Work Smart Live Smart with Beverly Beuermann-King

Listen to today's podcast... Life is to be fortified by many friendships. To love and to be loved is the greatest happiness of existence. Sydney Smith I love my friends. They boost my energy. They make me laugh. They allow me to vent. They cheer me on. Often, we can't get together in person. Social media has become a way for us to still stay connected. It is similar to the quilting bee of days gone by. The quilting bee was not about putting a quilt together. It was a way for the women of the community to get out from their homes and get connected. They shared, they vented, they cried, and they laughed. Social media is just like the quilting bee for when we can't connect in person. We post about our thoughts and our situations and our friends reply back with comments and support us. Though others can comment on our writings, our pictures and our videos, there is nothing like the face-to-face gatherings of friends. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating International Day of Friendship: We know from our research that people with friends are less likely to suffer physical and mental health problems than those who are socially isolated. Friendships can last a lifetime or be specific to a time in our life – however long, they are valuable. Remember your friends. Let them know that they matter. Connect when possible – but don't leave it up to chance – or time may pass you both by. If you like today's wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app. Looking for more ways to build your resiliency? Take my free on-line resiliency test at worksmartlivesmart.com under the resources and courses tab. #mentalhealth #hr

Listen to today's podcast... There is no rain in sight, which makes for a gorgeous summer day and some time enjoying nature just outside my door. But what if it had been raining? Would this add stress to your life? Do you plan for rain days when you are on vacation? Rain days can force you to make different decisions on how you are going to spend your downtime. When it comes to spending, do you have a rainy-day fund that you can tap into when times are not so prosperous? This safety net protects you when an unexpected event - such as job loss or unexpected repairs to your home. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!  Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Rain Day: People all over the world have celebrated rain and its life-giving power. All life is dependent on rain, and rain is what keeps our world green and beautiful. Today, celebrate all things wet and wonderful. Managing your stress and building your resiliency means that you have a back up plan. Plan for a rainy day. This may mean knowing what alternate activities you can take advantage of, or packing an umbrella. Or it may mean putting money aside for an emergency or unexpected expense into a rainy-day fund. If you like today's wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app. For more information on coping with mental health issues, sign up for one of my on-line courses at worksmartlivesmart.com under the resources and courses tab. #mentalhealth #hr

Listen to today's podcast... What is Workplace Culture? Workplace organizational culture is defined as the attitudes, values, and beliefs that shape the workplace environment. The culture or these “unwritten rules” can impact employee morale, productivity and health. It plays a key role in predicting workplace satisfaction and stress levels and provides the foundation for workplace health. One of the most often neglected areas of workplace culture is the social support that is given and received in our teams. It is seen as an ‘extra', a social nicety, or something to focus on if you have time. With more people living alone or separate from extended family and friends, it is critical that we are as diligent about our social well being as we are about our physical well being. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!  So Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Social Wellness Month: July is Social Wellness Month and it reminds us that we need to reach out to others and build stronger social ties with co-workers, family and friends. Social connection provided by friends and colleagues may ward off depression, boost self-esteem, and provide support, along with fewer cardiovascular problems and immune problems, and lower levels of cortisol. People with strong social connections feel more relaxed and at peace, which is related to better health and a better bottom-line. Workplace celebrations are an important part of social wellness and can range from monthly birthday parties to rewards for team accomplishments.  It's about making connections and knowing that you're a part of something bigger than yourself.  If you like today's wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app. Looking for more ways to build your resiliency? Take my free on-line resiliency test at worksmartlivesmart.com under the resources and courses tab. #mentalhealth #hr

Listen to today's podcast... I like my parents today. But I don't think that I did when I was growing up. They were always telling me what to do. Always treated my brother better than me. They never let me do anything that I wanted to. It's funny, but I heard my own children say many of the same things. I know that my parents are there when I need them. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Parents Day: Parenting is hard. It is not for the weak at heart. Parenting is about the unconditional love that you give to your children, often with very few rewards given back at the time. So, look through your family pictures and focus on the easy, fun and/or rewarding times, instead of the difficult times that you have had as a parent Share a special memory with your child about your child. Let them know that you hold them dear to your heart Share a special memory of your own childhood. Let your children know that you didn't always value your parents, but you do now Call your own parents and let them know that you appreciate them as parents Parenting is hard. We need to support each other as parents and let each other know that perfection is not the key, but self-confident, happy adult children is the reward. Happy Parent's Day! If you like today's wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app. Looking for more ways to build your resiliency? Take my free on-line resiliency test at worksmartlivesmart.com under the resources and courses tab. #mentalhealth #hr

Listen to today's podcast... Humour can help you thrive in change, remain creative under pressure, work more effectively, play more enthusiastically, and stay healthier in the process. Humour and Stress – For some of us it is a lost art, but it can be one of our most powerful ‘life coping' tools. One definition I really like, is that humour is an attitude focused on generating positive feelings in yourself and for others. It is an active state and a choice that we make. One other advantage of maintaining a sense of humour and being able to freely laugh is that it provides us with a powerful sense of perspective and ability to build relationships with those around us. Humour and creativity originate from a lively imagination and the ability to recognize and to appreciate the incongruities of life. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!  Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Personal Health Month: Part of ensuring your personal health is making sure that you have a positive and fun attitude towards life. So, When you're feeling terrific – notify your face. Some of us forget to show that we are having fun Find funny friends and co-workers. Hang out with the people who's attitude you admire. Develop a Humour First-Aid Kit and fill it with your favourite jokes, clippings, and stories to buffer yourself through hard times. Use humour in adversity to lighten up rather than tighten up – Laugh at yourself and your mistakes Finally, appreciate today and look for the ‘awesome'. If you like today's wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app. Looking for more ways to build your resiliency? Take my free on-line resiliency test at worksmartlivesmart.com under the resources and courses tab. #mentalhealth #hr

Listen to today's podcast... Have you experienced this? The driver in front of you is going slower and slower on the highway as they talk on their phone You are in the bookstore when the person walking beside you has their phone go off breaking the peace and silence. You are sitting at a restaurant enjoying the company and the meal when the person next to you engages in cell yell. I think that we have all been exposed to poor cell phone etiquette. Are you attached to your cell phone? I don't particularly like mine.  In fact, I keep it off most of the time, unless I need to call my husband or remind my kids of something if I am on the road.  But it is getting harder and harder to do that. Cell phones are an integral part of our technology-based world, and they won't be disappearing anytime soon.  However, if we all practiced a little more courtesy using our phone, then maybe cell phones would not seem so annoying and intrusive. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Cell Phone Courtesy Month: Evaluate your own cell phone practices: Make sure you keep it down. No one wants to hear you on the phone Love the vibration. Use your phone's vibration mode when in public Try to excuse yourself when accepting a call in a group gathering Focus on the task at hand, not your cell phone And try to make the Person You are With Feel Like the Most Important Person you want to talk to Looking for more ways to build your resiliency? Take my free on-line resiliency test at worksmartlivesmart.com under the resources and courses tab. #mentalhealth #hr

Listen to today's podcast... Did you know that going through the drive thru naked is illegal? In 2012, a naturist was found guilty of “partial nudity that offended public order” for incidents that occurred in 2008 and 2009 as he went through a drive thru. Today is National Drive Thru Day and while it is not recommended to go through the drive thru naked, we know that many of us will go through at least one drive thru today. Eating out is no longer a special event, but a practical alternative to eating at home when no one feels like shopping or cooking.  Decisions about ‘what's for dinner?' reflect a solution to an equation that involves three variables: 1) what's on hand in the fridge, cupboard or freezer, 2) the time available to cook and eat and 3) the urgency of hunger. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Drive Thru Day: Drive thru foods are not all bad.  It is possible to make some wise choices, but it can be difficult if you don't consider the options before you are about to order. Examine your life and do a rhythm check.  Are you pushing and rushing most of the time?  If so, consider altering your drive thru behaviour slightly to allow yourself the opportunity to slow down, take your time eating, socialize and enjoy the ‘whole' meal experience. If you like today's wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app. Looking for more tips to build your resiliency? Look for my book on Amazon called Stress Out. 52 Weeks To Letting More Life In #mentalhealth #hr

