Work Smart Live Smart with Beverly Beuermann-King

Listen to today's podcast... “The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be.”  Anne Frank Studies show that even low-level chronic noise increases aggression and decreases cooperation and is associated with increased risk for peptic ulcers, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and stroke. Today is the day to lower the noise level. Being quiet reduces your stress. It allows the mind to focus and be more creative. It can boost your immune system. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Building Resiliency and Celebrating Quiet Day: Breathe: Become aware of your breath and inhale and exhale slowly and deeply inhale for 5 minutes. Try this meditation: Turn off the lights, light a small candle and watch the flame. This stills the optic nerve, and calms the nervous system. At work, take advantage of a quiet room.  Many companies have developed quiet spaces where employees can take a moment or two during the working day to relax, have a break, meditate, pray or simply ‘take stock' without the distractions and interruptions of office life. Get out into nature:  Taking a walk along a park path or country road early in the morning or before bed can bring focus and serenity to one's mind.  Looking for resources to build your resiliency? Check out my Live Smart blog at worksmartlivesmart.com #mentalhealth #hr

Listen to today's podcast... When you expect success, you become successful! But it is not just a matter of thinking good thoughts and good things will happen. Positive and successful people expect success and they look for ways to bring success into their life. Research shows that high expectations lead people to work harder and commit to problem solving the challenges ahead of them.  Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Building Resiliency and Celebrating International Expect Success Month: People who want to change their mental mindset: Accept that life will have setbacks and disappointments and they don't let the fear of failure cloud their judgment or allow them to aim too low They build their resiliency by seeing the setback as only temporary. They don't quit trying just because there was a set back. And finally, they wake up every morning and expect positive things to happen. 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 Find It Hard To Stay Focused? Have you ever had your computer lock up when you have opened too many files or programs at once? Sometimes when we try to multi-task, we may actually freeze up, lock up or quit performing at our peak.  Researchers have studied human multi-tasking for the past 25 years or so and have found that the brain cannot fully focus when multi-tasking.  We take longer to complete tasks, and are predisposed to error.  The pressure to get more and more done, and toggle between one task and another creates a great deal of stress and pressure on the mind and body. Developing the ability to focus completely on a single task can help in our energy management.   Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Building Resiliency and Celebrating Single Tasking Day: Single-Tasking should be our main way of operating when needing to accomplish important tasks Let go of the idea that the more we tackle at any given time, the more productive we are or will be We have become like junkies in many ways, by needing a ‘fix'.  We check our emails, notices and webpages out of curiosity.  By setting time aside for these activities, we fill our curiosity, yet we are more likely to stay on task and complete that task more efficiently and effectively  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... There are so many different aspects to health. We hear daily about eating right and exercising, but health also involves our relationships.   February is Relationship Wellness Month and it reminds us that we need to reach out to others and build stronger social ties with family and friends. One key to happy, healthy relationships is the opportunity to spend quality time with the people you care about. Relationship Wellness encourages us to develop better communications with those around us including the ability to share our feelings and needs. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Building Resiliency and Celebrating During Relationship Wellness Month: Relationships take time. Time to develop. Time to nurture. Time to sustain. Spend time really listening to your family and friends.  Find out what is important to them.  What issues are they facing? Listening to someone else is one of the best things that we can do for them and it allows us to keep our own issues and challenges in perspective. What is the one thing that you can do this month to pump up your relationships, on your road to a healthier you'? 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... We never seem to be able to find ‘the time'.  Stop looking.  You will never find it.  It isn't lost.  You are living in it. So what kinds of things waste our time? 44.7% of the more than 10,000 people polled cited personal internet use as their #1 distraction at work. Today's Time Truth: If we fail to control the events in our life, then the events in our life will control us. Planning is key to performance. Not planning wastes time and energy. According to one survey the average worker admits to wasting away 2.09 hours per 8-hour workday, which is twice as much time as their employers expect. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      So Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Time Management Month: Eliminate useless meetings. Insist on short, well-planned, morning stand-up meetings. They are the least likely to waste your time and interfere with your work. Stop thinking that you can multi-task. Prioritize and then break up your day accordingly. Don't move on to the next task until you've really completed the previous one. Not only will you do a better job when you're focused, you'll also force yourself to finish something within the time allotted. Come up for air. Productivity declines after a certain period, so pump up your productivity with scheduled breaks. 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... Their names are Carly and Misty. They are my source of stress at times as we train each other, and my cuddly companions when curling up on the couch at the end of the day. Research shows that pets can provide excellent social support, stress relief and numerous other health benefits including lower blood pressure Pets Stave Off Loneliness and Provide Unconditional Love: Pets offer love and companionship, and can also enjoy comfortable silences, keep secrets, and are excellent snugglers. Pets Encourage You To Get Out And Exercise It's important to realize that owning a pet isn't for everyone. Pets can make additional work and add to our responsibilities. However, for most people, the benefits of having a pet outweigh the drawbacks. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Building Your Resiliency and Celebrating Love Your Pet Day: If you don't have a pet and are considering one – carefully consider you and your family's lifestyle and the needs of the pet you choose. A good fit will reduce stress and not add to your stress load. If you have a pet – give them some extra attention today – throw the frisbee, snuggle on the couch, or give an extra treat – you will both enjoy and benefit from it. 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... Many entrepreneurs started their own business so that they could be happier by having more control over their life, but often the demands of running the business leave them feeling out-of-control.  In order to be successful it is important the entrepreneur not only works hard, but takes the time to take care of themselves, and stay connected to those around them. Burnout is a state of fatigue while feeling frustrated, overworked, and unappreciated. Burnout can be a serious consequence of an unbalanced life. Often this is the case for a new entrepreneur or a small business owner. Some of the other signs of burnout include needing more hours to get your work done, lack of focus, decreased creativity, sleep problems, distrusting, complaining more, and feeling more isolated. When these occur it becomes extremely difficult to carry on with your business. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      So here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Entrepreneurship Week: Know your priorities – have a clear understanding as to why you started your own business and the benefits of owning your business Set very clear expectations for yourself and for those around you based on those priorities Take care of your mental health Develop a life outside of your business Take care of your physical health Develop family, friend and peer supports Looking for resources to build your healthy workplace? Check out my top 10 tips under Resources and Courses at worksmartlivesmart.com

