Working Health News
Embracing Change in the Workplace: How Leaders Can Build Resilient Teams
Change is no longer an occasional disruption—it’s the rhythm of modern working life. But when people are equipped with the right habits and mindset, change becomes a catalyst for growth and confidence, not stress. In this article, we explore how leaders can support their teams to stay resilient, grounded, and engaged through workplace transitions of every size.
How to Stay Focused at Work After a Sleepless Night: A Practical Guide for Leaders and Teams
Knowing how to stay focused at work after a sleepless night is a crucial leadership skill. Whether you’re battling insomnia, dealing with family emergencies, or managing stress, every leader faces nights when sleep eludes them. But here’s what separates great leaders from the rest: they […]
Spring Reset- A Fresh Start for Your Health and Fitness
Spring is a time of renewal and growth. The days get longer, the weather gets warmer and the nature around us comes back to life. But it’s not just the flowers and trees that deserve a refresh, this season offers the perfect opportunity for you to reset your own health and fitness goals.
Considerate Constructors Scheme Health & Wellbeing Ambassador
Kate Cook, a leading expert in workplace wellbeing and nutrition, has been appointed as Health and Wellbeing Ambassador for the Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS) — the independent organisation championing positive change across the UK construction industry. The Considerate Constructors Scheme has long been recognised as […]
Ion (The Institute for Optimum Nutrition) appoints Kate Cook as patron
Renowned nutritional therapist, speaker, and author Kate Cook has been appointed as the first female patron of the Institute for Optimum Nutrition (ION) — marking a significant milestone for one of the UK’s most respected institutions in nutritional health education. The Institute for Optimum Nutrition, […]
Celebrating Women’s Health, Longevity and Success On International Women’s Day
This International Women’s Day, celebrate women’s longevity by prioritizing health and well-being to thrive in every role and live a fulfilled life.
New Year, New You: How to Stick to Your New Year’s Resolutions
The new year is upon us, and brings with it feelings of a new beginning and rejuvenation. Many of us take it as an opportunity to improve ourselves and set new year’s resolutions; but not all of us are able to stick to them. 62% […]
Dry January Benefits & Bouncing Back After Christmas Indulgence: A Fresh Start Guide
Are you looking for ways to reset after indulging in holiday treats and drinks over the festive period? Taking part in Dry January provides the perfect opportunity to focus on your wellbeing by committing to a totally alcohol-free month. This popular public health initiative can […]
How To Cope At Work When You’ve Had Little To No Sleep: Expert Tips for Managing Fatigue
A sleepless night leaves us feeling drained and lacking focus. This feeling is amplified when we’re faced with a full day of work when extremely sleep deprived. While it’s recommended that you get seven to eight hours of high-quality sleep every night, we know that […]
How To Focus On Work – Expert Tips for Staying Productive
Staying focused at work can be tough with countless distractions and demands vying for your attention. The key is to find methods that work for you and help maintain your concentration. By using our effective strategies, you can improve your ability to focus, making your […]
Words of Wisdom for Work Life
Embrace Growth, Positivity, and Overcoming Regrets In the hustle and bustle of modern work life, we often search for guidance to navigate the challenges, triumphs, and occasional regrets we face along the way. Words of wisdom, drawn from personal experience or the shared knowledge of […]
Embracing Change in the Workplace
The speed at which industries evolve, technology advances, and markets shift means that workplaces must constantly adapt to stay competitive. For employees, this can often feel overwhelming, but learning to embrace change in the workplace can be a powerful tool for personal and professional growth. […]
Mindful Practices for Stress Reduction at Work
Stress is often an unwelcome companion for many professionals. With deadlines looming and responsibilities mounting, finding effective strategies to manage and mitigate stress is crucial. This is where the introduction of mindful practices at work can play a transformative role. Mindfulness techniques not only help […]
Incorporating Fitness Into Your Daily Work Routine
Incorporating Fitness Into Your Daily Work Routine In the modern work environment, where hours can easily stretch long and the balance between work and personal life blurs, incorporating fitness into your daily routine might seem like a strenuous task. However, the benefits of regular physical […]
World Suicide Prevention Day 2024
World Suicide Prevention Day 2024 World Suicide Prevention Day, observed annually on 10th September, serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of mental health and the need for proactive suicide prevention strategies across all sectors of society. This day is not just about […]
Goal Setting Journal Ideas for Wellness
Goal Setting Journal Ideas for Wellness In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, it can be easy to overlook our health and well-being. However, dedicating time to reflect on our wellness goals can make a significant difference in our overall quality of life. One […]
What is Social, Emotional and Mental Health
What is Social, Emotional and Mental Health? Understanding the intricacies of social, emotional, and mental health is essential for maintaining overall well-being at any stage of life. These interconnected aspects of health influence how we think, act, and handle everyday challenges. As we explore these […]
Could You Become a Motivational Speaker
Could You Become a Motivational Speaker? Ever thought about becoming a motivational speaker? Motivational speakers can truly elevate various events, from corporate conferences to public gatherings, by inspiring, encouraging, and motivating audiences to reach their full potential. These speakers share unique experiences, whether they’ve overcome […]
Cultivating a Culture of Well-being – Tips for Employers
Cultivating a Culture of Well-being – Tips for Employers In a busy work place environment, which nowadays is most businesses, the well-being of employees is more critical than ever. A focus on workplace wellbeing not only improves the health and happiness of employees but also […]
Antioxidants for Brain Protection at Work
