Work Smart Live Smart with Beverly Beuermann-King

Listen to today's podcast... It is Christmas Eve for those of us who celebrate this time of year. As we go into the holidays, I wanted to share this little blessing with you. To you I wish all the blessings of Christmas. May you experience the warmth of home, The cheer and good will of friends, And the hope of a child-like heart. May love work its magic into your life, And may you touch every life you meet. May you provide compassion to those in need, And have the courage to stand up for yourself. May the stars light your way. May you have unmatchable success in life and the ability to handle it with grace. Have a blessed Christmas.   #mentalhealth #hr

Listen to today's podcast... Holidays provide opportunity for celebration, and they often bring about family tension. By determining your goals for the holidays and by staying in control of your reactions, you can help to ward off excessive stress and have a stress-free family gathering – whatever that may look like this year. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      So here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Stress-Free Family Gatherings Week: The first and most important step to a less stressful family gathering is to determine who pushes your buttons. Then understand what the person gets from being so difficult. Some want to feel more in control over what is happening around them. 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. By understanding what people expect to gain from using undesirable behaviours, we are in a much better position to deflect and defeat the difficult behaviour and move the person towards more acceptable ways of responding. Our job is to help these family members feel more in control, more listened to and more important. My second tip is to avoid ‘holiday perfectionism'. Thinking, saying, or planning for the best holiday ever can lead to certain disappointment. Be okay with disorganization, conflict, and family chaos. Going with the flow will help to reduce your stress. Finally, stop and be in the moment. When you start to feel the tension rising, take a moment to notice the wondrous sights, sounds, and smells around. Changing focus helps to reduce your stress level. Wishing you a meaningful, joyful, and Stress-Free Family Gathering. 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 during the holidays? Check out my holiday infographic at: https://worksmartlivesmart.com/mental-health-infographics/ or read a few of the articles posted at: https://worksmartlivesmart.com/?s=holiday+stress #mentalhealth #hr

Listen to today's podcast... What would a day of complete silence be like? Would you love it or hate it? Would you be lonely? Some people dislike being silent as they equate it with being alone. Would you know how to cope with silence for a day? We live in a very loud world where TV, music, and smartphones fill the void with white noise. Many of us, never take the opportunity to sit and enjoy silence. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Be A Lover Of Silence Day: Silence and solitude give us the space to think, act, and play "catch up" with our mind, and can be very healthy for our physical and mental wellbeing. By keeping external silence we are allowing our internal thoughts to be heard. Shut it off. Noise has a negative impact on the brain, which can lead to elevated levels of stress hormones. Researchers found that silence can release tension in the brain and body in just two minutes. It was even more relaxing than listening to "relaxing" music. Finally, if you can't keep silent for an entire day, start off small. Engage in deep breathing exercises or meditation. This helps calm your mind and quiet it at the same time. 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... Every one of us has heard the phrase “Look on the bright side!” Look on the bright side is used to refer to focusing on the good part of something that is mostly bad. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      As we head into a new year, let's focus on these Hot Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Look On The Brighter Side Day: #1 It's difficult to look on the bright side when you're surrounded by negativity so be careful who you spend your time with. Remove “can't” from your vocabulary. A defeatist attitude will get you about as far as a car without an engine. Be grateful. There are times when looking at the bright side of things can seem out of the realm of possibility. However, it's important to take a step back and concentrate on what you do have, rather than what you don't have. Finally, It's OK to make mistakes. Your past mistakes are meant to guide you, not define you. Remember, no one is perfect. Rather than looking at the negative aspects of a mistake that you've made, look at the bright side of that mistake and use it as a lesson moving forward. So today, I challenge you to look on the bright side of a negative situation and use it to your advantage. Looking for more resources to build your resiliency? Check out my Live Smart blog at worksmartlivesmart.com #mentalhealth #hr

Listen to today's podcast... Have you ever gone caroling? We used to when I was in public school. We would go to the nursing homes and entertain the elderly residents there. I probably didn't appreciate it as much as I would today. Christmas caroling is believed to have originated by St. Francis of Assisi in 1223. Though caroling has slipped by the wayside, I still love watching the old Christmas movies that depicted the carollers dressed up going from door to door singing the old favourites. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Go Caroling Day: While you might prefer to stay indoors with your eggnog, Christmas cookies, cozy blanket, the point of Go Caroling Day is to get out and share the spirit of the season, however, you celebrate it, with everyone. And a quote from a favourite Christmas movie character, Buddy the Elf says that “The best way to spread Christmas cheer, is singing loud for all to hear.” 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 can still remember playing parcheesi with my grandma and euchre with my grandpa. What kind of games do you most enjoy the most? Board games, card games, or maybe its video games? Whatever game is you favorite, this is the week to play them and have some fun! Research finds that it is not just academic skills being developed over time by playing board games. Social skills are also enhanced as we improve communication and practice good sportsmanship traits. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency So here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Game Week: What better a break could you take from the stresses of the holidays than to partake in Games Week? Playing games is a great way to just kick back, relax and have some fun with your family of friends. Conduct a poll on Facebook to find out what kind of games the people invited enjoy the most, and use the results of this poll as your guide to choosing the right game or games to keep your guests entertained all evening and well into the night. 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... Thank you! Good work, as always. Thanks for getting this done. You are a lifesaver. Thanks for your help today. One step to emotional wellness is being able to learn to give to others. Recognize and tell someone that they are doing a good job. Research says that you will be boosting their health and yours. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      So here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Tell Someone They Are Doing A Good Job Week: Don't forget that your people want to do well. Before getting frustrated with someone remind yourself of that, and then decide how to provide constructive feedback. When someone does something well, tell them that you notice. As a leader, it is easy to forget to mention it. Most leaders wait until something goes wrong before they even think about giving employee feedback. And then it's only negative. Block out some time during the week to reflect on positive contributions your team has made over the week However, don't overdo it. If you are sending people emails every day then your positive feedback becomes diluted and meaningless. Finally, don't use phrases like "great job" or "nice work" as these are so vague as to be virtually useless. Use the opportunity to teach which of their terrific behaviours you would like to see repeated in the future. 