Listen to today's podcast... I am blessed to have had a grandma who was a huge influence on my life.  She made me feel accepted, wanted, and truly loved.  I loved how she could dress it up for a night out and she could get down and dirty in the garden.  And she was gorgeous. My sons were blessed. They had 3 great grandmas and 3 grandmas that got to share in their early years.  I hope that they remember them as being gorgeous women and that beauty is not about what is on the outside but what is on the character of the soul. Our worth is not about the job that we have, the goals that we achieve, or the beauty of our youth.  Jobs change.  Goals change.  Looks change. Our beauty is in the connections that we make with others. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!  Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Gorgeous Grandma Day: Don't Be Someone You're Not. I see young girls who put on ‘airs' and try to mould themselves into the popular image of beauty. If you have young girls and women in your life, help them to see that beauty is about so much more than that. Tell the gorgeous women in your life what you see when you look at them.  Don't describe their physical beauty, but what you see that radiates from their heart or the positive impact that they have on those around them. Having had a gorgeous grandma, I can only hope that I can make as much of a difference in someone's life like her. If you like today's wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app. Looking for more ways to build your resiliency? Take my free on-line resiliency test at worksmartlivesmart.com under the resources and courses tab. #mentalhealth #hr

Listen to today's podcast... The loss of a child is the most stressful and inconsolable of losses to deal with. It violates the natural order of things and it's not fair for an innocent to see their dreams unfulfilled. I watched as my husband`s parents grieved for the loss of their son, my husband`s only sibling.  I watched how my brother-in-law`s wife`s parents grieved for the loss of their daughter. Together they were killed by a drunk and drugged driver. Their pain was evident and their grieving styles so different, as was the responses of their family and friends. Often, we don't know what to say or do for grieving parents, so we do nothing. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!  Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency Through Bereaved Parents Awareness Month: Don`t avoid the parents. It is okay for you to not know what to say or how to help. A listening ear may be what they need the most. I love the sentiment that one parent received from a friend:  “Grieve well. One day you will cease to remember him with tears and instead remember him with smiles.” Don`t avoid important dates such as birthdays and anniversaries, but provide an opportunity for the parent to grieve and remember and not feel like they must hold the grief under control. Be aware and provide support for both the health of the bereaved parents and their relationships. According to research, bereaved mothers and fathers experience more physical and emotional issues than do non-bereaved parents, including severe depression. It is estimated that over 70% of marriages where a child has died, end in separation or divorce. Be patient. Grieving parents may think, do, and say things that are very unlike who they really are and as their family and friends, our job is to be there for them and not judge their reactions as justified or unfair. If you like today's wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app.  Looking for more ways to build your resiliency? Take my free on-line resiliency test at worksmartlivesmart.com under the resources and courses tab. #mentalhealth #hr

Listen to today's podcast... Have You Ever Had The Sensation That Your Legs Are Unable To Relax When Trying To Go To Bed At Night? Has it kept you awake or even made you pace the floors trying to get them to stop tingling? If yes, you may have experienced Restless Leg Syndrome. This is no joking matter for many people. Some research shows that Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) may affect 3 – 15% of the general population. When I first experienced it, I was pregnant.  I was awake for 3 days straight.  It had me beside myself and stressed out trying to find ways to get them to relax.  When I asked the doctor, his response was that he didn't know what it was or what could be causing it and that I should just try and get some sleep.  It wasn't till I found a name for this on-line that I knew what I was dealing with Since then, I have experienced it a few times each year – especially when I get over-tired.  Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!  So Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency By Dealing With Restless Leg Syndrome: Ensure that it is not a reaction to a medication that you may be taking Avoid getting over-tired or stressed out Try massage, relaxation techniques and stretches to prepare your body for sleeping Remove caffeine and other stimulants from your diet If nothing seems to work, check with your doctor, as there are a variety of medications that may be useful in reducing the symptoms and allow for a better sleep If you like today's wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app. For more information on coping with mental health issues, sign up for one of my on-line courses at worksmartlivesmart.com under the resources and courses tab. #mentalhealth #hr

Listen to today's podcast... There is nothing more relaxing than having a skilled massage therapist work out the tension from overly taunt neck and shoulder muscles. Massage can be an important component to promoting mental health. Stress causes the blood vessels to constrict and reduce circulation. Muscles become tense. This decreased circulation to our brain hinders our ability to focus, problem-solve and be productive. When our muscles are tense, our bodies become tight and sore. Massage can increase circulation and promote the body's relaxation response. The other benefit is that a massage can takes you out of the hectic pace and forces you to be still and to let your mind wander for a period of time. When our mind is allowed to relax it is better able to focus when we need it to after the massage. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!  Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Everyone Deserves a Massage Week: Remember that your needs are important. You need to take care of yourself first and foremost. Looks for ways, like a relaxing massage, that can promote your mental health. As a massage therapist, consider the ways that you can get involved in promoting mental health during this week, especially to those who are experiencing a chronic or terminal illness, or in recognition of public service, such as your local firefighters, police officers or emergency responders.   If you like today's wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app. Looking for more tips to build your resiliency? Look for my book on Amazon called Stress Out. 52 Weeks To Letting More Life In #mentalhealth #hr

Listen to today's podcast... Should've… Could've… Would've …I should have taken that other job.  Should have talked to my friends before I spent all that time and energy.  I could have bought the blue one instead of the black one.  I should have just left it alone. Most of us have things that we regret, or wish were different in our lives, however it is both our good and bad decisions that mould us into who we are today. A great piece of advice that I was given is to “Never look back unless you are planning to go that way.” Easier said than done. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!  Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Toss Away The ‘Could Haves' and ‘Should Haves' Day: Today is the day that we write down our “could haves” and “should haves” on a piece of paper and then throw that list into the trash or fireplace. Then we make the pledge: “From this day forward, I choose not to live in the past—the past is history that I can't change. I can do something about the present—I choose to live in the present.” Or you can try this, write down these headings on a piece of paper: My Regrets The Role I Played The Effect That The Regret Has On My Life Valuable Lessons That I Have Learned What Will Happen If I Continue To Hold On To The Regret What Will My Life Be Like If I Release The Regret Steps I Can Take To Release The Regret Steps I Can Take To Prevent Myself From Making The Same Mistake/Poor Choice This exercise can take some time, but it can help us to learn from our past and release the regret that we have, so that we can move forward into a healthier space. If you like today's wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app. Looking for more ways to build your resiliency? Take my free on-line resiliency test at worksmartlivesmart.com under the resources and courses tab. #mentalhealth #hr

Listen to today's podcast... It is a gorgeous July morning. I have finished watering my newly planted grass seed and now it is time to focus on my business. I am finally feeling like my life is in balance. This was a reflection on life that I had several years ago.  It didn't mean that my life wasn't chaotic, but I was feeling satisfied with the time and energy that I was spending on the various aspects of my life. Sometimes my ‘balance' lasts for a long time, other times, that balance is fleeting. Balance to me, does not mean equal. Balance means satisfaction. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!  Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Life Balance Month: My First Strategy is the belief that I have a purpose in this world and that this world has a purpose. Second, is being comfortable with who I am. I am not superhuman. I try my best to take care of myself. My family and my business need me to function. Third, I enjoy the little things and look for the awesome.  In my reflection above, my day started outside, watering and weeding. For me, this is nature at its most glorious and it helps to ground and center me. Each day I experience different challenges, but these beliefs keep me satisfied with where I am going. How do you create more satisfaction and balance in your life? If you like today's wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app. Looking for more ways to build your resiliency? Take my free on-line resiliency test at worksmartlivesmart.com under the resources and courses tab. #mentalhealth #hr

