the reason social change seems slow but then happens suddenly. It can persist among the closest friends, the tightest families, and even within couples. If you hold an opinion, or a set of values, you think others might not share, just start the conversation…. you could be very pleasantly surprised!

YOO MUSE Mentorship & Wellbeing Programme

Would you like to join as a YOO MUSE Mentor & Wellbeing Champion in April 2026?

Here’s what it’s all about: 

Benefits to you as a mentor & wellbeing champion:

• Positive impact on others and enhanced sense of purpose

• Fresh perspectives which could help you in your own business

• Leadership development - strong communication, empathy, and problem-solving skills can be further developed in this role

• Insight into what matters to people at work

• Reverse mentoring and increased self-awareness by reflecting on your own experiences

• Expand your professional network

• Increased awareness of your own staff and colleagues – a positive and supportive work environment can increase productivity and job satisfaction

Benefits to a mentee:

• Sounding board and confidante

• Draw on real life experiences from a senior person from a similar professional field

• Improved self-confidence

• Career guidance

• Boost communication skills

• Networking opportunities

• Connection and emotional support

• Increased self-awareness - through reflection and feedback, mentees can gain a deeper understanding of themselves and their goals.

• Enhanced wellbeing – from adopting healthy habits and a positive mindset

• Expand professional networks

• Gain fresh perspectives

Reply to this email if you are interested.

The YOO MUSE Mentor & Wellbeing Champions come from a variety of backgrounds in financial and professional services and bring a wealth of personal knowledge and experience. They have also navigated their own work-life challenges and understand that your challenges may be very different to their own. They are here to support, listen and inspire you, as well as encourage you to navigate your own 'unknowns' towards your career and wellbeing goals.

The YOO MUSE Mentor & Wellbeing Champions have backgrounds in:

• Corporate Law • Commercial Law • Investment Research • Compliance Advisory • In-house Compliance • Finance (Valuations, M&A, Fund Management) • Risk

Selwyn Renton Erik Guertler John Yates John Tatham Claire Rigby

Stephen Skeels Nine Adamenko Leigh Bunnell Joseph Lazaris Charlene Fletcher

A unique blend of career mentorship and wellbeing support, helping professionals in the financial services industry to achieve both their personal and career goals.

We have partnered with the EIS Association so the programme is now available to Corporate Members who are members of the Green Shoots programme. However, you do not need to be a Corporate Member of the EIS Association to join. If you’d like to know more about the Mentorship & Wellbeing Programme, or if you wish to become a Corporate Member of the EIS Association, please reply to this email.

🌟Free to financial services (or legal/accounting services) professionals

🌟Mentor & Wellbeing Champions are independent from your organisation

🌟A unique blend of career mentorship and wellbeing support

🌟Networking opportunities with peers who also care about wellbeing

🌟Join a community of like-minded people

YOO MUSE Events

At YOO MUSE we will be organising events throughout the year; some will be informal, some will be technical and some will be somewhere in between.

If you are reading this newsletter online, be sure to subscribe to our emails to hear about upcoming events.

We look forward to the getting together again soon!

Our Mission

At YOOMUSE we believe that mental and physical health are closely linked, and this plays a huge part in our professional and personal lives. We are passionate about empowering individuals to take control of their health and wellbeing, and believe that the work environment and culture can embrace this notion and benefit massively as a result.

What do you think of YOOMUSE?

Here are some ways you can support us:

• Add us to your contacts, ‘safe sender’ list so we continue to reach you.

• Share our publication with anyone who may enjoy it (see social share links at top of email).

• Follow us to find out what we are featuring each month (see social media links at the bottom of this email).

• Send us your thoughts (by replying to this email) on what else you would like to read about.

• Become a Partner or Sponsor of YOOMUSE and join us in our mission!

www.yoomuse.com

A special thanks to DMH Stallard LLP for supporting us.

Dear Readers:

When researching what constitutes a positive workplace culture, time and time again studies point to one thing: psychological safety.

Psychological safety is the belief that you won’t be punished or humiliated for speaking up with ideas, questions, concerns, or mistakes. Psychological safety at work is a shared expectation held by members of a team that teammates will not embarrass, reject, or punish them for sharing ideas, taking risks, or soliciting feedback.

If this newsletter has been forwarded to you, or you are reading the web version, sign up to receive all future emails direct to your inbox.

Katherine x

Psychological Safety

What is psychological safety - and does your team have it?

8 steps toward creating more psychological safety at work - some top tips on how to create a more psychologically safe workplace.

YOO MUSE News

YOO MUSE Mentorship & Wellbeing Programme - we have partnered with the EIS Association.

YOO MUSE Events - subscribe to this newsletter to hear about our upcoming events.

What is psychological safety?

Harvard Business School professor Amy Edmondson, who coined the phrase “team psychological safety”, says it’s the shared belief that it’s OK to take risks, express ideas and concerns, speak up with questions, and admit mistakes — and here’s the important part – without fear of negative consequences. And if your team doesn’t have it, that’s going to negatively impact its performance.

In this video, you'll learn how to tell whether your team has it, and what to do if it doesn't.

Harvard Business Review

8 Steps Toward Creating More Psychological Safety at Work.

When workplace psychological safety is present, people feel comfortable bringing their full, authentic selves to work and are okay with “laying themselves on the line” in front of others. And organisations with psychologically safe work environments — where employees feel free to ask bold questions, share concerns, ask for help, and take calculated risks — are all the better for it.

Photo by Jud Mackrill on Unsplash.

1. Make psychological safety an explicit priority. Talk with your team about the importance of creating psychological safety at work.

2. Facilitate everyone speaking up. Show genuine curiosity, and honor frankness and truth-telling.

3. Establish norms for how failure is handled. Don’t punish experimentation and (reasonable) risk-taking - show recognition that mistakes are an opportunity for growth.

4. Create space for new ideas (even wild ones). Provide any challenge within the larger context of support.

5. Embrace productive conflict. Promote sincere dialogue and constructive debate, and work to resolve conflicts productively.

6. Pay close attention and look for patterns. Focus on team members’ perceived patterns of psychological safety, not just the overall level.

7. Make an intentional effort to promote dialogue. Promote skill at giving and receiving feedback, and create space for people to raise concerns.

8. Celebrate wins. Notice and acknowledge what’s going well.

You can read more here: https://www.ccl.org/articles/leading-effectively-articles/what-is-psychological-safety-at-work/

Here’s a thought….

When was the last time you openly admitted a mistake, which was then taken as a learning opportunity?

YOO MUSE Mentorship & Wellbeing Programme

The YOO MUSE Mentor & Wellbeing Champions come from a variety of backgrounds and bring a wealth of personal knowledge and experience. They have also navigated their own work-life challenges and understand that your challenges may be very different to their own. They are here to support, listen and inspire you, as well as encourage you to navigate your own 'unknowns' towards your career and wellbeing goals.

The YOO MUSE Mentor & Wellbeing Champions have backgrounds in:

• Corporate Law • Commercial Law • Investment Research • Compliance Advisory • In-house Compliance • Finance (Valuations, M&A, Fund Management) • Risk

Selwyn Renton Erik Guertler John Yates John Tatham Claire Rigby

Stephen Skeels Nine Adamenko Leigh Bunnell Joseph Lazaris Charlene Fletcher

A unique blend of career mentorship and wellbeing support, helping professionals in the financial services industry to achieve both their personal and career goals.

We have partnered with the EIS Association so the programme is now available to Corporate Members who are members of the Green Shoots programme. However, you do not need to be a Corporate Member of the EIS Association to join. If you’d like to know more about the Mentorship & Wellbeing Programme, or if you wish to become a Corporate Member of the EIS Association, please reply to this email.

🌟Free to financial services (or legal/accounting services) professionals

🌟Mentor & Wellbeing Champions are independent from your organisation

🌟A unique blend of career mentorship and wellbeing support

🌟Networking opportunities with peers who also care about wellbeing

🌟Join a community of like-minded people

YOO MUSE Events

At YOO MUSE we will be organising events throughout the year; some will be informal, some will be technical and some will be somewhere in between.

If you are reading this newsletter online, be sure to subscribe to our emails to hear about upcoming events.

We look forward to the getting together again soon!

Our Mission

At YOOMUSE we believe that mental and physical health are closely linked, and this plays a huge part in our professional and personal lives. We are passionate about empowering individuals to take control of their health and wellbeing, and believe that the work environment and culture can embrace this notion and benefit massively as a result.

What do you think of YOOMUSE?

Here are some ways you can support us:

• Add us to your contacts, ‘safe sender’ list so we continue to reach you.

• Share our publication with anyone who may enjoy it (see social share links at top of email).

• Follow us to find out what we are featuring each month (see social media links at the bottom of this email).

• Send us your thoughts (by replying to this email) on what else you would like to read about.

• Become a Partner or Sponsor of YOOMUSE and join us in our mission!

www.yoomuse.com

Dear Readers:

We are very excited to announce that we have partnered with the EIS Association, giving their Green Shoots members access to the YOO MUSE Mentorship & Wellbeing Programme.

If this newsletter has been forwarded to you, or you are reading the web version, sign up to receive all future emails direct to your inbox.

Katherine x

YOO MUSE Mentorship & Wellbeing Programme

https://www.yoomuse.com/mentorship-wellbeing-progamme

This partnership with the EIS Association is a great development for YOO MUSE in our mission to connect the financial services industry. This aligns well with the EIS Association’s aim through its Green Shoots membership to create a space for young professionals in the industry to independently develop their own networks and build new and lasting relationships in addition to the career development and learning opportunities available to them as part of their membership.

EIS Association is the trade body for the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS), a government schemes that encourages investment into early-stage, high-growth companies. The EIS Association represents founders, advisers and investors from across the ecosystem. Green Shoots is the young professionals membership open to all those 35 and under who work at a EIS Association Full Corporate member.

The YOO MUSE Mentorship & Wellbeing Programme is a unique blend of career mentorship and wellbeing support, helping professionals in the financial services industry to achieve both their personal and career goals. The Mentor & Wellbeing Champions come from a variety of backgrounds and bring a wealth of personal knowledge and experience. They have also navigated their own work-life challenges and understand that your challenges may be very different to their own. They are here to support, listen and inspire you, as well as encourage you to navigate your own 'unknowns' towards your career and wellbeing goals.

The YOO MUSE Mentor & Wellbeing Champions have backgrounds in:

• Corporate Law • Commercial Law • Investment Research • Compliance Advisory • In-house Compliance • Finance (Valuations, M&A, Fund Management) • Risk

https://www.yoomuse.com/mentorship-wellbeing-progamme

A unique blend of career mentorship and wellbeing support, helping professionals in the financial services industry to achieve both their personal and career goals.

🌟Free to financial services (or legal/accounting services) professionals

🌟Mentor & Wellbeing Champions are independent from your organisation

🌟A unique blend of career mentorship and wellbeing support

🌟Networking opportunities with peers who also care about wellbeing

🌟Join a community of like-minded people

Our Mission

At YOOMUSE we believe that mental and physical health are closely linked, and this plays a huge part in our professional and personal lives. We are passionate about empowering individuals to take control of their health and wellbeing, and believe that the work environment and culture can embrace this notion and benefit massively as a result.

What do you think of YOOMUSE?

Here are some ways you can support us:

• Add us to your contacts, ‘safe sender’ list so we continue to reach you.

• Share our publication with anyone who may enjoy it (see social share links at top of email).

• Follow us to find out what we are featuring each month (see social media links at the bottom of this email).

• Send us your thoughts (by replying to this email) on what else you would like to read about.

• Become a Partner or Sponsor of YOOMUSE and join us in our mission!

www.yoomuse.com

A special thanks to DMH Stallard LLP for supporting us.

Dear Readers:

Loneliness at work is an issue that often goes unnoticed - yet it carries heavy consequences for employees and organisations. We have a tendency to associate loneliness with social isolation in personal life, but unfortunately, it is just as prevalent in the workplace — even in environments filled with people. (People Insight)

Contributing factors will vary from person to person but the question is why does it matter to employers if staff are feeling lonely?

If this newsletter has been forwarded to you, or you are reading the web version, sign up to receive all future emails direct to your inbox.

Katherine x

Loneliness

What causes loneliness at work - what factors may be contributing to loneliness at work?

Six ways to tackle loneliness in the workplace - all in a diagram.

YOO MUSE News

YOO MUSE Mentorship & Wellbeing Programme - sign up now.

YOO MUSE Events - we joined forces with DMH Stallard LLP to host a winter drinks reception.

What causes loneliness at work

Loneliness can affect many of us at one time or another and we can encounter it in different walks of life. One in five workers feel lonely at work on a typical working day, according to Mental Health UK and YouGov.

 https://mentalhealth-uk.org/help-and-information/loneliness-and-mental-health-at-work/

Photo by Sasha Freemind on Unsplash

The impact of workplace loneliness extends far beyond individual wellbeing, affecting productivity, employee engagement and overall organisational performance.