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... Did you know that flowers and plants freshen the air? This is a day set aside to honour our clean air and to raise awareness of the many environmental issues that are changing our climate on Earth. This is one of several official days to pay attention to your environment and the air we breathe. Air pollution is the largest environmental health risk in the country, ranking alongside cancer, heart disease and obesity on the scale of its health impacts.  Air pollution affects us all at work, at home and when we are out and about.  It causes heart and lung diseases, affects children's lung development and shortens life. 1 in 8 deaths around the world is linked to poor air quality. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      So here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Clean Air Day: Clean Air Day is the perfect opportunity for people to ditch their cars and either walk or cycle to work. Even the smallest contribution soon mounts up when large groups of people pledge their commitment. Taking a walk in nature, breathing in the cool crisp air and slowing down for a moment is also a great way to celebrate We need to protect Mother Earth and make sure that the air that we breathe is as clean and healthy as possible. Looking for resources to build your resiliency? Check out my Live Smart blog at worksmartlivesmart.com #mentalhealth #hr

Listen to today's podcast... Today is my day to indulge. Chocoholics, rejoice! For today, we celebrate the treat of dipping anything in chocolate Chocolate compliments so many different flavours. From chocolate-covered pretzels to chocolate-covered espresso beans, sweet, salty, and savory items can all be dipped. Love this quote from Charles M Schultz: “All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt.” Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Chocolate Covered Anything Day: If you don't have access to a chocolate fountain, you can still have some chocolate dipping fun. Look up melted chocolate recipes and instructions and gather your favorite foods to dip in chocolate. Make it healthy and dip strawberries, pineapple spears, or really any fruit. Or go decadent and dip marshmallows, cookies, and cakes. You can really dip almost anything in chocolate, and it will be delicious. Though I may draw the line on chocolate-covered bacon, jalapenos or fish. Cover your food in chocolate today, and, in the spirit of the holiday season, share some of your chocolate-covered treats with your friends and family. 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... This day is a day of encouragement and inspiration. National Wear Your Pearls Day was created by best-selling author and motivational speaker DeAnna Bookert to celebrate life after she emerged from a deep depression. She said, “I wear pearls as a reminder that I have purpose and value,”. We are reminded that one irritating grain of sand can cause an iridescent pearl to form.  National Wear Your Pearls Day reminds us that when life throws dirt our way, we can take that dirt build on it and turn it into something meaningful and precious. Pearls symbolize wisdom acquired through experience and represent new beginnings. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      So here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Wear Your Pearls Day: Embrace the beauty of your life, a beauty that is often formed through hardships and trials. And when life throws dirt your way, put on your pearls. 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... Yoga can give you a piece of time to observe your mind and your heart. People have different ways of relaxing, some of them healthier than others. Some people drink a glass of wine, some doze off in front of the TV, and some people prefer physical pursuits. One of the best and oldest ways to release the tension building up in both the body and the mind is practicing yoga. The benefits of practicing yoga, such as mastering countless techniques of controlling the body and the mind, have been widely recognized by the Western world for years. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      So here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Yoga Day: If you are a devout practitioner, today is the day to celebrate as it is the birthday the man called “the father of modern yoga,” B.K.S. Iyengar. Even if you don't consider yourself a particularly fit person—don't worry! Due to its slow, fluid movements, few people suffer any kind of injuries practicing yoga, and many of the meditation techniques, breathing exercises, and certain postures are considered safe and beneficial even for those suffering various illnesses as well as pregnant women. Just make sure you don't attempt a headstand the first time you decide to give yoga a try. 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... When was the last time you wrote a letter by hand' We're quick to email or text our friends, but nothing can replace the joy of receiving a personalized letter in the mail. December is the perfect time to stop what you're doing and drop a note to a friend or a family member. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Tips For Building Resiliency and Write A Friend Month: Researchers have found that people with few ties to others had 2 to 5 times the death rate as those who had more ties. Support and connectedness can be powerful tools in preventing illness by acting as a buffer to the effects of stress. One way to continue building that sense of connection and deeper friendship is to continually communicate and writing allows us to contemplate, ask questions or show appreciation in a very different way than by calling or emailing. One of my favourite quotes is: Life is to be fortified by many friendships. It is a shame that for many of us, the more stressful life gets the less connected we become. 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. Discover how to take small steps toward a healthier, happier, less stressed you by visiting my website at worksmartlivesmart.com #mentalhealth #hr

Listen to today's podcast... Unmentionable thoughts. There is a Festival that celebrates these thoughts. Guess that is what today is. The Festival of Unmentionable Thoughts Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Beverly's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating the Festival of Unmentionable Thoughts: We aren't going to mention any subjects you could be thinking about today. Feel free to think about them yourself, but make sure not to mention them. We don't even want to know what you're thinking. It's not that we don't care. Some things should just stay unmentionable. It's surprising how little control we seem to have over the timing and content of “bad” thoughts. Researchers found that people have about 500 thoughts a day that are unintentional and “intrusive” and that last about 14 seconds on average. While most dealt with the concerns of everyday life, 18 percent were unacceptable, uncomfortable, or just plain bad—politically incorrect or mean thoughts. And a remaining 13 percent were ugly, out of character, or downright shocking. So whether they are morbid, perverse, or prejudicial, know that we all have them, but what we do with them and the significance we attach to them are key. If you like today's resiliency tips, let me know. 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... What is your favourite app? Do you have one that saves you time or reminds you to do something that you couldn't live without? Apps are so ingrained into the way we do things now and there are very few people who don't use at least one app. Apps can be used for communication and entertainment. Travel apps provide needed information and tools, helping with everything from transportation to finding the closest restaurant. Other apps help people organize their homes or perform essential functions at work. Some can help build your resiliency. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National App Day: According to Flurry, mobile users spend 86% of their time on mobile apps. App Annie says that the average user now has around 80 apps installed and uses around 40 every month. Look for apps that are easy to use and make sense in your daily life. There are many apps now for almost any kind of stress therapy, be it meditation, mindfulness breathing, cognitive behaviour therapy, relaxation techniques, colouring in, or online therapy chat services. Use these apps to build in a pause to your day or as an aid to get a better night's sleep. Though keeping up with technology can be a source of stress, it can also be used to build our resiliency.   If you like today's resiliency tips, let me know. 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... One bad decision can have devastating effects. This my family knows only too well as over 30 years ago one young man's bad decision after work left our brother and sister-in-law dead on the side of the road. Drunk driving, left parents heartbroken, robbed brothers and sisters of the chance to lean on each other, left future nieces and nephews without cousins and impacted this young man's freedom for the next few years. But there is a long way to go and much of that work is within my own generation. Many of us grew up not thinking a whole lot about drinking and driving. Where the only goal was not to get caught and get a ticket on the weekend. For some, this is still the goal. They'll say things like, “I'll take the back way home”, or “I haven't had that many”. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Here are today's Tips For National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Week: Really, it is one simple tip. Don't be that person who makes this bad decision. Assign a designated driver before the night even begins And don't be afraid to address the ‘elephant' in the room when someone tries to drive after they have been drinking or if you believe they are stoned.   If you like today's resiliency tips, let me know. 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 love Christmas Cards, however the sending of Christmas cards may be becoming extinct. In a world where we are already too busy, the thought of buying, writing, addressing, stamping, sealing and sending cards seems like an overwhelming task. Just before my oldest son was born, I started a tradition of writing a Christmas newsletter and sending it with my Christmas cards. There have been times when I have thought that I wouldn't send it out but then someone gives me a comment about looking forward to reading my annual update and seeing the pictures of how the family has changed. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Christmas Card Day: Christmas cards and letters take time, but I have found the benefits to outweigh the cost. It let's the receiver know that they are being thought about, which in this day of disconnectedness and isolation is especially important. Another unexpected benefit of writing these annual newsletters is that I have logged many important family events. I have kept copies for myself and for my sons. They have a record of the special moments from their past. If you like today's resiliency tips, let me know. 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... I loved reading. I would read between homework assignments, favourite TV shows, or on the bus. I loved to stay awake until the wee hours if the book was enticing enough. That was before children. It seems that for many of us, our daily reading habits center around tweets, Facebook updates, or the ingredients of our morning cereal' We read on average 5 or less books a year. I find it difficult to add reading to my long list of daily to-dos. For me, the holidays give me the opportunity to slow down a bit and pick up a good book. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Read A Book Month: Obvious tip alert – pick a book that you have an interest in. But also pick a book that you have time to read as well. If the book requires your unbroken attention and you have small children running around you or you plan on reading during your lunch hour, this may not be the book for you. If you like to read, indulge yourself during the down times within your day or during your holidays. Reading can be a great way to regulate the rhythm of your day. And finally, don't let reading negatively impact your sleep. Poor sleep habits such as reading late at night or in bed can leave you sleep deprived, foggy-headed and often grumpy. 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... Do you know how many litres of eggnog are sold each December? Here in Canada it is 5.2 million litres.   This will be a very different holiday for many of us. We know that our stress levels are elevated significantly by all of the challenges and changes that we have faced, and the holidays will just add to that overall stress.   This isn't the season to be stressed, but many of us will experience Festive Fizzle Out even before the celebration begins.   Rather than skipping the eggnog or the holidays, the first step to a ‘stress less' holiday is to determine your most important goal for the season.   Bring back the meaning of the holidays by taking care of yourself and by simply showing people you appreciate them.    Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Here are today's tips for Building Resiliency and Preventing Festive Fizzle Out   Get back to basics and simplify. Don't be afraid to alter tradition. Try simplifying things and build in more time for relaxation.  Avoid ‘holiday perfectionism'. Thinking, saying, or planning for the best holiday ever can lead to certain disappointment. Stop and be in the moment. Have you noticed the wondrous sights, sounds, and smells around you or have you been too caught up in the to-do's or the extra amount of work you have to do to notice? Acknowledge your feelings. Take into account the changes, challenges, and losses that you have experienced. Remember to keep your perspective and to talk positively to yourself about past challenges that you have overcome. Practice Self-Care. Remember your ultimate goal for the holiday and get support and assistance from those around you to meet those needs. Make sure to take care of yourself by resting well, and eating a balanced diet. Focus on gratitude. Research shows that the more that you do, the happier you will be.   Finally, I love this quote: “Gifts are all around us, but it is up to us to recognize them in our lives.”   If you like today's resiliency tips, let me know. 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... Ever wondered who St. Nicholas was? There once was a young boy named Nicholas, who was born during the third century. His wealthy parents, who raised him to be a devout Christian, died in an epidemic. Nicholas used his whole inheritance to assist the needy, the sick, and the suffering. He was made Bishop of Myra while still a young man. Bishop Nicholas became known throughout the land for his generosity to the those in need. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating St. Nicholas Day: We could all stand to be a little more like St. Nicholas.  Here is a boy, whose world dramatically changed when his parents died.  He could have let this beat him down. He could have drowned in self-pity.  Instead, he relied on his faith and did whatever he could to help those who were even less fortunate then himself.  Let's get good at turning life around and focusing on what we have, and less on what we have lost or don't have. Today, we have the image of Santa Clause and we give gifts to the people we know and love.  But what about our giving to those less fortunate then ourselves? We are donating less each year. The average annual amount per donor is less than $500 with the median amount under $150. With the economy the way that it is, the demand within most charities has increased while their donations have decreased.  Make a difference in the lives of someone less fortunate than you.  It doesn't take a lot to have a huge impact. In 1998, my youngest son was due to arrive on Christmas Day.  We decided that boy or girl, their name would honour St. Nicholas as he was our blessed gift.  Nickolas arrived safely on December 22. If you like today's resiliency tips, let me know. Don't forget that you can find more tips for building resiliency, by checking out my Live Smart blog at worksmartlivesmart.com #mentalhealth #hr