Listen to today's podcast... On one particular visit home, I learned that my grandma didn't learn English until she went to public school. Up till then, she spoke German. I had no idea that my maternal grandma came from a German background. I had just assumed that she was English, like my grandpa. Understanding our heritage is important. I grew up in a farming family. This meant that the ‘farm' came first and that everyone in that family was responsible to make the farm successful.  Families helped each other, as more often than not, we were related to our neighbours in some way, and that conflict was put aside to get things done.  Happy or not. I see a lot of conflict that happens on family farms when someone new comes into the farm family that doesn't share those same values to the extent that the rest of the family does.  These values are neither right or wrong, but unless the differences and expectations are talked about, openly and respectfully, the conflict festers and grows. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      So Here are today's Hot Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Heritage Day: Whether you like it or not, heritage is what makes you who you are. Things like values, culture, food, and traditions are all past down. Your heritage is the foundation on which you stand.  It is the very thing that has gotten you to where you are now. Honor your past by the way you carry yourself in the present. Share your heritage with your children to create a solid foundation for them. 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 My Way Day. Yes, it is MY way or the highway! I like MY way, it is the RIGHT way. It is the ONLY way! Why, because I said so. I know it is so. You just haven't realized it to be so. And until you come around to my way of thinking, just do as I say, and life will be much better for all of us. And don't argue with me. When it is Your Way Day, I'll do what you say, so, till then, remember it is MY Way Day! I jest, but part of it is true.  I really do want things my way.  It's all about control and I like to have control.  I can be seen as a difficult person and in fact I am one of the ‘characters' that I talk about in my workshops.  When we understand what motivates others and what motivates ourselves, it is much easier to deal with the negative sides of these personalities. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Building Resiliency and Celebrating My Way Day: Just because it is My Way Day, don't expect that everything will go your way, because funny enough, others think it is their way day too. Learn what pushes your buttons and learn what pushes other people's buttons.  Relaxation skills can help to reduce that overwhelmed, frustrated feeling, helping to prevent you from stomping around. 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... As parents we worry about assisting our children to become competent, capable and healthy adults. We are concerned about their self-esteem and their overall emotional health. We wish we had more time to spend with them. Today, where I am it is Family Day. It's a day to sit down, talk, eat dinner and connect with your kids and other family members. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Family Day: When caring on a conversation, constructively express both negative and positive feelings and thoughts – children learn how to cope and express themselves through us Help your child to put a name to their feelings. Assist them to expand their vocabulary beyond using ‘happy', ‘sad' and ‘mad'. Help children to find positive ways of expressing difficult emotions Challenge unrealistic expectations when they become interpreted as a self-failure or become expressed as frustration Remind the child of the number of different people that they can go to in difficult situations Teach children the importance of developing friendships and what it means to be a ‘good' friend to someone else 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... “Wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for kindness.” Seneca World Kindness Day gives us a chance to reach to others and show them that they are not alone, and the world is not as gloomy as it is often made out to be. Numerous scientific studies show that acts of kindness result in significant health benefits. Performing kind acts can help reverse feelings of depression, decrease feelings of hostility and isolation, decrease intensity and the awareness of physical pain, and increase sense of self-worth, happiness, and optimism. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Building Resiliency and Celebrating Random Acts Of Kindness Week: Think of those that are closest to you and take a moment to connect with them…phone your grandmother, mother, father, uncle…nothing is more personal than a visit or a phone call so that they can hear your voice. Let them know how much they mean to you. Leave a love note for your spouse. Let them know that you still hold them in your heart. Make a donation to a charity on behalf of a love one. You are letting your love one know that you are thinking of them and you are helping out a worthy cause at the same time. Send an appreciation note to a colleague. Many of us receive little or no appreciation at work. Let's change this and help increase the engagement of each other. Being kind to another doesn't have to cost us anything other than the energy to think of something. 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... One of the most important places for your signature is on your Donor Card. It can impact so many people. That signature can save lives. Today we thank those individuals who already voluntarily donated their blood, organs and tissue to save someone else's life or to improve the quality of their life.   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. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Donor Day: If you are okay with donating, take the opportunity today, to sign your card. Someone may be counting on you. Discuss this decision with your family. Sometimes starting the conversation can be difficult. Making the decision for yourself in advance makes it easier for your family to cope during a very difficult time. If you are not sure about your family member's wishes, #StarttheConversation. 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 know who Dianne Belmont was? I think that she was a comedic genius. Still not sure? Dianne later became known as Lucille Ball.   Have you ever wished you were given a different name by your parents? If so, today is the day, as it is Get A Different Name Day. If you could, what new name would you give yourself? In some religions they have or had a practice or ceremony during which you selected a new name. Sometimes taking a new name is a case of a celebration, such as getting married. Some actors or musicians choose a new stage name, especially if they had a hard to pronounce name. Taking on a new name can help affirm a new identity, like when transitioning from one gender to another. It's all about getting a fresh start, and that's what Get A Different Name Day is about! Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Get A Different Name Day: If you are not seriously looking for a new name, have fun with a different name anyways, just for today. Choose a character from a movie or TV show or from folk lore and post it on your social media to let your friends and family know about this new or hidden identity Are you a Sheldon Cooper, a Zena Warrior Princess, Taz for Tasmanian Devil, or a Lucy because of your sense of humor? 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... Though everyone may want something unique from their job, there are some common things that employees want their job to provide. Employees want to gain a sense of confidence, competence and control. What motivates employees is having interesting work that challenges them, along with increased responsibility, autonomy, and recognition for a job well done. These motivating factors fill our need for growth and achievement, and bring about long-term happiness and fulfillment. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Leadership Success Day: Successful leaders build confidence, competence and control by treating their employees with respect and by giving positive recognition for performance and dedication. Successful leaders focus on building two-way trust within the organization. When employees feel that they are trusted and respected, they will share issues openly and are more productive and creative. They are more likely to develop meaningful relationships and take pride in contributing their skills and abilities. All of this increases overall confidence, competence and control. 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... Electrific. I have no idea what this word means, but isn't it a great word'  When I hear it, I think of great, terrific, electrifying, bubbly, energizing….. How can you be electrific? Often, we find ourselves just going through the motions.  Days run into each other.  Life can become boring and stagnant. If we don't purposefully attack each day, we can become anything but electrific. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Electrific Day Share a smile with those around you.  Greet your family the way you wish to be greeted Do something fun – just because Say thank you to your co-workers, to your boss, to your spouse Think of something positive to say to each person that you connect with today Get plenty of sleep so that the energy you have bubbles out from you Wear something bright to pick you up from the winter blahs Do your best to be electrific