Antioxidants for Brain Protection at Work In our quest for better health, particularly brain health, antioxidants have emerged as powerful allies. These natural compounds play a crucial role in protecting our brains from the ravages of oxidative stress, potentially warding off cognitive decline and enhancing […]
How Can Businesses Help Their Employees
What is Emotional Health? How Can Businesses Help Their Employees – The importance of mental and emotional health cannot be overstated in an ever-changing work environment. Emotional health is a crucial component of overall wellness, influencing our thoughts, behaviours, and how we cope with the […]
The Impact of Nutrition on School Performance
The Impact of Nutrition on School Performance – Teacher well-being is a cornerstone of a thriving educational environment, yet it is an aspect that frequently takes a back seat amidst the demands of academic schedules and administrative duties. Inset days, traditionally reserved for teacher training […]
Wellness Strategies for Women in Leadership Roles
Wellness Strategies for Women in Leadership Roles – Women are increasingly taking on leadership roles, breaking through barriers, and driving innovation. As we witness this positive shift, it becomes paramount to address the unique challenges that women in leadership face and promote wellness strategies that […]
Building a Healthy Work Environment in Construction
How to Create a Positive Work Environment Building a Healthy Work Environment in Construction – The Construction industry faces unique challenges – Most bigger construction companies have permanent management staff but employ either directly or indirectly a huge army of ‘agency’ workers. Workers who might […]
The Art of Balancing
Maintaining Mental Wellness while Working Remotely The Art of Balancing – Striking a balance between professional commitments and mental wellness is paramount when working remotely. At Kate Cook Biz, we understand the delicate art of maintaining equilibrium. In this blog, we explore the effects of […]
Unleashing Potential: The Power of an Inspirational Speaker
How to Find and Hire the Best Inspirational Speaker for Your Business Unleashing Potential: The Power of an Inspirational Speaker – In the world of business, inspiration and motivation are often the driving forces behind success. This is where an inspirational speaker, especially the best […]
The Link Between Mental Health and Productivity
Why book a Practical Happiness Workshop Cultivating Wellness at Work The Link Between Mental Health and Productivity – In today’s fast-paced work environment, the connection between mental health and productivity has never been more significant! Companies and society frame our emotional states in terms of […]
From Vending Machines to Healthy Options
Transforming Workplace Food Culture From Vending Machines to Healthy Options – Exploring Healthy Breakfast and Lunch Choices for a Productive Workday The workplace, a bustling hive of activity, often sees employees reaching for quick snacks to keep them going throughout the day. Vending machines, once […]
Fuel Your Brain: The Best Nutrition for Optimal Work Performance
Your brain is the command centre of your work performance. What you fuel it with matters immensely when it comes to focus, productivity, and overall effectiveness – we focus a lot on keeping our brain nimble in terms of “mind exercise” – challenging work, puzzles, […]
Balancing Work and Exercise
Balancing Work and Exercise – Incorporating Fitness into Your Daily Routine Balancing work responsibilities and exercise can be a challenge in our busy lives. However, finding ways to incorporate fitness into your daily routine is essential for overall well-being and improved performance at work. While […]
Managing Screen Time and Healthy Habits
Nutrition and Wellness in the Digital Age In today’s digital world, where screens surround us, finding a balance between managing screen time and healthy habits is crucial for overall well-being. Of course, the phone/screens are a blessing and a curse – there are some very […]
Workplace Stress and Its Impact on Health
Coping Strategies for Success In today’s fast-paced and competitive work environment, workplace stress and its impact on health has become an increasingly common phenomenon. Stress occurs when the capacity and ability to bounce back from challenges becomes impossible. Some stress is a good thing, pressure […]
Incorporating Wellness into Corporate Team Building
Building Stronger Teams – Incorporating Wellness into Corporate Team Building In today’s fast-paced and competitive world, the success of a company depends not only on the skills and expertise of its employees but also on the strength of its teams, Incorporating Wellness into Corporate Team […]
Inspire Your Workforce with Wellbeing Sessions and Seminars
Inspire Your Workforce with Wellbeing Sessions and Seminars – Motivating and inspiring employees is a key factor in creating a productive and engaged workforce. While there are various strategies to achieve this, one effective approach is through well-being seminars. Addressing Employee Needs Wellbeing seminars are […]
From Lunch Breaks to Happy Hours
Creating Real, meaningful, human and heart centred Wellness Centred Opportunities in the Workplace The world is moving at, some might say, a terrifying pace. The events of the last few years have shaken the very foundation of what and who we believed we were. The […]
How Can Businesses Motivate Their Workforce
Motivating the workforce is essential for businesses to maintain high levels of productivity, engagement and job satisfaction. After the last couple of years, we have all had, our people, have taken a mental bashing – sometimes that mental bashing also translates into a fundamental health […]
How well-being tactics in the workplace can increase productivity
When employees feel supported, healthy and engaged, they are more likely to perform at their best. 5 ways well-being tactics can increase productivity Reduce Stress Address Mental Health Concerns Nurture a Positive Environment Meaningful Work-Life Balance Increase Morale 1. Reduce Stress Stress is so subjective […]
Kate Cook’s Wellness Guide – Chapter 10: Burnout
What is burnout? It’s when a relationship – either work or personal – has got so bad that you just can’t stand it any longer. If the only route of action that appeals is hiding under your duvet until Christmas, it’s time to reassess your situation.
Resilience ahead!
In Dame Sally Davies’s book, “Whose Health is it Anyway”, Davies examines the role that health has to play in generating the wealth of our society, both economically and in terms of improvement of the wealth reserve through engendering good health and resilience as individuals.