Listen to today's podcast... A hiring manager was preparing for an upcoming interview. The supervisor asked why she had a bathtub brought in for the interviews. "Well," said the manager, "we fill up a bathtub, then we offer the applicant a teaspoon, a teacup, and a bucket and ask them to empty the bathtub." "Oh, I understand," said the supervisor. " A smart person would use the bucket because it's bigger than the spoon or the teacup." "No," said the manager. "A smart hire would pull the plug." I am not a fan of baths. I am too focused on getting what needs to be done, done and showers achieve this in a much more efficient manner. That being said, enjoying a hot bath, can be a very positive resiliency booster for some. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Bathtub Party Day: "Bathtub Party Day" is supposed to be the time to slow down and immerse yourself in a long leisurely bath. It can be a party for one, or two or if you have a hot tub, maybe even more. One site had these recommendations: To enjoy a really good soak, take the ringer off the phone, light a few candles, tune into some favourite music & lock the door. If you want to add a few drops of essential oils to your bath, be sure to wait until the moment you are ready to step into the tub, to ensure the essence doesn't evaporate before you benefit from it–whether you want the relaxation of lavender or chamomile or the stimulation of rosemary or peppermint. Don't forget to have a big, fluffy towel ready for you! For after-bath skin soothing, while your skin is still damp, apply a favourite body lotion or body oil. Again, it seems like a lot of work…but the relaxation effects are likely worth it. If you like today's resiliency tips, let me know. 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... Are you good at recognizing others?  Recognition works best when it acknowledges the Attitudes, Behaviors, and/or Contributions of the person or the team to the success of the organization. Companies with a solid strategy to recognize team members enjoy stronger engagement, increased employee morale, better customer service, and lower turnover. However, recognizing others in a meaningful way is not as easy as you think. True recognition has to be meaningful and not superficial. It needs to make the employee feel valued, respected, and special. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Extraordinary Work Team Recognition Day: Be sure to recognize people on your team who make it possible for you to do what you do. I love the ‘Crush It' calls that SnackNation does each week. They go around the room and “Crush” on someone on the team whose work they want to recognize and they also state something that they are grateful for. Celebrate. This can be done in many ways, but the point is to highlight and appreciate employees and teams who have made a spectacular effort, have achieved great results or helped others achieve them. Celebrating success is fun and energizing and shows employees that their efforts are being seen by leaders and by their peers. If you like today's resiliency tips, let me know. 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... We take for granted our health and the health of our children.  But what if you are a family that has a child who is facing special challenges? Your child's health and well-being are always at the forefront of every decision that you make. Special Kids Day was put together to help families cope during the extra stress of the holidays. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Special Kids Day by showing your support for these special families: Provide the gift of time. You may be able to pick up items that would save a run to the mall or the grocery store for the family. Provide ready to eat meals for the ‘crazy' days…the days where it is non-stop appointments or that are especially difficult to cope. Let them know that you are there for their family.  It can be very isolating and lonely and true friends are hard to come by.  But don't wait to be asked, as it is hard for many parents of special needs children to reach out and ask for help. At the end of the day the health of our children is the most important thing to a parent. If you like today's resiliency tips, let me know. Want to find more strategies to coping with stress? Check out my website at worksmartlivesmart.com #mentalhealth #hr

Listen to today's podcast... Are The Holidays A Stressful Time In Your Household? Are you ready for the holidays? This is the questions that you hear daily at the grocery store, the post office and in line at the bank? Some people ask because they want to feel like they are not the only ones struggling to get things done before the big day. Others ask because they are concerned about us as we may look a little haggard. Others may just want to gloat about they had in all done in July Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Here are my tips for building your resiliency and avoiding that stressed-out feeling this holiday season while we Celebrate Stress Free Holiday Preparation Week: Like many we tend to let our expectations, poor planning, and over-indulgence get in the way of truly enjoying and de-stressing during our ‘down-time'. The key to success in avoiding the ‘festive fizzle' is to recognize those activities that energize, motivate, and please us, and to delete or change those activities that irritate, disappoint, and anger us. Get back to basics and simplify to meet these priorities. Stop often and be in the moment. Far too often the holidays come and go and we missed experiencing the joy, connection, and spirit of the season. If you like today's resiliency tips, let me know. 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... Crispy or chewy' Palm-sized, or bite-sized' Sprinkles or no' One of the first signs that the holidays are close is the invite to participate in the Cookie Exchange.  Have you ever been involved in a cookie exchange' I have and it was so much fun…but for others I know, this is the last thing that they want to participate in. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Here are today's Tips For Building Resilience and Celebrating National Cookie Cutter Week: A Cookie Exchange doesn't have to be a strictly C2C (cookie to cookie) transaction. At your workplace you can enjoy the holiday spirit by giving out cookies in exchange for smiles, holiday singing, or anything else you can think of to bring cheer to your colleagues. Use the cookies as a way of fundraising to support a family in need. Finally, make sure that if you are involved in a cookie exchange that it is fun and for connection. It shouldn't be extra work or add to your stress-level…especially at this time of year. When looking up National Cookie Exchange Week, I came across a site that told me what kind of a cookie I was…I am a Peanut Butter Cookie. I am not one to skimp on the finer things in life, and keeping my finances in check is crucial. You may want to check out that quiz. 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 something that we all know that we should do. But often, it is not until something goes wrong or we've had a close call that we actually do it. What is it? Backing up our computer files and taking care of our computer. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Today's Tips For Building Resilience and Celebrating Computer Security Day: Change your passwords. Update your anti-virus program. Check for computer viruses. Back-up your data. (after being certain that it is virus-free.) Store back-up data off site. Delete unneeded files. Install and inspect power surge protection as appropriate. Install fire/smoke detection equipment in computer areas. Don't drink in your computer area. Our computers have become one of our most valuable possessions. Not because of their purchase price, but because of all the important and often critical data that they contain. Mark off dates on your calendar to remind you to do the most important security work that you can do. Protect your computer. 