In today’s fast-paced world, workplace stress is widespread. According to the World Health Organisation, work-related stress is “the response people may have when presented with work demands and pressures that are not matched to their knowledge and abilities.” Left unaddressed, stress can impact productivity, morale, overall wellbeing, and enjoyment of life.
BUT – and here’s the good news – you don’t need big interventions to make a meaningful difference. Small, practical strategies can reduce stress, build emotional resilience, and boost motivation across your team. I deliver interactive talks, workshops, and online lunchtime sessions to help organisations create healthier, more productive workplaces.
Below are some simple tools and techniques I share to empower teams to thrive.
It takes less than 90 seconds for a stress response to pass through the body – if we don’t feed it with anxious thoughts (Siegel, 2012). Teaching staff short, effective breathing exercises – such as the 4-7-8 method or box breathing – can immediately lower heart rate, regulate emotions, and reduce tension.
Encourage employees to take a 1-minute breathing break before or after meetings to reset focus.
Anxiety is a sign that you’re alive and responsive! It’s a normal human biological reaction. I work with teams to normalise conversations about anxiety and stress, reducing stigma and fostering psychological safety. When employees feel safe to acknowledge challenges, they’re more likely to seek support early.
Introduce regular check-ins or ‘wellbeing minutes’ during team meetings to foster open dialogue.
Research shows that small, consistent actions build sustainable habits – what I call ‘baby steps in the right direction’. I help staff identify achievable shifts, such as standing up while taking phone calls, drinking more water, or setting boundaries with email, to gradually improve wellbeing and performance.
Support staff to set one small wellbeing goal each week, reviewed together as a team.
A certain level of stress can enhance performance (known as eustress). My sessions teach how to reframe stress from threat to challenge, boosting motivation and problem-solving.
Encourage staff to reflect on a recent challenge they overcame, identify the strengths they used, and note what they learned.
Motivation thrives when people feel a sense of autonomy, competence, and connection (Deci & Ryan, 2000). In my talks, I explore how leaders can foster intrinsic motivation by aligning personal values with organisational goals.
Offer flexibility wherever possible, and regularly link everyday tasks to the organisation’s bigger picture.
If you want to boost staff wellbeing, reduce stress, and foster motivation through practical, engaging, evidence-based strategies, I’d love to help with:
Let’s work together to create a healthier, happier workplace.
Contact me today to discuss a talk or session for your team:
Call 087 710 7032 | Email hello@carolinecrotty.ie
“Workplace wellbeing” has become one of those phrases that often gets tossed around with good intentions but little clarity. It’s printed on posters, added to agendas and slotted into wellness weeks – it’s up on posters in various offices but what does it really mean? And more importantly: why should any organisation take ‘wellbeing’ seriously?
We’re way way past the days when wellbeing was seen as a soft or fluffy add-on. Research from the World Health Organisation and Harvard Business Review consistently shows that employee wellbeing is directly linked to:
When people feel better, they work better. It’s not indulgence – it’s good business.
At its core, wellbeing at work is about creating the conditions where people can function at their best, mentally and emotionally, not just physically.
That includes:
In my corporate talks, I help teams understand how to access these states, using plain English, real-life examples and psychological tools that don’t require a psychology degree.
There’s nothing wrong with wellness perks but authentic workplace wellbeing is cultural, not cosmetic and not just a few buzzwords on posters in the canteen.
Offering meditation apps or step challenges is fine, but if your team feels constantly overwhelmed, under-appreciated or mentally drained, no number of smoothies will solve it.
Through my workshops and talks, I explore:
These aren’t theoretical ideas – they’re simple, grounded strategies based on psychological evidence and real-world experience.
I work with:
Talks can be delivered in person in Cork or across Ireland or online via Zoom or Teams, and are typically 50 minutes long.
You can’t have high performance without emotional resilience. You can’t expect creativity or focus from people who are running on empty. And you can’t build a healthy culture without understanding how your people really feel.
That’s why wellbeing at work isn’t just a buzzword — it’s an investment in the most valuable asset your organisation has: your people.
If you’re looking for a speaker who brings depth, warmth and clarity to topics like anxiety, mindset, comparison and emotional wellbeing – let’s talk.
hello@carolinecrotty.ie
Based in Cork and available nationwide or online
Caroline Crotty Counselling & Psychotherapy Limited - 636306 - Suite 7, Block A, South Terrace Medical Centre, Infirmary Road, Cork T12 WF40
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