Would you like to live your life with less stress and more happiness? Discover how to take small steps towards a healthier, happier, less-stress you.
Listen to today's podcast... If corn oil is made from corn and vegetable oil is made from vegetables. What is baby oil made from? Why is an electrical outlet called an outlet when you plug things into it? Why does it hurt like hell to hit your funny bone? Why is it called a “drive through” if you have to stop? And finally, If the professor on Giligan's Island can make a radio out of coconut, why can't he fix a hole in a boat? Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Today is Ask A Stupid Question Day and Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and having more fun! If laughter is the best medicine, reading the numerous lists of questions people have asked at the doctor's office, the supermarket, or on the internet can certainly take the stress out of the everyday. Stupid questions can be funny conversation starters or interesting brain teasers when you are hanging out with friends. As for stupid conversation starters, try these ones out: Is a hotdog a sandwich? How many chickens would it take to kill an elephant? Or what would be the worst “buy one get one free” sale of all time? And finally you can annoy your friends even further with these tricky stupid questions: What is always coming, but never arrives? Or If a plane crashes on the border between the United States and Canada, where do they bury the survivors? If you had fun with 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... Coffee has never been more popular, with an estimated 3 billion cups consumed every day. Caffeine can promote alertness, and it may decrease the occurrence of depression. However, sleep can be negatively affected by caffeine. It can create a never-ending cycle of reduced sleep, fatigue, and a need for increased caffeine consumption. Our sensitivity to caffeine and the impact on our sleep seems to be dependent on age, the amount of caffeine ingested at bedtime, and also on the amount of caffeine ingested over the whole day. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! So here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating International Coffee Day: Caffeine consumed close to sleep time has the greatest potential for sleep disruption, so be aware of how much caffeine you are consuming in a day and when. When stress is at its highest, it is advisable to cut back on caffeine. Caffeine abstinence for a whole day can improve sleep quality quickly, which is vital for being able to cope and ward off the negative impact of the stressful situation. Finally, while drinking caffeinated coffee in moderation can help to maintain adequate fluids, which can reduce fatigue, water is still considered to be more beneficial in rehydration and maintaining cognitive functioning. If you like today's wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app. Discover how to take small steps towards a healthier, happier, less-stressed you by visiting my website at worksmartlivesmart.com #mentalhealth #hr
Listen to today's podcast... Good neighbours help each other. You can't pick your neighbors but if you are lucky, you have good neighbours. I live in the country and I don't really have close neighbours, but I do wave to them, as we drive by. And when my boys were little, it was the neighbourhood teenagers that I counted on for babysitting. Neighbours who look out for one another are the key to a strong community. It was this connectedness that acted as a buffer to those who left everything that they a couple of hundred years ago, and started the settlements here in North America. Times were tough, but the sense of belonging, support, and care helped them to flourish. Sadly, this sense of connectedness to our neighbours is lacking in many communities. Neighbours don't often know each other. And many people feel isolated and disengaged. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Good Neighbour Day. Everyone will have their own definition of what it means to be a good neighbour. For me, a good neighbour is friendly and considerate. They respect your space and privacy. Good neighbours take time to talk, smile, or give a wave hello. They keep an eye out, when they know you are away. The neighbourhood we live in can affect our happiness and stress levels in multiple ways. When you're thinking of strategies to manage your stress, consider investing in your relationships with your neighbours. 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... You may be like me and feeling that the challenges and changes that we are currently facing are taking their toll on your energy and your mental health. We have buckled down, and hunkered down. We will never feel at ease or in control if our task list is so long that it doesn't allow for a little downtime. A lack of self-care causes more stress. Self-care during challenging times is critical. Without it, we can not be resilient. We need to give ourselves permission to do less and to focus on our needs. To take care of ourself is restorative. People who focus on self-care are happier and have more stamina to get more accomplished. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Self-Care Awareness Month: This pandemic is taking a toll on our work, our economy, our social lives, and also on our mental health. These are challenging times and now is the time to be kind to yourself. Now is the time to focus on what you can do, not what you can't do. Look for ways to engage in self-care that works for you. If you hate yoga, don't force yourself to workout in an on-line yoga class. You don't need the extra pressure, guilt, and challenge. Self-care is about focusing on your priorities and including yourself in those priorities. When you find yourself reacting negatively, remember the acronym STOP. Stop Take a couple of Deep Breaths Observe what is happening Proceed by recognizing your fears, frustrations, guilt, sadness, hunger, tiredness etc and take an appropriate action by making amends, satisfying the need, diverting, re-energizing, refocusing, or relaxing. Test out a variety of calming techniques. There is no “one-size-fits-all” approach to relaxation, meditation, or mindfulness. Taking a mini-break will remind you that you're worth it. Make a list of 10 self-care activities that resonate with you. Try to take at least one mini-break a day where you incorporate a self-care activity from your list. If you like today's wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app. For more tips check out my book on Amazon called Stressed Out: 52 Weeks To Letting More Life In. #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... “You can't do anything right”. “This is your fault – It's always your fault”. Those who are emotionally abusive, are just as dangerous as those who are physically abusive. People can be emotionally abusive by: Rejecting the person by undermining self-esteem, criticizing, humiliating, blaming, or ridiculing They can withhold affection or threaten to take away possessions Abuse my also be restricting access to people or money, or exposing the person to inappropriate situations Emotional Abuse can lead to many emotional, physical, cognitive, and behavioural issues. It can impact social development, future success, and relationships outside of the abusive relationship. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Bringing Awareness To Emotional Abuse: People who are the target of emotional abuse are made to feel insignificant and incapable. Often, having an advocate or a person that they can confide in, can help them to see the abuse is not their fault. If you are being emotionally abused, talk to someone – find someone you can trust – a family member, friend, co-worker, EAP, supervisor, spiritual leader, community advisor or health professional. These resources can help you to examine all of your options so that you can decide what is best for you. Emotional abuse is a serious issue faced by many, but help is available. Recognition is the key. 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... If running the kids around was actually exercise I would have been in such amazingly good shape! Unfortunately, as women, caregiving can get in the way of taking care of ourselves. Often, we spend our time looking after the needs of others and sacrifice our own health along the way. “Someday I will get to it”, is a motto that many of us have lived by. Guilt is not helpful either. Feeling guilty because things are not the way we would want them to be, is very detrimental to our health. Part of balance is having areas of your life that bring you motivation, energy and satisfaction. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! So Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency During National Women's Health and Fitness Day: Stop thinking ‘someday' and find something today. Start small if you must. Get outside for a few minutes and play with the dog. Try some stretching exercises while sitting at your desk. Reach for a glass of water rather than another cup of coffee. Ask for help in order to free up some time. We don't need to do it all ourselves. Remember that having great days, and having great health and fitness, encompass a variety of things from relaxation and pampering, to eating right and sleeping right, to activities that get your heart beating and your muscles working. It's our responsibility to make sure we are doing things that promote health because if we wait until someday, it may be too late. If you like today's wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app. Looking for more ways to build your resiliency, take my free on-line resiliency test at worksmartlivesmart.com under the resources and courses tab. #mentalhealth #hr
Listen to today's podcast... Have You Ever Had The Sensation That Your Legs Are Unable To Relax When Trying To Go To Bed At Night? Has it kept you awake or even made you pace the floors trying to get them to stop tingling? If yes, you may have experienced Restless Leg Syndrome. This is no joking matter for many people. Some research shows that Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) may affect 3 – 15% of the general population. When I first experienced it, I was pregnant. I was awake for 3 days straight. It had me beside myself and stressed out trying to find ways to get them to relax. When I asked the doctor, his response was that he didn't know what it was or what could be causing it and that I should just try and get some sleep. It wasn't till I found a name for this on-line that I knew what I was dealing with Since then, I have experienced it a few times each year – especially when I get over-tired. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! So Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency By Dealing With Restless Leg Syndrome: Ensure that it is not a reaction to a medication that you may be taking Avoid getting over-tired or stressed out Try massage, relaxation techniques and stretches to prepare your body for sleeping Remove caffeine and other stimulants from your diet If nothing seems to work, check with your doctor, as there are a variety of medications that may be useful in reducing the symptoms and allow for a better sleep If you like today's wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app. For more information on coping with mental health issues, sign up for one of my on-line courses at worksmartlivesmart.com under the resources and courses tab. #mentalhealth #hr
Listen to today's podcast... When you think of stress and food, you are often told to stay away from treats, like ice cream cones. Ice cream: My favourite food. Creamy. Cold. Sweet. Hard or Soft…doesn't matter. I love ice cream. It can be high in fat and it contains a lot of sugar. And it's not the kind of snack food that I should have everyday…though wouldn't that be absolutely wonderful? An ice cream cone has some definite pros. Ice cream may help in maintaining weight. How interesting is that? Ice cream for weight control. Research from the American Society of Experimental Biology found that a diet that included dairy prevented about 50 percent of weight regain and 80 percent of fat regain after the animals had lost weight and were allowed to eat at will. Now this research was done with animals, but if it works there it may work on humans….I would at least like to be a part of the experimental group…test group…not the control group. Ice cream may help me to keep my girlish figure. The North American Association for the Study of Obesity found in a study of 800 men and women that those who ate the most calcium were also the leanest. Research from Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Woman's University in Houston reported an association between the consumption of low-fat milk and dairy products and a lower waist-to-hip ratio. Ice cream may keep me from shrinking. Calcium is essential in preventing osteoporosis. One reasonable (insert small) serving of ice cream can give you 10% of your daily calcium intake. Did you know that: Ice cream is not a new treat…people have been creating frozen delicacies since 400 BC Britain's Margaret Thatcher was part of a research team that helped to develop soft ice cream The average American eats 18.3 litres of ice cream each year while Canadians eat 8.7 litres. Japan has the lowest consumption with .01 litres per year. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are my tips For Building Resilience By Celebrating National Ice Cream Cone Day: Ice cream can be a healthy treat. But it is a treat. I have nothing else…just go out and celebrate. Now which kind to choose…DQ, Kawartha Dairy, soft, hard, dipped, sauced, fruit, chocolate….. #mentalhealth #hr