Many factors could come into play and understanding the cause is the first step toward addressing loneliness in a meaningful way. These are the leading causes according to Mental Health UK:

Remote and hybrid working - While flexible work arrangements offer many benefits, they can also lead to a lack of social interaction, making it harder for employees to build relationships with colleagues.

Lack of workplace culture – A workplace that does not actively encourage communication, collaboration and inclusion can leave employees feeling isolated.

High workloads – Employees who are overwhelmed with tasks may have little time to engage with colleagues, leading to feelings of detachment.

Organisational changes – Restructuring, downsizing or leadership changes can disrupt established relationships and create uncertainty, contributing to loneliness.

Unclear communication – Poor communication from management can leave employees feeling out of the loop, reinforcing a sense of disconnection.

Six ways to tackle loneliness in the workplace.

https://peopleinsight.co.uk/loneliness-at-work/

Here’s a thought….

Loneliness is subjective and there is no single solution to overcoming loneliness.

If you feel lonely, or you sense that an employee feels lonely this Connect and Thrive guide could prove to be helpful. It is written by Dr Sarah Wright, an Associate Professor of organisational behaviour, and Dr Richard A. Mackinnon, a Chartered Psychologist.

YOO MUSE Mentorship & Wellbeing Programme

There is still time to connect and arrange a few sessions with our Mentor & Wellbeing Champions.

Click ‘Tell me more!’ below to choose a Champion and sign up!

A unique blend of career mentorship and wellbeing support, helping professionals in the financial services industry to achieve both their personal and career goals.

🌟Free to financial services (or legal/accounting services) professionals

🌟Mentor & Wellbeing Champions are independent from your organisation

🌟A unique blend of career mentorship and wellbeing support

🌟Networking opportunities with peers who also care about wellbeing

🌟Join a community of like-minded people

YOO MUSE Events

At YOO MUSE we will be organising events throughout the year; some will be informal, some will be technical and some will be somewhere in between.

If you are reading this newsletter online, be sure to subscribe to our emails to hear about upcoming events.

In December, we held our first informal ‘Winter Drinks Reception’. We joined forces with DMH Stallard to gather colleagues and friends from our respective networks to connect over a few drinks.

YOO MUSE & DMH Stallard Winter Drinks Reception

We look forward to the getting together again soon!

Our Mission

At YOOMUSE we believe that mental and physical health are closely linked, and this plays a huge part in our professional and personal lives. We are passionate about empowering individuals to take control of their health and wellbeing, and believe that the work environment and culture can embrace this notion and benefit massively as a result.

What do you think of YOOMUSE?

Here are some ways you can support us:

• Add us to your contacts, ‘safe sender’ list so we continue to reach you.

• Share our publication with anyone who may enjoy it (see social share links at top of email).

• Follow us to find out what we are featuring each month (see social media links at the bottom of this email).

• Send us your thoughts (by replying to this email) on what else you would like to read about.

• Become a Partner or Sponsor of YOOMUSE and join us in our mission!

www.yoomuse.com

Dear Readers:

Engaged employees produce better business outcomes than other employees, regardless of industry, company size or nationality, and in good economic times and bad, according to Gallup.

Actively disengaged employees aren't just unhappy at work. They are resentful that their needs aren't being met and are acting out their unhappiness. Every day, these workers potentially undermine what their engaged co-workers accomplish.

So, what are the signs of employee engagement (and disengagement) and what can we do about it?

If this newsletter has been forwarded to you, or you are reading the web version, sign up to receive all future emails direct to your inbox.

Katherine x

Employee Engagement

Why do we want our colleagues and teams to be engaged in the workplace? - Dr Alison Edgar MBE shares her expertise with us.

What is employee engagement and how do we improve it - a deep dive into the stats and what we can do to make a difference within our own teams.

YOO MUSE News

YOO MUSE Mentorship & Wellbeing Programme - the current cohort of Mentor & Wellbeing Champions are into their final 6 months - sign up now, subject to availability.

Why do we want our colleagues and teams to be engaged in the workplace?

Employee engagement is the foundation of organisational success, directly influencing everything from productivity and innovation to retention and overall team morale. The silent threat to this success is disengagement - a state where team members emotionally and psychologically withdraw from their roles, leading to lower output, increased errors, and a negative effect on the culture.

I was delighted to speak with Dr Alison Edgar MBE about this, and here is what she had to say:

Watch Video

Alison is a sought-after media contributor and recently became a boardroom advisor for a new business TV show, ‘Ready Set StartUP’ on Amazon Prime UK & US.

Alison was one of the few women to be recognised with an MBE on the Queen’s Birthday Honours list in 2020 for her services to entrepreneurship and business, and she was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Education in 2024. With over a decade of experience as a business champion, she has mentored top industry figures. Alison has also played a pivotal role in advising the government on business legislation, contributing to the growth of the UK economy.

As a dyslexic author of two international best-selling books, Alison has mastered the balance of how to enhance readers’ personal and professional development. Her debut book was a WHSmith Top Ten Business Book and named one of the top business books written by a woman in 2019 by The Independent newspaper.

Are your team:

• Siloing in their departments, resulting in a breakdown of communication?

• Resisting change or change fatigued?

• Missing deadlines or misunderstanding priorities?

• Demotivated and downright unhappy?

• Stuck in a “that’s how they’ve always done it” mindset?

All teams have the potential to excel they just need to know how. See Alison’s showreel.

Contact Alison:

Linkedin: Profile

Website: alisonedgar.com

What is employee engagement and how do we improve it?

Employee engagement is the emotional connection and commitment employees have to their work and organization — it goes beyond employee satisfaction. Improving employee engagement requires a research-backed strategy that equips leaders to create the conditions under which people and business performance thrive.

People want purpose and meaning from their work. They want to be known for what makes them unique. This is what drives employee engagement.

And they want relationships, particularly with a manager who can coach them to the next level. This is who drives employee engagement.

Gallup

Engaged employees are more likely to:

• take initiative and go beyond what’s expected of them

• stay with their company longer

• deliver better customer outcomes

• collaborate effectively with others

• show resilience under stress or change

Read the full article.

Here’s a thought….

What does high employee engagement look like at your workplace?

YOO MUSE Mentorship & Wellbeing Programme

The YOO MUSE Mentor and Wellbeing Champions are looking forward to being connected with you.

Our Champions have backgrounds in law, finance, regulatory compliance, fund management, investment research….

….Click ‘Tell me more!’ below to choose a Champions and sign up!

A unique blend of career mentorship and wellbeing support, helping professionals in the financial services industry to achieve both their personal and career goals.

🌟Free to financial services (or legal/accounting services) professionals

🌟Mentor & Wellbeing Champions are independent from your organisation

🌟A unique blend of career mentorship and wellbeing support

🌟Networking opportunities with peers who also care about wellbeing

🌟Join a community of like-minded people

Our Mission

At YOOMUSE we believe that mental and physical health are closely linked, and this plays a huge part in our professional and personal lives. We are passionate about empowering individuals to take control of their health and wellbeing, and believe that the work environment and culture can embrace this notion and benefit massively as a result.

What do you think of YOOMUSE?

Here are some ways you can support us:

• Add us to your contacts, ‘safe sender’ list so we continue to reach you.

• Share our publication with anyone who may enjoy it (see social share links at top of email).

• Follow us to find out what we are featuring each month (see social media links at the bottom of this email).

• Send us your thoughts (by replying to this email) on what else you would like to read about.

• Become a Partner or Sponsor of YOOMUSE and join us in our mission!

www.yoomuse.com

A special thanks to DMH Stallard LLP for supporting us.

Dear Readers:

Do you know what the core values are at your workplace? Do you believe in them or are they empty statements?

If this newsletter has been forwarded to you, or you are reading the web version, sign up to receive all future emails direct to your inbox.

Katherine x

Values

How much importance do you place on your core values? - and how to go about creating, aligning and embedding values in your organisation.

Assessing your core values - are your values ringing true for your business or could they be refreshed?

YOO MUSE News

YOO MUSE Mentorship & Wellbeing Programme - the current cohort of Mentor & Wellbeing Champions are into their final 6 months - sign up now, subject to availability.

How much importance do you place on your core values?

If you had a member of staff who brought in the most business but their general behaviours didn’t align with your workplace values, what would you do?

Should values be held as highly as KPIs and performance metrics to truly be embedded in the organisation?

Most businesses have core values. These values define the beliefs at the core of a company’s strategy. They are clearly stated principles about the organisation’s vision, mission, and principles. They define the culture of the business.

If the core values define the culture, then it may only take one outlier to rock the boat and impact trust and engagement throughout the rest of the business.

“To really take hold core values need to be integrated into every employee-related process - hiring methods, performance management systems, criteria for promotions and rewards - even dismissal policies.” Marmalade Fish

By Walls.io on Unsplash

Check out this informative guide to creating, aligning and embedding values in your organisation, by Marmalade Fish.

Assessing your core values.

According to Brené Brown “Living into our values means that we do more than profess our values, we practice them. We walk our talk—we are clear about what we believe and hold important, and we take care that our intentions, words, thoughts, and behaviours align with those beliefs.”

You would like to see a long list of core values wouldn’t you. We’ve got you covered…

Provided by Brené Brown (Dare to Lead - https://brenebrown.com/resources/dare-to-lead-list-of-values/).

Here you go:

I recently listened to the Dare to Lead podcast, of a special series on Brené’s new book, Strong Ground, where Brené and Adam Grant dig into the origins of Strong Ground and what clear values can mean for individuals, teams, and organisations. I found it enlightening and would highly recommend you listen to their discussion.

By Shaojie on Unsplash

Here’s a thought….

YOO MUSE Mentorship & Wellbeing Programme

There are just 5 months left to be connected with our current Mentor & Wellbeing Champions.

There is still time to connect and arrange a few sessions.

Click ‘Tell me more!’ below to choose a Champions and sign up!

A unique blend of career mentorship and wellbeing support, helping professionals in the financial services industry to achieve both their personal and career goals.

🌟Free to financial services (or legal/accounting services) professionals

🌟Mentor & Wellbeing Champions are independent from your organisation

🌟A unique blend of career mentorship and wellbeing support

🌟Networking opportunities with peers who also care about wellbeing

🌟Join a community of like-minded people

Our Mission

At YOOMUSE we believe that mental and physical health are closely linked, and this plays a huge part in our professional and personal lives. We are passionate about empowering individuals to take control of their health and wellbeing, and believe that the work environment and culture can embrace this notion and benefit massively as a result.

What do you think of YOOMUSE?

Here are some ways you can support us:

• Add us to your contacts, ‘safe sender’ list so we continue to reach you.

• Share our publication with anyone who may enjoy it (see social share links at top of email).

• Follow us to find out what we are featuring each month (see social media links at the bottom of this email).

• Send us your thoughts (by replying to this email) on what else you would like to read about.

• Become a Partner or Sponsor of YOOMUSE and join us in our mission!

www.yoomuse.com

A special thanks to DMH Stallard LLP for supporting us.

Dear Readers:

Building a community at work goes beyond team building exercises its about creating an environment where every individual feels valued and connected.

If this newsletter has been forwarded to you, or you are reading the web version, sign up to receive all future emails direct to your inbox.

Katherine x

Community

Why Workplace Community is Essential for Wellbeing - five ways to strengthen your workplace community (ICAEW).

Building Community in the Workplace - explore innovative strategies and practical tips to enhance your workplace community.

YOO MUSE News

YOO MUSE Mentorship & Wellbeing Programme - the current cohort of Mentor & Wellbeing Champions are into their final 6 months - sign up now, subject to availability.

Why Workplace Community is Essential for Wellbeing.

With nearly three-quarters of employees reporting burnout, the question isn’t whether stress is affecting your workplace but how much.

Paul Guess, a mental wellbeing expert, tells ICAEW that a sense of community can help.

Image: Look Studio-Unsplash

Workplace community – not just a perk, but a lifeline.

Creating safe spaces for peer support is just one important element of a much larger commitment to employee wellbeing. This is where a strong workplace community can build emotional safety, encourage connection, and help people feel seen and heard.

In the face of these challenges, connection matters. When people feel part of something bigger than themselves, they’re more likely to check in with each other, speak up, and ask for help when they need it. This sense of belonging can create a ripple effect. It becomes easier to talk openly about mental health, and less likely that anyone will suffer in silence.

Five Ways to strengthen your Workplace Community.

Building Community in the Workplace.

If we consider that we spend eight or more hours per day at work, it makes sense to want to build a positive environment that leads to a strong sense of community, don't you think?

Understanding how to build community at work goes beyond team-building exercises—it's about creating an environment where every individual feels valued and connected.