Listen to today's podcast... The quest for goodwill, peace and understanding among people of the world. This is the fourth avenue of service for the Rotary Club. With all of the chaos and conflict happening in the world, we need courage to take a stand and promote peace in our communities. We do this by digging in and learning how to understand other people's cultures, by promoting engagement with others, and by building strong, diverse communities. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Tips for Building Resiliency and Celebrating National World Understanding Month: The first part of expanding our understanding is to recognize that every cultural group has unique strengths and perspectives that the larger community can benefit from. We need a wide range of ideas, customs, and wisdom to solve problems and enrich community life. It is by bringing non-mainstream groups into the center of civic activity that we get fresh perspectives and shed new light on tough problems. Here are some questions that may help you think about and understand your community: How would you define your community? Does it have geographical boundaries? Is it local or global? Who lives in your community right now? What kinds of diversity already exists? What issues do different cultural groups have in common? These are just a few of the questions that can expand your understanding and this insight can lead to an increase of goodwill, cooperation, and peace in your community. 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... CEO Jeff Bezos admitted that he reads in his bathtub. He took a one-gallon Ziploc bag, and put his e-reader inside it. Book in hand…safe and sound. An interesting way to combine two popular stress-relieving pastimes. I am not sure that I am co-ordinated enough to master this even with a Ziploc bag. Bathtubs are the picture-perfect scene to the end of a hard day for many people. I have trouble sitting in a tub. I don't find it very relaxing and my mind usually wanders off to what else needs to be done. Part of the S-O-S Principle that I developed involves finding strategies that get your mind off of the stressful situation. The key is to find something that works for you. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Read In The Tub Day: If you have trouble slowing down to relax, ask yourself why. Are you too caught up in what needs to be done next' Keep the superhuman syndrome in check – we need to take time to take care of ourselves. If the bathtub or a good book doesn't do it for you, find something else that does. Find something that changes the speed, changes your focus and helps to renew your energy. If you are still willing to try the book and bathtub combo to relax, start with a magazine or book that doesn't matter if it gets wet. 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... I am really glad that February is the shortest month of the year, as it always seems tough to get through. I often get hit with the blahs during this time. Sometimes it is because of the busyness around me and sometimes it is weather related. Sometimes it is both. Have you ever been caught up in the blahs and you aren't sure that things are going to ever pick back up? Do you worry that you may feel this way forever? Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Blah Buster Month: Getting together with a friend is a sure way to put the blahs at bay. Social connections ground us. Declutter Your Closet. Go through your clothes and pull out the things you no longer wear. Donate those items. Organizing and Decluttering open up space in our environment and our minds. Get Active. Exercise is a mood enhancer and will naturally lift your spirits. Go to the light. I often get caught staying indoors during this month, but the more I get outside the better I feel. Finally, try something new. A new activity. A new recipe. A new technology. All of these can increase your brain's plasticity and add a bit of a spark to a tough month. 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... Accept Yourself. Accept Your Body. Celebrate Yourself. Celebrate Your Body. Fact #1 Eating Disorders affect people of all gender, sexual orientation, age, socioeconomic class, ability, race, and ethnic background. Fact #2 Eating disorders are not choices, but seriously biologically influenced mental illnesses and need to be treated as life threatening conditions Fact #3 You can't tell by looking at someone whether they have an eating disorder. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Tips For Building Resiliency and Bringing Awareness To Eating Disorder Week: Whether you're a parent concerned for a child, a friend or someone who just wants to make a difference, there are many ways to shine a spotlight on eating disorders to help those in need and celebrate people who have made a recovery. Find ways to show your support. US News & World Report recommends: Be honest: Tell the person you're concerned about his or her health. Be sincere: Compliment the person on their intrinsic qualities – like their ability to make people laugh or their ability to work as a team player. Be caring, but firm: Let them know that you care and want to help in the recovery process. For more tips on how to Promote Mental Illness Awareness check out my website at worksmartlivesmart.com under the Resources and Courses tab #mentalhealth #hr

Last week we celebrated Have Fun At Work Day and today is Working Naked Day. Well…I guess this is one way to have more fun at work. I think that working naked is more for those of us who work alone and at home…with no chance of a customer dropping in. In fact, a recent study found that 1 in 8 male teleworkers and 1 in 14 female teleworkers actually work naked. Some suggest that working naked, means that you work alone, without the support of a corporate group around you. If this is the case, I guess I do work naked. Being in business for yourself means that you have to push your limits, test new waters and find new paths. Without supporters around you, you can feel exposed and vulnerable. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Working Naked Day: If you are literally going to work naked today, it is best to ensure that no one else is around. It is very difficult to use the celebration as a line of defense with your boss. If you are an entrepreneur, working alone, celebrate that you have courage. Though many wish to work for themselves, it takes true courage to actually go out on your own and sink or swim on your own merits. Minimize your exposure. Surround yourself with those who will cheer you on, give you honest feedback, pick you up, dust you off and send you back out. 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... A study found that 20% of workers felt that their employer didn't care about them. Imagine what that would look like in your organization. What impact do you think that this would have on productivity and engagement? Quality leaders are aware of the value of recognition. During Leadership Week, I encourage supervisors, managers, directors and the C-Suite to look closely at the relationship that they have with their employees. A poor relationship – one in which employees feel powerless, uninformed, disrespected, used and stressed – will lead to high rates of heart and cardiovascular problems, anxiety, depression, and alcohol and drug use. It can also leave the company with higher rates of absenteeism, lowered productivity, higher rates of job turnover and more difficulty in attracting and retaining high quality workers. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating International Leadership Week: Quality relationships take time to develop. They require that leaders allow for participation in decision-making, provide information and support on stress, develop support strategies between team members and that the leader ensure the proper resources are available to get the job done. Challenge yourself to evaluate your leadership skills. Would your team consider you a quality leader? Want to check out more health and wellness related celebrations? Visit my wellness calendars under the resources and courses tab at worksmartlivesmart.com