Listen to today's podcast... What do you think… Kids will be what they see? This seems to me to be one of those nature and nurture questions. What I do believe is that all caring adults have the potential to positively impact the children and young adults around them. As leaders in our organizations and in our communities, how we treat each other, and especially, how we treat our youth matters. In a world filled so publicly with hate, prejudice, bullying and negativity, positive role models are desperately needed. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!  So Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Make A Difference To Children Month: None of us are perfect. Our goal should be to provide the best examples that we can. Here are three things that as leaders we can strive to do. We can inspire our youth to dream big and work hard to achieve those dreams To develop values based on gratitude and kindness And we can teach children to respect each other's differences   One person can make all the difference in a child's life. This July, make sure that person is you! If you like today's wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app. Discover how to take small steps towards a healthier, happier, less-stressed you by visiting my website at worksmartlivesmart.com #mentalhealth #hr

Listen to today's podcast... Don't worry. It's all natural. Herbal medicine is expanding in popularity. According to a study published in the Journal of Nutrition, 70% of adults 60 years and older take at least one supplement daily, and 29% take four or more each day. Billions of dollars are spent annually on herbal products and billions more on vitamins, minerals and other dietary supplements. Herbal supplements have been credited with aiding everything from digestion to depression, but it's important to understand that “all natural” doesn't always translate to safe. Herbal supplements are not regulated like other drugs or foods, so being aware and staying safe and healthy is vital. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!  So Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Herbal Prescription Awareness Month: Follow these Safety Tips: Always talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist first before taking an herbal medication or supplement to avoid negative impacts with certain foods or other medication. One common herbal medication is St. John's Wort. St. John's Wort can be effective on mild to moderate depression, however it can interact with a large number of medications, including antidepressants, allergy drugs, birth control, and warfarin. Ginkgo, most commonly taken to improve memory, has been shown to interact with aspirin, diuretics, anticonvulsants, antidepressants, and blood thinners. Finally, follow supplement instructions, in the same way that you would follow a prescription from your healthcare provider   If you like today's wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app. Discover how to take small steps towards a healthier, happier, less-stressed you by visiting my website at worksmartlivesmart.com #mentalhealth #hr

Listen to today's podcast... Do you have stuff? I have stuff. And sometimes that stuff gets overwhelming. It seems that my stuff piles up and takes up more and more space. Regularly I go through my stuff and par it down. Some of that stuff I can give away to others who may appreciate it more. My oldest son just bought his first house and finally, I can get rid of all the stuff that I was saving for this day. I hung on to it, to help him out as he was starting out. It feels good to open up that space again and clean out the stuff that has been sitting on shelves in the basement all of these years. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!  Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Give Something Away Day: Part of building balance is about simplifying. This includes closets, basements, mementos, cupboards … anywhere that stuff has piled up. In the workplace, look to see what is no longer being used. Can it be donated to a school, a youth home, a shelter? Try to give something back to the world and not just the stuff that you have collected. Can you give someone your time? Can you share your expertise? Can you donate blood? Can you buy an extra bag of groceries for someone in need? Can you reach out and make a difference in some way? If you like today's wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app. Looking for more tips to build your resiliency? Look for my book on Amazon called Stress Out. 52 Weeks To Letting More Life In #mentalhealth #hr

Listen to today's podcast... Are you keeping cool today? It is the middle of summer and it is also International Nude Day. Nudist groups around the world celebrate this holiday and take it quite seriously! Today is the day to celebrate your birthday suit. However, I wouldn't suggest it as appropriate attire for the workplace, unless you are like me and you work from home…with no chance that a delivery person will come to the door. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!  Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating International Nude Day: Be proud of your birthday suit, no matter what shape or size it comes in. Though there are some obvious benefits of going nude…like less laundry to do, but make sure that you don't shock your family, co-workers, or neighbours. If you are going to go outside, remember that you will still need to wear sunscreen and watch out for poison ivy, if you happen to go for a walk in the woods. Finally, if going nude is not quite for you, treat your skin to some pampering. Your skin is your largest organ. So slap on some moisturizing cream and give it a bit of attention as you celebrate your skin. If you like today's wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app. Looking for more ways to build your resiliency? Take my free on-line resiliency test at worksmartlivesmart.com under the resources and courses tab. #mentalhealth #hr

Listen to today's podcast... I remember that pretty much every Sunday during the summer was barbecue night. Growing up on a farm meant that we ate after the cows were milked. The vintage barbecue would be filled with charcoal, douched in lighter fluid and a match would be tossed in. Flames would burst out and rise into the air. The coals would burn for an hour or so while the chores were finished, and the coals would be glowing red for dad to barbecue our steaks. I loved the smell and the sizzle. Barbecuing is one of the best parts of summer. It means get togethers, family fun and really good food. Barbequing, it turns out, is good for your mental health - particularly when they take place in green spaces, with friends and family, comfort food, and music. There is a relationship between barbecuing, comfort food, and social connection and the positive impact on decreasing loneliness. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! So Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Grilling Month: A grill is one of the best ways to cook summer dinners. However, food poisoning peaks in the summer months because not only does bacteria multiply faster in warmer temperatures, but preparing food outdoors makes safe food handling more challenging. Follow food safety guidelines to prevent harmful bacteria from multiplying and causing foodborne illness. This summer slow down for a few moments and look for ways to make positive memories and build social connection by inviting friends and family over for a barbecue. Your mental health will be the better for it. If you like today's wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app. Want to find more strategies to coping with stress, check out my website at worksmartlivesmart.com #mentalhealth #hr

Listen to today's podcast... How are you doing? How's work going? The kids? We are busy! Most of us have a full plate. And many of us have a multitude of things vying for our attention. So how can we find a better balance and simplify our life? Balance is about maximizing what you love and minimizing what you loathe. Balance is about focusing on the fundamentals: health, security, relationships, personal development, purpose and making them a priority in your life. Balance is not about equal it is about satisfaction. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!  Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Simplicity Day: Design the life that you want to live, by examining where you spend your time and energy. Avoid blaming others and situations – WE have the ultimate decision on how OUR time will be spent. Develop and set your priorities and say ‘No' to those things which are not your priority. Do not over-program yourself and make time to focus on yourself. Don't get caught up in trying to multitask. Stay focused. Work productively. Finally, simplify routines and de-junk your physical space. Simplifying means “letting go” of things that weigh us down. Worry, confusion, stress: these are all things can arise from complexity. Getting rid of the distracting parts of our lives, we can live a more balanced, fulfilling life. If you like today's wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app. Looking for more ways to build your resiliency? Take my free on-line resiliency test at worksmartlivesmart.com under the resources and courses tab. #mentalhealth #hr