Image: Markus Spiske-Unsplash

Why is building community at work vital?

Community Drives Engagement and Retention:

Research underscores the critical importance of workplace community for both individual and organizational outcomes. For example, Gallup reports that employees who feel connected to their workplace are 3.5 times more likely to be engaged in their jobs. Engagement, in turn, drives productivity and reduces turnover, creating a measurable impact on the bottom line. Strong

Connections Improve Mental Health: 

Beyond engagement, community also plays a pivotal role in mental health. The American Psychological Association found that workplaces with strong social support systems report a 37% lower prevalence of depression among employees. This demonstrates how meaningful workplace relationships can act as a buffer against stress and burnout.

It’s Essential for Remote and Hybrid Teams:

Community building has also become even more crucial in remote and hybrid work models. McKinsey’s recent research shows that 74% of hybrid workers consider meaningful social connections essential for motivation and productivity. Employers who invest in fostering connections among remote teams report 23% higher satisfaction rates, highlighting the value of intentional efforts in this area.

Community Fuels Organizational Growth:

Strong community ties not only enhance employee well-being but also cultivate resilience, retention, and organizational growth.

Signs you don’t have a strong workplace community

1. Low participation in optional team activities.

2. Siloed information and expertise.

3. Minimal cross-departmental collaboration.

4. Absence of peer recognition.

5. Communication happens exclusively through formal channels.

6. High turnover in specific teams or departments.

7. Conflict avoidance rather than healthy resolution.

8. Lack of shared language or inside jokes.

10 Tips to Build Community in the Workplace

Here’s a thought….

YOO MUSE Mentorship & Wellbeing Programme

There are just 6 months left to be connected with our current Mentor & Wellbeing Champions.

There is still time to connect and arrange a few sessions.

Click ‘Tell me more!’ below to choose a Champions and sign up!

A unique blend of career mentorship and wellbeing support, helping professionals in the financial services industry to achieve both their personal and career goals.

🌟Free to financial services (or legal/accounting services) professionals

🌟Mentor & Wellbeing Champions are independent from your organisation

🌟A unique blend of career mentorship and wellbeing support

🌟Networking opportunities with peers who also care about wellbeing

🌟Join a community of like-minded people

Our Mission

At YOOMUSE we believe that mental and physical health are closely linked, and this plays a huge part in our professional and personal lives. We are passionate about empowering individuals to take control of their health and wellbeing, and believe that the work environment and culture can embrace this notion and benefit massively as a result.

What do you think of YOOMUSE?

Here are some ways you can support us:

• Add us to your contacts, ‘safe sender’ list so we continue to reach you.

• Share our publication with anyone who may enjoy it (see social share links at top of email).

• Follow us to find out what we are featuring each month (see social media links at the bottom of this email).

• Send us your thoughts (by replying to this email) on what else you would like to read about.

• Become a Partner or Sponsor of YOOMUSE and join us in our mission!

www.yoomuse.com

A special thanks to DMH Stallard LLP for supporting us.

Dear Readers:

I have learnt so much about resilience in preparation of this newsletter. And one thing is certain - resilience is an absolute must in work as well as life generally.

Rather than seeing resilience as bouncing back from an awful situation and learning to cope (suggesting we are broken), it is how we bounce forward as individuals and as teams to use it as a tool to thrive.

With a huge thanks to Anna Hemmings MBE OLY and The Resilience Development Co for contributing to this newsletter.

If this newsletter has been forwarded to you, or you are reading the web version, sign up to receive all future emails direct to your inbox.

Katherine x

Resilience

Resilience is a Game Changer - video interview with Anna Hemmings MBE, OLY.

Building Resilience: Skills for Thriving Under Pressure - reframing how we view resilience.

The Resilience Project - learn the secrets of resilience through powerful stories from people Hugh Van Cuylenburg met on his mission to understand what makes people happy.

YOO MUSE News

YOO MUSE Mentorship & Wellbeing Programme - a unique blend of career mentorship and wellbeing support for financial services professionals.

Resilience is a Game Changer.

Anna was a 2x Olympian and 6x World Champion so she knows what it means to be resilient. She is now a keynote speaker, workshop facilitator and leadership & high performance coach who combines resilience, high-performance and the competitive edge!

Having had her own struggles and overcome adversity, performed under pressure in challenging environments and studied and worked with resilient leaders and teams over the last 12 years, Anna knows how to support organisations and equip them with the tools to boost resilience.

It was great chatting with Anna about her take on Resilience, and this is what she said….

Click to watch video

Want to know how Anna can take your business and people to the next level? Watch this inspirational speaker showreel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=toE1y4BEyfc.

Contact Anna:

Website: annahemmings.com 

Linkedin: Profile

Building Resilience: Skills for Thriving Under Pressure.

Most professionals rely on endurance, not resilience, yet it is “restored resilience” that provides the mental, emotional and social tools needed to adapt, thrive and raise performance under pressure.

There is a misconception about resilience especially from a psychological perspective because it’s always about bouncing back and coping with situations so there is a sense it’s about fixing people. The reality is that most of us, most of your teams, don’t need fixing, people just get stuck or they want to know how to go from good to great.

Resilience is essential for success in most areas of life as it includes rebounding from adversity, staying focused under pressure, and breaking out of overthinking. It also includes understanding what drives people (and yourself), building stronger relationships, and raising performance even when things are going well.

This article is essential reading for understanding ‘restored resilience’ - which is learned. We can learn the skills and techniques that build on our natural resilience and draw on it in all aspects of life: Building Resilience: Skills for Thriving under Pressure.

By Jon Watkins, Resilience Development Co.

Image: Conference 2024 Jon Watkins

Contact Jon:

Website: resiliencetraining.co.uk

Linkedin: Profile

The Resilience Project.

I listened to this book over the course of two long walks. I wish I could’ve dedicated the full 5 hours in one session because I was emotionally drawn to the wonderment of the stories Hugh Van Cuylenburg tells… of the people he has met and the everlasting and powerful impact they have had on him and to the hundreds of thousands of people he has shared those stories with since. The audio book is narrated by Hugh himself.

Having been indirectly affected by trauma as a child - albeit coming from a happy, loving and nurturing family - he made it his mission to understand why some suffer from depression or anxiety when they have food, shelter, friends and a loving family while some people are positive despite living in underprivileged communities. How is it that some are so contented and resilient?

This is real-life, raw, vulnerable and breath-taking moments of realisation that will, in my opinion, resonate with everyone in some way.

The Resilience Project now delivers emotionally engaging programmes to schools, sports clubs and businesses across Australia, providing practical, evidence-based mental health strategies to build resilience and happiness.

The book tells the story that led to the creation of The Resilience Project.

The Resilience Project https://theresilienceproject.com.au/ 

Here’s a thought….

YOO MUSE Mentorship & Wellbeing Programme

A unique blend of career mentorship and wellbeing support, helping professionals in the financial services industry to achieve both their personal and career goals.

🌟Free to financial services (or legal/accounting services) professionals

🌟Mentor & Wellbeing Champions are independent from your organisation

🌟A unique blend of career mentorship and wellbeing support

🌟Networking opportunities with peers who also care about wellbeing

🌟Join a community of like-minded people

Our Mission

At YOOMUSE we believe that mental and physical health are closely linked, and this plays a huge part in our professional and personal lives. We are passionate about empowering individuals to take control of their health and wellbeing, and believe that the work environment and culture can embrace this notion and benefit massively as a result.

What do you think of YOOMUSE?

Here are some ways you can support us:

• Add us to your contacts, ‘safe sender’ list so we continue to reach you.

• Share our publication with anyone who may enjoy it (see social share links at top of email).

• Follow us to find out what we are featuring each month (see social media links at the bottom of this email).

• Send us your thoughts (by replying to this email) on what else you would like to read about.

• Become a Partner or Sponsor of YOOMUSE and join us in our mission!

www.yoomuse.com

Dear Readers:

I am breaking my own rules and sending you this newsletter early - so there won’t be one issued on the 10th August - because I wanted to let you know about the first of many Network in Nature events which is happening this week.

The details are below. If you have any questions, please get in touch by replying to this email.

I am looking forward to making and facilitating many strong business connections!

If this newsletter has been forwarded to you, or you are reading the web version, sign up to receive all future emails direct to your inbox.

Katherine x

YOO MUSE News

Network in Nature Event - why network indoors when you can do it surrounded by nature.

YOO MUSE Mentorship & Wellbeing Programme - a unique blend of career mentorship and wellbeing support for financial services professionals.

Network in Nature.

This event is inspired by previous contributors to this newsletter such as The Social Wellness Club, Steve Davies, and Self Space (Men’s Health, Connection, and Joyfully Jolly) where walking is instrumental in connecting, building deep and meaningful relationships, and enabling free-flowing conversation which may otherwise be difficult in an indoor setting. Network in Nature combines these concepts.

Building business relationships is key to finding the people who we connect with and want to work with…

…Network in Nature combines business development with the health benefits of walking in nature.

Whether it’s making new connections or catching up with existing ones, join me this week in Green Park and don’t forget to look out for future events!

I can’t wait to see you there.

Here’s a thought….

YOO MUSE Mentorship & Wellbeing Programme

A unique blend of career mentorship and wellbeing support, helping professionals in the financial services industry to achieve both their personal and career goals.

🌟Free to financial services (or legal/accounting services) professionals

🌟Mentor & Wellbeing Champions are independent from your organisation

🌟A unique blend of career mentorship and wellbeing support

🌟Networking opportunities with peers who also care about wellbeing

🌟Join a community of like-minded people

Our Mission

At YOOMUSE we believe that mental and physical health are closely linked, and this plays a huge part in our professional and personal lives. We are passionate about empowering individuals to take control of their health and wellbeing, and believe that the work environment and culture can embrace this notion and benefit massively as a result.

What do you think of YOOMUSE?

Here are some ways you can support us:

• Add us to your contacts, ‘safe sender’ list so we continue to reach you.

• Share our publication with anyone who may enjoy it (see social share links at top of email).

• Follow us to find out what we are featuring each month (see social media links at the bottom of this email).

• Send us your thoughts (by replying to this email) on what else you would like to read about.

• Become a Partner or Sponsor of YOOMUSE and join us in our mission!

www.yoomuse.com

A special thanks to DMH Stallard LLP for supporting us.

Dear Readers:

If you think about the most successful people you know, I am sure you will agree that they all have something in common. Grit.

In sport, in work, in social circles…. when people have grit, they have the mindset and mentality to be a success despite adversity. They are a force not to be reckoned with - well you can reckon with them all you like - you won’t get very far!

What do you think - is grit a superpower?

If this newsletter has been forwarded to you, or you are reading the web version, sign up to receive all future emails direct to your inbox.

Katherine x

Grit

Grit: The Power of Passion & Perseverance - the ‘gritty’ Ted talk by Angela Lee Duckworth.

The 5 Characteristics of Grit - how do you measure up?

YOO MUSE News

YOO MUSE Mentorship & Wellbeing Programme - a unique blend of career mentorship and wellbeing support for financial services professionals.

YOO MUSE Jobs Board - the jobs board which only lists positions by firms which are committed to employee wellbeing.

Grit: The Power of Passion & Perseverance

Once a school teacher and now a psychologist, Angela Duckworth wanted to understand why some people do well, and why some don’t, despite intelligence.

Apparently, it is all about grit.

Angela Lee Duckworth

The 5 Characteristics of Grit.

Image: Nik - Unsplash

1. Courage

2. Conscientiousness: Achievement Oriented vs. Dependable

3. Long-Term Goals and Endurance: Follow Through

4. Resilience: Optimism, Confidence, and Creativity

5. Excellence vs. Perfection

Source: Forbes

Here’s a thought….

Brené Brown talks to Dr Angela Duckworth on Grit - tune in here Dare to Lead Podcast.

YOO MUSE Mentorship & Wellbeing Programme

A unique blend of career mentorship and wellbeing support, helping professionals in the financial services industry to achieve both their personal and career goals.

🌟Free to financial services (or legal/accounting services) professionals

🌟Mentor & Wellbeing Champions are independent from your organisation

🌟A unique blend of career mentorship and wellbeing support

🌟Networking opportunities with peers who also care about wellbeing

🌟Join a community of like-minded people

YOO MUSE Jobs Board

The jobs board which only lists positions by firms which are committed to employee wellbeing.

For the job seeker:

As a financial services professional, you can apply for open vacancies in the knowledge that the jobs are posted by firms who support a healthy and positive work environment.

For the job hirer:

If you want to seek your new hires through YOO MUSE, there is just one condition, you will be asked to demonstrate how your firm prioritises a healthy and supportive workplace. Your vacancies will be posted free of charge on our website, in our newsletters and shared on LinkedIn with the YOO MUSE community.

