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Some Frequently Asked Questions about our app

Solas VR app is already a success amongst managers, especially in organisations that care about corporate wellness. There are many reasons why they have selected our app, but the main one is that there is no risk: literally, there is no reason not to buy a business subscription and watch your teams perform better and enjoy stress-free workdays. During our meeting with the decision-makers, we noticed some recurring questions, reflecting concerns about the resources and effectiveness of the service. Here are the most frequent of them:

Do we need to train our staff to use it?

Absolutely no. Solas VR environment is very simple and friendly. They only need to enter the experience and Solas VR does the rest. The users have the freedom to select among different settings and durations, in the most simple and intuitive way. It can’t get any easier than this.

Do the experiences take a long time?

No, the impact is instantaneous – that is the power of VR – It transports the user to a meditation space. In fact, Solas VR boosts the power of microbreaks, which are the perfect practice for better performance, according to an Organizational Behaviour Journal publication.

Can all staff use it?

The Nature-based experiences appeal to people of all ages, cultures or religious backgrounds. 

Are there many benefits to it?

Yes, research shows that mindfulness and/or breathing exercises improve our concentration levels, our ability to absorb information and our decision-making.

As we work with new managers and corporations, we will update this FAQ list, to make an easy decision, even easier!

 

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Solas sites: The Lake

Take a walk by the lake, let the nature embrace and soothe you. Symbolically speaking, lake is a feminine symbol, the giver of fertility, where female divinities select to live, bathe and relax. It is a place of calmness and relaxation, a getaway from everyday living. This peacefulness is illustrated lyrically in the Chinese book of changes:

“Lakes resting on the other,

The images of the joyous.

Thus the superior man joins

With his friends for discussion and practice.”

At the same time, the surface of the lake is a mirror, one we see the reflection of ourselves and of the sky above us. Interestingly enough, Narcissus died from looking into his reflection in a lake for too long, as a result of the lack of balance between the self and the surroundings. As the pathways to different worlds, the lakes also represent the transition of life, death and resurrection- the eternal circle of rebirth and evolution.

For our meditation, we have selected a lake where we are struck by the light. We see the elements of water, earth and stone alongside the trees. These are enhanced and transformed by the sunlight; a gentle and beautiful reminder of how working with our own light changes everything.

When we change the way we look at something we change the thing we look at.

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Solas Sites: The Waterfalls

16mIn this powerful place we feel the force of nature. There is the flowing power of water and the sturdy strength of the boulders. We see and experience the elements we can decide to identify with and draw on.

We feel the cleansing power of water washing away old habits and emotions that no longer serve us.

This site also serves as a reminder of the potential perils of trying to control nature for our won amusement. In August 1821, during the visit of King George IV to Ireland, Richard Wingfield, 5th Viscount Powerscourt dammed the waterfall so he could release a torrent while the two stood on a new bridge built for the occasion below the falls. For reasons unknown, the king did not leave the banquet at Powerscourt House to view the waterfall, which was fortunate as, when the water was finally released, the bridge was washed away.
habits and emotions that no longer serve us.

Find yourself there, right now. Download Solas VR meditation app.

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How to battle work stress during the pandemic

There is no getting away from the fact that 2020 has been an extraordinary year. Industry across every sector has been affected by the fallout from Covid-19 and, with curbs still being placed on various parts of society, the future continues to look uncertain. There is no denying that everyone has been feeling increased levels of stress, anxiety and even burnout as they try to make a living and bring their businesses safely through the crisis.

Mindi Caselden of CaseldenConsulting.com says that, while managing expectations during chaos can be difficult, it is important to set realistic goals and work step by step to achieve them. She says 1% nudging is the desired approach “over all-or-nothing”.

“This is especially so when adopting new habits, as these take practice and focused intention to really solidify. Each step is an achievement to celebrate as you are moving towards the goal, and continuous small steps lead to greater sustained change in the long term,” she says.

“This is an endurance game, and the finish line keeps moving, which makes it difficult to keep energy levels where they need to be to make progress. But awareness of your own energy is the first step. Give yourself permission to take time to reset and reflect back on your purpose and why you are doing what you do. Take small steps and celebrate achievements along the way. It really is about the journey to get where you want to be.”

Jean O’Neill of JeanONeillCoaching.ie agrees and says, while the much-lauded work-life balance is “probably a myth” for many people, there are ways in which the two can work in harmony.

“In my capacity as a neuro-wellness and performance coach, I prefer work-life integration, and encourage people to find an individual blend which works with their circumstances,” she says. “It is not ‘one size fits all’, but daily self-care strategies are crucial to your wellbeing, overall functionality and coping skills.

“The word ‘discipline’ can put people off, so I encourage terms like ‘daily self-care wellness’ or ‘rituals’, and a strategy which promotes routine and balance.”

O’Neill advises that anyone who is experiencing burnout should speak to their boss — or themselves if they are in charge — and attempt to find some flexible solutions and compromise.

“Explore new ways of managing stress and engage in conversations about daily self-care strategies with co-workers, friends and family to see what tips and insights they can offer you,” she says.

“Seek professional support and don’t wait for your stress symptoms to get worse. If your employer has an employment assistance programme, reach out to counsellors and coaches for safe and confidential support.”