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... One minute you're changing diapers and wiping noses, the next minute they have moved out and on. “Empty nest,” does not need to mean an empty life. At least I hope not. With my two sons starting to venture out on their own, I am actually looking forward to our new life. For many parents becoming empty nesters can be a “joyous” time.  A time for exploring, getting involved in new activities and new developing their adult relationships. When much of your life has been defined as a parent it can be hard to adjust to life without kids in the home. Research points out that some parents have a hard time adjusting and they do experience depression and emotional distress when their children left home. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      So Here Are Today's Tips For Building Your Resiliency And Celebrating Empty Nester Month: Grieving is normal. Be gentle with yourself. Explore other activities that can give you meaning and purpose. Did you have any hobbies that you slowly gave up as parenting took over your life' Coming to terms with this new phase in your life can be tough. But most parents find they're able to adjust to their new roles as being parents of young adults and they develop a new sense of normal. 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 seen any zombies walking around the mall? These zombies want you to Forget Black Friday and instead celebrate Buy Nothing Day. Today is the day to consider if you are on the road of over-consumption. Are you in need of a retail detox? It is easy to get caught up in the ads that promise bargains and we end up jumping on the bandwagon purchasing things that we don't really need. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      So Here Are Today's Tips For Building Your Resiliency And Celebrating Buy Nothing Day: Make a commitment to examine your purchasing habits Evaluate whether they are needs or wants Do your purchases end up having a negative impact on your budget or the environment? Buy Nothing Day is not just about changing your habits for one-day, but about starting a lasting lifestyle commitment to consuming less and producing less waste. 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... It is easy just to plunk on the couch and watch TV. Especially when you have been overwhelmed by deadlines, projects and family responsibilities. But this does little to build our family bonds.  So what can? Researchers have studied the impact that gaming can have on cognitive abilities, interpersonal relationships and stress levels. The results are overwhelmingly positive: Games strengthen connections in the brain as well as improve connections among friends and family! Kids and adults who play games experience spikes in creative thinking. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Here Are Today's Tips For Building Your Resiliency And Celebrating National Game And Puzzle Week Dust off your old games and puzzles Challenge your family members to a tournament and create some lasting memories filled with time talking, laughing, and playing together No family around. No worries, invite your friends and host a game night 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 belong to the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers. As one of our chapter presidents, it was obvious that we were not the association of professional listeners. It took forever to get everyone focused to begin our events, as the chatter was so extensive. Listening can be hard for us to do. It is an investment that sometimes we are not willing to make and because of this, we may miss out on hearing the other person's story. Originally this week was initiated to encourage people to interview a loved one, friend, or member of your community and to share this story with others. The feeling was that every story matters, and they need to be shared Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Here Are Today's Tips For Building Your Resiliency And Celebrating Better Conversations Week: Ask people about their journey and experiences and really listen in Interview a friend or family member. Record the interview and then share it with others. By really listening to these stories, you will be conveying that they matter. This may be the most meaningful time you spend with someone all year. If you like today's resiliency tips, let me know. 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... Sadly, one in 10 Canadians suffers from some type of substance use disorder. That could mean your colleague, your neighbour or someone in your own family. Addiction does not discriminate—it affects all walks of life. ​ The total societal cost of substance abuse is in the billions. Whether the cost comes from lost productivity in the workplace, increased cost to our healthcare system or pressure on our law enforcement agencies, substance use disorders cost money. People are dying. Substance use disorders can be progressive and fatal if left untreated. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      So Here Are Today's Tips For Building Your Resiliency And Celebrating National Addiction Awareness Week: Choose to recognize that substance use disorders are health disorders. They are not the result of any kind of character flaw or lack of personal willpower. In fact, substance use disorders are the most common mental health disorder. Stigmatizing language can perpetuate harmful stereotypes and act as a barrier to seeking help and sustaining recovery. The truth is … WORDS MATTER. Watch the language that you use. Here are some ways to avoid using language that stigmatizes substance use and addiction: Use “people-first language.” For instance, refer to “person who uses substances”, rather than a  “drug user”, “addict” or “alcoholic”. This is more neutral language that helps to maintain the individuality of the person. Choose language that promotes the recovery process. This means not describing a person being “clean” or “dirty” but rather “not currently using substances” or “in recovery”. 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... My life is too complicated. I feel like I am always rushing to get somewhere. I feel like I don't spend any quality time with my family. What suggestions do you have for getting my life under control? This is what one conference attendee asked me. Many of us feel our lives are too complicated. We rush from one destination to the next – rush through traffic to get to work – then rush back again to pick up the children – and back to rushing from one sporting lesson to the next. Rush! We get frustrated. In the end we forget how to talk to each other. We don't remember what it is like to spend quality time together just being. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Here Is My Tip For Building Resilience and Celebrating National Family Week: Trends in our society have been to achieve more, get more, do more. A contrary movement is underway called Simplification. It can be hard to do, but the rewards can be great. Simplification means reorganizing your life and routines to focus on the meaningful, and to minimize the chaos. The more you can par down your life by simplifying your routines or de-junking your physical space, the less hectic it will be for you and your family. 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... “Hold On, It's Going To Be Okay” This saying is part of my family story, along with how my parent's set up their farm, the struggles that they had, where my grandparents went dancing on the weekends and how they walked up hill both ways to get to school, through 10 foot drifts of snow, even in the spring. Family stories shape who we are. They directly impact how we see ourselves, our desire to succeed, and even our level of resiliency. Family stories give us an idea of where we come from and how we fit into our larger, extended, family. Research shows that teens who were able to recount details of their family stories had higher self-esteem and greater resilience than those who couldn't. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      So Here Are Today's Tips For Building Your Resiliency And Celebrating Family Stories Matter Month: If you have elderly relatives, ask them about their stories. Record them. Share them. Ask about the traditions. Ask about the hardships and the triumphs. Stories of perseverance and resilience give us the faith and hope that we can too. Stories of different generations provide insight and understanding. They provoke curiosity to learn more. Take the time during family gatherings to ask your children about their stories. You may be surprised at what you may not know about them and their story. Finally, write your own story. Some of it is painful. Some brings a smile. Share these so that others can see your story in building their resiliency. If you like today's resiliency 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 #family

