At HeartBeat Digital, we believe that a healthy mind means a happy and fulfilling life, as well as a productive workplace.
As 12 September marks R U OK? Day, a day dedicated to fostering open conversations about mental health, our team has taken a moment to reflect on the small yet significant ways we each support our own mental wellbeing.
We hope sharing our personal practices might inspire others in our community to find their own ways to stay strong, connected, and resilient.
To bring out the voices of the team, we conducted a brief survey asking everyone to share their go-to strategies for coping with stress, maintaining a good work-life balance, staying positive, or simply recharging for the week ahead.
Here are the questions we asked:
- How do you unwind after a stressful day?
- What’s your trick for maintaining a healthy work-life balance?
- How do you keep a positive mindset during challenges?
- What’s your top tip for feeling refreshed and ready on Mondays?
- How do you stay connected with colleagues or friends?
We’re excited to share some of the responses from our amazing team:
Lachlan McPherson
How do you unwind after a stressful day?
“I’m a massive nerd for evening routine!
“The stress of a difficult work day can often last through to the evening. I make sure to connect with my wife and kids over dinner, and disconnect from all devices!
“After dinner is when I get particularly nerdy.
“I put on blue-light blocking glasses about an hour before bed. I begin to wind down around 9:30 pm. I read a book for 45-60 minutes. I also use a Vagus Nerve stimulator that really helps down regulate and reduce any residual stress. Lights out no later than 11 pm.
“Easy peasy! 😅”
How do you stay connected with colleagues or friends?
“At HeartBeat Digital we have a weekly Win of the Week meeting on Friday afternoons.
“It’s our chance to check in, celebrate the highs and commiserate the lows – is a great way to connect and get to know each other better.”
What’s your top tip for feeling refreshed and ready on Mondays?
“I spend a bit of time on a Sunday afternoon setting myself up for the week.
“I check my calendar for the coming days, set reminders and order groceries so we are organised and prepared. I also make sure I get an early night on a Sunday.”
Sam Hall
Mick Carney
How do you unwind after a stressful day?
“I know it’s a cliché but the one thing that works consistently for me is to exercise.
“I always feel better after some strenuous exercise.
“For me, I go mountain biking or play tennis, and afterwards I feel better, 100% of the time.”
How do you unwind after a stressful day?
“I like to walk daily, usually 1.5 hours morning and night. It gives time to unwind and think more clearly about things, or nothing at all.
“It helps to start and finish my day.”
What’s your trick for maintaining a healthy work-life balance?
“Working 4 days gives me time to help family members with things they’re unable to do themselves.
“It’s valuable and contributes enormously to the family dynamic.”
Ian Morrison
Alan Hall
How do you keep a positive mindset during challenges?
“If the opportunity presents itself from a time perspective, I will step away and do something that I enjoy, such as going to the beach or playing fetch with my dog, Max.
“This helps to reframe my mindset into clearer and more positive thinking.
“If the opportunity to step away is not possible, then I will try to break down the challenges and by narrowing my focus of challenges into smaller chunks, I can tend to find positives with various elements, helping to move through the challenge methodically and with an improved mindset.”
What’s your top tip for feeling refreshed and ready on Mondays?
“My top tip for feeling refreshed and ready on Mondays is to chuck a sickie… nothing better to have a sleep in, and getting ready to spend the day at the beach!
“Ok, ok, I’m joking.
“Having a restful sleep, and then spending an hour sitting at the beach with a coffee before work, has me feeling refreshed and ready for Mondays.”
What’s your trick for maintaining a healthy work-life balance?
“Eyes off screens is key for me.
“Since our work keeps us in front of computers, I promise myself to go for a walk – or walks – around the countryside in my area each week.
“It helps separate work from home life, gives my eyes a break, is good exercise, and is a great way to chat to friends and family when they join.”
Julian Richards
Benedicta Genoveva
How do you unwind after a stressful day?
“To unwind after a stressful day, I dive into a self-care ritual.
“I might get cosy in bed with a relaxing indie game on my console, a glass of wine, and my favourite snacks (ice cream is the way to go), or indulge in a bubble bath followed by a soothing skincare/facial session with a feel-good TV show playing in the background.
“It’s all about relaxation, indulgence, and a bit of delicious comfort!”
How do you unwind after a stressful day?
“I enjoy walking in nature or doing some sports, which helps me relax and recharge after a busy day.”
How do you keep a positive mindset during challenges?
“I focus on problem-solving, stay active through sports, and remind myself of the bigger picture to maintain perspective and positivity.”
Silviu Georgescu
Jerome Honrado
How do you keep a positive mindset during challenges?
“At HeartBeat Digital, we embrace challenges as opportunities to grow.
“Personally, I maintain a positive mindset by focusing on solutions rather than problems and breaking tasks down into smaller, manageable steps.
“The supportive culture at HeartBeat, including our ‘Win of the Week’ meetings, helps us celebrate progress and stay motivated, even during tough times.”
Thanks for the responses, team!
At HeartBeat Digital, we’re proud of our culture of openness and support, knowing that these small actions contribute to a happier, healthier workplace.
We believe that asking someone “R U OK?” can make a world of difference, not just on 12 September, but any day of the year.