Kate Cook’s Wellness Guide – Chapter 9: Stress
So you’re stressed? Be grateful. Stress makes life a lot sweeter when you learn to manage it right. Better sex, sharper mind, longer life – stress does all this. Which is why so many of us are addicted to it.
Your Staff are Sensational – Whatever their age!
When we are busy with deadlines, work commitments, and troubling world events, the most difficult thing to do is simply to stop.
“Mindfulness isn’t difficult – we just need to remember to do it” – Sharon Saltzberg
When we are busy with deadlines, work commitments, and troubling world events, the most difficult thing to do is simply to stop.
Kate Cook’s Wellness Guide – Chapter 8: Work conditions – bullying and harassment
Bullying exists. Always has done and always will. You’ll find bullies everywhere, not just in the classroom and the playground, but also on the building site, in the office and on the shop floor.
The Call Back to The Office! Are we Willing?
It seems like some workplaces are calling for employees to be back in the office at least for a few days a week. How do we, the workers, feel about this?
Kate Cook’s Wellness Guide – Chapter 7: Financial demons
What has money got to do with Wellness? Well, messy finances have a way of wreaking havoc on other areas of your life – they’re another source of stress and if you’re stressed chances are you’re not feeling as healthy or happy as you’d like.
Make This The BEST YEAR of Your Health!
With the last two years firmly behind us (and I am sure we are not out of the woods yet, of course) is it finally time to look forward to the future?
Kate Cook’s Wellness Guide – Chapter 6: Tiredness and lack of energy
You’re tired during the day, irritable, anxious, have difficulty concentrating and are about as alert as a fridge freezer. If you don’t deal with your sleep problem, your health will spiral downwards and your once cheery personality will be replaced by a glum, short-tempered one. Here’s what to expect when you’re deprived of sleep. It could be worse than you think …
Kate Cook – Christmas Tips
Christmas is a time for celebrating, and what better way to celebrate than with food? Since time began, food has been used as a way of bringing people together and for sharing and celebrating special occasions.
The Corporate Wellness Show Episode 2 – Michael Smyth
In this episode of the Corporate Wellness Show Kate interviews Michael Smyth from Graham, a construction company based in Northern Ireland – Michael reveals that focusing on the wellbeing of their people took them from the bottom of the BUPA health league, to the top, reducing risk factors such as heart disease. By introducing some consistent measures, all with the wellbeing of their people in mind, Graham might even be making an impact on the safety of their workers too. Far from it being a “nice to have” add, investing in wellness has proved to be a “have to have” strategy, even “up ticking” the bottom line of the company by this innovative approach to the health and happiness of their people.
Farming that takes account of the farmer and the consumer
With worthy intentions to “Feed the World” proponents of GM (genetically modified) agro-business seek to find a shiny tech solution to solve the problems of world hunger apparently aiming to end global poverty and world-wide inequality into the bargain.
Kate Cook’s Wellness Guide – Chapter 5: Work environment getting you down?
There is a proven difference in employee performance depending on how satisfied we are with our work environment – satisfied people give more, work harder for longer and are happier in their work – all for a smallish investment in their work environment.
Attaining Restful, Restorative, Sleep
Many of us have faced a new reality over the last few months, working a lot more from home. Whilst this has allowed many of us to potentially spend more time in bed (no commuting and getting up early), other factors have compounded blocks to getting the sleep we need. First there is worry; worry over our futures and what the so-called “new normal” will entail, and whether this new normal has taken account of us and our lives. Secondly, the lure of films, media and screens tempt us from turning in early, and the blue light from the screens shutting down our ability to switch off.
The Corporate Wellness Show Episode 1 – Yeo Valley with Tim Mead
Kate Cook interviews Tim Mead, early adopter of Organic farming and founder of Yeo Valley Farms, Somerset, famous for their organic milk and yogurts. Kate and Tim explore the importance of sourcing great food, free from chemicals so that not only is it good for the planet, but contributes to your own vibrant health too. How we can support our farmers, supporting the journey from field to fork, and why it matters to us in our shiny offices so far from the countryside.
Kate Cook’s Wellness Guide – Chapter 4: Daily habits – smoking and drinking
If we had just the occasional drink and cigarette a month our bodies would probably cope. However, twenty a day and a bottle of wine each night will do us in eventually. What if each day we were to do small, positive things to enhance our health instead?
The Soil Is Us
If we were to look at a little pinch of healthy soil under the microscope, we might be surprised to see that instead of a pinch of inert dirt, we would be looking at a teaming universe of life and activity almost beyond our comprehension. A galaxy of millions of microorganisms, all contributing to an ecological web of life.
Resilience Ahead!
Over the last year we have concentrated all our attention towards ill health, but of course the other side of the coin is good health, and strong resilience. As with any illness, we need to keep well (!) and fostering resilience is both a mental and physical game. Mental because our reaction to stressors in the form of chronic stress (long term and relentless) due to production of stress hormones can seriously deplete the immune system (both cellular and humoral immunity, two arms of the immune system). Acute stress (like exams) only suppresses one part of the immune system, the cellular part, as a contrast. Of course, your individual circumstance, like your age can really determine if your immunity/resilience will be Ox like or not!
No Gas in the Tank?…Duh…It’s just Biochemistry
We think of ourselves as rational human machines – in fact our bodies are highly adaptable, but they can only take so much. Taking back control of vital energy in your industry starts with yourself through making some simple tweaks to your understanding of what nourishes you.