Listen to today's podcast... Approximately 1 in 5 seniors say that they are lonely.  People can become lonely for any number of reasons, regardless of their age. Some people are lonely because they don't feel like they fit in, while others may become lonely after the death of a loved one. Other people might just suffer from an illness that doesn't allow them to see many people. When my boys were little, they were blessed to have 3 sets of grandparents and 3 sets of great-grandparents.  Life was busy with two little ones, but we made it a point of visiting each of the great grandparents.  Sometimes the boys would complain, and we would have to explain that not everyone's lives were busy like ours.  Grandmas and Grandpas loved us and looked forward to us visiting.  It made them happy.  It doesn't take much to cheer up the lonely and make a difference. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!  Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Cheer Up The Lonely Day: Let your friend or family member know that you are thinking about them.  Send them a message, call them on the phone, or go for a visit. We need physical contact, but giving a hug may not be appropriate at this time.  Did you know that giving 5 people a hug every day can lower your own stress level by 25%. Look for other ways to get connected. Ask what they need.  It's ok to ask.  And if they are not sure, let them know that you are there when they need you. If you like today's wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app. Discover how to take small steps towards a healthier, happier, less-stressed you by visiting my website at worksmartlivesmart.com #mentalhealth #hr

Listen to today's podcast... Frequently going to a park and being active can reduce stress, improve cardiovascular health, help ward off obesity and decrease feelings of depression. Research shows that: Active users of public parks have a lower body mass index People who visit parks for longer periods of time (one hour or more) have significantly lower systolic blood pressures Playing in parks also helps children build and maintain healthy bones, muscles, and joints, improve self-esteem Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!  Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Recreation And Parks Month: Take a look at what is available near you for a relatively low entertainment fee From camping overnight to enjoying the day at the beach our parks can provide an opportunity to enjoy some of the best views and activities our countries have to offer. If you are camping overnight, plan for both the good weather and bad. Let go of your everyday worries and be in the moment. Enjoy the sights and sounds that only our parks can provide. Leave your technology at home or at least turn it off. There is nothing like cooking outdoors or sitting beside the fire. Resist the urge to bring modern conveniences with you. Check in for messages only when absolutely necessary Our parks are one of our national treasures that many of us don't take the time to enjoy. However, they can provide us with an opportunity to relax and get connected with ourselves, our family and friends and to nature itself. Remember, If you like today's wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app. Looking for more tips to build your resiliency? Look for my book on Amazon called Stress Out. 52 Weeks To Letting More Life In #mentalhealth #hr

Listen to today's podcast... Moving, having children, starting a new job, quitting a comfortable job, getting married, getting divorced, buying a car, buying a house, upgrading your technology, implementing a new system…. How Do You Feel About Change? Change can be scary – it can be difficult – it can cause anxiety. So why do we have so much trouble dealing with change? Difficult saying goodbye – whether it be to a loved one or a world that has given identity, change can often mean that we lose something of value. Dislike chaotic and confusing situations in which no one seems to know the new rules. This loss in direction can lead to a fear of the unknown. Difficulty taking risk. We are creatures of habit which provides us with security, predictability, stability, and comfort. When this disappears, we become anxious and stay awake at night worrying about our choices. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!  Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Take Charge Of Change Week: Dealing with change can be stressful. Achieve a sense of control by problem-solving around what you can control and letting go of what you can't control. Control starts in your own mind. If you believe you have control of your life, then you probably do. Actions are the easiest to control, while thoughts and emotions are harder to control. Actions have a positive effect on our thoughts and emotions. Start by controlling your actions. Finally, Let go and relax Remember, If you like today's wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app. Looking for more tips to build your resiliency? Look for my book on Amazon called Stress Out. 52 Weeks To Letting More Life In #mentalhealth #hr

Listen to today's podcast... Do you remember playing your first video game? Mine was Pong and it was New Year's Day at a friend's house. How cool was it to see the game get faster and faster and try to keep up the hand-eye co-ordination? Now the video game industry is worth $70 billion a year and there are over five million games in existence. Most of us have played at least one video game in our life. According to a National Today Survey, many of us like to play our games on our phones. The #1 reason we played was we were bored, followed by when we were watching TV, before we go to sleep and unthinkably for me…when we are on the toilet. Ick. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!  Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Video Game Day: Whether you celebrate Video Game Day this month or in September, it is not only easy, but it is also fun as well. All you have to do is to fire up your favorite video game system and have some fun with your friends or family. You can play games on a modern system or you can play one of your classics. Video games can be a great stress reliever. They help to pass away free time. They can give an adrenaline rush and you get a chance to use your imagination and problem-solving skills. Video games can be highly engrossing, but some people can become addicted to gaming.  The World Health Organization recently recognized "gaming disorder" as a mental health condition. Simply playing a lot of video games isn't enough to count as a disorder. Rather, the disorder occurs when gaming interferes with people's daily lives. So have fun gaming, but remember that this should only be one of many strategies that you use to build your resiliency and manage your stress. If you like today's wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app. Looking for more tips to build your resiliency? Look for my book on Amazon called Stress Out. 52 Weeks To Letting More Life In #mentalhealth #hr

Listen to today's podcast... Liar, liar, pants on fire. Have you ever told a lie?  Even a little white lie? Is it ever okay to lie?  Do you think that stretching the truth is lying?  Or is lying by omission lying? Have you ever lied about your spending habits or about an illness to a boss so that you could take an extra vacation day?  Is there such a thing as an acceptable lie? Research out of the University of California suggests that people tell an average of two lies a day.  A survey conducted in the UK estimated that parents will tell children approximately 3,000 lies throughout their childhood and a US poll reported that 31% of moms said that they lied more often since having kids. So is it possible to always tell the truth?  Probably not as sometimes we lie to protect the feelings of another or to prevent issues from arising.  Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!  Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Tell The Truth Day: Take note of the things that you may be lying about.  Then, ask yourself why do you feel the need to lie about these things? The insights that you garner may be invaluable in measuring your morale compass. See how long you can go without lying.  And avoiding all other human contact during this time doesn't count.  Do you have a harder time not lying at work or at home? REMEMBER THE GOLDEN RULE – Let the truth you share be in a manner that you would also appreciate. If you like today's wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app. Looking for more ways to build your resiliency? Take my free on-line resiliency test at worksmartlivesmart.com under the resources and courses tab. #mentalhealth #hr

Listen to today's podcast... Pucker up. Today is a lip-smacking day. Is your technique more washing machine, cannibal, puppy, or prude? Did you know that locking lips, increases your heart rate and causes your pupils to dilate? It also releases endorphins causing the feeling of happiness. A kiss is a perfect way to tell someone you love them, to connect with that special someone and a perfect way to take your relationship to the next level. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!  Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating International Kissing Day: Did you know that: In Italy and Greece friends, commonly kiss each other on the lips when greeting each other, whereas in France one air kiss on each cheek is a customary greeting. In Vietnam, China and Japan kissing between spouses is only done in private. While people from the Netherlands opt for 3 kisses as a form of greeting. In one survey, 23% said that their kissing skills were amazing, while 2% said that they were horrible at it. They also reported that the worst attributes of a bad kisser were bad breath, too much tongue, teeth gnashing, not enough tongue and no eye contact. Funny enough, 11% of people said that there were grossed out by their parents kissing in front of them. The act of kissing has many meanings and takes many forms. No matter which type of kiss you prefer, International Kissing Day is the perfect time to celebrate this powerful gesture. And if you don't have anyone that you can pucker up with, you can always celebrate the day with a yummy Hershey's Kiss. Remember, If you like today's wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app. Looking for more ways to build your resiliency? Take my free on-line resiliency test at worksmartlivesmart.com under the resources and courses tab. #mentalhealth #hr

