Green Spaces, Blue Skies, Better Moods

Green and blue tones in nature calm the visual cortex

Light movement boosts serotonin and endorphins ⤴️

Outdoor air supports better sleep and clearer thinking

PAUSE with a Nature boost - even a 10-minute break outdoors shifts your energy 🔋

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Learn more about using the power of the PAUSE in your FREE step-by-step guide to find clarity and a path forward

• a taster of my powerful 4P Framework, a tried-and-tested strategy that can help you navigate life's challenges, big or small, with confidence and calm...

Email anne.brookes@canalsidecoach.app to receive your simple and friendly Guide to the 4P Framework that has helped countless people just like you.

🌿 Nature is therapy - pair it with coaching for deeper clarity

Coaching can guide the way - for personalised professional coaching, Book a Wraparound session with me

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DIY Life Coaching: READ my Ebook

DIY Life Coaching with the 4P Framework

DIY Life Coaching: WATCH my microlearning videos on the Canalside Life Coach

on the Canalside Life Coach YouTube Channel

IMAGE: Piet van de Wiel pixabay.com

Feeling overwhelmed by work-life balance?

Written/Human authored by Anne Brookes

How can you balance it all?

Or can we call it "worklife"? I playfully put the words together because anything that happens in life, we have to work for it or towards it...think of it as where you focus your energy.  

So paid work is just an aspect of your whole life.  We have unpaid work that is "the rest of our life".

How do you think about your "worklife"?

Do you value the unpaid aspects?

Do you identify solely as the job you do that is paid?

There is a significant part of the world's activities exploding with the idea that only your job matters - is this true?  Do you consider other things in your life to matter?

How can you balance it all?

HAVE A LOOK AT THIS 1 minute video Balancing Life and Work from my YouTube channel @canlasidelifecoach

If you need a nudge and guide, I'm here to help:Find out more about me

Working from home or running a business at home with deadlines to meet: how to stay well (physically and mentally)

written by Anne Brookes, Canalside Life Coach

Make time for yourself when you have a busy schedule

🟡 try to have at least one day or two half days when you do something FUN and relaxing in a very different way from the business activities. You need to recharge the batteries

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🟦 have a clear mandate that your health is the number one priority – if you are ill or tired mentally, you will have diminishing returns on concentration, focus and energy – you must invest in yourself first

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Techniques for combating loneliness and that feeling of doing it all alone

🔴 use co-working spaces one day a week/fortnight/month, however it fits your calendar. Find one that suits your style – it needs to be welcoming, with like-minded people who will be positive and respectful of your need to balance work with in-person connections.

Then wait for friendships to begin to flourish as you share highs and lows of everyday life

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🟩 co-work ONLINE with a “buddy” – put a shoutout on LinkedIn or your prefered platform - there are many people in the same situation.

A "coffee chat" online first establishes that you feel comfortable and can agree parameters about how you use your time together - best to be upfront about possible interuptions or whether you like music in the background....really basic ground rules so that there are no disappointments.

As an example - have a quick chat about how you are for 10 minutes. Then have bursts of concentrated work for the rhythm of time that works for you on that day, as well as agreed slots of time to check in with each other

Have a break and have a drink

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then it's back to focused work when refreshed - and often this is a useful discipline to learn - your buddy will keep you from being distracted.

After your session time, feed back to each other and share the reality. You may feel frustrated, the other person could have cracked a problem and that gives you a boost – sharing the pains and the gains helps it become less negative and personal if you've had a bad day!

Unleash the positive impact of nature AND microbreaks

🟡 getting outside for light and air! Wherever you are, and if you can, engage with green space/nature in some way

🔺🔻 microbreaks – getting up from a desk and physically moving

Resources

✴️ My YouTube playlist Coping skills for well-being: https://www.youtube.com/@canalsidelifecoach/playlists

My Guide to Dealing with stress

📖 Read this article on 7 types of rest

▶️ Watch my 1 minute video Balancing Life and Work on my YouTube channel - please subscribe, thank you :) 🌹

🔴 Use Pomodoro as a time management technique

🏃‍♂️‍➡️ Microbreak resource: https://www.linkedin.com/company/breakthru-immersive-microbreaks

I contributed to an article "Wellbeing tips for small business owners and lone workers"

Published: 04 June 2025 on the BGWM website

Reconnection and Renewal after Menopause - Welcoming a New Chapter

Remember, you are not alone. Many women have successfully navigated the challenges of menopause and emerged stronger and more resilient. By prioritizing self-care, seeking support and embracing change, you can thrive in this new chapter of your life.

Self-discovery after menopause

Menopause marks a significant life transition, often accompanied by physical and emotional changes. However, it also presents an opportunity for renewal and growth. As you navigate this new phase of life, it's essential to welcome your evolving self and begin your journey of self-discovery.

Welcoming a New Chapter: A Fresh Start 🦋

As you emerge from the storm of menopause, you may find yourself with a sense of renewed energy and clarity. This is a perfect time to reassess your life and look to what you want and need for your future. However, it's important to acknowledge any lingering emotional or psychological baggage that may be holding you back.

Seeking Support

If you're struggling with persistent challenges, consider seeking professional help. A therapist or life coach can provide guidance and support as you work through these issues.

Embracing Lifelong Learning

The human brain is incredibly adaptable, and learning new things can keep your mind sharp and your spirit vibrant. Whether it's a new hobby, a language course, or a volunteer opportunity, embrace lifelong learning and discover new interests and activities that motivate you.

Finding friends after menopause 🙋🏻‍♂️ 🙋

Joining online communities or local groups can provide valuable support and friendship. Sharing experiences with others who understand can alleviate feelings of isolation and loneliness.

Read more about my DIY Life Coaching video: Menopause-Finding Support together with Canalside Life Coach then watch and subscribe to my channel please - thank you:)

Talk to Anne for Personalized guidance and support from a qualified and certified Life Coach

Book a FREE voice or video call at https://ui.canalsidecoach.app or email me on anne.brookes@canalsidecoach.app

Feeling invisible in a world obsessed with youth?

Let's celebrate the power and wisdom that come with age.

There is a swelling wave of testimony from those over 50, 60, 70, 80 and, yes, also 90 determined to be heard and seen in order to combat negative societal messages about ageing and what it means to BE a certain age.

Even to actively claim to look the age you really are - rather than airbrush or botox it!

Reading a few articles and understanding this empowers you to reassess your validity and reframe your self-perception - and even self-worth - as a human with experience of living.

You are valuable and have so much to offer

If that statement has any crinkles when it lands in your mind - it's time to stop and evaluate where you are, how you are and who you are now.

Check out my Ebook DIY Life Coaching

As a professional life coach, I will help you unlock some ideas that will make a difference in your life - in a few sessions!

Read my website for inspiration

IMAGE shows a close up of a couple in their 50s hillwalking with their hands on their rucksacks looking steadfastly into the distance. The woman has dark brown hair and the man has white hair, beard and moustache.