Kate Cook’s Wellness Guide – Chapter 3: Control your blood pressure
So you’re 120 over 80. Or maybe you’re 140 over 90. Be honest, do you really know what that means? You’ve had your blood pressure checked. The doctor ‘hmm’s and says, ‘That’s fine.’ You take a deep breath and ask, ‘What is it?’ Slowly your doctor raises her head and looks you straight in the eye. Smiling nervously, you’re just about to tell her that it really doesn’t matter, feeling you’ve crossed the line, when she smiles and says, 120 over 80. Sighing you say great, OK, thank you, and leave as quickly as possible.
The Three Critical C’s of Self Care for School Leaders – putting your own Oxygen Mask on First to Help the others.
In these extraordinary times, leaders of schools have had to become adaptable, flexible and nimble, getting systems to fit in with the ever-shifting sands of Government regulation and restriction.
What the best schools teach us?
Where does wellbeing education actually start? I think that it has got to start with leadership in schools; leaders putting on, and prioritizing “the oxygen mask” of health to help the rest.
The Resilience Factor
With some companies tentatively returning staff to the workplace, what is the mood of your business? Despite the threat that people feel from job insecurity, recent research, news and commentary suggest a radical realignment in the job market which spells bad news for retention and people risk in general.
Social Health? Training your staff for supreme resilience, joy and effectiveness.
Almost a year and a half after our whole world was blown apart by COVID 19 – Workers were sent home to work in isolation at home, the office became a thing of the past – little did we know that we would still be at home with just a distant memory of what the workplace means, and where the workplace is.
Kate Cook’s Wellness Guide – Chapter 2: Could you have diabetes?
Diabetes is increasing on a global scale. Even more concerning is the fact that you could be a sufferer without knowing it. Currently (November 2016) almost 3.6 million people in the UK have been diagnosed with diabetes, with an estimated further million undiagnosed. By 2025 it is estimated that over 4 million people in the UK will be diagnosed diabetic. The majority of these cases (roughly 90 per cent) are Type 2 diabetes.
Kate Cook’s Wellness Guide – Chapter 1: A weighty issue (or, a weighty question)
Does being overweight really matter? Suppose that you realise that you are overweight. Perhaps you have not got back into shape after having children or maybe you have always been a little plumper than you would like. Is it really a problem? Clearly there’s still a lot of research to be done, but it is certain that being overweight isn’t fun and it isn’t clever – and it can be about a lot more than the way you look.
The Sleep Issue
Many of us have faced a new reality over the last few months, working a lot more from home. Whilst this has allowed many of us to potentially spend more time in bed (no commuting and getting up early), other factors have compounded blocks to getting the sleep we need.
Working at The Home Office
Do you miss the daily commute? I thought not, the hours snarled up in pointless traffic amounts to enough cumulative time to learn a second language but somehow never getting round to that, creating another regret and frustration.
Bounce Back into Life
Although we are far from out of the woods, it is time to start to think of how we might reconstruct our lives after a particularly threateningandstressfultimeformany. Thefirstfewtipsare from me, and rest of these pearls are from Jon – I hope they are useful…
Take control of your Health, Mind and Happiness!
Eat a rainbow – if you do find yourself with a little extra time, learn to put some recipes together that feature real food – lots of colours are good! Colourful veg especially means that you are getting a good range of nutrients in the diet. […]
Healthier Holidays with these festive tips…
Christmas Fayre Tips Christmas is a time for celebrating, and what better way to celebrate than with food? Since time began, food has been used as a way of bringing people together and for sharing and celebrating special occasions. Our recommendation for this Christmas is therefore to […]
Putting Physical Health back into Mental Health solutions
This article explores the vital connection between the physical health and mental health connection, and why both deserve equal attention in workplace wellbeing strategies. Whilst it is useful to managers to be able to spot the signs of symptoms of stress, take the pressure off, […]
Wellness Strategy Not Staff Benefit
Is Wellness at work the latest business-trend bandwagon? Many companies want to jump on but is this out of genuine concern and thought out strategy or a look-good strategy to all the right tick boxes, and without joined up thinking? Over the last 10 years […]
Mood and food article
Boost your mood with food We all know that the food we eat affects how we feel. We feel tired after a big Sunday roast and get a kick from a cup of coffee. But can food really improve our mood and make us feel […]
Sugar
Sugar is constantly getting attention in the media, but what exactly is it and is it all bad for us? This year news headlines have included recommendations by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to half our daily sugar intake. We have also seen a proposed […]
Getting stress back in the box
Although many are brought low by the long dark days of January, it is starting to get noticeably lighter in the evenings; buds are appearing on the trees and the daffodils are poking up through the cold hard soil – bravery! Nutrition is of course […]
Nutrition is a four letter word…
Nutrition is one of those subjects that people don’t want to be “told”. There’s generally too many well-meaning people telling us off about something in modern life, don’t queue here, park there, press 1 for this and 2 for that – and with more and […]
Mind Matters In Business – The Effect of Inflammation on Mental Health
In this video series Kate Cook, Nutritionist, author and international keynote speaker, looks at how food and nutrition influence our mood and even our mental health.
Mind Matters In Business – Hydration
In this video series Kate Cook, Nutritionist, author and international keynote speaker, looks at how food and nutrition influence our mood and even our mental health. In this video we focus on hydration.
Mind Matters In Business – The Importance of Micronutrients
In this video series Kate Cook, Nutritionist, author and international keynote speaker, looks at how food and nutrition influence our mood and even our mental health.