Listen to today's podcast... Are you running on empty? Have you been neglecting your own needs because others' needs take priority? Self-care is a necessity. Self-care is not self-indulgence. Self-care refers to activities and practices that we can engage in on a regular basis to reduce stress and build our resiliency. Balancing work, family and self-care has always been challenging. The pressure to do it all, to be successful, and to put others first, can cause a great deal of stress. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! So Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Self Care Month: Our list of things to do can get so long that we forget, even neglect, to take care of our minds and bodies. Be aware of your mental and emotional health, stress level, sleep habits, cholesterol level, blood pressure. It is important to honour and care for yourself. Start with setting healthy boundaries around how you spend your time and energy. Look for positive ways to recover, refocus, and re-energize. Focus on sleeping, eating healthy, moving, learning how to pause, simplifying your life and remembering to play. If you like today's wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app. Discover how to take small steps towards a healthier, happier, less-stressed you by visiting my website at worksmartlivesmart.com * The International Self-Care Foundation has developed the ‘Seven Pillars of Self-Care' which provide a useful framework and starting point. #mentalhealth #hr

Listen to today's podcast... “I'm bored, there's nothing to do”. As summer vacation begins for thousands of children this is far too often a familiar complaint. But boredom is generally a totally self-inflicted problem. The antidote to boredom is curiosity. Curiosity happens when you start to explore the world around you. You will be less likely to feel bored if you go out, get active, pick up a new hobby, or even volunteer. You will be too busy learning new things or meeting new people to feel bored. For children the anticipation of summer-fun wanes as the summer goes on and all those previously fun activities start to feel stale. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!  So Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Anti-boredom Month with your family: Make up a new sport. When you've created new rules for an old game, your mind in more engaged and time flies by. Change the scenery – Set up a tent or a picnic area in your backyard. Put out a challenge. Design the classic scavenger hunt or let the kids design the challenge for an activity and see what they come up with. Come up with a list of the most boring things to do and see how the creative juices kick in. And if all else fails – suggest a list of chores that they can complete. You will be amazed at how quickly they can find activities to entertain themselves. Remember, If you like today's wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app. Discover how to take small steps towards a healthier, happier, less-stressed you by visiting my website at worksmartlivesmart.com #mentalhealth #hr

Listen to today's podcast... Mirror, Mirror On The Wall. A fairy tale question that can be the basis for our everyday ritual.  A mirror image is a reflected duplication of an object that appears identical but reversed, but often, what we see is not just reversed but often distorted. Many women and some men spend much of their lives attempting to change their bodies. Only 4% of women globally consider themselves beautiful. A positive body image involves understanding that healthy, attractive bodies come in many shapes and sizes, and that physical appearance says very little about our character or value as a person. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!  Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Compliment Your Mirror Day: I am SO guilty of looking in the mirror and picking away at the things that are not perfect: my crooked toes and my short waist.  Not to mention my eye lids that are sagging with age and the loose skin on my arms. It is hard to look at yourself in the mirror and ignore what is not ‘ideal' and to celebrate what is unique and beautiful. We have a positive body image when we have a realistic perception of our bodies AND most of the time, we enjoy them just as they are. Learn to de-emphasize the numbers and emphasize positive self-care choices.  Stop comparing yourself to others. You're are unique. And finally, one that I am working on is setting a good example for others by refraining from “fat talk”  or “old talk” when you are with friends and family.  Think of it as the psychic equivalent of second-hand smoke. Remember, If you like today's wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app. Looking for more tips to build your resiliency? Look for my book on Amazon called Stress Out. 52 Weeks To Letting More Life In #mentalhealth #hr

Listen to today's podcast... Ever been standing there, looking at someone directly in their eyes, knowing that you have a history together and for the life of you, you can't remember their name? Ever walked into a room and not remembered why you were heading there? I hate forgetting things. I get annoyed when others seem to be able to remember the smallest details and I can't even remember being there. Sometimes I think I have early Alzheimer's. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!  So Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating I Forgot Day: I tend to believe that much of our ‘forgetting' is based on interference theory. Interference occurs when the learning of something new causes the forgetting of older material on the basis of competition between the two.  Simply…we often have way too much on our mind. Stress Affects Our Memory There is competition for our attention and competition in juggling far too many things at once.  We are stressed out and this interferes with what and how we store these things. So, slow down and try to live more in the moment.  Go from multi-tasking to single tasking and see if these stress reducers are memory boosters Try boosting your memory with foods rich in Omega-3 such as seafood, nuts and seeds. And if you are really concerned that you are forgetting more than you should, go and see your doctor. It may not be Alzheimer's, but it could be the result of a number of different health issues including depression. Remember, If you like today's wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app. Want to find more strategies to coping with stress? Check out my website at worksmartlivesmart.com #mentalhealth #hr

Listen to today's podcast... Our world is changing and sometimes that change is difficult to keep up with. Sometimes we see the need for the change, but we don't know how to move forward. Sometimes we want the change and we look for ways to push it forward. I grew up in rural Ontario where my cousins and second cousins and so on were my neighbours and classmates. We looked like each other and we sounded like each other. I had 3 local TV stations, and we watched very little TV except for hockey, which I tuned out. I don't remember giving skin colour a second thought. I went to University and I still don't remember giving it a second thought. It wasn't until I lived in Toronto that I remember hearing some of my first racial slurs. I know that 30 years later, I have said or thought things that were racial generalizations in reactions to activities, sayings, or even music. So here we are in the midst of turmoil and I am still seeing arguments around Black Lives Matter versus All Lives Matter. I absolutely agree with both statements. Black Lives Matter. All Lives Matter. Your Life Matters. My life matters. However, I can not remember a time where my skin colour has put me at a disadvantage, or made me looked down upon as something less, or put me at risk, or seen as dangerous. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! So what can we all do…Listen and show up. Listen to each other. Show up and be willing to acknowledge someone's experiences, no matter how different it may be to yours. By listening and showing up, by opening up in this way, we can examine where we can push change forward. Where we can make the necessary impact. We all have a role to play in making that happen. It's needed and long overdue as Every Life Matters. #mentalhealth #hr

Listen to today's podcast... What if you couldn't connect using your computer or your cell phone? How would that impact your communication? Interesting questions and a bit of a reality check as a while ago I found myself with no internet service. I felt very lost, as I had to change the way I carried out my business and they way I communicated with family and friends. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      So how does this all relate to effective communication? Two studies were released within days of each other that I found interesting. One found that we are working more non-standard hours and that we are feeling time crunched. The other saying that almost half of us are feeling vacation deprived, yet we are not using up all of our allotted vacation time. We need to be more deliberate in our communications and connections with others. So Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Effective Communications Month: Take the time to slow down and talk to your family about their day. Let the elderly members of your family know that you care about them not just care for them. We often take our ability to communicate with others quickly and effectively for granted. However, recent research has shown us that we are often connected when we should be disconnected. Vacations are a great way to get reconnected so take all that you are allotted. However, turn off your phone and put away your laptop. Take the time to find out what is important to the people around you. This can only be done by talking, listening and sharing. Remember, If you like today's wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app. Looking for more ways to build your resiliency? Take my free on-line resiliency test at worksmartlivesmart.com under the resources and courses tab. #mentalhealth #hr

Listen to today's podcast... Coping with stress is simple…though not always easy.” We hear so much about stress.  Most of it negative.  Most of it about the sources or symptoms.  Some of it inaccurate.  And much of it not helpful. Tomorrow is SOS To STRESS Day This day was conceived because we need to hear more about how to deal with stress and build our resiliency.  We already know that it is bad to be “under” too much stress.  We need to know what options we have to deal with it. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are today's Hot Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating SOS To Stress Day: SOS To STRESS Day is about coping. It is about finding the right strategies to take care of the situations and ourself. What Do Sleep, Sex and Sweaty Palms Have In Common? They are all impacted by stress. Stress plays on our minds and keeps up awake at night. It can lower our libido. It brings about headaches, high blood pressure and sweaty palms.  So, how do we determine the right strategies to deal with so many different sources of stress and such a large variety of symptoms? The S-O-S Principle helps us to ensure that no matter what we are facing we are able to best take care of the Situation and Ourselves and be Supported while we are doing this.  There is no one way to deal with stress…despite what others may suggest or tell you.  It is about designing a plan with sufficient strategies to be successful, healthy and happy. Remember, If you like today's wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app. Looking for more ways to build your resiliency, take my free on-line resiliency test at worksmartlivesmart.com under the resources and courses tab. #mentalhealth #hr