Listen to today's podcast... Have you ever looked at those websites that compare your real age to your chronological age? I did and I was pleased to see that it covered a variety of areas related to positive stress management and resiliency. It also had some interesting questions regarding heart health. Cardiovascular diseases continue to be a major threat to women's health. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Building Resiliency and Celebrating Women's Heart Week: It is imperative that women learn the warning signs and symptoms of heart disease and stroke, see a doctor regularly, and learn their family history. Making a commitment to your health isn't something you have to do alone either, so grab a friend or a family member and become accountability partners. Nutrition and exercise essential. But also consider the impact of being positive, being able to relax, using a sense of humour, being organized, being involved in hobbies/community, having a spiritual side, and striving to be a continuous learner. Our heart pumps life through our body, so ensure that you are pumping your heart full of life. Looking for more ways to build your resiliency? Take my free on-line vulnerability test at worksmartlivesmart.com under the resources and courses tab.

Listen to today's podcast... Have you just about had it? If you live in Canada or in the northern hemisphere, winter has worn out its welcome. The cold temperatures and the gusting winds along with the shorter days, have made many of us cranky, tired, and ready to say enough is enough. One survey reported that winter is bad for our health, appearance and our sex life. Others claimed they had less energy, struggled to wake up and had sore and achy joints and muscles. Cheer up. We are at the half way point of winter and thankfully from now on, we will start to notice the longer days, and the temperatures hopefully rising. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency So Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating the Half Way Point of Winter: Brighten up. Buy some flowers for your office desk or kitchen table. The perk of colour can help to brighten your mood. Turn up the beach music. Music can flip the switch from negative to positive, hopefully giving you enough of a jump start to begin to turn things around. Start Sniffing. Our human olfactory system is intricately tied to our emotional control centre. Essential oils from plants can reduce stress, promote relaxation and enhance cognitive function. Our sense of smell is also connected to our memory. Does suntan lotion remind you of your family vacation' Does the smell of oranges, make you think of the tropics' If so, light a candle, grab your essential oils or look for foods that make you think of sunshine and summer. Want to find more strategies to coping with stress, check out my website at worksmartlivesmart.com Listen to today's podcast...

Listen to today's podcast... Have you found that when your plate is overloaded with work and family responsibilities, or when you are in a professional, financial, or relationship crisis, your self-care tends to fly out the window? For some of us, self-care is a luxury that we feel we can not afford to indulge in. There is a quote that I like that says, “How thin can I spread myself before I no longer exist'” Self-renewal is about transforming yourself. It can give you a fresh take on life. You feel better and more able, more competent and more effective. Self-care is like oxygen. It is essential in order to live a balanced and fulfilled life. If grit is what keeps you going, and resilience is what picks you up, self- renewal is what helps you stay energized. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Self-Renewal Day: Tip #1 Do A Body Scan. As soon as you wake, ask yourself, “Physically, emotionally, or spiritually, what do I really need to focus on today'” Self-renewing activities include looking after your well-being. Tip #2 Find Your Tribe. “Build your support network,” When we gather together to “tend and befriend,” our body releases more of the stress-reducing hormone, oxytocin. This makes us feel more hopeful, grateful and resilient. Looking for resources to build your resiliency? Check out my Live Smart blog at worksmartlivesmart.com #mentalhealth #hr

