ome weeks capture the reality of modern working life better than any policy or productivity framework ever could.
This is one of those weeks.
It’s half term for many families, bringing with it altered routines, childcare juggling and the need for flexibility. Here at ProTalent, it’s a genuine mix - some evenings worked, some days in the office, and a recognition that life doesn’t always fit neatly around deadlines. We’re even heading off for ear piercing mid-week for two very excited 7-year-olds — a small moment, but one that reminds us how personal and professional lives constantly overlap.
At the same time, Sally is back from a week in Aberdeen exploring, and it’s very much all systems go again.
With Emotional Health Week (19–22 February) approaching, it felt like the right time to step back and talk about something we see impacting practices, teams and candidates every day - emotional health, and why it matters more than ever in 2026.
Emotional Health in Accountancy Practice: Why It Can’t Be Ignored
Accountancy is often described as a technical profession - and it is. But it is also deeply human.
Behind every set of accounts, audit file or tax computation is a person making decisions, managing pressure, communicating with clients and balancing competing demands. The emotional load of this work is significant, particularly during busy periods, and yet emotional health is still too often treated as secondary.
In reality, emotional wellbeing directly influences:
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Decision-making quality
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Client communication
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Team dynamics and leadership effectiveness
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Resilience during peak workload periods
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Long-term retention and engagement
Ignoring emotional health doesn’t remove pressure - it simply pushes it underground, where it eventually shows up as burnout, disengagement or attrition.
Emotional Health Week: Practical, Real-World Support
Emotional health isn’t about grand gestures or one-off initiatives. It’s about consistent, realistic habits that support people day to day.
Walking: A Simple Reset with Real Impact
One of the most effective tools available is also one of the simplest: walking.
Research consistently shows that regular walking helps reduce stress hormones and improve mood, even in short bursts. A 20–30 minute walk - particularly outdoors, can help regulate emotions, clear mental clutter and restore focus.
In practice environments where screens, deadlines and constant communication dominate the day, stepping away to move can dramatically change how the rest of the day feels.
Emotional Awareness Before Emotional Control
“Keeping emotions in check” doesn’t mean suppressing them.
It starts with recognising what’s actually happening internally. Is the frustration coming from time pressure? Is the stress about workload, uncertainty or exhaustion? Naming the emotion helps prevent reactive responses - rushed emails, tense conversations or poor decisions made under pressure.
Emotional awareness is a professional skill, not a personal indulgence.
Boundaries Protect Emotional Energy
One of the most common themes we hear from practice professionals is the feeling of being always on.
Not every email requires an immediate response. Not every issue needs solving in the moment it appears. Clear, realistic boundaries - even small ones, protect emotional energy and help people perform more consistently over time.
This becomes especially important during audit seasons, tax deadlines and school holidays, when emotional load is already heightened.
Giving Yourself Permission to Be Human
Some weeks will be productive, energising and focused. Others will feel fragmented, heavy or tiring - and that doesn’t mean anyone is failing.
Sustainable performance comes from recognising that productivity isn’t linear. Allowing space for those tougher weeks is part of maintaining long-term effectiveness, not a sign of weakness.
Standing Out as a Candidate in 2026: Beyond Technical Skills
This year, we are seeing a clear shift in what differentiates candidates in the market.
Technical skills and qualifications are now a baseline expectation. What truly sets people apart is how they show up emotionally.
The candidates who stand out in 2026 are those who can:
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Communicate clearly and thoughtfully
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Demonstrate self-awareness and emotional maturity
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Explain the impact of their work, not just their responsibilities
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Show adaptability and openness to learning
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Handle pressure without becoming reactive
Hiring managers are increasingly attentive to how candidates talk about challenges, feedback and change - because these behaviours directly influence team culture, client relationships and long-term success.
Emotional intelligence has become a commercial differentiator.
What This Means for Practice Leaders
For leaders, emotional health isn’t about removing pressure - it’s about managing it intelligently.
That might look like:
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Encouraging movement and breaks during busy periods
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Normalising conversations about workload and wellbeing
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Modelling healthy boundaries
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Recognising emotional effort alongside technical output
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Supporting flexibility during life-heavy weeks like half term
Small, consistent actions create environments where people can perform well and stay well.
A Final Thought
Emotional health, professional growth and performance are not separate conversations - they are deeply connected.
Whether you’re leading a practice, hiring into your team, mentoring future managers or simply navigating a busy week yourself, the ability to manage emotions - your own and others’ - is becoming one of the most valuable skills in the profession.
Sometimes that looks like a walk.
Sometimes it looks like flexibility.
Sometimes it looks like acknowledging that this week is a lot.
And that’s okay.
If you’d like to talk about hiring trends, candidate expectations or what truly makes people stand out in today’s market, we’re always happy to chat.