Listen to today's podcast... I have been married for over 25 years…and yes, to the same person.  I love the way that we fit together.  We have our own interests and our own, very different careers.  We share in the chores and in being the ‘bad' guy to our children.  I like hanging out with him.  I miss him when he is gone away.  He can make me laugh. Is it perfect? No.  We argue, we're loud, and we go to bed angry…but not very often. Statistics show that about 90% of adults will get married at least once in their lives but many of them get disappointed because in the end, it is not the stuff that fairy tales are made of.  It isn't all “lovey dovey” or hot and passionate. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Happy, Healthy Marriage Day: I was doing a web search of how to have a happy, healthy marriage…here are some of my favourites… Marry someone that you enjoy listening and talking to. Compliment more than you criticize. Remember that people do fight. It's how you do it that matters. Never pass up an opportunity to say “I love you“. Love isn't always a feeling, it's a decision. Never compare your marriage to others. What you see on the outside is not always what it is on the inside.  The grass always seems greener until you get there. Remember, If you like today's wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app. Discover how to take small steps towards a healthier, happier, less-stressed you by visiting my website at worksmartlivesmart.com #mentalhealth #hr

Listen to today's podcast... Our lives can become filled with anxiety, fear, and uncertainty and with little information on where to turn, we find ourselves struggling on our own. We know that this stress can have a profound effect on our health and the lives of those around us. Traumatic events can bring about an extreme stress disorder. Whether it be living through an earthquake, surviving childhood abuse, witnessing violent acts of terrorism or being a first responder to an accident, all of these can bring about PTSD. Post-traumatic Stress can seemingly creep into our lives when we least expect it. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating PTSD Awareness Day: Treatment depends on the severity and persistence of symptoms. Support, debriefing, therapy, and medications have all been shown to be effective ways of managing PTSD. We do know that having the opportunity to share your feelings and memories with others who have also experienced similar tragedies can be helpful in processing and recovering from a trauma. The number one tip is: Don't Be Afraid To Reach Out For Support We must develop our supports as they can provide a protective barrier. Talk to friends and family about your fears. If they seem overwhelming contact your doctor or a counselor. Your workplace Human Resources Department or Employee Assistance Program may also be a valuable support. Remember, If you like today's wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app. For more information on coping with mental health issues, sign up for one of my on-line courses at worksmartlivesmart.com under the resources and courses tab. #mentalhealth #hr

Listen to today's podcast... The United Nations estimates today that more than 240 million people in the world suffer from illicit drug use. This represents 4.7% of the world's population. The breadth of the global drug problem carries a heavy burden on public health systems and workplaces with respect to treatments, care and prevention. In the world, a third of all substance abusers are women. Women are more inclined to consume opioids and prescription tranquillizers compared to men, who would be 3 times more likely to consume cannabis, cocaine and amphetamines. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking: Substance use may cause issues at work by impacting a person's judgment, alertness, perception, motor coordination or emotional state which also impacts working safely or making safety sensitive decisions. Certain elements of work may contribute to the use of substances such as high stress, high demand/low control situations, low job satisfaction, long hours or irregular shifts, and fatigue. Employers need to design policies which outline what is an acceptable code of behaviour and what is not. By establishing or promoting programs such as an Employee Assistance Program, employees can gain better access to community services. Education is the key. Managers and supervisors should continue to be educated on how to recognize and deal with substance use issues, and employees should continue to offer educational programs about positive coping strategies and where to go if help is needed. Remember, If you like today's wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app. Looking for resources to build your healthy workplace? Check out my top 10 tips under Resources and Courses at worksmartlivesmart.com #mentalhealth #hr

Listen to today's podcast... Some days when things are so hectic, I forget where I am supposed to be or I leave important notes and items back at my office. I struggle daily with trying not to be a perfectionist.  Sometimes my total focus is on family issues and I haven't tackled any of the jobs on my desk.  Other times when I am so pressured to meet a deadline, that even saying good night to my family seems too much of a distraction. There are habits and strategies that I use to keep me, and my family organized, and to maintain my health.  My afternoon nap allows me to recoup from my working day and gear up for my evenings spent teaching karate. Spring and summer are my favourite time of year and there is nothing better than a day spent away from my office gardening, cutting the grass, or just sitting on the patio.  Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      So Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Rebuild Your Life Month: Finding the right balance is important for ourselves and for our organizations. Life is busy and often we are pulled in many directions.  Balance is not about equality in all areas of life.  It is about making choices and living in a way in which you feel motivated and satisfied with the way your life is going. If your life is not exactly how you want it to be, take the time to rethink your strategies and look for ways to rebuild your resiliency. Remember, If you like today's wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app. Discover how to take small steps towards a healthier, happier, less-stressed you by visiting my website at worksmartlivesmart.com #mentalhealth #hr

Listen to today's podcast... Taste, touch, sight, sound and smell. We are often bombarded and feel that we are on sensory overload. Most everything we know, feel, understand, and struggle with comes through our senses, including pain and pleasure. But how often do you actually pay attention to your specific senses? By focusing on all five of our senses, we can promote health and wellbeing in our workplace. We can use these individual senses to boost our creativity, productivity and happiness. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Celebration Of The Senses Day: Look for ways to boost each of the five senses in your workplace. Taste. Did you know that chewing gum can help you stay focused for longer on tasks that require continuous monitoring? And that chewing gum can improve concentration in visual memory tasks? Touch. I like having squish toys to play with while I am on the phone or listening to an on-line learning course. It helps me to concentrate more on what is being said. And research has found that these fidget toys are most beneficial to those who are more kinesthetic learners. Sight. Try adding a bouquet of flowers. One study found that including plants and flowers in your work environment improved productivity and creativity. Sound. Research from Cornell University found that employees who listened to happy music were able to cooperate and make group decisions better than employees who worked without a background soundtrack. If you're going to play music in your workplace, the most important thing you need to do is match the type and tempo of the music to the task and level of concentration required. Smell. Scents are tied directly to the part of the brain that is linked to memory and emotion, so scents can influence both. Some scents are known to reduce stress, others are known to improve productivity. Play around with mild scents in your workspace to see what you prefer, just remember not to interfere with your colleagues and their ability to enjoy their workspace. Remember, If you like today's wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app. Discover how to take small steps towards a healthier, happier, less-stressed you by visiting my website at worksmartlivesmart.com #mentalhealth #hr

Listen to today's podcast... Make it a point to never regret. Regret is an appalling waste of energy. It is only good for wallowing in. Regretful Situations and Difficult People. These can play on our minds and lead us to becoming angry, frustrated, hurt, guilt-ridden or even embarrassed. Moving past these situations can be difficult. Your logical mind wants to work it out so that it doesn't happen again. You focus on the “what if's” and “if only's”. You replay the situation over and over. Letting go feels like we are admitting that we were wrong in some way. Holding on to pain doesn't fix anything. Replaying the past over and over again, doesn't change it, and wishing things were different, doesn't make it so. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Let It Go Day: Identify those situations or people that pushed your ‘buttons' Try to look at the situation or person without judgement. What lesson can you learn, and appreciate that you have learned that lesson Recognize the emotions behind these situations and then do something to relieve the tension. Try deep breathing, a hobby or exercise Positive self-talk. Reaffirm that you are doing the best that you can and that letting go is not 'wrong' Finally, rely on your positive supports to keep the situation in perspective Remember, If you like today's wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app. Looking for resources to build your healthy workplace? Check out my top 10 tips under Resources and Courses at worksmartlivesmart.com #mentalhealth #hr