Our Mission

At YOOMUSE we believe that mental and physical health are closely linked, and this plays a huge part in our professional and personal lives. We are passionate about empowering individuals to take control of their health and wellbeing, and believe that the work environment and culture can embrace this notion and benefit massively as a result.

What do you think of YOOMUSE?

Here are some ways you can support us:

• Add us to your contacts, ‘safe sender’ list so we continue to reach you.

• Share our publication with anyone who may enjoy it (see social share links at top of email).

• Follow us to find out what we are featuring each month (see social media links at the bottom of this email).

• Send us your thoughts (by replying to this email) on what else you would like to read about.

• Become a Partner or Sponsor of YOOMUSE and join us in our mission!

www.yoomuse.com

A special thanks to DMH Stallard LLP for supporting us.

Dear Readers:

Stress can be good or bad - they both impact our wellbeing but in very different ways.

In 2023/24, [bad] stress, depression, or anxiety accounted for 49% of all work-related ill-health and 54% of working days lost due to such health issues in the past year, according to the Health & Safety Executive.

We experience [good] stress when we are mentally engaged, exercising, feeling energised and excited. It's “a short-term change in our bodies that helps us to feel prepared, energised, and ready to perform at our best” - see article on ‘Good Stress’ below.

This newsletter explores stress from all angles. Enjoy!

If this newsletter has been forwarded to you, or you are reading the web version, sign up to receive all future emails direct to your inbox.

Katherine x

Stress

Thriving on Stress - interview with an MD from a large Investment Bank.

Building Resilience: How to Cope with Stress - an article by Resilience Development Co.

Good Stress - why it is important to embrace the good stuff.

YOO MUSE News

YOO MUSE Mentorship & Wellbeing Programme - a unique blend of career mentorship and wellbeing support for financial services professionals.

YOO MUSE Jobs Board - the jobs board which only lists positions by firms which are committed to employee wellbeing.

Thriving on Stress.

We often talk about managing and avoiding stress but, when it comes to our chosen professions, some people are suited for the high-stress, high-pressured jobs.

In our interview with a Managing Director of a large investment bank, we get his perspective on stress at the office.

Image: Fotos - Unsplash

The views of the interviewee are his own, and not of his employer.

Investment Banks have a reputation for having a tough work culture, involving very long hours and extortionate expectations. How do the people that work at them manage to avoid burn-out, and instead thrive on stress and high pressure?

Financial markets are fast-paced and high-intensity. Global markets operate around the clock. With every bit of new information financially impacting someone, somewhere, Investment Banks are right in the middle of it all. Where there is money to be made, or saved, it is usually the first mover who has the advantage! In that sense, financial markets are inherently competitive and efficient, and so firms that want to operate and excel within them, must also be. So, the reputation is probably fair.

Having worked in Investment Banking for over 20 years now, I have seen the public perceptions of Investment Banks change. When I first joined, the hard-working culture was a source of pride, not least for those that made it through the highly competitive graduate recruitment processes. Post the financial crisis, public opinion towards banks, and bank culture, soured. Now, banks compete with tech’ firms for talent, emphasising output-over-hours and smarter-over-harder. In this sense expectations have changed but despite this, working practices have remained relatively consistent, driven more by the pace of the environment we operate, and, to a large extent, the people drawn to work in that environment.

Operating longer-term in a high pressure and stressful environment relies on re-framing, rather than avoiding, pressure and stress. You have to learn quickly to operate within the environment, benefit from it and build resilience to it.

In particular:

Ruthless prioritisation: not everything is equally important; start every day with clear understanding of what is highest priority, but be flexible for that to change; accept that some things on your list will not get done

Manage expectations: managing high expectations and managing someone's unrealistic expectations are different things - do both; be realistic in setting expectations; communicate constantly

Good decisions, not perfect decisions: no decision will ever be perfect, strive to make good decisions; know what ‘good enough’ looks like and settle for it; apply the 80:20 rule

Accept and learn from failures: failures will happen when pushing for success, learn from them and move on - don’t dwell on them

Work as a team, known when to recharge: no one can operate at 100% all of the time - know when to lean on others, and know when you need to recharge

Change is the only constant: learn to embrace change, be excited by innovation, keep learning and adapt

Do you think firms like Investment Banks [with reference to the culture] exist because they appeal to a portion of the workforce who need high pressure and stress to remain fully engaged and thrive?

Absolutely. High-pressure environments like Investment Banks act almost like a natural filter: people who are drawn to that pace and intensity tend to be highly competitive, curious, and mission-driven. For them, high stakes aren't draining -they're stimulating.

In your opinion, is it possible for Investment Banks to see the same levels of performance in a lower stress environment eg. could an Investment Bank succeed at the same level within a 40 hour week?

It’s unlikely. As in any competitive environment, similar to elite sport, outcomes are a function of mindset, training, innovation but also the time invested in pursuing a competitive edge. There will always be someone willing to work the extra hour. That said, efficiency and work-life balance have become a bigger priority in recent years. There’s been progress toward smarter working, not just longer working—but the industry still values those willing to give more when it matters.

Have you personally struggled with stress at work? How do you manage that?

Yes, of course. I think we are all wired to find stress no matter how much it’s normalised in the working environment. It is therefore incredibly important to understand what drives stress for you, which is different for everyone, and to have strategies to manage it on a day-to-day basis, as well as over a longer time horizon.

Probably the most important lesson I have learned is that if something is causing you stress, then tackle it head-on. Stress festers in your body and mind, so letting it sit unaddressed is very detrimental and only perpetuates or exaggerates the underlying issues. Stresses rarely resolve themselves. Understanding and tackling the source of stress not only starts the process of finding solutions, but it also helps build confidence in your ability to manage stressful situations, build coping mechanisms and potentially give you the tools to turn stressful situations into strengths.

Similarly, there is great truth in "a problem shared being a problem halved”. Managers and co-workers can often help navigate difficulties and mentors/friends/family can help give perspective.

I have also learnt over time to compartmentalise stress better. I try not to stress about things I cannot control and try to leave work stresses at work.

What advice would you give to a new joiner at an Investment Bank to ensure they prioritised their physical and mental health whilst working in a high pressure, high stress environment?

The advice I give to my analysts is that the industry will take whatever you are prepared to give it. What everyone is prepared to give is different and therefore even the best intentioned manager will struggle to get it right. Even as someone who has been willing in my own career to go 'above and beyond’ in pursuit of progression, I am always conscious that I 'work to live’, so long working hours need to be carefully balanced with dedicating time to my family, friends and interests. Over time you come to realise that it’s finding the right balance that sustains you. That doesn’t mean that you always get it right - there are times when work overtakes personal life and there are times when work has to flex to support our family - but the key is to find the right equilibrium over time.

Building Resilience: How to Cope with Stress.

When faced with stress, we often seek immediate relief. However, wouldn’t it be even better to equip ourselves with the skills to manage stress before it overwhelms our minds and bodies?

This is where resilience comes in. Building resilience enables us to proactively care for our mental health and prevent stress from taking control of our lives. This article will explore how resilience can help us cope with stress and provide practical strategies for developing resilience in our daily lives.

Image: Keenan Constance - Unsplash

You can read the article here: Building Resilience: How to Cope with Stress

By Jon Watkins, Resilience Development Co.

Good Stress.

Sometimes, stress can actually be a good thing. We feel eustress (good stress) before an important pitch or presentation.

“When we feel good stress, our heart rate increases, our breathing rate increases, and we feel a thrill of excitement.”

Image: Oyemike Princewill - Unsplash

Read the article in full and embrace the good stress in your life!

Here’s a thought….

YOO MUSE Mentorship & Wellbeing Programme

A unique blend of career mentorship and wellbeing support, helping professionals in the financial services industry to achieve both their personal and career goals.

🌟Free to financial services (or legal/accounting services) professionals

🌟Mentor & Wellbeing Champions are independent from your organisation

🌟A unique blend of career mentorship and wellbeing support

🌟Networking opportunities with peers who also care about wellbeing

🌟Join a community of like-minded people

YOO MUSE Jobs Board

The jobs board which only lists positions by firms which are committed to employee wellbeing.

For the job seeker:

As a financial services professional, you can apply for open vacancies in the knowledge that the jobs are posted by firms who support a healthy and positive work environment.

For the job hirer:

If you want to seek your new hires through YOO MUSE, there is just one condition, you will be asked to demonstrate how your firm prioritises a healthy and supportive workplace. Your vacancies will be posted free of charge on our website, in our newsletters and shared on LinkedIn with the YOO MUSE community.

Our Mission

At YOOMUSE we believe that mental and physical health are closely linked, and this plays a huge part in our professional and personal lives. We are passionate about empowering individuals to take control of their health and wellbeing, and believe that the work environment and culture can embrace this notion and benefit massively as a result.

What do you think of YOOMUSE?

Here are some ways you can support us:

• Add us to your contacts, ‘safe sender’ list so we continue to reach you.

• Share our publication with anyone who may enjoy it (see social share links at top of email).

• Follow us to find out what we are featuring each month (see social media links at the bottom of this email).

• Send us your thoughts (by replying to this email) on what else you would like to read about.

• Become a Partner or Sponsor of YOOMUSE and join us in our mission!

www.yoomuse.com

A special thanks to DMH Stallard LLP for supporting us.

Dear Readers:

I was chatting with Claire Rigby, one of the YOO MUSE Mentor & Wellbeing Champions, recently and she was telling me about how she blocks out approximately 15 minutes of time a day to focus on non-client matters. We were talking about how important it is to think about business development and strategy, yet this can be easily pushed down the priority list when we have client deadlines to work with. Claire said that 15 minutes per day works well as a starting point with the goal to increase the time spent going forward and is a good discipline to get a focused business plan started, for example. I thought this was a great idea and such an easy way to prioritise non-client work. This conversation inspired this month’s newsletter….

Habits form the structure of our days. Which habits work well for you? And which ones could be dropped?

If this has been forwarded to you, or you are reading the web version, sign up to receive all future emails direct to your inbox.

Katherine x

Habits

Recognising Mental Health Awareness Week - Let’s recognise Mental Health Awareness Week by assessing our own habits that contribute to our mental health.

Atomic Habits, by James Clear - Small, incremental changes that compound over time to lead to significant transformations.

The Four Pillar Plan - The 4 Pillar Plan – Relax, Eat, Move and Sleep your way to a longer, healthier and happier life.

YOO MUSE News

YOO MUSE Mentorship & Wellbeing Programme - A unique blend of career mentorship and wellbeing support for financial services professionals.

YOO MUSE Jobs Board - the jobs board which only lists positions by firms which are committed to employee wellbeing.

Recognising Mental Health Awareness Week.

Next week is Mental Health Awareness Week (12th to 18th May 2025).

This could be the perfect opportunity to assess our own daily habits and identify where we can lean into the good habits, and look to remove the bad habits, for the betterment of our mental health.

James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, shares an article with useful resources and tools to help you to form better habits and break bad habits https://jamesclear.com/habits. And, if you haven’t read Atomic Habits, check out the book review (see below 👇).

Atomic Habits, by James Clear

Peter Black, CEO of Snowball Advisory, has reviewed Atomic Habits (click on the image) and said “..if you want to learn more about these marginal gains and the ability to work on your personal and business habits and changes, then well worth the read.”

https://snowballadvisory.co.uk/atomic-habits-book-review/

Snowball Advisory publishes a monthly newsletter covering the latest news impacting the industry around the subject of corporate finance and alternative finance; areas in which Snowball advises. Peter Black is also well-known for his large book collection so, if you wish to read a review on a business-related book, the chances are that Peter has this covered! Peruse the Snowball website and I am sure you will find what you are looking for.

The Four Pillar Plan by Dr Rangan Chatterjee.

What struck me the most about this book was how Dr Chatterjee has seen significant changes to the mental health as well as the physical health of those who adopted the plan.

No matter what our lives currently look like, or how busy we are, forming the positive habits (that work for us personally) that enable us to healthily relax, eat, move and sleep well will improve how we feel and perform at work as well as in our personal lives - why wouldn’t we want to feel fantastic…..it’s a no-brainer!

The four fundamental pillars: Relax Eat Move Sleep The focus of the framework is on finding personalised ways to actively and sustainably adopt each pillar of the plan. So, this is a simple, actionable plan that is suitable and easy for everyone!

Side note: I was very happy to read Dr Chatterjee’s suggestion of reframing how we think about exercise and incorporating all forms of movement into our daily lives instead. This approach was also recommended in the YOO MUSE newsletter on Movement as a way to move more if you are not comfortable with conventional forms of exercise. And it really does work - if you detest the gym, you can be just as fit and healthy by trying many alternative ways to move and strengthen your muscles!

Here’s a thought….

Other News

YOO Mentorship & Wellbeing Programme

A unique blend of career mentorship and wellbeing support, helping professionals in the financial services industry to achieve both their personal and career goals.