While there may be many reasons for anxiety at work, having to impart unwelcome news to staff can be particularly stressful. Consultant Michelle O’Sullivan says the impact of this can be minimised by forward planning.

“The key is preparation, so be clear on the desired outcome, anticipate and prepare for potential obstacles,” she says. “Have a list of key points, be factual, and respond rather than react — because emissions are contagious, so be very mindful of being emotional.

“If you’re feeling anxious or need a confidence boost, I’d recommend looking at Amy Cuddy’s TED talk for great tips on how to build your confidence. And be careful of body language, as our bodies change our minds, and our minds change our behaviour, and our behaviour changes outcomes.”

O’Sullivan says the same is true when it comes to making decisions.

“Use all three intelligences — head, heart and gut — when making decisions,” she adds.

“Make sure you have considered all the choices and potential outcomes and also are clear on what you hope to achieve. Speaking to a coach can be beneficial, as they will help you see possibilities you might not be aware of.”

Staying calm is vital, and Stephen Pitcher of SolasVR.com has recently launched a meditation app which, he argues, can be beneficial for anyone suffering from work-related anxiety.

“The cause of so much of our stress, anxiety and discomfort is our disconnection,” he says.

“Living in urban areas, we are disconnected from nature, often from our families due to distance or lifestyle, and from our feelings as we feed on distractions. We are even disconnected from ourselves, as we fill our day with activity rather than sitting in silence.

“But Covid has laid all that bare. It has exposed what is already there, intensified and magnified it. In general we are ill at ease with the society we have created and often the life we live. So because of this environment we have created Solas VR, a virtual reality meditation app to harness the power of virtual reality to deliver a connection to nature, to ourselves and to the certainty that we have been missing.

“Whether we are transported to Glendalough cathedral or the stone circle at Athgreany, we can access guided meditations, music, drumming, nature sounds or silence.”

Taking time away from work is not only important for our mental and physical health but is also crucial when it comes to making good business decisions, as mental fatigue can lead to rushed or poorly executed judgements.

“We need to know when we are freshest and when is a good time to make decisions, and should try to schedule meetings and actions around that time,” says Pitcher.

“We also need to create space for decisions and allow for micro breaks within our day to return to our centre.”

Jean O’Neill agrees, and points out that the thousands of decisions we make each day — big and small — can lead to decision fatigue.

“So learn to raise your levels of self-awareness and recognise that, when you are stressed, you are less likely to make decisions which act in your best interest,” she says.

“And if stress is building up for you, factor a power nap into your day to recharge your batteries — rest and repair is crucial when you are stressed.”

How to avoid work stress

● Establish a consistent daily routine to help create a feeling of certainty and structure.

● Stop multi-tasking, and try to reduce distractions.

● Optimise your workspace when working from home, and create designated spaces for various members of your household.

● Build healthy boundaries around working hours and conditions, and try to avoid letting home and family life merge into one.

● Limit your media consumption.

● Look after your mental and physical health by engaging in regular exercise and taking frequent desk breaks to stretch your body and clear your mind.

● Have a healthy diet, keep hydrated, and avoid foods which bring an immediate high — as eating them will be followed by a low.

● Try not to worry — observe, accept, and change.

Getting back on your feet

● Record your successes, wins and achievements — big and small.

● Surround yourself with people who positively influence and inspire you.

● Get involved with valuable networks such as Ireland Together and create visibility for yourself.

● Surround yourself with people who have the expertise and knowledge to support you, and vice versa.

● Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

● Avoid people who have a negative impact on your mental and emotional health.

● Understand and identify your individual motivators and drives.

● Be kind to yourself and don’t waste time or energy on past failures.

● Put a daily self-care action plan in place, and also put together a plan of future goals and break it down into manageable tasks.

● Open your mind to consider new ways of thinking and have a back-up plan.

Source: The Sunday Times

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Solas Sites: The Glendalough Cathedral

There are places that beam with positive vibes even when their time has passed and the Glendalough Cathedral is one of them. Being the largest of the 7 churches of the area, the Cathedral took a lot of time to be built- nothing is built in a day! What is also very symbolic though is that stones for a smaller earlier church has been reused, like passing a message throughout the centuries. In the 13th century, when the Glendalough Cathedral was inaugurated, pilgrims found a safe place there, to pray, to share, to reflect.

When you visit the area, especially when you know that this was a place of calmness ans togetherness, you can still sense the positive vibes. The harmony between the nature and the remains, combined with past stories that we don’t really know, yet they are somehow familiar, create a unique setting for meditation. This is how we decided to include the Glendalough cathedral as a meditation site in the app. Just go to the in app menu and travel to this sacred place of Ireland.

Glendalough (Valley of the Two Rivers) has hosted religious settlements since at least the 7th Century. The Cathedral was build form the 10th -13th Century. This site has hosted prayer and pilgrimage for over a thousand years and so much devotion and goodwill is held within its walls.

Element – Stone

In many traditions the Stone people have memories that stretch back in time to the creation of the earth herself. As such they carry a huge store of wisdom that we can access if we approach them respectfully. They also remind us that there is a time to be strong and steady to withstand all the forces around us.