Listen to today's podcast... So what are people skills? And why do these skills matter in this age where communication is more focused on texting and messaging? People Skills are a set of skills enabling a person to get along with others, to communicate their ideas effectively, to resolve conflicts, and to achieve personal and business goals. One issue of having information at the tips of our fingers all times is that you can get any answer to a question, anytime and anywhere, by simply typing it into a mobile device or computer.  Many have not learned to branch out, ask questions and connect with other humans to learn and gain people skills. One of the most important factors in gaining influence and achieving success, is developing strong, positive, and effective people skills. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     So Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating International People Skills Month: Learn to ask great questions that people are excited to answer and then listen attentively. You will engage at a much deeper level than the superficial ‘how are you doing?''   Be authentic. Authenticity breeds trust, and trust breeds relationships.   Engage with a story. The secret to persuading people is to tell an effective story. Connect to their head, heart and soul.   Be contagious. A bad mood impacts those around us. A good mood, full of energy can produce more energy in others.   Employers often seek out those who have these strong interpersonal skills as they have the ability to work collaboratively, communicate effectively and display the commitment and work ethic that they require. Remember, If you like today's wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app. Looking for more ways to build your resiliency? Take my free on-line resiliency test at worksmartlivesmart.com under the resources and courses tab. #mentalhealth #hr

Listen to today's podcast... How ironic that today we are to be celebrating one of the most common greetings between two people. The handshake was a gesture of peace, demonstrated by the fact that the hands held no weapons. Today, a handshake is offered upon meeting or parting. It is an expression of goodwill, gratitude and congratulations. Sometimes it is used in making a bet and confirming the bet with a handshake. There are also secret handshakes, those elaborate greetings signalling membership in a group or society. Research shows people with firmer handshakes are viewed as more positive and outgoing and less socially anxious. Do you dislike the thought of shaking another person's hand or feel that we should do away with this handshake all together especially in light of current health issues? Many people do. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating World Handshake Day: When and if we ever get back to feeling comfortable using the handshake again, remember that it should be positive, friendly, warm, and welcoming. A handshake is a way of creating and sustaining relationships. Avoid using the crushing alpha handshake or the flaccid dead fish handshake. During these current times you can replace the handshake with these acceptable greetings in addition to the popular foot tap or the elbow touch. The Namaste which is a traditional Hindu greeting, is done by bowing slightly, palms pressed together toward your chest, with your fingertips pointing up. Just like the foot tap, don't say "hello" with your hands – when you can say it with your brows. Greet your colleague with a raise brows and smile Another popular way to greet someone is by bringing your hand to your heart. Finally, you can replace the handshake with the sign language wave. Bring one hand to the top of your forehead, then flick your wrist away from your head like a small wave or with the Shaka sign which you may also know as the wave of the surfer dude. Remember, If you like today's wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app. Looking for more tips to build your resiliency? Look for my book on Amazon called Stress Out. 52 Weeks To Letting More Life In #mentalhealth #hr

Listen to today's podcast... It is time to take make sure that we take our lunch break.  North American workers who take a lunch break every day scored higher on a wide range of engagement metrics, including job satisfaction, likelihood to continue working at the same company, and likelihood to recommend their employer to others. And though we would like to blame others for not taking our lunch break, that doesn't seem to be the case in reality. It seems that our workload is a much greater influence on whether or not we take a lunch break than our boss or company policy. And if we do eat, we tend to stay at our desks and nibble while we work. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      So Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Take Back The Lunch Break Day: Know that it is essential to take that lunch break in order to maintain your energy and productivity. 38% of employees don't feel encouraged to take a lunch break. It is everyone's responsibility to ensure healthy habits within the workplace.  So, invite a friend to go for a lunchtime walk. The light break and exercise will boost your mental health and your immunity. If you are the boss, model healthy habits by not calling lunch time meetings. Encourage your team to leave their desks for lunch. Prolonged sitting is a health risk, so get up, stretch, grab something to eat, and change the scenery. Your mind and body will thank you. Remember, If you like today's wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app. Take One Action Today To Build Your Resiliency! #mentalhealth #hr

Listen to today's podcast... I remember running out of the school double doors to get to the swing first. We all hated when it rained, and we had to stay indoors in the classroom reading quietly. Recess was the best part of my school day. In fact, we know from our research that school children who receive more recess time behaved better and were likely to learn more. But recess time is declining. Since the 1970s, children have lost about 12 hours per week in free time. And adults are suffering too. In our workplace we don't call it recess, we call it break time. And according to research, 1 in 4 of us barely even get up from our desk to go for a bio break, let alone get outside. There is no excitement. No energy. And almost certainly, no fun. When we don't take a break we create a stressful workplace. And when we don't restore our energy, we are setting ourselves and our companies up for higher stress, lower morale and engagement, poor creativity and employee performance issues. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      So Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Recess At Work Day: Change your mindset. Breaks are a necessity, not a luxury. Workers who failed to take breaks were at a higher risk for cardiovascular disease. A recess mind-set is an opportunity to build resiliency, create team spirit, engage employees, increase morale, improve health and wellness and share some fun with those that you work with. So, What are you favourite workplace fun activities? Remember, If you like today's wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app. Looking for resources to build your healthy workplace? Check out my top 10 tips under Resources and Courses at worksmartlivesmart.com #mentalhealth #hr

Listen to today's podcast... A Stanford survey reported that 85% of job success depends on utilizing proper business etiquette. Another report said that 69% of leaders would fire an employee who demonstrated bad office manners. National Business Etiquette Week also recognizes the need for proper business etiquette in order to compete in the growing global marketplace. This can include everything from how to network, to the proper handshake, and how to remember names. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      So Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Business Etiquette Week: “Can you hear me now?” When it comes to the use of cell phones in everyday society, we not only hear you now, we hear everyone else too—nearly everywhere we go. Step away from a shared workspace to conduct your business, so as to show respect for your co-workers, especially during a meeting. No one likes to think that someone is wasting their time, especially when there are deadlines to meet. So arrive on time for your meetings. Everyone should practice good manners. Common bad manners at work include things like loud ringtones, talking and chewing, and not cleaning up after yourself. Especially, if you are doing business internationally, do your research. Do you bow, kiss or shake hands with a guest from another culture? Research will help create respect and eliminate cultural faux pas. Remember, If you like today's wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app. Looking for resources to build your healthy workplace? Check out my top 10 tips under Resources and Courses at worksmartlivesmart.com #mentalhealth #hr

Listen to today's podcast... I have done it. And I have watched others do it. You get caught up or too busy and you stop paying attention to what is right in front of you and BOOM, you walk right into that wall, post, or obstacle. Injuries are one of the leading causes of death for those ages 1 to 44. The good news is there are many things people can do to stay safe and prevent injuries. Hazards exist, but creating a culture of safety protects and defends against those hazards. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here Are Today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Safety Month at your workplace: What is the No. 2 cause of nonfatal disabling injury, in the workplace, following overexertion? Is it Improper use of protective equipment Stress Improper ergonomics or Slips, trips and falls   You guessed it, it is slips, trips and falls.   In your workplace, look to bring additional awareness to these hazards during the Safety Month by: Holding a safety trivia contest Making an activity out of identifying hazards where you work and live Hosting a safety fair, lunch 'n learn or celebratory luncheon Provide additional safety training   Finally, stay safe by being more aware of your surroundings. Be present and get rid of distractions. Remember, If you like today's wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app. Looking for more ways to build your resiliency? Take my free on-line resiliency test at worksmartlivesmart.com under the resources and courses tab. #mentalhealth #hr

