15/04/2025

LYFE TUESDAY | APR 15, 2025

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F ROM discrimination to managing the mental load and increased tiredness, returning to work after maternity leave is often a challenge for women. Many feel isolated, even vulnerable, when returning to their job. However, recent UK research proposed mentoring as a concrete solution to better support mothers throughout this sometimes challenging time in their career. The idea is to offer personalised support through mentoring before, during and after maternity leave. Researchers from the Universities of Keele and Southampton followed a group of young mothers who were mentored and compared them with other employees who did not benefit from any support. The conclusion is clear – those who were mentored felt listened to, supported and much more ready to resume their place in the company. “Mothers who received maternity mentoring found it most useful in helping them to balance the competing priorities of work, their baby and themselves – and to mentally and practically prepare for their return to work. They also found it invaluable in terms of a safe space to offload fears and worries,” explained study University of Southampton professor of philosophy and co-author Fiona Woollard. Much more than just flexibility in the organisation of their work, this system creates a real safe haven of trust where young mothers can talk openly about their difficulties, prepare for their return and regain a healthy work-life balance. “Our findings highlight the importance of creating a supportive and inclusive work environment for new mothers. There are tangible steps employers can take to enhance the wellbeing and productivity of staff during maternity leave and return to work transitions,” said Keele University senior lecturer in psychology and co-author Dr Alexandra Kent. But for this to work, companies IT has long been believed aging makes the body more vulnerable to physical exertion and slows down recovery. A major study published in the Journal of Aging and Physical Activity challenges this idea. Indeed, it shows older people recover just as well as younger people after physical activity. Based on 36 rigorously selected studies, this meta-analysis compares 389 young adults with 390 older people. All were observed for at least 24 hours after exercise, without recourse to external recovery aids. The results indicate no significant difference was observed between the two groups. Even more astonishingly, the older participants systematically reported feeling fewer aches and pains than their younger counterparts. These findings, reported by the Study Finds website, contradict the idea that aging leads to a decline in muscle regeneration capacity – in particular to a reduction in protein synthesis and the number of satellite cells. Several hypotheses have been put forward to explain why muscles seem to resist the effects of time so well. The authors of the study believe,

Mentoring schemes for mothers can be viewed as a strong signal in favour of workplace equality.

A mentoring system can help maintain positive family dynamics with equal share of chores and responsibilties.

Handling post-pregnancy expectations

New mothers may

o Mentoring could ensure successful return to work after maternity leave

struggle to cope with work after maternity leave.

mentoring programmes can become a real springboard for reconnecting mothers with professional life. However, if poorly supervised, they can, on the contrary, reinforce feelings of isolation. “Ensuring (the programmes) are supportive and flexible is an important step in designing a successful return to work,” Kent reiterated.

need to play the game. This involves measures such as taking into account childcare constraints, offering flexible hours, maintaining work roles during leave and assigning a dedicated person of contact. And above all, managers should receive training to help create a kind and inclusive environment. When designed intelligently,

Investing in this kind of support is not just an human resource bonus. It is a lever for motivation and commitment, and a strong signal in favour of workplace equality. Ultimately, there needs to be a shift

in the way female employees are viewed. Many still feel they have to prove they are as committed as ever. Maybe then, motherhood might cease to be a barrier to women’s careers. – ETX Studio

Age not barrier to physical activities

older people are reluctant to engage in physical activity. Yet current data send a clear message – age should not be a barrier to exercise. In a world where the United Nations estimates the 60+ population is set to double by 2050, the findings of this study represent a major strategic lever for public The greater muscle stiffness linked to collagen accumulation could make the muscles of older people less vulnerable to micro-injury.

health. the cornerstone of successful aging, makes a decisive contribution to maintaining independence, mental health and strengthening social ties. So in the fight against sedentary lifestyles, it could be worth reminding older people that their muscles are tougher than they might think. – ETX Studio Physical activity makes a decisive contribution to maintaining independence, mental health and strengthening social ties. Physical activity,

Current data send a clear message that age should not be a barrier to exercise. – ALL PICS FROM PEXELS

for example, that greater muscle stiffness linked to collagen accumulation could make the muscles of older people less vulnerable to micro-injury. What is more, as the physical efforts made by seniors are often more moderate, they typically cause less damage. Furthermore, creatine kinase levels, a marker of muscle damage, are

generally lower in older adults. A difference according to sex between age groups was observed only in men, underlining the importance of developing specific research on women. Beyond the biological aspects, this study could also help break down a psychological barrier. For fear of injury or slow recovery, many