Now in its third year, CALMFest is a festival of events, activities and challenges which run online during Mental Health Awareness Week, taking place this year from May 12 – 16.
Organisations across the UK and abroad have been signing up to the successful festival which features three half-hour sessions run online each day, designed to help employees thrive by learning from experts on a range of topics.
Sponsored by the Nuclear Industry Association (NIA), this year’s CALMFest will feature sessions on gut health, how to build neuroinclusive workplaces, dealing with money anxieties, managing the menopause, support with better sleep, plus sessions on yoga, chair-based Pilates and breathwork.
We’ve had thousands of sessions booked again for this year’s festival and we know you love the flexibility of being able to join live or watch on playback. We also know time can be the biggest barrier when it comes to slowing down to go faster, so here’s our top tips on making sure you make time for CALMfest 2025.
Role model
If you have a team and particularly if you are a senior leader, all eyes are often on you as to what’s ok and what’s not ok in the workplace. People understandably look for clues and signals that’s it’s ok to take time out for learning, growth and wellbeing. So if you don’t actively show your team they have permission to do this, they are much less likely to do so. Get loud and proud that you’re taking part and share your story via as many communication channels as possible.
Set your alarm
When we’re in doing mode, it can be really difficult to transition your energy to somewhere and something different like CALMfest. It’s also really easy to get caught up in our dopamine fuelled to do lists, meetings and important projects. Instead of trying to keep your eye on the clock and wrestling with teams links at the last minute, set your alarm for 5 minutes before the start time, so you can focus on other things right up until your CALMfest session begins.
A CALMfest break will make you more productive
Obviously we converted to this idea a long time ago 🙂 but genuinely slowing down will make you go faster! Breaks allow our brains and bodies to reset which then boosts not only productivity but also creativity. Think about when you are at your most creative or when you are best able to solve a tricky problem. It’s rarely in a meeting or when we’re in task mode.
Look for the lightbulb
Our goal for CALMfest is to help you thrive at work by discovering something new, feel more engaged at work and be inspired to try something different to seek out 1% CALMer. Whatever that looks like for you. It’s often not easy to distil complex topics into 30 minute bite size sessions, but we’re confident we will leave you with a lightbulb takeaway and the feeling that it was time well spent.
Doing good is good for you
Don’t forget that CALMfest is also a fundraiser for Mind. You don’t have to donate anything but even if we got £1 for each session place booked we will raise more than £4000 to help others. And that’s something we can definitely all feel proud of.
Calm In A Box partners with businesses, teams and leaders to help them perform well through change.
We have developed our CALM philosophy and toolkit to facilitate focused and proactive work on culture, mindset and behaviour change programmes so leaders and teams can be well, to do well.
Accelerating successful transformation of all types, without the struggle, we’ve worked with global brands and growing SMEs who are passionate about supporting their people through change for better results.
We provide value in a range of ways through our CALM product ecosystem including consultancy, workshops, coaching, our Learn, Lead, Transform membership and free digital learning on the CALM hub.
If you’d like to chat with us, we’re always up for an online coffee. Book a slot with us here – drop us an email hello@calminabox.co.uk
Curious to know if you’re thriving or surviving at work? Go to www.calminabox.co.uk to get your free CALM scorecard.