Listen to today's podcast... We are all remarkable. However, many of us have talents that we don't share, as we believe that we are unremarkable, plain, or ordinary. I love this quote by Henry Van Dyke:  the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      So Here Are Today's Tips For Building Your Resiliency And Celebrating Your Unique Talent Day: Embrace your uniqueness. You are truly a category of 1 Share your talent. If it is a creative talent, share it so that others can appreciate it. If it is a quirky talent, make someone laugh. This can be the best gift that they received all day Host a talent break at work   So sing out loud, dance in the street, paint a picture, wiggle your eyebrows, talk in a cartoon voice or whistle through your nose. 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... The weather is changing and for some of us, so does our skin. Our skin is often a reflection of our overall health. It can show signs of stress, lack of sleep and poor diet. How do we take the best care of our skin during this time? Here are some quick skin care tips: Exfoliate at least once a week. Use sunscreen at least 30 minutes before you go outdoors. Drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated inside and out. Get a good sleep – aiming for 7-9 hours of restful sleep. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Beverly's Hot Tips For Building Resiliency and Awareness During National Healthy Skin Month: It is important to examine your body for marks Check your front and back in the mirror, then look at the right and left sides with your arms raised. If you find a spot look for things like: One half is unlike the other half. An irregular, scalloped, or poorly defined border. If it varies from one area to another; has shades of tan, brown, or black; is sometimes white, red, or blue. Look for anything that is changing in size, shape, or color. Early detection is key. 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 Your Stuff Starting To Take Over? I have a lot of stuff!  I use some stuff regularly, some is more seasonal.  There's also stuff that hardly sees the light of day and other stuff, is just stuff taking up space. Now is a good time to look and see how you can use less stuff or get rid of the stuff that you have.  Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Here Are Today's Tips For Building Your Resiliency And Celebrating Use Less Stuff Day: As you are preparing to clean and decorate your home for the holidays, take a few extra moments to evaluate whether or not you need the stuff that you are organizing or cleaning around. Get rid of items that are useful, but you have too many of. As we cleaned out grandma's house when she moved into a nursing home, it amazed me how much stuff we really do accumulate over the years. She had piles of bowls, though I could only remember her using one or two favourites. There were things that she had received as gifts that she was waiting for the right occasion to use…in 91 years, I guess that the right occasion never came around. Use Less Stuff Day is an awareness day to take stock and make choices about the stuff that we gather, organize and clean around. It is the day to ask if our stuff is taking over our lives.  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... Everyone Has Bad Days! We all have a day that is off, but sometimes we feel pressure to pretend that all is good and that we are happy. Have A Bad Day is permission to actually have a bad day or to take a mental health day. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      So Here Are Today's Tips For Building Your Resiliency And Celebrating Have A Bad Day: Know that there are friends out there to support you through it.  Let them know that you could use a pick-me-up. Don't try to suppress those negative emotions.  Recognize them for what they are.  Feel them and then move yourself through the situation. Know that tomorrow will be different.  It may not be better.  It may be worse.  But it will be different. Just because today was horrible, doesn't mean tomorrow will be. Your goal on these days is just to survive the day and minimize the long-term damage.  Remember those times that were good so that you don't get so tainted by the bad day.  Try a do-over.  Sometimes going back to bed and starting the day over can be just the cure that you need! 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 love de-junking. There is nothing better than getting rid of clutter and unused items. It changes my perspective. It helps me to think more clearly. I feel free. Every couple of years I attack my closets. I get rid of the clothes that I no longer like, are worn out or have ‘magically shrunk'. I often look at the bags of clothes in front of me and think, “What a waste”. However, it is not a waste. In most cases, these clothes have seen their share of special occasions, lounging days or workplace meetings. It is not a waste, because these clothes are donated to others who will continue to appreciate their beauty or their warmth. I live where there is truly a winter. It takes a lot of money to stay warm and healthy in this bitter weather. Some can barely make ends meet and the clothes that we donate help them to survive. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Here Are Today's Hot Tips For Building Your Resiliency And Celebrating The Great Warm Up De-Junk and Simplify. The Great Warm Up is a call for everyone to look into their closets and pare them down. Donations of coats, hats, scarves, mittens and boots are desperately needed, as are blankets and sleeping bags. Donate to agencies, like the Canadian Mental Health Association in Toronto, that purchase hats, scarves and mittens and deliver them to the homeless and those with mental health issues at Christmas time. Think twice before buying something new. Is it a need or a want'? 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... Tis the season to think about what we are thankful for. It is also a perfect time to share our compassion. Being grateful is the number one personality trait that leads to happiness. And being compassionate to others has been found to be protective to our own mental health. Within our communities there are many who are experiencing homelessness and hunger. No one should have to worry about whether they will have food on their plate or a roof over their head. But the reality is that hunger and homelessness are widespread problems that affect far too many people. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Here Are Today's Tips For Building Your Resiliency And Celebrating National Hunger And Homeless Awareness Week: Practice daily gratitude. What are you thankful for? Show compassion. Find ways to contribute to supporting those facing the challenges of homelessness and hunger. 6 children a minute are dying from a hunger-related disease, but this is not just in famine-stricken countries. 1 in 5 children in the US live in poverty and 1 in 8 families in Canada struggle to put food on the table. These families live in a state of food insecurity, which means they do not have reliable access to adequate amounts of safe, good-quality, nutritious food. Food banks are an important method of addressing this need. They may not be best solution, but they are necessary right now. So consider donating or volunteering. 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 #hunger #homeless