Mind Matters In Business – Food Foundation for Mental Resilience
In this video series Kate Cook, Nutritionist, author and international keynote speaker, looks at how food and nutrition influence our mood and even our mental health. Watch this video about food foundation for mental resilience.
Heart Health for the Heart Month
According to the NHS, someone in the UK has a heart attack every two minutes and one in three of those people die within 24 hours of the attack. But it doesn’t have to be that way- the majority of heart attacks in people under […]
Juice It Up!
It seems that every other person has invested in a Nutri-bullet blender or similar. Machines like this keep the pulp of the fruit and veg as opposed to a juicer which extracts the juice but leaves the pulp to be thrown away. Whilst the juice will […]
10 Tips For Successful Juicing
Do you enjoy juicing? Take a look at my Top 10 Juicing Tips. Tip 1 If your juicer has a pulp bin, line it with a bag before you start for easy cleaning. Tip 2 Drink your juice as soon as possible after it is […]
5 Things You Need To Know About Vitamin D
How do you get Vitamin D? Sunshine and diet are most common. However just 10 per cent of vitamin D is available through diet and during the months of October to May in the UK, the sun’s UVB rays aren’t strong enough for the skin […]
‘Life Energy Management’ – The newest idea in Leadership Coaching and Organisational Consultancy
Introducing Dr Rosy Daniel and the ‘Life Energy Management’ concept – the newest idea in Leadership Coaching and Organisational Consultancy What is Life Energy Management? The definition of energy is ‘the strength and vitality required for sustained physical or mental activity’. In physics […]
Diabetes – It’s within our Power to Change
As we export our Western Diet to other countries we bestow on them the poison chalice of Diabetes Type 2 – How to stop this crisis in Three words? Eat Real Food. Make the change. To find out more take a look at this article […]
Five Tips for A Lifestyle that is less likely to develop Diabetes Type 2
If diabetes was classed as an infectious disease being passed throughout the population, then we would say that we are in the midst of an epidemic. The number of people living with diabetes in the UK has soared by 59.8 per cent in a decade […]
Fit for leadership. Are you fit to lead?
When the business case for wellbeing in companies is emerging as significant and the evidence of having a healthy workforce is growing, why does there seem to be a gulf between talking about the benefits of having wellness programmes at work and actually engaging in […]
International Women’s Day
Although in many countries the political roots of Women’s Day might have lost its significance (early pioneers in women’s rights) and in many countries the message is around love for women, a merging of Mothering Sunday and Valentines’ Day – International Women’s Day (8th March) is a chance […]
Have a Heart
February is traditionally the month of the heart – St Valentine has a lot to answer for! We’ve just got the Christmas bulge under control and then we are encouraged to dive into the chocolates! I like February because in February there is hope for […]
Dry January – How are you doing?
It’s really not a bad time to give your liver and system a rest after the excesses of the Christmas season, so many of us will try and knock off the booze and have a dry January. It’s also traditional for many of us to […]
Corporate Wellness Better Work Performance
Detox Your Diet for Maximum Performance at Work. Switched on employers are starting to realise that one vital key to a flourishing business is the health of their employees. In Corporate Wellness Better Work Performance the overall aim of the programme is to promote a […]
Top Tips For A Happy Healthy Christmas
At this time of year, despite our intentions not to go crazy and let go of our health foundations, Christmas is a time of excess which we often pay for as we return to our desks in January sluggish and having let out a belt […]
Wellness Strategy Not Benefit
Is Wellness at work the latest business-trend bandwagon? Many companies want to jump on but is this out of genuine concern and thought out strategy or a look-good strategy to all the right tick boxes, and without joined up thinking? Over the last 10 years […]
Last Summer Song and Avoiding the Holiday Blues
It might be difficult to believe that the last balmy days of summer are behind us and the prospect is to descend into the gloom of the long winter nights. It’s really hard to motivate ourselves when we have been used to the lazier pace […]
The Family that Eat Together Stay Together – Work/Life Balance is Eating as a Family
Food surrounds us – we all need to eat and it is something that we all share in terms of need. But Food is more than just a need to eat. Food is the glue that holds us together as a community in the wider […]
Keeping Sane in a Mad World
Many of you will know that this week (15 June) has been “Men’s’ Health Week” where men’s’ health is highlighted. A few topics come up that might be of more concern to men e.g. Heart Disease (by no means a problem just for men), prostate […]
5 Key Tips For Optimum Mental Performance
“One of the greatest shortcomings of human logic is the unquestioned belief that psychological problems, be it of behaviour or intelligence, are influenced only by psychological factors and that physiological factors are only influenced by physiological factors. This presupposes that the mind and body are separate, […]
Strategic Eating (C) is not Healthy Eating (Healthy Eating is Boring)
Strategic Eating (C) is not Healthy Eating (Healthy Eating is Boring) – strategic eating pinpoints only the benefits of eating for Vibrant Energy! Watch this exerpt from Business Connections Live:
Happy World Health Day! Food Safety – Eat Local!
We are lucky enough in the UK to have a brilliant record for food safety – occasionally there is a horrible outbreak of E-coli and we suddenly realise that we are very vulnerable to the ill effects of our food. At least we have the […]
Progress for Women?
Despite huge progress in less than 100 years (we only got the vote in 1928 for those women over 21 which doesn’t seem possible but is!). Apparently us women can still by and large expect to be paid less than their male colleague for the […]
5 Steps To A Healthy Heart
According to the NHS, someone in the UK has a heart attack every two minutes and one in three of those people die within 24 hours of the attack. But it doesn’t have to be that way – the majority of heart attacks in people […]
Mindfulness and Mindful Eating
Sometimes we are so out of touch with what we are eating that we are able just to stuff handfuls of food in our mouth without even savouring or tasting any of the flavours, which is definitely not mindful eating. Digestions starts with chewing, and […]
You are what you absorb – NOT what you eat!