5 reasons to join the YOO MUSE Mentorship & Wellbeing Programme:

🌟Free to financial services (or legal/accounting services) professionals

🌟Mentor & Wellbeing Champions are independent from your organisation

🌟A unique blend of career mentorship and wellbeing support

🌟Networking opportunities with peers who also care about wellbeing

🌟Join a community of like-minded people

^{YOO MUSE Jobs Board}

The jobs board which only lists positions by firms which are committed to employee wellbeing.

For the job seeker:

As a financial services professional, you can apply for open vacancies in the knowledge that the jobs are posted by firms who support a healthy and positive work environment.

For the job hirer:

If you want to seek your new hires through YOO MUSE, there is just one condition, you will be asked to confirm that you have employee wellbeing policies in place, and that you are actually adopting those policies. Your vacancies will be posted free of charge on our website, in our newsletters and shared on LinkedIn with the YOO MUSE community.

Reply to this email and let’s discuss your next vacancy!

Our Mission

At YOOMUSE we believe that mental and physical health are closely linked, and this plays a huge part in our professional and personal lives. We are passionate about empowering individuals to take control of their health and wellbeing, and believe that the work environment and culture can embrace this notion and benefit massively as a result.

What do you think of YOOMUSE?

Here are some ways you can support us:

• Add us to your contacts, ‘safe sender’ list so we continue to reach you.

• Share our publication with anyone who may enjoy it (see social share links at top of email).

• Follow us to find out what we are featuring each month (see social media links at the bottom of this email).

• Send us your thoughts (by replying to this email) on what else you would like to read about.

• Become a Partner or Sponsor of YOOMUSE and join us in our mission!

www.yoomuse.com

A special thanks to DMH Stallard LLP for supporting us.

Dear Readers:

If you follow us on Linkedin and Instagram you will not be surprised to know that we have just launched the YOO MUSE Mentorship & Wellbeing Programme!

So, this month’s email is dedicated to the subject of mentoring.

Even those whom we deem to be the most successful or influential in the world have been mentored, so it really is for everyone. Could this be the year you get yourself a mentor?

If this has been forwarded to you, or you are reading the web version, sign up to receive all future emails direct to your inbox.

Katherine x

Mentorships

Influential Mentoring Relationships - examples of some famous mentor relationships.

Mentoring Statistics 2024 - the stats say it all.

Wellbeing: Why it Matters - and what does it even mean?

YOO MUSE News

YOO MUSE Mentorship & Wellbeing Programme - the Mentor & Wellbeing Champions got together last week to kick-start the programme.

New! Jobs Board - attract candidates who value a company that cares about their wellbeing.

Influential Mentoring Relationships

Who famously mentored Mark Zuckerberg?

AI Generated Image

According to several sources online, before passing away in 2011, Steve Jobs mentored Mark Zuckerberg.

Bill Gates was another mentor in which Zuckerberg was fortunate enough to have on his contact list, according to this article.

Another influential mentorship relationship to note was between Warren Buffet and Bill Gates. Interestingly, both Buffett and Gates stated in the past that their meeting was initially not of choice and that they were both reluctant to spend time with each other, wondering what they would have to talk about and why they should take time out of their day to be polite. But they hit it off, and Buffett challenged Gates with questions that made him think about things differently regarding IBM and Microsoft.

See more.

Mentoring Statistics 2024

This website has helpfully compiled many statistics which support the idea that mentoring is an absolute no-brainer.

Image: www.guider-ai.com

Some of the general statistics include:

• Of those with a mentor, 97% say they are valuable

• 89% of those who have been mentored will also go on to mentor others

• Mentees are promoted 5 times more often than those without mentors

• And mentors themselves are 6 times more likely to be promoted

• 87% of mentors and mentees feel empowered by their mentoring relationships and have developed greater confidence

For more general stats and for stats covering the following points - read Mentoring Statistics: The Research You Need To Know:

• Career Development

• Millennials

• Gen Z

• Diversity

• Organisations

• Upskilling & Retention

Wellbeing: Why it Matters

The YOO MUSE Mentorship & Wellbeing Programme puts an equal focus on wellbeing as it does on career development.

Note sure what is meant by ‘wellbeing’? Perhaps some of these points will resonate with you…

• Health. Physical health, Physical Safety, Mental Health.

• Good Work. Working environment, Good Line Management, Work Demands, Autonomy, Change Management, Pay & Reward.

• Values/Principles. Leadership, Ethical Standards, Inclusion & Diversity.

• Collective/Social. Employee Voice, Positive Relationships.

• Personal Growth. Career Development, Emotional, Lifelong Learning, Creativity.

• Good Lifestyle Choices. Physical Activity, Healthy Eating.

• Financial Wellbeing. Fair Pay & Benefit Policies, Retirement Planning, Employee Financial Support.

Read more on Wellbeing at Work.

Here’s a thought….

Other News

The YOO MUSE Mentorship & Wellbeing Programme launched on 1st April 2025.

Our Mentor & Wellbeing Champions met on Thursday 3rd April to kick off the launch of the programme.

A special thanks to Druces LLP for hosting our event.

There was a focus on ‘wellbeing’ and we discussed what it means to support a mentees’ wellbeing. It was clear that everyone in the room is keen to start their mentor/mentee relationship and, as a team of mentors, they have access to each other’s experience also to further strengthen the support they can give in their own mentorship relationships.

Credit: Druces LLP

It was great to get the Mentor & Wellbeing Champions together to connect and also hear from Druces' very own Head of People, Deena Bowman, who inspired us with her top tips on being a mentoring and wellbeing champion. Deena has lots of experience in mentoring and is also an AOEC qualified executive coach and Mental Health First Aider so her insights were valuable with some key take aways for us all.

Credit: Druces LLP

5 reasons to join the YOO MUSE Mentorship & Wellbeing Programme:

🌟Free to financial services (or legal services) professionals

🌟Mentor & Wellbeing Champions are independent from your organisation

🌟A unique blend of career mentorship and wellbeing support

🌟Networking opportunities with peers in the FS sector who also care about wellbeing

🌟Join a community of like-minded people

New! Jobs Board

Attract candidates who value a company that cares about their wellbeing.

For the job seeker:

As a financial services professional, you can apply for open vacancies in the knowledge that the jobs are posted by firms who support a healthy and positive work environment.

For the job hirer:

If you want to seek your new hires through YOO MUSE, there is just one condition, you will be asked to confirm that you have employee wellbeing policies in place, and that you are actually adopting those policies. Your vacancies will be posted free of charge on our website, in our newsletters and shared on LinkedIn with the YOO MUSE community.

Reply to this email and let’s discuss your next vacancy!

Our Mission

At YOOMUSE we believe that mental and physical health are closely linked, and this plays a huge part in our professional and personal lives. We are passionate about empowering individuals to take control of their health and wellbeing, and believe that the work environment and culture can embrace this notion and benefit massively as a result.

What do you think of YOOMUSE?

Here are some ways you can support us:

• Add us to your contacts, ‘safe sender’ list so we continue to reach you.

• Share our publication with anyone who may enjoy it (see social share links at top of email).

• Follow us to find out what we are featuring each month (see social media links at the bottom of this email).

• Send us your thoughts (by replying to this email) on what else you would like to read about.

• Become a Partner or Sponsor of YOOMUSE and join us in our mission!

www.yoomuse.com

A special thanks to DMH Stallard LLP for supporting us.

Dear Readers:

We are all very aware of the impact trust has on our clients. If we are not trusted, we have no clients. But what about trust amongst the people within the business?

The people are the engine that make the business work. Without trust, everything becomes disjointed, people are doing their own thing - out for themselves - their attention probably elsewhere looking for the next career move, collaboration and team spirit dissipates, and ultimately it falls apart…. And where there is trust? Well, collaboration, integrity, and innovation are built on it.

Team work makes the dream work, as they say!

Here is the ‘Nature’ edition, in case you missed it last month?

Katherine x

If this has been forwarded to you, or you are reading the web version, sign up to receive all future emails direct to your inbox.

Trust

Building Trust at Work - tangible ways to increase trust in your workplace.

The Psychology of Trust in Work and in Love - what does it really mean to trust?

Can You Measure Trust Within Your Organisation? - explore how to manage this hidden - yet increasingly critical - key performance indicator.

Trust Equation - how to measure and self-reflect on our own trustworthiness.

YOO MUSE News

YOO MUSE Mentorship & Wellbeing Programme - launching April 2025!

Building Trust at Work.

Actively working to build trust will pay off for the person who trusts you more, your team around you, but also for you personally. That’s because the skills it takes to be trustworthy contribute to your own personal growth, too: integrity, vulnerability, gratitude, courage, inclusivity, and curiosity.

Read more…

Image: Pexels-Fauxels

Sally Clarke wrote this article on ‘Building Trust at Work’. Remember Sally from the ‘Connection’ edition?

The Psychology of Trust in Work and in Love.

Image: Unsplash

Psychologist David DeSteno, director of Northeastern University’s Social Emotions Lab, explores in The Truth About Trust: How It Determines Success in Life, Love, Learning, and More.

What does it really mean to trust?

Read the full article. It’s fascinating.

Can You Measure Trust Within Your Organisation?

This Deloitte report explores how to manage this hidden - yet increasingly critical - key performance indicator.

Image: Unsplash

Follow the steps in this report to make trust a strategic asset rather than a potential risk should problems arise within your business.

Trust Equation.

There are several ‘trust’ models and equations out there which measure ones trustworthiness. Charles Green’s equation is great for understanding what makes us trustworthy.

So what does it mean to be trustworthy?

Read this blog post to learn more about the components of the trust equation.

Here’s a thought….

Other News

🎉Set a reminder! 🎉

1st April 2025

The YOO MUSE Mentorship & Wellbeing Programme is launching soon!

A unique blend of career mentorship and wellbeing support, helping professionals in the financial services industry to achieve both their personal and career goals.

The programme is free to financial services professionals at any stage in their career. You can benefit from all of this too:

• Sounding board and confidante

• Draw on real life experiences from a senior person from a similar profession

• Improved self-confidence

• Career guidance

• Boost communication skills

• Networking opportunities

• Connection and emotional support

• Increased self-awareness - through reflection and feedback, mentees can gain a deeper understanding of themselves and their goals

• Enhanced wellbeing – from adopting healthy habits and a positive mindset

• Expand professional networks

• Gain fresh perspectives

We have 10 Mentor & Wellbeing Champions lined up:

Our Mission

At YOOMUSE we believe that mental and physical health are closely linked, and this plays a huge part in our professional and personal lives. We are passionate about empowering individuals to take control of their health and wellbeing, and believe that the work environment and culture can embrace this notion and benefit massively as a result.

What do you think of YOOMUSE?

Here are some ways you can support us:

• Add us to your contacts, ‘safe sender’ list so we continue to reach you.

• Share our publication with anyone who may enjoy it (see social share links at top of email).

• Follow us to find out what we are featuring each month (see social media links at the bottom of this email).

• Send us your thoughts (by replying to this email) on what else you would like to read about.

• Become a Partner or Sponsor of YOOMUSE and join us in our mission!

www.yoomuse.com

A special thanks to DMH Stallard LLP for supporting us.

Dear Readers:

I wonder how differently we would feel and perform at work if we made a few tweaks to our working days. Such as increasing the sunlight we are exposed to, placing a pot plant near our desks, or perhaps walking to and from work through the local park 🌿

Could you benefit from a ‘Reflect and Recharge’ 1:1 personal offsite? Everything you need to know about this heavenly-looking retreat in the Cotswolds, completely surrounded by nature, is detailed in this newsletter 👌

If this has been forwarded to you, or you are reading the web version, sign up to receive all future emails direct to your inbox.

Katherine x

Nature

The Therapeutic Nature of Nature - how tuning in and connecting with ‘everyday’ nature is highly beneficial.

Walking & Talking - three different reasons to go for a walk and a talk.

Corporate Events Geared Around Nature - a collection of event ideas all centred around nature.

Reflect & Recharge - designed for investors, finance professionals, founders and business leaders, enjoy your very own 1:1 personal offsite in the Cotswolds.

The Therapeutic Nature of Nature.

“Regarding mental health benefits, nature has a very wide definition. It can mean green spaces like parks, woodland or forests and blue spaces like rivers, wetlands, beaches or canals. It also includes trees on an urban street, private gardens, verges and even indoor plants or window boxes. Surprisingly, even watching nature documentaries is good for our mental health. This is great news as it means the mental health benefits of nature can be made available to nearly every one of us, no matter where we live.” Mental Health Foundation.

Research shows that people who are more connected with nature are usually happier in life and more likely to report feeling their lives are worthwhile.

Nature can generate a multitude of positive emotions, such as calmness, joy, creativity and can facilitate concentration. Read the full report.