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. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Here Are Today's Tips For Building Your Resiliency And Celebrating I Am So Thankful Month and Gratitude Month Make a list of all that you are thankful for in your work and personal life.  Look at that list when you are feeling down and use it to pick up your spirits and keep you moving forward 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. 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... “We love coming to your class. You are such a great role model for our kids.” That blew me away. I didn't really think of myself as a role model. I am just the karate Sensei at the front of the room. But I guess I am a role model. I let the kids know how tough it is for me to go to a tournament and compete. And how nervous I get before and during my grading. I let them know that they can do all of these things too, even in they are afraid, and that I believe in them. I hope that I can inspire them to believe in themselves. To move beyond fear. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      So Here Are Today's Tips For Building Your Resiliency And Celebrating National Inspirational Role Models Month: I hope that everyone has someone that inspires them to become the person they want to be. If you haven't found that person yet, look around. They may be a historic figure, an ancestor, a close family member, a friend, or colleague. Strive to be a role model to others. I have some great role models – some are my best girl friends. And I have been fortunate to have great colleagues who I look up to in the way that they innovate, persevere, and reach for success. I am fortunate to have had people who have encouraged me to reach further then I thought capable. I continue to learn from my husband in the way that he problem solves life's challenges. Think of the people who you most wish to emulate. If they are still with you, give them a phone call or thank them in person. If they are not here, tell someone about them and keep their legacy alive. If you like today's resiliency 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... Humour can help us thrive in change, remain creative under pressure, work more effectively, play more enthusiastically, and stay healthier in the process. It has been proven that laughter reduces physical and emotional tension. It is potent but not toxic, low-calorie, organic and absolutely free. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Here Are Today's Tips For Building Your Resiliency And Celebrating Loosen Up Lighten Up Day: Some of us think that Life, especially work, is serious and in order to succeed, we must be serious too. We need to loosen up and lighten up and we need to be better role models for the next generation. There is nothing more distressing than to see a young adult, so stressed out, about their future. Many of them are developing physical illnesses and mental disorders thought to be experienced only in later adult years. 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. It also gives us the physical energy and mental resilience needed to survive. So let go of your fears, lighten up, smile, laugh large and fight terminal seriousness. 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... Far too many of us are feeling isolated, overly challenged and highly stressed. 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: Stress-related health problems improve after performing kind acts. Helping can enhance our feelings of joyfulness, boost our emotional resilience, and reduce the unhealthy sense of isolation. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Here Are Today's Tips For Building Your Resiliency And Celebrating World Kindness Day: 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. Make your son or daughter their favourite meal. Food is one of the main ways that we connect with others. 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. Send an appreciation note to a colleague. Being kind to another doesn't have to cost us anything other than the energy to think of something So my challenge to you is to do something to show someone you care! #mentalhealth #hr 

Listen to today's podcast... “You can't do anything right”. “This is your fault – It's always your fault”. Many of us have grown up, been in a relationship with, worked for, or even been coached by, someone who was emotionally abusive. It is often seen as a normal part of the culture of the organization and tolerated. People who are the target of emotional abuse are made to feel insignificant and incapable. They may actually begin to feel that they have brought this on themselves and that it really is their fault. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Here Are Today's Tips For Building Your Resiliency And Celebrating Bullying Awareness Week If you are the Recipient of someone else's abusive behaviour: Take precautions – look for the signs of excessive jealousy and control Don't blame yourself for the way other person is treating you Believe in yourself – believe that you deserve to be treated with respect Trust your instincts – if you feel uncomfortable than this is probably not a healthy relationship Talk to someone – find someone you can trust – a family member, friend, co-worker, EAP, supervisor, spiritual leader, community advisor or health professional. Call the Distress Centre and they can help make the appropriate referral. These resources can help you to examine all of your options so that you can decide what is best for you. 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... This is the time of year to start drafting your letter to Santa. Letters to Santa Claus have a magical Christmas power all their own — they share a child's hopes and dreams, contain wishes innocent enough to bring tears to a parent's eyes and can save the day like in the classic holiday film, "Miracle on 34th Street." One letter went like this Dear Santa, I have been good for the last week or so…let's just focus on that. Even if you don't believe in Santa, what would you wish for? Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Here Are Today's Tips For Building Your Resiliency And Celebrating Dear Santa Letter Week: Try writing a letter of all of your wants for the upcoming holidays. Don't expect them to be delivered on Christmas morning. That only happens in those sappy Hallmark-movies, but it might actually do you some good to take a moment to think about what you really want and put it in writing. There's something to be said for putting into words the things you want in your life. It can be an eye-opening experience as you may find that your priorities are made clear. You may also find that many of the things that you are wanting are within your control. 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 ever looked through old pictures and ever wondered whatever happened to some of the people that you were friends with or met along the way? Have you tried to find out where they are or what they are up to on social media? I have. I have looked up long lost roommates, classmates, old boyfriends, teachers, and even old bosses. Sometimes out of nostalgia. Sometimes out of curiosity. Sometimes out of a desire to reconnect. Forget Me Not Day is a day to try and reconnect with some of the people that you may not be in touch with anymore. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Here are my tips for Building Resiliency and Celebrating Forget Me Not Day: Social connection is important, but before I would spend a lot of time and energy on finding those from your past, ask yourself if you are doing a good job of staying connected and supporting those who are your current friends, colleagues, and family members. Research shows that doubling your group of friends has the same impact on your well-being as a 50% increase in income, we only have so much time and energy to spend on cultivating true, healthy relationships. So use your time and energy wisely. If you do have a desire to reconnect, ask yourself why. Is it because of curiosity, guilt, or an interest to start up a new relationship? The answer will also help you decide if you should reach out or invest the time and energy. Social connections and support are key to building resiliency and we know that we are forming fewer friendships than in the past. As life gets busier, we often find that we barely have enough time for ourselves, let alone staying connected with others. Developing and maintaining positive friendships takes effort. Friendships take time to grow, to build trust and to share common experiences. Today is a great day to reach out and let your friends know that you are thinking of them. If you like today's wellness tips, let me know. 