To a certain degree you are what you eat, of course that is true. Obviously if you are eating a lot of junk food, coffee and chips, that is going to be the only resource that you can make use of in your body – […]
Cottage cheese and zucchini fritters
This very simple recipe for fritters fits in well with my theme of eating yourself young this month, with the added bonus that they taste delicious cold. So make a batch and bring them to work as a healthy lunch in a tupperware box the […]
Eat yourself young!
Can we really change our health outcomes through what we eat? Although genetics play a part in our health, a surprisingly large percentage is left free for us to change our destiny through what we eat, and how we live our lives, especially if you […]
Juicing for vibrant energy
I think that we’d all like to feel more vibrant at work and have more energy in general and getting the right nutrition is essential to help us maintain that throughout our busy working days. And our days off as well. A great way to […]
Lentil Salad with Red Onion and Garlic
This lentil salad is low in fat and high in fibre and vegetarian protein, this delicious garlicky Moroccan dish will help you to eat properly. The sulphur compounds found in garlic and onions are powerful liver detoxifiers and natural antibiotics, turmeric contains curcumin which is […]
10 tips to improve your posture at work
Some of these posture tips are actually to do at home – obviously anything to do with sleeping positions and should you really be at your desk looking at your phone on your lap? It is simple to make sure your computer and chair are […]
Pay Day for Weight Loss
I am sure that many of you will have seen the recent debate about a scheme that suggests that companies pay an extra bonus to encourage overweight staff to shed the pounds. Have you thought about weight loss? Obesity and all the related issues connected […]
Chickpea & Feta Salad : A super quick, healthy lunch recipe
Chickpea and feta salad is one of the easiest and quickest meal salads and it’s very tasty too. The cauliflower will give the salad some crunch and the creaminess of the feta some richness. Chickpeas are a source of phytoestrogens, and most vegetables also contain these […]
Stress Less – be a human being not a machine
As the world turns at an ever more frantic pace, our ability to make sense of our world and the ability to cope with all its responsibilities seem to diminish. Why is it that stress is the curse of the modern age? And why do […]
Snapper wrapped in herbs
If you’ve started to dump the diet this April, here is a healthy and nutritious snapper recipe to help you. This couldn’t be easier or more delicious. A simple source of high class protein for optimum energy and essential oils for radiant skin. Fabulous! Serves […]
Dump the Diet – Why weight matters in business
Looking around you in your company, you might not think that obesity applies to you or your company. Perhaps you work in a trendy warehouse office doing PR? Or in the City where you know what a vibrant energy diet looks like? Even if you […]
Fragrant Chicken Stew
A fantastic chicken stew recipe from Delicious Magazine , that also happens to be great for promoting restful sleep. Serves 4 Takes 1 hour to prepare the chicken stew. Freeze for up to 1 month, then defrost for 24 hours and reheat on the hob […]
10 tips to achieve restful sleep
At work, this can cause problems in terms of alertness (obviously) and knock on issues with stress. 1/3 of the UK population is classed as insomniacs, which includes those who can’t get to sleep as well as those waking in the night or waking early. […]
Chocolate and Hazlenut mousse recipe
This is a delicious, nutty chocolate mousse which tastes indulgent yet contains no sugar. The hazelnuts provide extra protein which helps to balance blood sugar, as well as providing valuable nutrients such as zinc and B vitamins. Make sure you use really good quality dark […]
Your mood depends on your food
Ever been in the office and totally lost it with a colleague only to recover your senses a little later in the day and realise it was really you and not your annoying colleague who was to blame? Have you tried and tried to diet […]
Chinese Broccoli Recipe
If you’re tired of the same old broccoli, then why not try spicing up your broccoli with this spicy tasty chinese broccoli recipe inspired by the recent Chinese New Year celebrations? Oyster sauce nicely complements the slightly bittersweet taste of Chinese broccoli (gai lan). Blanching […]
10 tips to have a healthy work year
Whilst everyone is breaking their resolutions now, its actually time to make them! Here are 10 tips to have a healthy work year: 1. Eat Breakfast – choose something that will sustain and manage your energy levels. How about egg and rye toast soldiers? 2. […]
Salmon and Creme Fraiche Burgers
Even though the daily amount of sunlight is slowly creeping up, it’s sometimes harder and harder to stop getting stressed about small things. I hope this mood boosting recipe for salmon and creme fraiche burgers will help you to keep smiling through the winter and […]
Surviving Christmas Parties without putting on inches
The Christmas season is fast approaching, and with it the endless canapés, buffet tables and three course meals, not to mention the booze. You don’t even have to wait until Christmas proper to start bursting out of that little black dress or sharp suit. So how […]
The De-Stress Dish
Now please don’t all start running a mile just because you’ve heard the word ‘liver’! For anyone wanting to bring stress and anxiety levels down, liver is a wonderful food. It is rich in B vitamins, especially B12. It is also rich in zinc and […]
Mindfulness – A lesson in life
Many of you will know that recently we launched a new aspect to our wellness programmes, Mindful Wellness. The programme is made up of three aspects of health: Focused awareness (mindfulness), Strategic Nutrition, and Mindful Movement. I came across Mindfulness 13 years ago when I […]
Staying calm & healthy when you’re under stress
Stress today is a well-used word! We are all exposed to it from long working hours to meeting tight deadlines, to juggling careers and parenthood, to coping with relationship and financial problems. Long-term stress can make us more vulnerable to illness, behavioural and emotional problems, […]
Autumnal soup recipe
As the weather turns chilly we start to think towards Autumn comfort food and what better way to relax and de-stress than with a delicious bowl of soup. Why not try this autumnal soup recipe? The beauty of soups is that they are warming and […]
Boost your immunity this autumn
There’s no denying it anymore: It’s officially autumn. The mornings are cold, the evenings are dark, and London is playing up to its reputation on the weather front. Top this with the daily stressors of City life, public transport and an inadequate diet, and you’ll […]
Breakfast pancakes – a different way to start your day
Breakfast pancakes are a wonderful way to start the day. These buckwheat pancakes are low in sugar and contain a good amount of protein from the egg, which helps keep you feeling fuller for longer and keeps sugar cravings at bay. Try swapping breakfast cereal for pancakes, […]
Top 10 energy tips at work
Here are 10 simple energy tips that will really help your concentration and improve energy levels at work, and in the rest of your life as well. 1. Drinking too much caffeine is an energy robber. In short term you might feel that it is […]
Could you have diabetes?