Listen to today's podcast... Have you met any S.O.B's lately?  I mean the good kind.  The feisty, spirited ones kindly referred to as, Spunky Old Broads. These are the ladies who live life to the fullest, regardless of their circumstances.  They have learned to push forward, find humour and share their spirit with those around them. I've been fortunate to meet some very Spunky ladies – Liked my mom's cousin Linda, who makes me laugh every time I see her, Virginia who ran her first marathon at the age of 50 and who shared her message of hope with those who were also dealing with severe depression, and Shelle who travels the world for business and still takes the time to make me laugh and be my mentor. SOB Month celebrates all women over 50, who believe it is never too late to live your dream, be who you want to be, and create and do whatever you want to do. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Spunky Old Broads Month: I want to be a spunky old broad.  I'm not there yet.  For me, I take things way too seriously and I fret about the little things.  But I believe that it is never too late to learn something new, try something different and strive for all that life has to offer.  So I am going to remind myself to let go and laugh a little more and maybe one day I will be known as a SOB. 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... “Blessed is the person who can have fun while being productive.” Really, isn't that what it is all about. Enjoying what you do. Some people have fun actually doing their jobs. They get a kick out of creating or solving. Some people create fun while they are doing their job by connecting with the people that they work with. Our research shows that those who have fun at work are more engaged, more productive and are healthier. It is in a company's best interest then to build more fun into the workplace. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      So here are Today's Hot Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Fun At Work Day: Create a special theme for the day – decorate, dress up Bring food to share – tie it to your theme Share the jokes of the day – or list the best excuses for the day Set up team challenges Any job can be transformed. It is how you look at it and the fun that you build around it. According to one philosopher, the supreme accomplishment is to blur the line between work and play. 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... Does time just slip away from you? Take Back Your Time is an initiative to challenge this epidemic of time stress. Studies show that Time Stress threatens our: Health. It can lead to fatigue, accidents and injuries. It can threaten our Relationships. As we find less time for each other, our ability to connect, empathize and communicate is impaired. Preventing illness, slowing down the aging process and living life to the fullest – these are a few of the reasons that we are craving a healthier, more balanced lifestyle.  Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      So here are Today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Take Back Your Time Week: Take control of your time by learning how to say no. Say no to things that are outside of your priority. Say no to working late, especially if it is self-imposed. Say no to extra activities, if you are feeling stretched to thin. Saying no now, does not mean that it will be a no forever. When you feel like it is a priority and you have the time to dedicate to the activity without compromising yourself, then it is okay to say yes. Finally, be realistic with your time. Don't get caught up in activities that suck away your time, without purposefully scheduling for them. Email, social media and meetings are notorious for eating up more time that we imagine. 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... According to the Dictionary a curmudgeon can refer to a mood or someone's whole personality. Curmudgeons Day is a day to celebrate the cranky people in our lives or a day to allow the cranky person in us to have a day out in the sunshine. It is also a celebration of WC Field who prided himself on being a real curmudgeon. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      So here are Today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Curmudgeon's Day: Take stock of what usually brings about your curmudgeonly side. Knowing this can help you to develop strategies to not bring that mood to your workplace. Sometimes it is okay to allow yourself a day to be cranky. Doing so can help you to move past these feelings and start to see the world in a more positive light. Don't let the crankiness of someone else bring you down. Find ways to buffer yourself against their negativity. Try to show them kindness. Buy a cup of coffee for that co-worker who never seems to have a good day.  Maybe, an act of kindness can change that person's whole world. 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... It's the end of the day and you're exhausted, frustrated and wondering why you put up with your difficult boss. If you have been in this situation before, you know just how much they can impact how you feel about your job, and even your own security and confidence. Understanding why some people become more difficult or negative, and when they are more likely to act that way, can prevent you from obsessing about your difficult boss, to the exclusion of all your other colleagues, who were quite pleasant and appreciated your work. By reflecting on your role in these difficult interactions, you will be in a better position to learn strategies to head off and/or counteract the stressful effects of these encounters. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      So here are today's Hot Tips For Building Your Resiliency and Celebrating Home and Office Safety and Security Week The main premise to work from is that difficult people use negative behaviour to get what they want. It has decreased their stress before and they are counting on it to work for them again. We must understand not only what people are going through but also what they expect to gain from being so difficult. Some want to feel more in control. Some want to feel important and listened to, and some want to avoid outright conflict, but will act out their annoyance or disagreement through other negative behaviours. Our role is to find alternate ways of meeting their needs for control, importance or safety. Don't forget that you can find more tips for coping with mental health issues, by checking out my Live Smart blog at worksmartlivesmart.com #mentalhealth #hr

Listen to today's podcast... The Think Tank - The Log Cabin - The Johnny on the Spot - The Oval Office Toilets are the most amazing invention that most of us just take for granted.  For some, getting stressed out, can cause bathroom and digestive issues. Some people experience toilet anxiety. Toilet phobia, is a term used to describe a number of issues related to using the toilet. It is a type of anxiety condition in which the sufferer may experience concerns and fears about: Being unable to urinate or defecate Using a public toilet Being too far from a toilet Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      So here are Today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Thomas Crapper Day: The experience of toilet anxiety is unique to each individual, and consequently, different treatments will work better for different people. If your digestive system is acting up it might be an indication to take it easy and try to reduce some stress wherever possible in your life. You can also be mindful of what you're doing, eating, and drinking when you're under pressure to see if that helps. Looking for resources to build your resiliency' Check out my Live Smart blog at worksmartlivesmart.com Finally do you know the most popular toilet joke? What did the toilet say to the other toilet? – You look a little flushed   #mentalhealth #hr

