What is Thrive?

Summer is in full bloom - schools closed, the days warmer and longer and schedules slow down - making it the perfect time to foster good wellbeing practices. Here, Chartered Accountants Ireland’s Intern, Sophie King, outlines how you can focus on wellbeing this summer.  We all know taking care of ourselves is important, but between work, family and life, it’s not that easy. Wellbeing and self-care can seem like buzzwords, just thrown around to make things more appealing, but it is so important to look after ourselves and our mental health. Self-care is an essential aspect of maintaining overall wellbeing. By prioritising self-care, we can improve our mental and physical health, increase resilience, and enhance our quality of life. Check out the techniques below that could be your new favourite! Relaxation techniques Relaxation techniques are an effective way to reduce stress and anxiety. Deep breathing exercises and mindfulness meditation can help calm the mind and body. Progressive muscle relaxation is a relaxation method that is not often talked about, it is a technique that involves systematically tensing and then releasing different muscle groups in the body to promote relaxation. This method helps individuals become more aware of the difference between muscle tension and relaxation, ultimately reducing overall stress and anxiety. Have a go at this technique, all you have to do is tense and then slowly release each muscle group in your body, starting from your toes and working up to your head. These techniques can be practiced anywhere, at any time, making them a convenient addition to your daily routine. By incorporating relaxation techniques into your daily life, you can better manage stress and improve your overall wellbeing. Hobbies and Interests Engaging in hobbies and interests can bring a sense of purpose and enjoyment to your life. Whether it's painting, playing music, or gardening, making time for activities you love can help reduce stress and increase feelings of happiness. It can be easy to let ourselves get overwhelmed by work and life, but engaging in something that interests you can distract you from these stresses and recentre the mind. Don’t be discouraged if you try a new hobby and it does not go your way at first, perseverance is key! Learning new skills or improving your hobbies can grow your confidence and self-esteem. Hobbies and interests can also provide opportunities for social connection and personal growth, further enhancing your overall wellbeing. Unwinding with a Relaxing Bedtime Routine A consistent bedtime routine can help signal to your body that it's time to sleep, improving the quality of your rest. Activities like reading, taking a warm bath, or practicing gentle stretches can help calm your mind and body, preparing you for a restful night's sleep. By prioritising a relaxing bedtime routine, you can improve your sleep hygiene and wake up feeling refreshed and revitalized, because no one can be positive when they are tired, no matter how much coffee they consume. The Benefits of Gratitude Journaling Gratitude journaling is a powerful tool for cultivating a positive mindset. By reflecting on the things you are grateful for each day, you can shift your focus away from stress and anxiety and towards the good things in your life. This practice can help increase feelings of happiness and wellbeing and can even improve your relationships with others. To use it effectively, write down three things you are grateful for each day. This helps shift focus to positive aspects of your life. The Kindness Connection Engaging in acts of kindness can have a profound impact on both the giver and the receiver. Whether it's volunteering, donating to a good cause, or simply offering a kind word to someone in need, acts of kindness can increase feelings of empathy and compassion. Engaging in acts of kindness can release endorphins or “feel good hormones,” additionally, practising acts of kindness can increase your feelings of compassion and understanding towards others. By incorporating acts of kindness into your daily life, you can cultivate a sense of connection and community, further enhancing your overall wellbeing. It can be hard to get into this mindset, so start small, open the door for someone, or hold the elevator. The trick is to be consistent; in doing so you make it a habit, and it becomes part of your daily routine. When you get in the mindset, you will automatically look for opportunities to help others, whether it’s at work or at home. So, pay attention to the impact your kindness has on others and on yourself, it might just make your day. Prioritise your wellbeing By incorporating these self-care practices into your daily life, you can take a proactive approach to nurturing your mind, body, and soul. Whether it's relaxation techniques, hobbies and interests, a relaxing bedtime routine, gratitude journaling, or acts of kindness, there are countless ways to prioritise your wellbeing. By making self-care a priority, you can improve your overall quality of life and cultivate a deeper sense of happiness and fulfilment. This article was written by the Institute's DCU Intern, Sophie King, on behalf of Thrive. Sophie is currently studying Communications in DCU. In partnership with DCU's Access to the Workplace programme, the Institute hosted Sophie as part of its professional summer internship placements.  For more advice or information, contact the team by email at: thrive@charteredaccountants.ie  or by phone: (+353) 86 0243294. 