Diabetes is increasing on a global scale. Even more concerning is the fact that you could be a sufferer without knowing it. According to Diabetes UK, between 1996 and 2010 the number of people diagnosed with diabetes increased from 1.4 million to 2.6 million. It […]
Stress
So you’re stressed? Be grateful. Stress makes life a lot sweeter when you learn to manage it right. Better sex, sharper mind, longer life – it does all this. Which is why so many of us are addicted to it. Nearly half of people claim to […]
Bullying and harassment
Bullying exists. Always has done and always will. You’ll find bullies everywhere, not just in the classroom and the playground, but also on the building site, in the office and on the shop floor. Ask any school teacher and most will say that bullying starts […]
Financial demons
What has money got to do with Wellness? Well messy finances have a way of wreaking havoc on other areas of your life – they’re another source of stress and if you’re stressed chances are you’re not feeling as healthy or happy as you’d like. […]
Tiredness and lack of energy
You’re tired during the day, irritable, anxious, have difficulty concentrating and are about as alert as a fridge freezer. If you don’t deal with your sleep problem, your health will spiral downwards and your once cheery personality will be replaced by a glum, short-tempered one. […]
School Meals
I was extremely honoured to be a part of the LACA speaker line up (July 10 – 12th, Birmingham). My slot focused on how keeping the staff who look after our children healthy is the first stage of passing that message on to our children […]
Work environment getting you down?
Where would you rather work – a dingy, dull office with little natural light, a work station that is crammed into a corner, with an old, clunky keyboard, little contact with colleagues and nowhere to go for a break? Or … imagine your dream office […]
Drinking – Daily habits part two
It’s the things that we do every day that kill us. Drinking occasionally our bodies would probably cope. However, a bottle of wine each night will do us in eventually. What if each day we were to do small, positive things to enhance our health instead? […]
Smoking – Daily habits part one
It’s the things that we do every day that kill us. If we had just the occasional drink and smoking a cigarette a month our bodies would probably cope. However, twenty a day a will do us in eventually. What if each day we were […]
Control your blood pressure
So you’re 120 over 80. Or maybe you’re 140 over 90. Be honest, do you really know what that means? You’ve had your blood pressure checked. The doctor ‘hmm’s and says ‘That’s fine.’ You take a deep breath and ask, ‘What is it?’ Slowly your doctor […]
Does being overweight really matter?
Suppose that you realise that you are overweight. Perhaps you have not got back into shape after having kids or maybe you have always been a little plumper than you would like. Is it really a problem? A few curves and a couple of extra […]
Launch of “Mindful Wellness” Programmes
The impact of stress in the workplace is a huge negative drain on resources, staff and health. I am working in conjunction with www.mindfulnessatwork.com to launch ‘ Mindful Wellness ‘ programmes of whole health for companies and their employees. The concept of Mindfulness is a […]
Nutrition – your major tool to an improved bottom line
Sometimes we find that even companies that do invest in workplace restaurants can do better in providing food that actually empowers their staff. Often the message of Healthy eating is banged home – but healthy eating is a boring topic likely to get people to […]
Food At Work Project
I am extremely excited to be on the advisory board for this amazing cutting edge research in to “ Food at Work Project ”. The project is well ,. The researchers hope to speak to parties involved in work place food to get an understanding […]
Corporate Wellness Bible – available May 2013
Your guide to Health and Happiness in the Work Place – Corporate Wellness Bible. The proofs are finally with the publisher and the die is cast – The Corporate Wellness Bible will be available from the end of May. The Corporate Wellness Bible is an […]
Value of Corporate Wellness Programmes
Is there any value in Corporate Wellness programmes? – This article was in response to a blog in The Huffington Post – This is talking about the American Market of course. But when the US sneezes Britain catches cold..so what can we learn? Written in […]
Corporate Wellness Bible – Kate Cook, Nutrition and Wellness Expert publishes new book
The Corporate Wellness bible, published later this month, provides a very practical and low cost solution in sowing the seed of engagement in terms of corporate wellness. The book, which is written in a light and entertaining style, is never preachy but instead offers gems […]
The Easter Bunny spreads a little happiness but puts Staff under pressure
The first signs of Spring are upon us – we are already seeing lighter evenings and the beginnings of the morning sun. After living like moles in the dark for winter these small signs of hope are a blessing for many who find the winter […]
E-Learning/Video Platform For Wellness Programmes
Kate Cook, in partnership with YourBusinessChannel is launching an E-learning Video platform, enabling our Wellness programmes to be a company-wide programme and have a larger and more sustained impact, over a longer period of time. One of the problems we have found with doing just […]
Kate Cook of The Nutrition Coach Ltd, one of the judging-panel for Grocer Own Label Food and Drinks Awards
The Grocer leads the market as for covering the whole FMCG sector. Customers range from directors of the large multiples to independent retailers, wholesalers and suppliers, as well as growers, food processors, manufacturers, key opinion formers and the national media. The Own Label awards, now […]