Listen to today's podcast... Have you ever been in a good mood, and then one conversation with your spouse can turn your mood around? Research shows that moods and emotions are highly contagious. We can literally catch each others' emotions like viruses, a phenomenon known as emotional contagion. I love my spouse and hopefully, if you have one, you can say that too. However, the mood I bring to the home and that he brings home affects our conversations and connections with each other. Research has found that wives were not affected significantly by their spouse's stress. Husbands, however, experienced lower marital satisfaction when their wives reported higher stress. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      So here are Today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Spouse's Day: Self-awareness is the first step toward bringing moods under control so that they don't continually impact your relationships. Make an effort to enter into a conversation in an upbeat frame of mind.  Change your routines if you are irritated by the rush-hour traffic. Watch your body language. Research has shown that when people are trying to “read” someone's mood they rely heavily on that person's body language for cues. So make sure your posture, gestures, and facial expressions send the right signals. Be proactive about managing your moods. Learn a few stress-management techniques that may help you avoid negative moods altogether. Mood lifters may also include talking to a funny friend, listening to music, or going for a walk. Take care of your health. Bad moods can have physical causes, including hunger, fatigue, and pain. Build your resiliency to buffer yourself against these. Remember that emotions are contagious and your relationships are precious. 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... Did you ever play ‘Opposites' in school? Any time you were asked a question you had to give the opposite answer. You wore your clothes the opposite way around, and you ate your lunch in the opposite order. Opposite day is a day to have fun and be silly. Especially as you kick it back up into high gear after vacations. Some celebrate Opposite Day a month after Christmas, other's today…the idea is just to add some fun to your life. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Opposite Day: Adults can get in on this silly holiday. Try having dinner for breakfast and breakfast for dinner. Eat, write and use your mouse with your non-dominate hand. If you are the super achiever, ask for help. If you are a procrastinator, try getting the tough stuff done first. Flip that button-down shirt around and wear opposite coloured socks and shoes. Just be sure to let your family, friends and colleagues know that you are celebrating Opposite Day. Otherwise, it could get very confusing for everyone around you. Have a great day. Sorry, I mean hello, how are you? 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... Author CW Metcalfe, writes that Humour can help you thrive in change, remain creative under pressure, work more effectively, play more enthusiastically, and stay healthier in the process. It has been shown that a big old belly laugh, reduces physical and emotional tension for as long as 45 minutes. The heartier, the more relaxing it is and the longer the positive effect. A good belly laugh can stimulate your internal organs, increase your circulation, raise the level of oxygen in the blood and boost the immune system. A group of researchers found that laughing boisterously 100 times a day will give you the same impact as 10 minutes of rowing or 15 minutes on an exercise bike. Studies show that those who are able to laugh at work are more productive and less distracted than their humourless counterparts. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      So here are Today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Belly Laugh Day: Find funny friends and co-workers who can make you laugh. Develop a Humour First-Aid Kit and fill it with your favourite jokes, clippings, and stories Watch funny TV programs, movies and videos Being able to laugh about our situation and ourselves helps us to release the tension, regain our perspective, accept that which we cannot change and experience joy. Not only that, but, it also gives us the physical energy and mental resilience needed to survive. 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... Words Hurt. Name Calling is a form of Emotional Abuse. Many of us have worked for or with someone who was emotionally abusive. According to research from  Employment Law Alliance, 45% of us reported being abused in the office. People who are the target of emotional abuse are made to feel insignificant and incapable. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      So here are Today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Bringing Awareness To No Name Calling Week: There is a thin line between joking around and causing harm to each other in the office. Nicknames are bound to pop up in the office. But once the name calling is unwanted and based on gender, sexuality, or ability, it's no longer a friendly exchange. If we are bullied, we might think it's because we are not a good worker, or perhaps not a good person. In other words, we start to believe what the bully is saying about us. We start to blame ourselves. Don't give in to the lie. Document your experience. If you don't keep track of what is happening, then, in the eyes of the law, it didn't happen. One of the bully's tactics will be to isolate you from fellow workers. Keep your relationships with co-workers as strong as you can. Let them know what is going on and let them know that you need support during this time. 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... Could you go without eating refined sugar for even one day? Eating well and maintaining energy throughout the day can be a difficult feat in today's busy workplaces.  When we are time-pressured, we tend to make poor nutritional choices.  Often, we skip lunch and grab for a soft drink, cup of caffeine or an energy drink to keep us going.  These poor food choices can promote obesity, illness and negatively impact productivity.  Companies are looking for simple ways to promote health and support healthier nutrition.  Some are adding vending machines that have more healthy choices and others have taken a harsher stance and eliminated the “pop and chip” machines altogether.  Some company cafeterias have added a premium fee to “fast food” items or subsidized healthy meals and snacks.  Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      So here are Today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Sugar Awareness Week: Examining the nutritional needs and habits of your employees makes good business sense.  When designing your workplace wellness program, look for ways to educate, support behaviour changes and promote a healthier environment.  The results may not just be reduced waist sizes and decreased benefits usage, but more engaged and productive employees. 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... Mental illness is a very common form of human pain and suffering. One of the biggest hurdles for anyone suffering from mental illness is overcoming the stigma attached to it. This stigma brings about isolation and prevents people from getting the help that they need. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      So here are Today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Let's Talk Day: Language matters. Watch the words that you use that may colour the way we see mental health issues. Simple kindness can make a world of a difference. Whether it be a smile, being a good listener or an invitation for a chat over coffee, these simple acts of kindness can let someone know you're there for them. Break the Silence. Two out of three people suffer in silence, fearing judgement and rejection. Being open to a conversation is the first step towards eliminating the stigma. When it comes to mental illness, education is key. Having the right tools, knowing the right words to use and understanding how to correctly speak with someone experiencing a mental illness can make all the difference. You are not alone. There are resources available to help you to feel more competent in providing this support. Check out my on-line courses at worksmartlivesmart.com under the resources and courses tab. #mentalhealth #hr

Listen to today's podcast... We know that we are not active enough, especially during the winter months. It is cold. It is dark. And did I mention that it is cold? Did you know that 63% of us are not active enough to achieve the health benefits they need from physical activity. Did you also know that research shows that as much as one half of the functional decline between the ages of 30 and 70 is due not to aging itself, but to an inactive way of life. Consider this: We are awake about 13-18 hours a day, but we only have to be active for one hour and that 60 minutes of activity doesn't have to be done all at once. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      So here are Today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Take A Walk Outdoors Day: Take advantage of the outdoors, dress your children warmly, get them outside and keep them moving.  Besides just taking a walk, some good winter fun can include: ice skating, tobogganing, and hiking. At work, get active by taking a “walking” meeting or taking a brisk walk before lunch for about 10 minutes. Keep track of your active and inactive time.  Awareness is the first step to going from inactive to active. 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... It is Blue Monday….the most depressing day of the year. The date was calculated by using many factors, including: weather conditions, debt level, time since Christmas, time since failing our new year's resolutions, low motivational levels and feeling of a need to take action. This isn't a scientifically true formula, but it does point out several things that we already know.  Our stress levels are impacted by many things such as negative weather conditions, lack of finances, unrealistic expectations and unmet goals.  If all of these things come to a head at the same time, it certainly can make for a stressful or depressing time in our life. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      So here are Today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Blue Monday: Get outside. Go for a walk.  Even if it is a snowy, winter's day, the benefits of getting a light break, beat staying indoors and moping around. Turn today into a celebration.  Plan special activities at work or going out with friends.  Start planning a vacation.  Even just looking at beautiful vacation pictures has a positive impact on our mood. Know though, that sometimes, it is okay to indulge in the blues.  Wrap up in a cozy blanket, turn on that sappy movie, and let all of your emotions flow out. If you think that you have moved beyond the blues, talk to your doctor.  Seasonal Affective Disorders and Depression are serious and can spiral out of control quickly.  The sooner you do, the better. 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... 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... A successful mentor is someone who sees how remarkable you can be and constantly holds that image for you. We all need someone to hold that mirror for us – And we need to be able to hold that mirror for someone else. Who can you reach out to for that boost and who around you could use that lift? Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Mentoring Month: Mentoring is a learning relationship where someone more experienced puts time and energy into a less experienced person's development. Successful mentors know that they need to focus on nurturing the person, not just performance. Since mentees may be reluctant to expose their shortcomings to a superior, the mentor needs to demonstrate it's safe to do so. The strongest relationships are based on mutual respect and as a mentor, you don't just want to be a solution provider.  Discern when it is appropriate to offer a direct answer versus when it's better to coach a mentee through their question or problem. As a mentee, clarify your goals: explain to your mentor what you want from your career, and from mentoring. Strong mentoring programs not only provide support for new hires but also help create an open, inviting culture that emboldens all workers to contribute their ideas for improving the company. Don't forget that you can find more tips for coping with mental health issues, by checking out my Live Smart blog at worksmartlivesmart.com #mentalhealth #hr