And there are even more reasons to connect with nature, according to this Clinical Psychology Review:

• greenspace exposure is associated with positive physiological effects, such as decreased heart rate and blood pressure

• exercising in the outdoors has more beneficial effects on revitalization, engagement, tension, confusion, anger and depression, compared to exercising indoors

• outdoor activities such as gardening and walking are effective in improving mental health and neurological conditions

• looking at nature has positive effects on mood, stress, concentration, and self-esteem

Evidence now suggests that exposure to nature of ≥120 min per week is related to optimal health and wellbeing, initiating calls for public health guidelines similar to that of physical activity.

Walking and Talking

We have come up with 3 different reasons why walking and talking is a good idea. They are:

1. Health & Performance

2. Connection

3. Therapy

These reasons come from 3 of our previous newsletter guests, whose businesses offer ‘walking and talking’ as part of their offering….. But for 3 very different reasons!

So, if this is anything to go by, we have only just scratched the surface on why walking and talking is beneficial. What can probably be concluded from this is….. Going for a walk is never a bad idea!

Steve Davies Read Men’s Health Steve’s performance coaching combines business/executive coaching with a broader focus on your physical & mental health. He regularly holds his sessions outside whilst walking. Then clients can get away from work & home environments and remove any distractions or interruptions, enabling them to focus deeply on each topic.

Marius Hurley-Bennet Read Connection One of the many events organised by the Social Wellness Club is the ‘Walk & Talks’, to promote their mission to normalise healthier living and encourage in-person connection.

Chance Marshall Read Joyfully Jolly Self Space is the world’s first on-demand mental health service on the high street. Self Space also invite people to join the Walk Club, where the walks are guided by qualified therapists (and fellow amateur walkers). Everyone is assigned a walking partner and given a set of conversation prompts to facilitate ‘walkie talkies’ and deep and meaningful chats.

Corporate Events Geared Around Nature.

If you haven’t yet arranged your away day event for 2025, perhaps planning an outdoorsy, nature-related event is the way to go.

Here are three corporate away day ideas to get the team away from their desks and into nature:

1. Knepp:

Source: www.knepp.co.uk

Source: www.knepp.co.uk

Team building away days at Knepp.

https://knepp.co.uk/team-day-at-knepp/

On a Team Building Day at Knepp you will experience a reconnection with nature in one of Britain’s most daring nature experiments. Learn to think holistically and outside the box like a rewilder and build team spirit through the inspiring and hopeful lessons of trusting in nature.

2. West Lexham:

Source: www.westlexham.org

Source: www.westlexham.org

Event space in 21 acres of Norfolk nature.

https://westlexham.org/corporate/

The amazing natural energy of the land and beautiful scenery is the perfect setting for a healing and nourishing retreat or a unique and memorable corporate event. Try paddle boarding, networking around the fire-pit, wild swimming, lawn games or an afternoon rowing on the lake. Recharge, reset, reconnect.

3. Eventurous:

Outdoor team building activities.

https://www.eventurous.co.uk/outdoor-team-building/

Strengthen team bonds and get your employees out in the fresh air! We provide an innovative and creative selection of corporate outdoor activities and outdoor team building events & ideas, that promise to engage your employees and inspire passion that ignites collaboration.

Reflect & Recharge.

Steve Davies, mentioned above (see “Walking & Talking”), offers a fabulous opportunity to take a short break to ‘Reflect & Recharge’.

If you are interested in a ‘Reflect & Recharge’ offsite of your own, you can enquire directly with Steve via his website → click here.

Steve describes in his latest post on Linkedin how one of his clients asked him to design an offsite just for him. He wanted to get away from the noise of his daily professional & home lives to think really hard about some major work-related questions, but also to have a physical & mental timeout. Afterwards his client suggested he offer the same more widely… so here it is:

Be sure to let Steve know that you found out about his offsite on the YOOMUSE newsletter.

Here’s a thought….

Need to stretch your legs? Go outside.

Need to get creative? Go outside.

Need to talk to a colleague or manager about something sensitive or difficult? Go outside.

Need a break? Go outside.

Need to incorporate more movement in your day? Go outside.

Need to re-set and take a few minutes to yourself? Go outside.

Our Mission

At YOOMUSE we believe that mental and physical health are closely linked, and this plays a huge part in our professional and personal lives. We are passionate about empowering individuals to take control of their health and wellbeing, and believe that the work environment and culture can embrace this notion and benefit massively as a result.

What do you think of YOOMUSE?

Here are some ways you can support us:

• Add us to your contacts, ‘safe sender’ list so we continue to reach you.

• Share our publication with anyone who may enjoy it (see social share links at top of email).

• Follow us to find out what we are featuring each month (see social media links at the bottom of this email).

• Send us your thoughts (by replying to this email) on what else you would like to read about.

• Become a Partner or Sponsor of YOOMUSE and join us in our mission!

www.yoomuse.com

Dear Readers:

Happy new year! 🍾

We do like a boozy lunch or event in the corporate world don’t we!! Well, apparently only some of us do, actually…

Drinking has been a learned skill for me over the past 20 years of working in financial services and there is no denying I have thoroughly enjoyed myself, making some great connections in the process. But things are changing and the heavy drinking culture that some of us remember is changing with the next generational cohort showing the rest of us that workplace successes, business development and team gatherings don’t always revolve around alcohol. Who'd a thought!

What type of drinker are you? Are you totally alcohol free, sober curious, or happily sipping your favourite alcoholic beverage whenever you fancy it?

If this has been forwarded to you, or you are reading the web version, sign up to receive all future emails direct to your inbox (the email version is prettier, by the way 😍😉).

Katherine x

A special thanks to DMH Stallard LLP for supporting us.

Dry AF

Are we drinking less in the City - Mike Booth, Managing Partner at Khepri, tells us why giving up alcohol has turned out to be a pretty good idea, and what the drinking culture looks like where he works.

Would you take the ‘limitless pill’? - We share the TedX Talk, delivered by Andy Ramage, on how to truly make a difference to our daily lives with no limitations!

What happens when you stop drinking? - These infographics remind us of the benefits of giving up alcohol.

Are we drinking less in the City?

Where there was once a heavy drinking culture in the industry, particularly in London, Mike says that around 25-30% of the younger people who have recently joined his business generally drink very little to no alcohol. I wonder if this is true for many other firms across the City?

Mike Booth, Managing Partner at Khepri, stopped drinking 2.5 years ago and has since realised how alcohol had been impacting his life, and how he is now able to focus more on his priorities. He shares some of the positives he has unexpectedly experienced from going completely AF, such as:

• Noticing the everyday joys

• Gaining more time

• Balanced moods

• Less health ‘niggles’

Play Video

Mike Booth

Mike is a Managing Partner at Khepri, and is responsible for the Regulatory Solutions business lines. With over 15 years of experience in both in-house and consulting roles, Mike has worked at various firms such as Bovill Limited, ETF Securities, Deloitte, and the FCA. Mike specialises in finding pragmatic solutions to complex regulatory issues and acting as a trusted adviser to both sell-side and buy-side financial institutions in the UK. Before joining Khepri, he spent 4 years at Eversheds Sutherland as a Regulatory Director where he was responsible for providing robust but pragmatic compliance advice to investment managers across all asset classes. Mike attended the University of Bath and holds a BSc in Economics.

Would you take the ‘Limitless Pill’?

Andy Ramage is a former professional athlete, who after injury cut short his career, he went on to co-create two multimillion-dollar city brokerages. After achieving traditional “success” Andy was left unfit, unhealthy, overweight, stressed and unhappy….

…. So he set out on a quest to study peak performance and well-being. As part of this process, Andy took a break from alcohol. It was this experience that helped him unlock the behavioural change code and revitalise his business and life.

Play Video

What happens when you stop drinking?

Are you doing Dry January?

This timeline highlights the incredible changes that you could be experiencing right now:

Source: Priory Group.

Credit: Priory Group

Credit Priory Group

Credit: Priory Group

Credit: Priory Group

Everyone’s body will respond differently to giving up alcohol and this timeline should only be used as a guide to establish what might happen to your body when you stop drinking.

Here’s a thought….

Next time you arrange a social event at work, avoid anything that involves alcohol and see if you discover any fabulous alternative ideas that you have never considered or tried before.

Is it possible that some of your colleagues will actually be relieved that there will be no alcohol….?

Our Mission

At YOOMUSE we believe that mental and physical health are closely linked, and this plays a huge part in our professional and personal lives. We are passionate about empowering individuals to take control of their health and wellbeing, and believe that the work environment and culture can embrace this notion and benefit massively as a result.

What do you think of YOOMUSE?

Here are some ways you can support us:

• Add us to your contacts, ‘safe sender’ list so we continue to reach you.

• Share our publication with anyone who may enjoy it (see social share links at top of email).

• Follow us to find out what we are featuring each month (see social media links at the bottom of this email).

• Send us your thoughts (by replying to this email) on what else you would like to read about.

• Become a Partner or Sponsor of YOOMUSE and join us in our mission!

www.yoomuse.com

Dear Readers:

It’s the most wonderful time of the year.. Unless it isn’t, that is?

Finally, it’s that time of year when everyone in the corporate world has switched their ‘out of office’ on and you know that you should be winding down and making the most of the break that you deserve (and need!). Sometimes this is easier said than done. If there is something bothering you or stressing you out, we have a few tips to offer you. Here’s to taking a well-deserved break from work and working through the things that prevent us from feeling joyfully jolly!

If this has been forwarded to you, or you are reading the web version, sign up to receive all future emails direct to your inbox.

Katherine x

A special thanks to DMH Stallard LLP for supporting us.

Joyfully Jolly

Be more ‘bear’ - Chance Marshall, co-founder of Self Space, gives us some ideas to navigate stresses and anxieties over the festive period.

You CAN enjoy the holidays without food guilt or body loathing - Lyndi Cohen, TV nutritionist and dietitian, and host of ‘no wellness wankery’ podcast, tells us how to stop feeling guilty after eating over the holidays.

Why indulging a little over Christmas isn’t always a bad idea - Overindulging is part and parcel of Christmas. But could indulging a little actually be good for your health?

Be more ‘bear’.

Chance Marshall, co-founder of Self Space, shares his thoughts on managing guilt and navigating stress and anxieties over the festive period.

Chance Marshall. Credit: Self Space

Credit: Self Space

As bright and merry as it is, there is no denying that the festive season can be stressful.

December throws it all at us. Increasing pressure inside and outside of your work with nearing deadlines, staff parties, travel worries, full social calendars (or wishes for full social calendars), financial pressures, family conflicts, that end of year existential self-reflection; all of this can leave even the most psychologically robust of us shivering in our snow boots.

It can be more helpful to really think about what you want at Christmas, who you want in your life and what’s going to bring you the most joy and interest moving forward. With the space to try to understand what’s coming before it does, you may find that you are more compassionate, more organised and gentler with yourself, to bring about some change before you’re in the eye of the storm.

Credit: Self Space

We know what helps us, but that gets thrown out of the window when we’re stressed and in survival mode: Have you drunk enough water today? Do you need an early night? Have you had good food? Have you had enough Quality Streets? Have you been outside and stretched? Have you been in contact with those you love?

Good stress is a burst of energy that advises us on what to do. It’s motivating, short-lived and helps us meet daily challenges. Bad stress is chronic, long-term and leads to an inability to concentrate. Bad stress can mean getting ill more often with colds, body aches and headaches, trouble falling asleep or staying awake, changes in appetite and getting more angry, irritable or anxious than usual.

Make space for less: feeling a bit rubbish as a result of the darker and shorter days? Don’t fight it. Also, don’t let it have a seat at your table for too long. Notice it and adjust accordingly. Know that:

• It's okay to do less

• It’s okay to shift gears

• It’s okay to work within your capacity

• It’s okay to get outside and see the seasons changing

• It’s okay to temporarily withdraw when you need to

• It’s okay to drop down into unhurried rhythms of walking, sleeping, resting

Be more 'bear'. The Dutch concept of Niksen - aka doing absolutely nothing or being idle as a form of stress relief, is good friends with wintering. Appropriate activities are purposeless ones, like staring out the window, hanging out, or listening to music. Find a space in your house for Niksen, preferably with a window, or someplace relaxing and quiet, let go of all distractions and just be. Start with 5 minutes, and work your way up to however long you want it to be, so you get back to your activities refreshed and ready to go.

The idyllic, harmonious, cinematic image around the dinner table pulling crackers in jubilation is far from reality for most of us. Time with family can be messy and awkward. It's important to radically accept this. Try not to hold on too tightly to how you think it 'should be'.

Lean into the givens: the turkey will be dry, arguments will happen, passive-aggressive eyebrows will be raised, talking about politics will cause chaos, personal values won't always match up, and painfully and frustratingly, you will have changed, whilst everyone else has probably stayed the same.

