Self Care and Pets: How Auroch Digital deals with Stress
/The month of April is national stress awareness month and national pet month, so what’s better than to highlight how the Auroch team de-stress, featuring their pets.
Stress awareness month has been held every April since 1992, which has allowed people the opportunity to have open conversations and remove the stigma around stress. Here at Auroch Digital, we regard mental health the same way as physical health. Sick leave is for mental and physical health and appointments for either are permitted during work time. Our staffs well being always comes first. Auroch Digital and Sumo put a lot of time and resource into supporting staff around stress and we all work together to help and support each other.
There are loads of ways to de-stress and our team have shared some of their favourite ways, featuring their pets.
Take a rest and smell the flower 💐
Lola reminds Georgina to take a pause and rest.
“This is Lola! She's my 7 year old adopted American Bulldog (maybe, we still don't know exactly). She loves napping, food puzzles and being fussed by everyone she meets.
Playing and being with Lola is a big reliver of stress for me, she reminds me to slow down and do as she does; Take a rest when you need to; love fully; and sniff the flowers.”
- Georgina, Associate 3D Animator
Here we have the beautiful Lola.
Hopping around Alix’s heart is Taco! 🐇
Taco inspires by maintaining his sassy attitude despite adversity.
“Don't know what I'd do without this boy, he's survived some of the worst conditions rabbits can get and still keeps a sassy attitude, he's an inspiration”
- Alix, UX/UI Director
Here with have Taco, with his 3D printed doppleganger.
Take a walk on the wild side 👿
They say exercising is good for de-stressing, so Minnie and Matt go for evening walks.
“I walk this beast every evening, which helps clear my head after work (especially helpful when working from home!)”
- Matt, Principle Designer
Here is Minnie relaxing after work - whether Matt or Minnie was the one doing the actual work we cannot confirm.
Weapon of mass destruction 💢
“This is Pepper, she's the most loyal companion you could ever want to meet!
She was a rescue from Battersea Dogs, when she was there she would cry when left in the kennels and so they had to keep her under the reception desk! We think she's Lurcher Spaniel cross, AKA a Splurcher!
She's a great stress reliever... all you need to do is grab a ball... she will never stop playing fetch... and I mean never!!! Afterwards just sit on the floor and she will literally sit on you wanting cuddles!
She has the softest velvety ears... and a tail that's a weapon of mass destruction!”
- John, Producer
Here we have the angelic face of Pepper.
Chasing squirrels 🐿
Rosie, our marketing extra, is officially part of the team for our mental health.
"Having Rosie to enjoy the outdoors with has been an incredible benefit to my mental health. When there's so much going on, it's such a wonderful feeling to experience the quiet woodlands with my best pal and for us both to have an amazing time. She gets to chase squirrels up trees and I get to unwind. It's a win-win!"
- Simon, Marketing Manager
Here is Rosie, enjoying the great outdoors (and mud).
The Loveable Duo 💕
Benji and James are the perfect companions whilst gaming, they bring utter joy to our hearts.
“My boys love to cuddle up to me while I play games, either on my lap or on my feet.”
- Ysobel, Associate UI/UX Artist
Here we have Benji and James snuggled up together, hugs are one of the best stress relievers.
The best puppy cuddles 🥰
Even if our pets cannot be with us at all times, when we do get to see them, they can still help us relieve stress, just like Maya.
“Maya lives with my parents but when I'm visiting and feel stressed taking her for a walk in the woods is a really effective way for me to calm down. Maya adores me so will readily jump into my lap for cuddles, and nothing beats puppy cuddles for destressing (she's 10 but all dogs are puppies!)”
- Dave, Lead QA Manager
Here we have the lovely Maya, about to jump up for cuddles, we are sure of it
Love comes in all sizes 🐹
Maddie the hamster gives us plenty of moments to break up our day and boosts of endorphins.
“My pet is Maddie the hamster, and I usually relieve stress by preparing food for her, watching her eat and go about her day. It is calming to watch her run on her wheel and gently petting her. I also enjoy painting with watercolours as it puts me away from the PC and makes me slow down.”
- Daniela, Senior Programmer
Here we see Maddie resting up before another run on the wheel.
Auroch’s Official mascot 🐶
If you haven’t heard about Coco, then meet our Official Company Mascot! She’s the tiny sausage dog with the giant personality.