Listen to today's podcast... I have been taking karate for quite a few years now.  I'm a second-degree black belt, so not quite a beginner.  It takes lots of hard practice to get this far…yet I am pretty sure that I would still have a great deal of trouble using it against an attacker, especially one with any size behind them. Early in my university years and again when I was working within a college, I took a couple of basic self-defense courses.  They did two things. They enhanced my awareness of the dangers and gave me ideas for options that I could use.  They were definitely worthwhile. Fear is powerful.  And so it should be.  Fear keeps us on our toes.  It warns us to not be in dangerous situations.  Even the best karate move is not to be there when the attack comes in. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Personal Self-Defense Month Consider your answers to these questions. Do you know what to do if someone grabs you? If not, you may need to take a course on basic self-defence strategies Are you aware of your surroundings? Don't become complacent, even in familiar situations. Are you confident in yourself and do you carry yourself in a confident way? Learn how to walk with confidence. This can be the difference of a potential attacker thinking that you are an easy target and them moving on to the next person. Take your personal safety seriously.  Be prepared.  Be Aware.  Look like you know what you are doing. Want to find more strategies to coping with stress? Check out my website at worksmartlivesmart.com #mentalhealth #hr  

Listen to today's podcast... Happiness, for some can seem like an elusive dream and for others it is a constant reality. The difference is a mindset that looks for the best in a given situation. If we spend our time waiting for life to be perfect…the children are polite and well behaved…there is enough money in our savings account and retirement fund…the renovations are finished…we have the right job…we have the best partner… we may be waiting for a very long time and we may be disappointed that happiness doesn't seem to come our way. True happiness is not putting a smile on our face and saying that everything is great, but it is problem solving the difficult situations and looking for the things in our life that are going well. In the workshops that I deliver, we talk about looking for the awesome. What are the cools things that are around us everyday that often we miss because we spend too much of our time looking for the things that are not quite right' Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      So here are Today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Hunt For Happiness Week: Look for the awesome Be thankful for the things that are true blessings in your life And understand that you have the final say in your own happiness 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... Smoking is no longer glamourous.  Most people understand the link to major health issues. Though smoking has lost its ‘public' appeal, it is still a major issue and addiction within our families and workplaces. Smoking cessation is the focus of many workplace wellness programs because nicotine addiction has a negative impact on absenteeism, productivity and benefits usage.  Wouldn't it be great, if we could prevent the up and coming generations from having to face the ‘futility' of quitting, of being a ‘slave' to their addiction, or experiencing the devastating impact of their ‘habit'. Some people wrongly believe that if we continue to raise the price, add more tax or put more disgusting pictures on the packages, that people will stop smoking and choose to live a healthier life. However, being addicted to something, means that logic is skewed, and the addiction can always be justified or at least continued to exist So, I go back to my original statement…we have come a long way…but the key to our success is to continue to convince the younger generation that it isn't worth it.  Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Today is Weedless Wednesday. Hopefully future generations will not understand the need for this kind of promotion. 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... We would all love a magic lamp or a fairy godmother to make our dreams come true.  But in their absence, it is up to us to make our dreams come true.  This requires effort on our part.  Not just wishful thinking, but hard work and intention. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Make Your Dreams Come True Day: Create your dream list.  Write it down.  Put it into pictures.  Make a Dream Board.  This makes it real and more likely to come true than if your dreams stay locked up inside your head. Decide what steps or actions you need to take to make these dreams come true.  Watch out for negative self-talk, and fears that can sabotage you before you even start.  Bronnie Ware is an Australian nurse who spent several years working in palliative care, recording her patient's epiphanies.  Here were the top five wishes of those patients: The wish that they had the courage to live a life true to them self, not the life others expected of them. The wish that they had not worked so hard. The wish that they had the courage to express their feelings. The wish that they had stayed in touch with their friends. The wish that they had let them self be happier.  So what are YOU going to do TODAY to move closer to making your dreams a reality? 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 and your family spending too much time as couch potatoes? Although this is Family Fit Lifestyle Month, healthy habits should be a lifelong journey. I recently asked my sons what life lessons they have they learned from me (risky question but I wanted to know). I was proud to hear some of things that they said. Both of them said that one of the important lessons was around eating right and exercising often. They said that it has helped them to be good athletes and to feel good. (So all that harping around eating their lunch and working hard at practise has paid off after all). They saw me involved in fitness activities even when I was not naturally good at them. And they saw me having fun anyways. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Family Fit Lifestyle Month: Reward participation in fitness activities. Be each other's cheerleader. Have fun. Fitness shouldn't be boring or feel like drudgery. If it does that you haven't found the right activities. Some of us prefer activities that we can do alone. Some of us need the watchful eye of a coach. Others prefer team settings. Fitness activities should be something that we look forward to. This year, set a few goals for creating a healthier family. 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... Have you worn a milk moustache today? January 11th is milk day, the anniversary of milk being first delivered in glass bottles. I grew up on a dairy farm. Milk was a part of every meal.  I can still remember my dad skimming the cream off the milk for his cereal and the first time I stayed with my aunt who ‘bought' her milk from the store, and thinking that it was so watery.  Nothing at all, like what I was used to. Even after 7000 years of drinking it, milk is still very controversial. Many say we need it for bone growth, but there are those who say we shouldn't drink it, as it can increase our risk for certain diseases. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Milk Day: Watch what you drink.  Add more water and milk to your diet as opposed to pop and other sugary drinks. Studies show that kids and adults who drink milk are less likely to consume sugary drinks which add no nutritional value to their diet. If you are having trouble sleeping, try a cup of warm milk.  The chemicals in milk, along with the warmth of the drink, can help to produce that sleepy feeling. So to honour my dad and brother, here is a little milk day humour….. Q: What did the farmer call the cow that had no milk? A: An udder failure. Don't forget that you can find more tips for promoting health, by checking out my Live Smart blog at worksmartlivesmart.com #mentalhealth #hr