Corporate Wellness Bible – By Kate Cook
My new book “ The Corporate Wellness Bible ” is due out in early March. I am fortunate enough to be back with the publisher of my original book, “52 Brilliant Ideas”. This will be my 6th title and of all my books, I have […]
Global Healthy Workplace Awards – London summit planned
Any initiative that encourages better health programmes and an engagement in a Healthy Workplace is worth supporting. We spend a great deal of our lives chained to a desk and often employers do not make it easy for workers to make healthy choices. In the […]
Empowering the customer to make great choices – Responsibility for the Food Industry
Kate Cook of The Nutrition Coach has been helping progressive food companies make great products to authentically give their customers great choices for over a decade. Among a portfolio of clients, Kate has worked with one major player in the food industry for around 9 […]
How a Nutritionist can affect your bottom line
The Company Restaurant (what we used to call The Canteen) is a place where companies can squander money because they haven’t thought through what benefit this valuable resource can offer employees. Could a nutritionist affect your bottom line? Nutrition and food is the foundation for […]
Health and Safety Day – Nutrition Foundation as a wake-up
I have been doing the Health and Safety day for one of the biggest construction companies in Britain for a number of years. Actually, I am often engaged to do the health and safety days for companies – I have also been engaged by […]
Consistent Food Labelling – a way forward?
Food labelling: Consistent system ‘to start next year’ By Nick Triggle A consistent system of front-of-pack food labelling will be introduced in the UK next year, the government says. A combination of guideline daily amounts, colour coding and “high, medium or low” wording will be […]
Making the most of Wellness – Have you booked your Wellness Day?
I am delighted that I have been engaged by several forward looking companies to provide some dynamic workshops to start the transformation in employee engagement with health and wellness. Have you booked your Wellness Day? Progressive companies look to provide Wellness Days as part of […]
Kate Cook appointed to the advisory board of Ingredients Insight Magazine
I am delighted to have been appointed to the advisory board of Ingredients Insight Magazine. The first issue will be out shortly – my first contribution is about how we have to be authentic to the consumer and make sure that we are as tranparent […]
VUCA world – Rene Carayol Speaks…
The most consistent and overriding theme, has been that of VUCA world – Volatile, Unpredictable, Complex and Ambiguous. As ever, the Americans have coined this phrase to describe the unsettled times we find ourselves in at the moment. I have yet to find a […]
Health Responsibility- Corporate or Individual?
It is interesting that in America Health and Wellness is such a huge topic. It is a huge topic because by and large HealthCare is met by private health care insurance. These health insurance company’s payouts escalate if there is no duty of care by […]
The Future of Food
The BBC magazine has an interesting take on the future of Food – check out http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-18813075
Hospital Food – curse or cure?
We should be rightly proud of the advances we have made in modern medicine. Just look at the ultra technical generation of operating “robots” like the Da Vinci which is so precise it can peel the skin off a grape, let alone what […]
Nutritionist Develops the World’s First Healthy Pizza
A nutritionist, Mike Lean of Glasgow University and Donnie Maclean (a businessman) have developed the world’s first healthy Pizza (03 July 2012) Maclean has a range of toppings that incorporate nutrients such as magnesium, potassium, folates, vitamin C and A. The toppings include roasted cherry […]
Super-Size Soda Ban in NYC – Missing the point?
NYC’s Mayor Michael Bloomberg has proposed banning the sales of super large portions of soda, a ‘Super-Size Soda Ban’. Super-sizing is common in the States where the large sizes were originally born out of the “need” for construction workers and manual workers to stay hydrated […]
Demotivated workforce? Are people coasting?
A demotivated workforce will not work to their full capacity, finding ways to motivate employees is vital to any company. I think that Cary Cooper, From Robertson Cooper has an extremely interesting comment on a recent article. He says on his recent blog “Are 10% […]
All Change for Breakfast
All change for breakfast? Breakfast is the most important meal of the day but consumers generally lack information to allow them to make good choices. Commercial outlets can offer a healthy breakfast made with “real” food In an article dated 29th May, Alex Hawkes of […]
Tired at Work? The foundation of a great business is health.
Tired at work? Generally budgets are allowed for in training, leadership programmes, management initiatives etc but often not invested in the very foundation of a great business – Health! I mean health in all senses of the word. A Well company is one that functions […]
Healthy Food Consultants
In my work with The Nutrition Coach as healthy food consultants, we have been advising manufacturers and producers for over 10 years on how to meet the health objectives of customers whilst keeping an eye on what is practical in terms how to get a […]
Kate Cook working with Leiths Food Solutions
Kate Cook is delighted to be working with Chris Barber of Leiths Food Solutions. Kate and Chris have worked together extensively at Food Secret, the healthy fast food offer in Soho, and are looking forward to further collaborations. Find more about Leith’s Food Solutions on […]