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... Our freedom is not something to be taken for granted. We could say that we are lucky to have the freedom to choose any religion we want, the freedom to be in a relationship with the person we love, the freedom to vote for our government officials…the list goes on. We are not lucky. People fought for our rights and our freedoms. Our freedom to chose should be celebrated, and that's what World Freedom Day is all about. World Freedom Day was first observed to commemorate the fall of the Berlin Wall and the reunification of loved ones separated by differing ideologies. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Here Are Today's Tips For Building Your Resiliency And Celebrating World Freedom Day: Read, listen and watch news stories about what is happening around the world. Expand your knowledge so that you can appreciate what you have because of the freedom to choose. Recognize that many people in the world who are still fighting for their own freedoms and liberties. With Remembrance Day only a few days away, give appreciation to all those who had and have the courage to insist on a better future for themselves, their families, and their country. Want to make sure that you don't miss out on any of my weekly postings? Follow Work Smart Live Smart on FaceBook #mentalhealth #hr

Listen to today's podcast... Wouldn't it be nice to have ample time…Really? More than enough time to get the things done that we would like to be able to get done? Do you remember the 1996 movie “Multiplicity” with Michael Keaton?  I would love to have several clones of myself all existing at the same time to get all of the many things done that I wanted to get done.  There would be the Magnificent Mom. The Grateful Gardener. The World Renown Stress Speaker and the Magnificent Marketer who could pump out websites and create marketing materials faster than a speeding bullet.  I am sure that I could think of more me's that I would need, but even 1 or 2 would be a great start. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Since this is not likely to happen, Here Are Today's Tips For Building Your Resiliency And Celebrating Ample Time Day: Know what your priorities are in each area of your life.  Write them down.  Once we know what is important to us, it is a lot easier to make decisions about how we use our time in the best way possible. Watch out for ‘black holes' that seem to suck a lot of our time away.  These activities may be enjoyable, they may be part of your relaxation program, but they also tend to eat up more time then we allocated or expected. Finally, make sure that you are taking care of yourself, otherwise you will be tired out and lack the energy to use your time wisely.  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... Some days I am so tired that I can't think straight or even focus my eyes. This is an awful feeling, especially if this fatigue hits while I am driving. Has this ever happened to you? Over 60% of adults say they have driven drowsy in the past year. And 4% have had an accident or near accident because they were too tired, or they actually dozed off while driving. Drowsy Driving kills Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Here Are Today's Tips For Building Your Resiliency And Celebrating National Drowsy Driving Prevention Week: Know that even one night of sleep loss or poor sleep can put you at risk of drowsy driving. But certain people have a higher risk of drowsy driving than others. So be aware if you have a sleep disorder, work shifts or are taking medications as these can increase your risk for drowsy driving. Rolling down the windows or turning up the volume on the radio will do little to increase your alertness while driving. So try to get a full night of seven to eight hours of sleep before driving. Avoid driving late at night or alone. And if you need to pull over at a rest stop and take a nap. 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... Gathering around a fire pit is a guaranteed way to instantly increase your relaxation factor. The crackling sound and bright flames are mesmerizing. There is nothing better for me, than a snowy day, cuddled with a blanket beside the fireplace hearing the crackling of the wood. These relaxing effects from fire may go back to prehistoric times when our ancestors socialized primarily around campfires – forging strong bonds with others and sharing the safety fire provided from predators. You may not have a campfire to sit by or a fireplace in your house, but you can now tune in to a TV station or Youtube video that broadcasts a wood burning fire experience all day long. One study found that that blood pressure decreased for those who watched and listened to the sound of a fire and the longer people watched the fire, the more relaxed they became. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Here are todays Hot Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Firewood Day: With the busyness that we experience all day long, it is important for our mental health to find ways to stop, pause and slow down. A campfire, or sitting by the fireplace is a great way to pause and enjoy life's simple pleasures. #mentalhealth #hr

Listen to today's podcast... Our minds can not operate on ‘full throttle' all day long. Focus meditation helps to clear the mind of racing, cluttered thoughts by focusing our energies on a particular image or thought. Gradually distracting thoughts will decrease during meditation. This strategy helps to restore mental balance by providing a break in our hectic day. By allowing our mind to slow down it is better able to focus when we return to the task at hand. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Stress Awareness Day: All that is needed is a quiet environment, a comfortable position, a mental image or positive thought in which to focus on, and an attitude that will permit relaxation to happen. Meditating or focusing on music or a relaxing video can give the mind a needed break from stressful events such as conflict, problem-solving, and high energy output. Guided imagery is a visualization technique, that goes one step further than mediation, by actually engaging the senses within the body to deliver a variety of messages. It can be used to reduce blood pressure, lower cholesterol, reduce muscle tension, and increase energy. Your body responds to these positive images in the same way it would, if the image was ‘real'. There is no way we can not get rid of all of our stress, nor do we want to. What we want to do is to reduce our negative reactions to stress so that we don't become sick, worn down, and worn out. Start by adding one relaxation technique to your daily checklist of things to do. 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... Why is common sense not so common? Common sense is one of the most revered qualities in the workplace. People with common sense are seen as reasonable, down-to-earth, reliable, and practical but here's the catch. Common sense is neither common nor sense. If common sense was common, then most people wouldn't make the kinds of decisions they do. Every day people wouldn't buy stuff they couldn't afford. They wouldn't smoke cigarettes or eat junk food. They wouldn't gamble. In other words people wouldn't do a multitude of things that are clearly not good for them. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency So Here Are My Tips For Building Resiliency In Celebrating Use Your Common-Sense Day: Trusting in common sense can cause us to make poor rather than sound judgments. Gather the facts. Look at past experience and talk to others before making decisions which could have dire consequences. Keep an open mind to all the possibilities, rather than just confirming the solution that you want to see. And finally, while we often think with our emotions, this can lead to negative outcomes. There are times when it's better to think with our analytic brain instead of our heart. 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