“When you own your breath, nobody can steal your peace” Anon

Working in a fast paced communications agency has its challenges and requires energy, dedication and resilience, which is why we take the mental health* and wellbeing of our team very seriously at jellybean. We regularly carry out internal surveys to check-in and see how our team are feeling and identify where the professional pinch points are.

We also benchmark against how the industry is feeling via the Alliance of Independent Agencies’ People’s Pulse, a quarterly barometer of the independent agency world. In general, jellybean performs very well – we have a team that feels proud to work here, is encouraged to voice opinions and ideas, and is offered training and development to enhance their skills and career. Which is all very positive, plus our team feel well connected and comfortable to reach out if they need support, as we try to provide a safe space to express any concerns about mental health and general wellbeing.

We’ve also taken steps to ensure our team has practical support too when needed. jellybean has in-house fully-trained MHFAs (Mental Health First Aiders) available to listen and signpost employees who would like help, as well as encourage open conversations. This is alongside access to Psychiatric or GP support through our AXA company health scheme.

However, we work in a world where there is always a certain amount of pressure, adrenaline, and urgency. Whilst a reasonable/manageable level is an integral part of the job. there will be times when we feel undue pressure, stress and anxiety from work. Layer this on top of personal issues such as dealing with aging parents, relationship breakdowns, moving house, distance from close family members, health issues, bereavement, as well as financial worries to name but a few, and life can appear to be quite dark and daunting at times. Whilst jellybean has a continuous programme of workshops and shares tools to help with all the professional pressures at work, we recently decided to add another tool to our armoury – Breathwork – hoping it would offer a more holistic support to the team and improve work-life balance.

So, what is Breathwork?

“Your breath brings oxygen into your body so that you can thrive. When you are physically or emotionally stressed, it affects how you breathe. Breathwork helps to calm your stress and bring balance to your body. Breathwork is trendy right now, but it’s not new. People have been practicing breathwork for thousands of years, and it has roots in yoga practice. The basic idea of breathwork is to release toxins and stress when you breathe out and nourish your mind and body when you breathe in.

Research on breathwork shows it has potential health benefits such as alkalizing your blood PH, it has anti-inflammatory qualities, can elevate your mood and it may also have a positive impact on your central nervous system. When you feel stressed, your breath tends to become fast and shallow. This limits the oxygen entering your bloodstream. Your brain tells your body that there is a threat, and your body responds in fight or flight. When you take time to slow down and purposefully breathe deeply and slowly, you tell your brain that everything is okay. Your brain communicates to your body that it’s safe to relax. The fight or flight response decreases, and your body can begin to function normally again. It’s easy to become overwhelmed by stress and feel out of control. When you focus on breathing, you allow your body the chance to reset and recover from the negative side effects of stress.”

So last month we employed the skills of a Rebirthing Practitioner, Ali Hellmuth https://www.rewildwithali.com/ who practices a very gentle yet powerful style of conscious connected breathwork. Its approach brings into awareness unconsciously held beliefs and emotions, which provide the opportunity to live happier and more fulfilled lives. This specific type of breathwork is said to be the most powerful with the longest lasting results. We ran dedicated group sessions over two days for all jellybean staff to help us understand breathwork and its techniques, including an evening session in a candlelit studio which was fascinating.

Without exception everyone at jellybean embraced the concept. I have had wonderful feedback appreciating the initiative, with requests to follow up on the guidance and tools, to help ease some of the pressure in our lives. A number of us found it quite a raw and moving experience that required us to explore – and in many cases –  show our vulnerable side. Having spent decades presenting a work/public persona and using all our various coping mechanisms to be seen as a consummate professional every day, the experience enabled people to be their authentic selves.

So, what did I learn from it and how do I go forward?

Well, it reminded me that just because we are amazing agency peeps and a formidable team, we must not forget that we are also sensitive human beings dealing with stress and anxiety in our private lives. I found it a very self-reflective exercise where I had to dig deep, unlock how I was feeling and own up to my emotions. In the team sessions I realised that many of us are riding troubled times (thankfully from personal pressures rather than work, that all of us can feel anxious and overwhelmed with life and sometimes our battery is out of power. So, alongside all the professional support and the nurturing space at jellybean, I hope that using the breathwork techniques will help the team relax, reflect, relieve and release some of the tension, as well as experience a better overall sense of wellbeing – even if it may take time and practice. The evening session gave me a real sense of peace and calm afterwards and I am now using the guidance from Ali and an app at night to help me sleep better.

For me, a huge takeout was that we were all able to be our vulnerable selves and share and empathise with stuff we are dealing with on a personal level. I think we have collectively recognised the need to listen to each other more and to give space and support when needed – not just for work related issues.

We are encouraging the team to go for a coffee, or a walk and talk to check in with colleagues to see how they are feeling. To use the techniques and ideas that came out of our Breathwork sessions, take time away from screens, connect with nature, pound the treadmill, play the drums, read a book, listen to music or an uplifting podcast. To do something for ourselves every day and crucially talk to friends, family, colleagues about what is on their mind – they may not have the solution but they will listen and they will care.  It’s yet another step in everyone living our jellybean values of Care, Collaboration, Expertise and Courage.

I would recommend investigating breathwork in the workplace as a tool to help find calmness and clarity in a fast paced world. Certainly, it has helped me reconnect with my inner self, and find balance which I hope will ultimately lead me to discover the peace that resides within for a more fulfilling life. I try to find something that gives me joy everyday (usually the dog) and savour that positive feeling despite any other pressures that surround me.

As Oprah Winfrey would say “Take a deep breath and let it all go.”

*Mental Health Foundation

Mental Health is the 5th most common reason for sickness in the workplace

It accounts for 8% of all absenteeism

It is the most common cause of work limiting conditions in people under 44 years of age

In 2023 17.1 million working days were lost to it

Mental Health costs employers ÂŁ42-45billion per annum