"I look back on her teenage years as being the loveliest stage of her childhood" said no parent, ever. Living with teenagers can be stressful, exhausting, sometimes fulfilling and certainly unpredictable. Here’s some thoughts on how to help your child transition to a happy and healthy young adult, whilst keeping your own professional and personal life on track. Remember you are the expert on what’s right for you and your family, these are only ideas. Be a role model for a happy, healthy and meaningful life Teenagers don’t appear to listen to what we say, but they certainly copy what we do. Pay attention to your own diet, exercise, sleeping habits, alcohol consumption, over-work and other life style choices. That includes letting them observe you having fun and making time for things you enjoy, as well as working and being a parent. It’s not selfish to have outside interests and let your children see that life is for living. Don’t pretend to be a clean-living paragon when you are not. It’s much better for them to see you balance a few days of healthier living to make up for a period of excess, whether through work or play. That’s real life. Turn off the digital devices Teenagers are notoriously critical of their parents so don’t make it easy for them to call you out on double-standards. You can’t expect them to make conversation with you if you are checking your own emails at the dinner table. Try to make some family rules about screen time and stick to them Talk, don’t bottle up your emotions It’s normal to feel frustrated, overwhelmed, and tired from time to time. It’s also normal to feel frustrated or angry with your teenager sometimes too. Reach out to people who will support you. At work, advice and feedback is usually helpful. In our personal lives, you don’t necessarily need advice, just someone to listen to you non-judgementally. It’s ok for your teenagers to see that you can feel vulnerable or overwhelmed from time to time. They will learn how to deal with stressful situations from observing how you cope. Avoid comparisons Other people’s children may appear to be coping much better than yours, and other parents appear to be managing their life and career better also. That may be true, or it may not be. Surround yourself with a supportive network and don’t judge your own family life or other people. Life is a marathon not a sprint. If your children are facing difficulties now, then they will learn from their mistakes and build resilience. Don’t beat yourself or them up for not being perfect. You may even have to relax your high standards – maybe one relaxed, home-cooked meal with all the family round the table each week is enough to aim for? Create an easy space to talk As teens become increasingly independent they often spend more time with their friends than their family. This can feel like a rejection. Try and keep the lines of communication open. It is essential to invest your energy in maintaining a good relationship, even when they have trouble communicating. Talk to them about what you are up to, and perhaps they’ll reciprocate. Find the best time to get them to open up. Many parents say that their teens talk to them when they are taxi-ing them around. If your children are more relaxed in the early evening, then grab a cup of tea and chat to them when you get home, rather than rushing to do chores or doing work. Ditch the guilt Some days you simply have to put your professional life first to cope with the demands facing you. That’s modern life and that’s how you pay the bills. Don’t beat yourself up about it. They’ll respect you for your achievements, even if they don’t show it right now. No one says it is easy to balance work and family life. Smaller children are tiring but they are easier to control than stroppy teenagers. It’s hard for many of us to let go, particularly when we are usually in the driving seat in our personal and professional lives. Pick your battles carefully. Like all childhood phases, this won’t last for ever. Thrive is the Institute's dedicated wellbeing hub that offers emotional support and advice. Looking for more parenting advice, check out our “Back to School”- Managing the Year Ahead webinar. Written by: Zena Everett, Executive Coach. Article reproduced with the kind permission of CABA, the organisation providing lifelong support to ICAEW members, ACA students and their close family around the world.

June marks the month-long celebration of Pride and it is great to see the country awash with the colourful rainbow, a meaningful representation of inclusion, solidarity and progression. Dublin saw its first-ever Pride demonstration take place in June of 1974, as a small group of activists marched from the Department of Justice on Stephen’s Green to the British Embassy on Merrion Road calling for the decriminalisation of homosexuality in Ireland.  The theme for Dublin Pride 2025 is "Taking Liberties", celebrating the liberties gained while also acknowledging the ongoing fight for full equality and the need to protect these freedoms.  2025 marks a milestone year for Pride in Ireland as it's the 10th anniversary of significant LGBTQI+ rights milestones in Ireland, including marriage equality, the Gender Recognition Act and the Children and Family Relationships Act.  However, while overall societal shifts, diversity and inclusion initiatives have made great strides in helping to support and celebrate our LGBTQI+ community, from our work at Thrive, we know that difficulties, hardship and discrimination still remain and members in our community still feel the effects of this.  Pride Month is a time to celebrate the LGBTQI+ community, but it also highlights the ongoing mental health challenges faced by many within the community. Studies in Ireland show that LGBTQI+ individuals experience disproportionately higher rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts compared to their heterosexual and cisgender peers.  A recent survey released by Trinity College in association with Belong To and GLEN  indicate that mental health and wellbeing have declined amongst the LGBTQI+ since its initial study back in 2016.  Amongst the total LGBTI+ population, within the study the new report also shows that 34% experienced severe/ extremely severe symptoms of anxiety, 64% reported suicidal thoughts while 52% had self-harmed.  60% had sought professional help for a mental health problem in the past five years.  The Central Statistics Office (CSO) also found that those who identify as LGBTQI+ reported the highest rates of discrimination in Irish society and 17.5% of the community have experienced workplace discrimination. Coping with such concerns can have a detrimental impact on our wellbeing, self-esteem and the general navigation of our daily lives. Feeling empowered to express who you are freely in the workplace and beyond is crucial to your mental health. If you are struggling with any worries or challenges around these important personal issues, Thrive is here to help all year around. We offer a wide range of services including free counselling services and career coaching to support our community who are in need. Happy Pride!