"Coco is such a sweetheart, and loves snoozing on my lap whilst I play games. I am lucky enough to dogsit Coco when Nina (our operations Director and Coco’s owner) is jetting off to important meetings around the world. Spending time with Coco does wonders for my mental health, she really helps me disconnect from work and relax.
She’s also great for getting me out and moving early in the morning, very important as I work from home and its good to get that morning exercise and fresh air."
- Jemima, Marketing and Comms Director
Here is Coco lounging on the sofa, her favourite place.
Why is a dog like a writing desk? 📝
Cassie reminds us it’s important to have hobbies separate from work, not easy when you work in games!
“For stress relief, aside from playing with Cassie I usually write short or longer stories depending on my mood”
- Caleb, Associate QA tester
Here is Cassie, thinking about the next story she’s gonna ghostwrite for Caleb.
We’ve got loads more amazing pets owned by members of Auroch Digital, enjoy this gallery of the wonderful animals that bring us joy and help keep our stress levels down 🥰
More great stress management tips for those without pets
Not everyone at Auroch Digital is a pet person! For those of us without pets here are some other ways we manage our stress:
Let’s watch a movie 🙈
Soothing music or scary movies, Sounds like Gemini behaviour to us…
”I actually like to listen to calming film scores and chill out in a bit of nature... Or watch horror films” - Shuvojit, Principal Concept Artist
Travelling heals the soul 🧳
Work on passion projects, take time for religion and spirituality, and travel the world.
"I find working on my hobby game dev projects in the evenings/weekends helps destress me. But also purely recreational things, like playing videogames or watching films. Also walking. Religion/spirituality is quite important to me, so I'm sure those practices help with managing my stress levels too. Since remote work became a thing I've found changing my environment from time to time really helps (spent several weeks in Turkey last year, & a week in Gibraltar last month).”
- Luth, programmer
Pet Owner at Heart 💜
If you are a pet owner, remember to share the love and send pics of them to your non-pet owning friends
“I'm a pet owner at heart, but don’t have any currently and learning to de-stress without them has taken some time! But, I've found going to the gym and lifting very heavy weights is helpful on the days I feel energised, and on those when my mental health is in the pits I find comfort in familiar video games like Hollow Knight and The Sims. I'm also very lucky to have friends who send me pics and videos of their pets, and they bring me an unprecedented amount of joy each time”
- Jess, Business Development Associate
Age is just a number 👀
Make sure to spread your holidays throughout the year, and enjoy some hobbies away from screens - especially important for people who work at PCs all day.
”I make sure to take a lot of breaks and spread my holidays through out the year so I don't burn out and prevent stress in the first place. At the end of the day though, I'll just play some multiplayer games and socialize as much as I can so it sort of "distracts" me if I feel stressed. I know someone who builds Lego after work and after trying it myself I would definitely recommend for unwinding as well, there is no age limit!”
- Migle, Character Artist
Pump it! 🏋🏾♂️
Exercise is great for mind and body, and can warm you up for a great gaming session online with friends.
“I find exercise a great way to destress - Nothing like an arms and chest workout to release some tension plus playing valorant with the herd after work!”
- Toby, Producer
‘Me time’ 🤭
Be very aware of your work/life balance, and be sure to get “me time” doing the things that help you recharge.
“For me preventing or dealing with stress means keeping a good work/life balance. I prioritize getting enough 'me time', which would include socializing and exercising. Sometimes it's necessary to force ones self to slow down, I occasionally book my evening out to spend it doing lightweight and therapeutic. I also track my stress levels daily as it can be easy to miss signals your body is giving you.”
- Joseph, Artist
(Can you spot Coco in this pic at a recent Auroch Digital tabeltop and painting meet up?)
Cooking = Healing 🥗
Cooking can be both creative, exciting, and you end up with delicious food to eat at the end of it. The perfect de-stress. Plus, getting outside with our pets, enjoy some more pet love for the incredible Tikka, seen in our gallery above!
“I like to go for a round of elaborate Asian cooking, using spices in the evenings, and try to get creative with them, trying new recipes and blending them helps so much to focus on something else! Plus, you get to share an awesome meal afterwards, provided everything went well!
My favorite thing, though, is going along with my significant other for a walk with our puppy Tikka and some other dogs and their owners, and marvel at how she's growing into this cute, well balanced puppy, happily frolicking in the spring's tall grass or getting absolutely bodied by another pup twice her size and asking for more. It gives us a reason to go out, breath fresh air, discover new places and meet new people, and most of all, appreciate the time slowly flowing, one walk at a time. ”
- Sebastien, 3D animator
