The Garrett Learning newsletter. A mental health and wellbeing update to find out what has been happening, what’s coming up and what’s new!
Inside this month’s issue:
- Free Employee Wellbeing Session for World Mental Health Day
- Coaching through change
- Introducing Microbreaks
We are * Supportive * Curious * Welcoming * Encouraging * Straightforward * We are Garrett Learning.
What’s been happening?
Recently, I was asked to do something a little different. A company facing major change, including the risk of redundancies, invited me to be a listening ear for their people.
At first, I wondered what difference I could make. But what unfolded was powerful. By creating a safe, confidential space, I gave employees the opportunity to talk openly to someone independent. I wasn’t a family member offering well-meaning but unhelpful advice or a colleague dealing with their own uncertainty. I was simply there for them.
What a testament to that organisation, recognising that in times of change, genuine support for their people matters most.
Change is inevitable, but how we support people through it makes all the difference. I feel honoured to be a part of their journey.
With workplace change comes increasing stress levels. I recently read a statistic about stress at work: 88% of people think about work outside of working hours and 73% of employees cite workload as a cause of stress at work. (Source: https://www.priorygroup.com/mental-health/stress-treatment/stress-statistics#:~:text=Common%20physical%20symptoms%20of%20stress,Health%20UK%3A%20Burnout%20Report%202025 )
These are huge numbers! On a recent training course we spoke about introducing ‘micro breaks’ during the day to reduce stress and improve wellbeing in the workplace which in turn will boost productivity and motivation and reduce burnout.
Micro breaks include:
- Every 15-minutes look away from the screen and refocus on something else – perhaps look out the window (maybe we need a popup on our screens to remind us to look away)
- Moving individual bins from each person’s desk to one bigger central bin so we have to get up and move to throw away our banana skins!
- Every 30 minutes, move and stretch by walking around or gentle stretching movements to reduce muscle tension and cramp
- Hydrate by refilling the water glass each hour
- Connect with a colleague, a quick chat can change our mood and improve concentration
- Take a moment for a short meditation/ breathing exercise – great apps include Insight Timer, Buddhify or You Tube channels
- Doodle, get creative, use a fidget toy, draw, write or daydream to ‘play’ at work. Your brain will welcome the break and you’ll go back to work more energised.
It’s not about trying to fit all of these into a working day, however it’s about trying something new and doing something to help yourself when you need it most. You could also ‘habit stack’. I.e. Whilst you wait for the kettle to boil you could stretch your body.
You may want to consider how you spend your longer work breaks too to reduce stress and workplace pressures. When we are busy, a break is more necessary – honestly! I mean it! Or when you’re super busy do you work through lunch?
Perhaps you could try the following:
- Taking a lunch away from your normal working area
- Get out in nature, go for a lunchtime walk and perhaps invite a colleague to chat and get connected
- At the end of the working day switch off/lock away your work devices. Maybe that email can wait until tomorrow?
- If you have annual leave, leave the work devices with a colleague
What’s coming up? – Free workshops!
Let’s get connected – Please share these sessions with anyone who might be interested in attending:
On Friday 10th October 2025 it’s World Mental Health Day and I’m running a free 45-minute session on ‘employee wellbeing’ . If you manage a team member, are a MHFAider or employee wellbeing is your thing, we’d love you to attend. Everyone is welcome. Grab a cuppa, and join us on Zoom. We’ll be talking about ‘Micro breaks’. Please sign up here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/lets-focus-on-employee-wellbeing-tickets-1693220531189?aff=oddtdtcreator
National MHFAider Day!
The 12th November is the first ever national MHFAider Day! Let’s celebrate this!
We’d love to welcome you as a MHFAider or Workplace Wellbeing Champion to join our Workplace Wellbeing support session. It’s a really informal meet up on Zoom to chat, connect, share our thoughts, ask our questions and celebrate the great work that we do. Sign up here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/national-mhfaider-day-tickets-1717998532859?aff=oddtdtcreator
Use a free pass and join us and the other Workplace Wellbeing Champions!
Shirley was fabulous this week. She spoke about the Man-oh-pause – if you’d like to access the recording, please reach out to me. Next month Natasha will be taking us through a ‘brain dump’ exercise. If you want to attend one session for free, drop me an email at wendy@garrettlearning.co.uk
Fresh inspiration, every month. Each session in our Workplace Wellbeing Champion Community features a guest speaker who shares practical tips and insights to boost wellbeing at work. Join us on the second* Monday of the month at 1pm GMT, every month. £20/month or £35 drop-in. Find out more here: https://www.garrettlearning.co.uk/services/workplace-well-being-champion/
If you’re a HR or Learning and Development specialist, a workplace wellbeing ambassador or champion or a Mental Health First Aider, come and join us. It’s a community that understands wellbeing at work. This is your space to learn, recharge and connect.
Want to find out more on how Garrett Learning can help you??
Garrett Learning creates welcoming, memorable, and learner-focused learning experiences to reach individual and business goals.
Book a discovery call with us to see how Garrett Learning can offer:
- Lunch and learn workshops
- MHFA England Programmes Open courses
- Bespoke training
- 1:1 well-being strategy development
- Business mentoring
Chat with Wendy: Book a call
We (Wendy and her growing team!) are here for you when you need us. We are here to hear you! We are kind in nature and open to hearing everyone’s point of view. Our training and overall learning experiences are built to ensure you feel comfortable and can be yourself.
If you want to discuss your future plans, I’d love to hear them! Get in touch!
m: 07859 878 599
c: https://scheduler.zoom.us/garrettlearning/1-1-cuppa-and-chat
l: www.linkedin.com/in/wendy-garrett-7522bb50/
f: www.facebook.com/GarrettLearning
i: www.instagram.com/garrettlearning
t: www.tiktok.com/@garrettlearning
Y: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRq7TIWs7iqeaOvA3hdFN3w