Listen to today's podcast... June is a time of reflection. The goal of Professional Wellness Month is to encourage you to reflect on how your health and wellness intersect with your professional life.   One of the main sources of stress at work is having too much to do and not enough time to do it in. Examine your workload. Are you working copious amounts of overtime? Have you stop taking breaks? Are you feeling vacation deprived? Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Professional Wellness Month: If workload is the reason you're unable to take breaks or vacation, discuss the problem with your manager to find a solution. It is important to know when to ask for help, rather than letting the stress build to the point of burnout, anxiety or depression. Eating well, exercising, attending to our health and feeling good, makes you more productive at work. So build in strategies to take care of your biological needs, as well as strategies to give yourself a break from your workplace stress. Get a life outside of work. Focus on hobbies, friends, and family. Unplug and learn to focus on these activities and relationships. Focusing more on your time away from work will benefit your energy and creativity while you are at work. Remember, If you like today's wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app. Looking for resources to build your healthy workplace? Check out my top 10 tips under Resources and Courses at worksmartlivesmart.com #mentalhealth #hr

Listen to today's podcast... Once there was a time when photography didn't exist.  A time when precious moments couldn't be captured, uploaded and shared. I look back at my baby pictures and there were only a handful. My mom and dad had a single picture each and I don't know if I have ever saw one of any of my grandparents when they were really young. Compare all of that to the albums upon albums that I have of my sons who are now young adults. Today, we don't even print all of our pictures, but save them to on-line albums or files to be viewed at any given instant. Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving. Photography is a great hobby that can help us build our resiliency. It is something to take our minds off of all of our stressful life situations. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Nature Photography Day: Photography can be a means to get out and physically active. Use your camera to take note of the awesome or the bizarre. Have some fun looking for the humour in everyday life. Photography is a good activity to strengthen relationships. Make it an outing and invite others to join you. Visit the park or a natural habitat and spend time discussing what you see. So what is the funniest photograph that you have ever taken? Remember, If you like today's wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app. Looking for more tips to build your resiliency? Look for my book on Amazon called Stress Out. 52 Weeks To Letting More Life In #mentalhealth #hr

Listen to today's podcast... Today is a world-wide celebration to honour and thank those people who donate their blood without any reward, except the knowledge that they have helped to save lives. This day has particular significance as it is the birthday of Karl Landsteiner, the Nobel Prize winner who discovered the ABO blood group system. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      So Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Blood Donor Day: Get others involved and it makes it easier to remember to donate, and less anxious for those who have never gone before. Get your office or organization involved and promote it through your on-line or internal communications Get your family involved – go together and make it a family-giving project Be a role model for others – I love how my mom still goes regularly to donate. With our lives being so busy it is easy to forget to do this simple little act of kindness. But this little act can mean the difference between life and death. Remember, If you like today's wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app. Looking for more ways to build your resiliency? Take my free on-line resiliency test at worksmartlivesmart.com under the resources and courses tab. #mentalhealth #hr

Listen to today's podcast... “There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.” This quote by Edith Wharton encourages us to bring light to someone who has been touched by the darkness. Many are living in darkness while struggling with illness. These illnesses may be depression, chronic pain, or battling cancer and the struggle they are facing may be draining the light from their life. Random Acts of Light encourage everyone to show a random act of light for a friend or loved one with cancer or other illness. Initiatives are being taken across the country to show support, one person at a time. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      So Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Random Acts Of Light Day: Light The Night showcases the progress being made in the cancer arena along with the importance of supporting patients, one at a time. Bring light to someone you know. This can be any random act, big or small. Surprise someone at the hospital with a meal, gift certificate or kind gesture. Gift a cancer patient or survivor with tickets to a sporting event, or gear from a favorite team. Treat a local survivor or patient or colleague to a manicure, pedicure or massage. Take those in need out for coffee, ice cream, breakfast, lunch or dinner. Sometimes it takes just one gentle word or small token to help overcome darkness. Remember, If you like today's wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app. Discover how to take small steps towards a healthier, happier, less-stressed, you by visiting my website at worksmartlivesmart.com #mentalhealth #hr

Listen to today's podcast... Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No! It's Superman. Superman has always stood for what's best about humanity and for bearing adversity and emerge stronger on the other side. Though we may not be superman, we may be suffering with the Super-Human Syndrome. Are you running on empty and lying to yourself saying, “I can handle this”? Do you believe you can, should and must do it all? Feel you could and should do more? Neglect your personal needs because others are more important? Or believe that if I don't who will? If so, you are probably dealing with the Super-Human Syndrome and are risking your physical and mental health.   Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      So Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Super-Human Day:   There is a saying that I love – How thin can I spread myself before I know longer exist? We must take care of ourselves first and foremost if we want to be in a position to take care of others. Sometimes we need to let go of those things that are causing us to get stressed – unnecessary tasks and unrealistic beliefs and expectations   What is it that you need to let go of – the need for control – approval - to do it all – to be superhuman – and get is all done?   Start by knowing what is important to you and then actively decide how to make those things a priority. Sometimes all that is needed is some fine tuning – some simple strategies that energize or relax us and enable us to enjoy the life situations that we are facing.    Remember, If you like today's wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app. Discover how to take small steps towards a healthier, happier, less-stressed, you by visiting my website at worksmartlivesmart.com #mentalhealth #hr

Listen to today's podcast... Today is a day dedicated to encouraging and celebrating those who are making life beautiful.  Whether you're creating beauty through your art, music, relationships or helping others achieve personal success. One small action can lead to a ripple effect. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      So Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Making Life Beautiful Day: Help someone achieve a personal goal. Donate time to a worthy cause. Clean up a community space. Create a work of art. Refinish and repurpose something old. Plant a garden or send someone some flowers. Connect with a friend. Thank a colleague. Share a smile. Expect the best, not the worst. Choose joy. Making life beautiful starts with you and choosing joy will get your attitude on the right track to making an impact in the world.   There's no real wrong way to celebrate National Making Life Beautiful Day, as long as you do something and keep focused on making life beautiful. Remember, If you like today's wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app. Looking for more ways to build your resiliency? Take my free on-line vulnerability test at worksmartlivesmart.com under the resources and courses tab. #mentalhealth #hr

Listen to today's podcast... Want to live longer? Then smile more. Smiling is contagious.  It changes our mood. It fights stress and builds your resiliency. Smiling boosts your immune system. It lowers your blood pressure and blocks pain. Part of National Smile Month is about maintaining good oral health. I just recently went to see my dentist and I didn't have it in me to lie about flossing my teeth. I just don't take the time, especially as life gets busy and rushed. And I am not the only one. Currently, research shows that a significant number of us have taken time off work in the last five years due to poor oral health. Most problems with teeth and gums are preventable with a good daily routine. Furthermore, a quarter of all adults have not visited a dentist in the past two years and a similar number only brush their teeth once a day. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Smile Month: The Oral Health Foundations recommends that we brush our teeth right before going to bed at night and on at least one other occasion throughout the day with a fluoride toothpaste. We should also cut down on how much sugary food and drinks we have, and how often we have them. And finally, we need to go to see our dentist regularly. Ultimately, the aim is to help us achieve good physical and mental wellbeing by improving our oral health. A smile might be a small gesture, yet it can have a remarkable effect on our state of mind, as well as the emotional happiness of others. Remember, If you like today's wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app. Looking for more ways to build your resiliency? Take my free on-line resiliency test at worksmartlivesmart.com under the resources and courses tab. #Mentalhealth #hr