Name it to tame it: get specific about what’s causing you anxiety in advance of the Christmas period. By naming the things that are stressing us out, and pinpointing them exactly, we are able to bring the executive part (prefrontal cortex) of our brains back online and reduce anxiety caused by a build-up of vague stressors. Say it out loud, to yourself or to someone you love or write it down. "I am [insert feeling] about [insert thing that is bothering you]". It sounds almost too simple to be effective, but try it.

💖Did you know that Self Space not only supports individuals, but there is a Self Space for Organisations too, providing 1-to-1 therapy, therapist-led workshops, talks and trainings to industry-leading organisations that want to do right by their people (and their bottom line). It is recommended that you follow Self Space on Instagram too.

Chance Marshall

Chance Marshall, co-founder of Self Space - the UK’s leading mental health service on the high street. Working with individuals and across 80 businesses, Self Space is transforming the culture around therapy and mental health, one person, and one company at a time such as Depop, Oatly, & Selfridges. The team offers one to one therapy for employees alongside expert-led workshops and mental health training enabling people to build healthy relationships and thrive at work. This includes the first-of-its-kind Mental Health Champs, providing an impactful therapist-led and written training that looks broadly at workplace culture and crisis-prevention that’s missed in Mental Health First Aid.

Credit: Self Space

You CAN enjoy the holidays without food guilt or body loathing.

Lyndi Cohen, TV nutritionist and dietitian, and host of the ‘no wellness wankery’ podcast, shares ways to stop feeling guilty after eating over the holidays. This article comes from Lyndicohen.com with permission.

It’s cruel when you think about it. At exactly the same time you know you’re meant to relax around food - the festive season - the food guilt and weight worries turn up like unannounced in-laws just in time to ruin your holiday. Don’t let this mess with your holidays. Come back to these tips.

How to stop feeling guilty after eating over the holidays

If food guilt and body hate have ruined too many holidays…I know they have messed with mine in the past, here are some things I want you to know – and come back to.

1. It’s totally okay to give yourself permission to overeat. The holidays are exactly the time to relax around food. If not now, seriously when?

2. You may gain weight over the holiday. It’s natural. It happens. It’s nothing to stress about. When the holiday is over, and your body returns to its pre-holiday routine, voila, so will your pre-holiday weight.

3. If a family member or ‘friend’ judges your body or food choices. Firstly, ugh, that’s so not okay, and secondly, it’s their problem. It’s got nothing to do with your weight and everything to do with their own body hang-ups. Food shaming really sucks.

4. Guilt won’t help you eat less or lose weight. It will give you a sinking pit-of-your-stomach feeling, screw with your happiness, isolate you from the people you love and ruin what’s meant to be a happy time. What a hoot, food guilt!

5. And while we’re at it, food guilt doesn’t help you eat any healthier. It sets you up for all-or-nothing thinking and we all know how that ends, right? Hello under-eating that immediately spirals into out-of-control overeating.

6. You’re worthy. It doesn’t matter that you ate Christmas pudding for breakfast, whether you have makeup on or that photo angle isn’t your best, you have permission to like yourself. Your worth is so much deeper than how you look.

7. You know that deep in your bones, right? But there’s also a mean girl voice in your head. Imagining your brain is a radio can help. When you hear that neg voice, try to see if you can change the channel – from self-loathing to self-acceptance, because the second one is way more enjoyable to tune into. Let’s work with some examples here. I start by simply telling myself:

   1. “It’s not my life’s purpose to have a flat stomach and look good from every angle.”

   2. “I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.”

   3. “I accept myself – and I accept others.”

   4. “My body is allowed to change. I trust that my body will look after me if I listen to it, instead of criticism.”

   5. “I’m allowed to relax around food. When I return to my usual routine, my body will return to its usual shape.”

8. How many more years or holidays will be wasted because you never looked “perfect” enough? Bare with me while I get all end-of-year-existential for a minute and ask you a few questions I’ve asked myself before I ditched dieting for good:

   1. What would you prefer to count - almonds or happy memories?

   2. At the end of your life, will you remember your soft stomach, or will you regret how much time you spent worrying about it?

It’s time to start thinking differently about your body and your relationship with food.

If you can have one goal this holiday – or this year – decide that you won’t spend yet another year controlled by body dysmorphia or diet culture. Don’t let diets be the only constant in your life. It really is time to live your best life.

by Lyndi Cohen

There are several links to other related articles and podcast episodes throughout this article on the website https://lyndicohen.com/blog/feel-guilty-for-eating-over-the-holidays/.

Why indulging over Christmas isn’t always a bad idea.

Author: Lauren Cressey - Senior Content Executive

Reviewed by: Dr Sam Rodgers – Chief Medical Officer, MBBS, MRCGP

Source: https://www.medichecks.com/blogs/news/why-indulging-a-little-over-christmas-isn-t-always-a-bad-idea

5 reasons why indulging a little is good for your health

1. Eating keeps us warm - when you eat, you create heat through a process called thermogenesis (where metabolising food warms your body up). Yes, that’s right. There may be a reason why you crave stews and home-cooked roast dinners in winter. Foods such as root vegetables take longer to digest and can in turn help to raise your body temperature. Alongside root vegetables, Christmas spices, such as cinnamon and ginger, both help to promote blood flow and increase metabolism. So, we could say, that the occasional cinnamon-topped hot chocolate served with a gingerbread biscuit might just help to keep you warm during your winter walks.

2. Indulging creates endorphins - chocolate and wine may both have a bad stigma attached to them, but did you know the likes of dark chocolate and red wine boost the production of the feel-good chemicals, endorphins? Endorphins help to relieve pain and reduce stress – which is exactly what you want after a full day of shopping and wrapping presents. Food isn’t the only indulgence that creates endorphins, seeing friends and family can also help release those cheery chemicals. It is important to note that endorphins are only released for a short amount of time. It’s not a good idea to rely on chocolate and red wine as a long-term source of good mood. But every now and then, a little boost can’t hurt.

3. Surrounding yourself with others is good for your body and mind - meeting with friends and laughing together has many proven benefits, including reducing stress levels. Meeting with friends for a coffee and a mince pie (or two) over the holidays may just create a bit of calm during the chaotic storm that can be Christmas. You could even kill two birds with one stone and maybe take a walk around a Christmas market and tick some shopping off your list. With the possibility of work Christmas parties returning this year, there is the assumption that alcohol intake may also increase in social situations. Having a few pints or glasses of red is allowed but take it steady.

4. Naps can be good for you - yes, that’s right – naps are a good thing. So, get cosy on the sofa under a blanket without feeling guilty. Naps provide several benefits to both your physical and mental health, including:

   1. Counteracting daytime drowsiness

   2. Boosting productivity

   3. Improving cognitive functions (such as memory)

   4. Lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease

   5. Relieving stress

   Naps may seem like a treat (or indulgence) to some, but the Christmas period is the perfect time to let your body unwind and give it the rest it needs. So, treat yourself to that guilt-free nap on Christmas Day afternoon – after all, it’s good for your health.

5. It helps to create better habits - it may sound counterintuitive, but indulging a little can lead to building healthier habits in the long run. If I were to raise the question: is it better to overindulge a lot occasionally or indulge a little every day? What would be your answer? The research suggests the latter. Research has shown that people who follow a strict or excessively rigid restrictive diet often fall off the wagon sooner than people who are on less rigid diets. It’s all about creating healthy habits and a healthy and balanced diet, and this includes things such as fats, salt, and sugar – but in moderation. This isn’t just to be said about food either, this goes for other lifestyle habits such as trying to quit smoking (or vaping). Generally, it is better to wean yourself off slowly than go cold turkey (pun fully intended) because you’re less likely to crave it and more likely to create better health habits.

Here’s a thought….

According to several media outlets this week Zebra Striping is the new trend this party season……

This is the mindful act of alternating alcoholic with non-alcoholic beverages.

Our Mission

At YOOMUSE we believe that mental and physical health are closely linked, and this plays a huge part in our professional and personal lives. We are passionate about empowering individuals to take control of their health and wellbeing, and believe that the work environment and culture can embrace this notion and benefit massively as a result.

What do you think of YOOMUSE?

Here are some ways you can support us:

• Add us to your contacts, ‘safe sender’ list so we continue to reach you.

• Share our publication with anyone who may enjoy it (see social share links at top of email).

• Follow us to find out what we are featuring each month (see social media links at the bottom of this email).

• Send us your thoughts (by replying to this email) on what else you would like to read about.

• Become a Partner or Sponsor of YOOMUSE and join us in our mission!

www.yoomuse.com

Dear Readers:

This month we are looking at ways to find enjoyment in movement and incorporating movement into our daily lives.

Not only do we do a lot of sitting at the desk, it is easy to spend our non-working hours doing very little, especially during the colder months. So hopefully you will find some inspiration to move more by doing more of your favourite hobbies/activities…. and the great news is, it could be just as beneficial as any exercise regime! 🎉

Thank you for subscribing. If you enjoy these emails, please invite your colleagues to sign up too!

Katherine x

A special thanks to DMH Stallard LLP for supporting us.

Movement

Finding Enjoyment in Movement - reframing how we think about exercise and seeking enjoyment in movement.

The 4 Laws of Behaviour Change - how to create a good habit from James Clear’s ‘Atomic Habits’.

Take the YOOMUSE Movement Challenge - the chosen entry will receive a free copy of the book Atomic Habits by James Clear.

Finding Enjoyment in Movement

Society tells us that we should exercise to be fit and healthy. This can feel a bit like a chore, especially if we don’t enjoy traditional exercise or have very little time.

Whilst some people are motivated purely by burning calories and looking good, there are so many other reasons why MOVEMENT is good for us. Depending on the type and intensity of movement, benefits could include:

How can I fit more movement into my day?

Ask yourself these questions:

1. If fitness isn’t the goal, which activities do I enjoy doing the most?

2. Can I find a way to easily incorporate my favourite activities into my current routines?

Food for thought…..

If you love reading novels, could you listen to books on audio and walk, run or do some other activity whilst listening?

Could you add a walk/run/bike ride to your daily commute?

Do you love DIY or getting creative - is there something that needs to be done in the house that you can work on instead of watching TV?

The 4 Laws of Behaviour Change

In his book ‘Atomic Habits’, James Clear talks about the four laws of behaviour change - to create a good habit.

The 4 laws of behaviour change can be used to introduce a new movement habit into our daily lives.

The 1st Law

Make it obvious.

“I will [INSERT ACTIVITY] at [TIME] in [LOCATION].”

Design your environment - make the cues of your habit obvious and visible.

The 2nd Law

Make it attractive. 

Use temptation bundling. Pair the activity you want to do with an action you need to do.

Or join a culture where your desired behaviour is the normal behaviour.

The 3rd Law

Make it easy.

Reduce friction. Decrease the number of steps between you and your good habits (i.e. the activity).

Prime the environment. Prepare your environment to make future actions easier.

The 4th Law

Make it satisfying.

Use reinforcement. Give yourself an immediate reward when you complete your activity.

Take the YOOMUSE Movement Challenge

Incorporate a new movement activity into your daily routine and tell us how you did it.

Our favourite entry will receive a free copy of Atomic Habits by James Clear.

Here is an example of how you might use the 4 laws of behaviour change to move more:

1st Law (make it obvious) - I will cycle part of my journey to work every day, leaving at 7am.

2nd Law (make it attractive) - There are showers and lockers at work so I can easily freshen up when I arrive and I am more energised than usual having avoided the stuffy underground trains and regular delays.

3rd Law (make it easy) - I live 70 miles away from work so I will catch the over-ground train as usual and just cycle the journey usually travelled by underground. I will ensure that my bike is easily stored and retrievable and my clothes and bag are prepped for each journey, so that I am ready to go without any issues or delays (or excuses!).

4th Law (make it satisfying) - Although calorie counting isn’t what drives me, I do like to keep track of my journeys on a fitness app and I find this motivating to see the progress I am making. Underground train fares are quite high so I plan to use the savings made to buy something nice for myself when I have kept this up for 3 months.

How to enter:

1. Please share a brief description of how you have incorporated a new activity into your day by emailing Katherine.Norris@yoomuse.com by 29th November.

2. You must be a subscriber to YOOMUSE to enter (you can sign up here).

3. It is free to enter.

The winner will receive an email on Monday 2nd December.

Best of luck and enjoy!

Here’s a thought….

Could you take some meetings whilst taking a walk?

Our Mission

At YOOMUSE we believe that mental and physical health are closely linked, and this plays a huge part in our professional and personal lives. We are passionate about empowering individuals to take control of their health and wellbeing, and believe that the work environment and culture can embrace this notion and benefit massively as a result.

What do you think of YOOMUSE?

Here are some ways you can support us:

• Add us to your contacts, ‘safe sender’ list so we continue to reach you.

• Share our publication with anyone who may enjoy it (see social share links at top of email).