Listen to today's podcast... The alarm clock goes off, but you would rather roll over and continue sleeping. You get up, look in the mirror and you feel dumpy and grumpy. You go to the cupboard and instead of something healthy, you pull out one of those sugar cereals. You are not sure what is happening, but there are days when life is definitely more of a challenge. Reportedly 65% of us notice a difference in our mood and energy in the fall and winter. These people may be fighting the winter blues. This decrease in mood and energy colours the way in which we handle the other areas of our life that compete for our energy and attention. Research into the direct causes of the winter blues is ongoing. However, the more severe form, called Seasonal Affective Disorder, is thought to be related to seasonal variations in light which negatively impact the production of neurotransmitters and hormones that affect our sleep, mood and appetite. The winter blues are usually characterized by varying degrees of sadness, anxiety and energy. Winter blues differ from SAD in that the symptoms do not last as long and do not interfere significantly with everyday living. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Tips For Building Resiliency Against Seasonal Affective Disorders: Increase your exposure to light. Spend at least 20 minutes twice a day. Arrange your indoor environment so that it receives more natural light. Install full spectrum lights. By increasing your exposure to light and monitoring your diet, sleep patterns and exercise levels you will be able to maintain your health, increase your energy and combat the winter blues. 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 do you say?”  “Thank you” As parents, we probably said this a lot, as we taught our children to be thankful for the gifts that they received or when others did nice things for them. Are You Thankful? I think as adults we sometimes forget to be thankful.  We often focus on the difficulties and on the things that are not going right and sometimes we lose sight of the things that are going well and the blessings that we have received. A line of wisdom goes…You cannot welcome more abundance into your life until you have said thanks to the universe for all that you have. January is the month of new beginnings.  Let's kick it off by being truly thankful.  Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Thank You Month: Make a list of all that you are thankful for in your work and personal life.  Be specific.  True blessings are the things in your life that resonate importance and touch your core. Know that when we are full of thanks, we radiate this to the people around us and we impact them in a positive way. Hang out with people who are truly thankful.  It is contagious, and you will feel energized, and inspired. 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... Negative attitudes and behaviours are usually expressed when our customers are stressed out or they just don't have the energy to use better communication skills, judgment and manners. Being stressed out is chronic in today's society. We often have too much to do, too many decisions to make and are usually running behind schedule. The difficulty behind the negative attitudes and behaviours is that they are highly “toxic” to our staff. Dealing with difficult customers can make us feel grouchy, out-of-control and can rattle staff to the point where they may quit. It takes a lot of energy to be positive, to keep things in perspective and to actively fend off this toxic effect. As the leader, there are several steps that you can take to ensure that your staff can effectively handle the best and the worst in these customers. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      So here are Today's Tips For Reducing The Impact Of Negative Attitudes and Celebrating Thank You To Your Customer Day: Discuss the types of customers that you may encounter ahead of time. What are some of the common complaints that your staff may face' Share past experiences and horror stories with each other and prepare answers and solutions ahead of time. Teach your staff how to keep their composure, be assertive and know exactly what it is they want to communicate. Looking for resources to build your resiliency? Check out my Live Smart blog at worksmartlivesmart.com #mentalhealth #hr

Listen to today's podcast... Do you hold a grudge? January is the month of new resolutions.  It is also the month to Get Over It.  Whatever ‘It' is.  ‘It' can be very destructive emotionally and physically.  It is not to say that feeling hurt or angry is bad, but holding on to hurt and anger for a long time is. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Get Over It Month: Weigh the risks.  Holding a grudge takes energy and has a negative impact on your health.  It can keep you awake at night. It can cause excessive dread and worry and negatively impact your digestion.  It can bring about Depression.  Weigh out the risks of hanging on to that grudge or negative emotion and see if it really is worth the energy. Learn to accept what is.  You may not hear an apology.  The person may never admit their mistake but that shouldn't be the goal in trying to get over something. Often hearing someone say sorry doesn't make us feel better.  Only you can change your perspective and focus, so start today and Get Over It. Looking for resources to build your resiliency? Check out my Live Smart blog at worksmartlivesmart.com #mentalhealth #hr

Listen to today's podcast... Everyone hates change. So many people I know believe that this statement is true.  However, the truth be known, people don't really hate change, they may just dislike the process of changing.  I know that people will only change when the behaviours that they have been using stops getting them the results that they want.  With the start of the new year, many of us have taken the time to reflect on the past year's events or our life.  We may have set some goals for the upcoming year based on these reflections.  When we set our goals for the future and aim to be more on purpose with who we want to be, we need to see and feel the past as uncomfortable and realize that life requires change. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Living On Purpose Month: Know Your Why. To reach your goals, you need to identify the reason for the change in the first place. Sometimes it helps to write this ‘why' down and keep it available, because sometimes when we are in the midst of moving forward and the path becomes difficult, we may forget the reason for the change and give up on it, before we get through it. Remember that change is not bad, and we don't need to hate it. Whether the change you are making is a New Year's Resolution or a life change to live more on purpose, always be kind to yourself. 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