Dr Coral Harper has worked in and studied the field of Social, Emotional and Mental Health difficulties for the last 24 years. This has been a teacher and senior leader in mainstream, special and independent specialist provision. And latterly as an adult trainer and consultant.
Category: Health and wellbeing
The perfect gift for someone who’s feeling stressed
Life can be stressful. And the stats show that the number of people in the UK seeing their GP about stress is increasing.
What can you do for someone who’s stressed?
It can be hard to know what to do for someone you know who’s stressed. But you want to do something. That’s why we think that the Buddy Box is a simple, brilliant idea.
A hug in a box

Blurt is a social enterprise which developed the ‘Buddy Box’. We all need a little pick-me-up sometimes and a reminder to focus on our wellbeing. And the Buddy Box is full of products focused on self-care; to help the receiver to de-stress, relax, pamper themselves a bit, or just for fun.
You can buy a one-off box or a monthly subscription for someone to receive a ‘hug in a box’. It would make a special, personal gift for a loved one or a good, timely boost for a colleague.
Read more
Explore our other blogs aboutĀ health and wellbeing.

How just 5 minutes in nature can improve your health and wellbeing
We feel better when we spend time outdoors in nature. It’s good for our physical and mental health.
Ever wondered how nature is good for us?
Florence Williams explores this in her book: The Nature Fix – why nature makes us happier, healthier and more creative.
Watch Florence’s short video below to see what happens to our bodies when we spend just 5 minutes in nature (hint: it’s incredible!)

Views of trees through office windows can help lower employee stress
We know that the outdoors is good for us. But research shows that even looking at trees and nature has health benefits.
What the research shows
A study in Seoul looked at workers who could see forest views from their workplace, and those who did not have a forest view.

Employee wellbeing tools for managers
According to a 2016 CIPD report, stress is one of the leading causes of employee absence in the UK.
TheĀ Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD)’s 2016 Absence Management survey reports the following:
- Short-term absence: stress is the second most common factor
- Long-term absence: stress is the number one most common factor

Stress Awareness Month
April is Stress Awareness Month. Its purpose is to highlight the causes of stress, it’s effects, and share information on how to relieve stress.
So this month, we want to share with you some information about stress, and useful links to resources on how to relieve stress. In particular, we’ll focus on how being outdoors and in nature can help boost your wellbeing and lower stress.