• Follow us to find out what we are featuring each month (see social media links at the bottom of this email).

• Send us your thoughts (by replying to this email) on what else you would like to read about.

• Become a Partner or Sponsor of YOOMUSE and join us in our mission!

www.yoomuse.com

Dear Readers:

All women experience the menopause and - according to My Menopause Centre - “50% of women in the UK are in menopause transition”. That’s about 25% of the population who are going through the menopause right now. The rest of the population live and/or work with those women, so it affects everyone…..

….. It is Menopause Awareness Month…..

Symptoms are different for all women and can include fatigue, brain fog and confusion, increased stress and anxiety levels, sleep problems and mood changes. The list goes on but it is clear that these symptoms can seriously effect the physical and mental health of those women. This matters in the world of work.

According to the Deloitte Women @ Work 2024 - Global Outlook:

• One in 10 women [with menopause symptoms] say that an employer’s lack of support was a factor in them leaving the organization - double the proportion who said this in 2023.

• About 40% of women who report experiencing high levels of pain or discomfort due to menopause say they work through it.

• Fewer women also feel comfortable discussing their symptoms with their manager (14% feel uncomfortable in 2024 compared with 10% in 2023).

• And a lot more say that previously giving menopause as a reason for taking time off work negatively affected their career (16% in 2024 compared with just 6% in 2023).

There are clearly some women in the workplace who are struggling with symptoms and this will impact their performance at work - and also inevitably have a knock-on effect in their personal lives too. So, awareness is key to empower women to seek the medical help when needed so that they can continue to feel their normal selves and thrive at work and at home!

What about low testosterone in men? Here’s a reminder that 1 in 4 men suffer with low testosterone (also known as the andropause) so men can experience several symptoms of their own, such as low energy, depression, weakness, and more. Dr Max Draper addresses low testosterone in our ‘Men’s Health’ issue: https://yoomuse.beehiiv.com/p/10th-june-2024-mens-health.

Thank you for subscribing!

If you are reading this as a web version, please sign up to receive our newsletters via email on the day they are published.

Katherine

A special thanks to DMH Stallard LLP for supporting us.

Menopause

Recognise, Research, and Recover - Nina Adamenko, Head of Research at Verso Investment Management, shares her personal menopause experience, and her thoughts on ways the workplace can support its staff.

Anxiety and Menopause - Kat from The Health Boost suggests ways to help ease stress and anxiety triggered by fluctuating hormones during the perimenopause.

Take the Menopause Questionnaire - and check out the symptom checker, to work out if and where you are on your menopause transition.

Recognise, Research, and Recover

Nina Adamenko, Head of Research at Verso Investment Management LLP, shares her menopause experiences with us.

Nina Adamenko

If I had to describe Nina in one word, it would be ‘strong’; she is strong physically, mentally and emotionally. So, when she told me about the troubles she was having due to an imbalance in her hormone levels, I was very surprised (and naïve!). The menopause can adversely affect anyone, even those we least expect - no matter how healthy and strong we are, no matter our character or mindset, we will experience the menopause in some way. It is a case of recognising that it is the menopause, doing our research and finding the solution(s) to meet our individual needs, as Nina suggests…..

You have always been highly driven in your career and very attuned to your body. What has been your greatest hurdle in terms of hormonal health and how you perform at work? And how have you overcome those difficulties?

My main issue was that I didn’t realise what was going on. I went from a healthy and energetic person to being very ill rather quickly. My symptoms weren’t classic and I ended up undergoing many tests and investigations. In the meantime, I was suffering from lack of sleep, energy and an enormous amount of anxiety.

Work was helpful as it provided a much needed distraction for the mind, but outside of that my personal life took a toll - too tired in the evenings/weekends, snappy and short-tempered with people around me. Quite often I simply needed to lie down.

In terms of overcoming this, it was really about realising that I was dealing with the menopause. Once I knew what the problem was, I could work on solving it. For me personally (and this comes with caveats as everyone is different), HRT became the way forward. It wasn’t a smooth journey either but eventually I got back the control of my body.

What are your thoughts on the Deloitte Women @ Work 2024 - Global Outlook report which says 40% of women report experiencing high levels of pain or discomfort due to the menopause and work through it, and that 1 in 10 women said that lack of support was a factor in them leaving their job. 16% have previously disclosed menopause symptoms as the reason for time off and it negatively impacted their career?

Having been through it, I am not surprised. It’s amazing how it remains such a taboo topic. Half of the population is set to go through this stage of life (and experiences can be quite dramatic), yet it gets very little attention in the corporate world. I wonder how many staff handbooks have a menopause chapter in them? Neglecting the issue means that companies are at risk of losing their most experienced and dedicated female employees with adverse implications for productivity and competitiveness.

What support can the workplace provide to women who are experiencing menopause symptoms?

• Acknowledging the issue and creating appropriate policies would be a good start (i.e. flexible working and working from home when required).

• Removing the stigma around the topic, so that employees can freely raise their concerns.

• Directing employees to a support line/service, where they can talk to a menopause specialist/nurse.

• Maybe even offer free testing for hormones for all women over 40.

• Include it in the staff handbook. This really sends a positive message to an affected employee….. “I’m not alone, other people have been through similar difficulties before”

We are making progress in parental leave, mental health and other areas so we can certainly make an effort for menopause as well.

What advice would you give to other women at peri/menopausal age who may not feel comfortable talking to managers or colleagues about symptoms which are affecting their work?

We need to recognise that menopause is a normal part of life. People became more open talking about the challenges parenthood presents and looking for support/flexibility. Menopause is no different. We just need to raise awareness.

What do you recommend women of peri/menopausal age do if they begin to experience symptoms that are effecting their day-to-day lives?

My view is that knowledge is everything. Research the topic, test your hormone levels to see where you are in this journey. Have an action plan in place. What measures would you be open to - natural remedies or HRT? What if your symptoms intensify? Consider having a plan B. And find someone in your life you can talk to openly about how you feel - a friend, a colleague, a specialist service.

The important thing is that there is no right or wrong solution, it’s what works for you (and that can also change with time!). I do fall out of my happy zone from time to time, I just need to remind myself in these situations not to get sucked into the ‘this is a new reality, live with it’ mindset, but step back, assess what has changed and adjust my approach.

Nina Adamenko

Nina has been working in investment research for 17 years. She is a member of the Verso Strategy Committee, overseeing the firm’s macro view, asset allocation and management of the discretionary investment offering.

Anxiety and Menopause

By Kat Bright, Nutritional Therapist Menopause marks a significant transition in a woman’s life, signalling the end of her reproductive years. This natural phase typically occurs in the late 40s to early 50s, preceded by perimenopause, a time when hormone levels fluctuate before periods finally stop. For many women, this hormonal rollercoaster can trigger increased anxiety and stress, often amplifying feelings of unease, irritability or even panic. Understanding how menopause and perimenopause affects mental health can help women navigate this stage with greater awareness and self-care.

Kat Bright

Most of the mood symptoms associated with this time of life occur in the perimenopause stage as a result of low progesterone combined with high fluctuation oestrogen. The mood symptoms occur less during the lowered oestrogen phases - and if present may respond well to oestrogen therapy. Oestrogen is your ‘get up and go’ hormone, while progesterone is more the ‘calming best friend’. For many women if they have the foot on the accelerator all the time and are in a heightened cortisol response then this will turn to adrenaline and give a much more heightened response to stress and anxiety.

What can you do?

• Alcohol is often used by woman to lessen symptoms of stress or unwind at the end of the day - but it can actually do the opposite of what you are looking for and increase cortisol, your stress hormone. It can also downregulate progesterone which is your anti-anxiety hormone. A trial removal of alcohol is recommended for a few weeks to see if this improves symptoms.

• Making sure you are getting adequate sleep is important. Elevated cortisol can suppress melatonin making this harder. On average British adults are only getting 5.91 hours of sleep a night. Ideally, we need to be hitting 7-9 hours sleep. Sleep hygiene such as limiting phone use at night; taking a warm bath before bed with some magnesium salts in; using blackout blinds or shutters and keeping the bedroom cool all help. Women might benefit from some targeted supplements to help their sleep.

• A 2023 study found that 1000mg of vitamin C daily for 2 months reduced cortisol in chronically stressed women. Vitamin C can also support progesterone and so would be excellent to include as a perimenopause supplement. It’s also a relatively cheap supplement. Look for a buffered or liposomal vitamin C to avoid digestive issues.

• A 2023 study of over 31,000 women found that those with the highest intake of ultra processed food had a higher risk of depression. An excellent book on this topic is Ultra Processed People by Dr Chris Van Tulleken.

• Physical activity has been shown to be more effective than medication in the treatment of depression and anxiety with higher intensity exercise having the greatest benefit. This is best done earlier in the day so it doesn’t leave you wired for bed.

• Omega-3 fish oil has done well in several clinical trials for major depression. It helps to reduce inflammation and maintain healthy fluidity of cell membranes. If you take blood thinning medication or are about to have an operation, then a fish oil supplement is not advised. It is important to eat plenty of oily fish such as mackerel, sardines, salmon and anchovies to get enough omega-3 in diet. Try to include three times a week for the best benefit. You could have salmon once a week and then tinned mackerel and sardines to a salad on two other days.

• Dark green leafy vegetables, nuts and seeds are an excellent source of magnesium which helps to calm your nervous system. Try adding more greens to your evening meal. Keeping frozen spinach balls in your freezer and incorporating them to stews, curries and chillies is an easy win. Sprinkle seeds onto your breakfast yoghurt or porridge or salads at lunchtime. Pumpkin, sunflower and sesame are all good sources of magnesium.

Kat Bright is a nutritional therapist. She empowers midlife women to take control of their health and learn to thrive. Her commitment is to ensure that every midlife woman receives the most effective, enjoyable strategies for improving their health and lifestyle.

 What she offers:

• Wellness Check - a comprehensive blood test and analysis that provides clients with a detailed summary of their results. Recommendations for supplements and nutrition are given based on individual needs. An excellent MOT for your body to uncover the root cause of your health issues.

• One-to-one Consultations - Personalised programs ranging from 6 to 12 sessions, designed to address each client’s specific health concerns and goals.

Kat runs her website, The health Boost, with her business partner, Val Simpson, and they offer over 200 healthy, easy and delicious high protein recipes to support women on their midlife journey. Val Simpson is a personal trainer offering one to one strength training sessions, based in a private boutique studio in Sevenoaks. You can find The Health Boost on Instagram and Facebook.

Val and Kat

Take the Menopause Questionnaire

Are you menopausal?

In our quest to learn more about the menopause, we discovered a couple of great tools; the Menopause Questionnaire and the Menopause Symptom Checker - both from My Menopause Centre.

The Menopause Questionnaire will help you work out if, and where, you are on your menopause transition. It takes c.4 minutes to complete.

My Menopause Centre say “While our questionnaire is a wonderful tool, it is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please speak to your GP or one of the doctors in our menopause clinic if you have any concerns, questions or queries about any of your answers. If you think you might need medical attention, please call your doctor or 111. Dial 999 in an emergency.” 

I took the questionnaire myself. I would consider myself in the perimenopausal stage. I received an email report explaining the outcome of my answers, including advice about each symptom. The results of the report came as no surprise and it was actually reassuring to have a written report to support my view.

My Menopause Centre also provides a Symptom Checker tool, which gives you an overview of 40 symptoms of the menopause. Each symptom has a dedicated section written by My Menopause Centre Co-Founder, Dr Clare Spencer, a GP and menopause specialist.

I wasn’t able to speak to Dr Clare Spencer or Helen Normoyle (co-founder) as it is most likely a very busy time for them (being Menopause Awareness Month), but you can find all the details you may need on the website, My Menopause Centre, which is worth a visit; with access to a wealth of information and experienced menopause specialists.

Dr Clare Spencer is hosting two free events this month on HRT with the first on Demystifying Oestrogen and Progesterone on 15th October at 7.30pm. You can register to attend via the link on their Instagram page.

Here’s a thought….

If you think your workplace could benefit from some menopause training, webinars, workshops and policy support, check out Menopause at Work on Linkedin.

Our Mission

At YOOMUSE we believe that mental and physical health are closely linked, and this plays a huge part in our professional and personal lives. We are passionate about empowering individuals to take control of their health and wellbeing, and believe that the work environment and culture can embrace this notion and benefit massively as a result.

What do you think of YOOMUSE?

Here are some ways you can support us:

• Add us to your contacts, ‘safe sender’ list so we continue to reach you.

• Share our publication with anyone who may enjoy it (see social share links at top of email).

• Follow us to find out what we are featuring each month (see social media links at the bottom of this email).

• Send us your thoughts (by replying to this email) on what else you would like to read about.

• Become a Partner or Sponsor of YOOMUSE and join us in our mission!