Listen to today's podcast... Sirens, television, computers, printers, car stereos, endless talking — Most of us accept this daily racket as normal. It is not until we step away, into a peaceful setting, such as when we are walking in a park or camping at the lake, that we notice how loud our life can get. And it is odd what we can get use to as normal. During the heat and humidity of this summer, I had the fans on high and it didn't keep me up at night. A few weeks later, when it cooled off at night and there was no need for the fans, I was kept up by a cricket outside my window. Constant or uncontrollable noise can stress our bodies by raising our blood pressure and heart rate and by releasing stress hormones. Part of Pause The World Day on September 21st is to relax and to enjoy the silence. Most of us rarely experience true silence, but silence can help us to get in touch with our emotions, provide us with a sense of calm and leave us feeling rejuvenated. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Pause The World Day: Listen for the sounds of nature – the birds singing, the bees buzzing and the trees whispering Turn down the volume Seek out silence Sit with only your thoughts to focus on and tune in to the quiet within If you like today's wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app. Looking for more ways to build your resiliency? Take my free on-line resiliency test at worksmartlivesmart.com under the resources and courses tab. #mentalhealth #hr
Listen to today's podcast... Have you lost touch with an old colleague? Have you ever thought about reaching out to a childhood friend? In the ‘old' days, that would have been almost impossible and possibly very expensive. However, today, it is relatively easy to search down most people from our past. With social networks getting smaller and smaller, sometimes reaching out to past colleagues and friends can increase our sense of social connectedness and reduce our sense of isolation. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Locate An Old Friend Day. This day is about reintroducing former relations into your life, and catching up with them on what's happening in your life now, or just to take a walk down memory lane together. Gathering details, using search tools, having family and friends help: these are just some of the ways that you can find friends or colleagues. Social Media is one of the best ways to try and reconnect with old friends. But what if your old friend doesn't use social media? You can use search engines like Classmates.com, Pipl, Wink, PeekYou, and Zabasearch to track them down, with a little help of some background information like their high school, college, or town they grew up in. It can be difficult to reach out and it may feel awkward. People change. You have changed. However you might be pleasantly surprised to find out that the person you once knew is someone you like even more today! If you like today's wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app. Discover how to take small steps towards a healthier, happier, less-stressed you by visiting my website at worksmartlivesmart.com #mentalhealth #hr
Listen to today's podcast... Have you ever found yourself exhausted or caught a cold after flying for a business trip or a vacation? Whether it's for business or for pleasure, stress from travelling can cause a person to experience many physically and mental symptoms. The stress of being on the move can become overwhelming. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Today is International Road Warrior Day and Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating International Road Warrior Day Number one: Be healthy. Road warriors can burn themselves out, so know how to relax and take care of yourself regardless of the environment. If you're a road who flies learn the tricks and tips around avoiding jet lag. Number two: Stay connected to your family and friends. Leave them notes. Make use of social media and plan for social times when you are not on the road. And finally keep things simple and uncluttered. For more tips my book on amazon called Stressed Out: 52 Weeks To Letting More Life In #mentalhealth #hr
Listen to today's podcast... I disagree with the usual sentiment. Respect is earned, not given. I believe that Respect is given, first. But you can lose my respect and you may have to earn it back. Our default setting should be to respect every person we meet. Every single one. Respect is not just deep admiration for someone elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements. Respect is due regard for the feelings, wishes, rights, or traditions of others. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Respect Day. Start by treating people with a more polite approach. Are you saying ‘please' and ‘thank you'? Respect their time, energy, and experience. Treat people they way you would hope that they would treat you with. Sometimes, people mistakenly think that they must agree when showing respect. That is not true. It is very possible, to disagree in a manner that demonstrates politeness and consideration. That can be done without berating the person, without insulting them or their opinions, and without causing hurt, guilt or shame. Respecting everyone can create a ripple out effect to others. Respect is like kindness and once demonstrated, it can have a profound impact on the person receiving it. If after getting to know a person you realize they are very cruel or bigoted, or they have demonstrated a lack of respect and understanding towards their fellow humans, you don't have to continue to respect them. But it is always best when we start from a place where we believe people are good. 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... Life is too short. Some Day will never come. Tomorrow is not guaranteed. Time's Up Day is here. Today is the day to make the most of your life. It is also the time to get over whatever is standing in between you and someone else: Arguments, disagreements, feeling slighted, jealous, or whatever it is. It is time to address the situation head on. Hurt is inevitable in significant relationships. Yet pain and strife do not have to mean a relationship is going to end. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Time's Up Day. Time is fleeting. Waiting until tomorrow, may be too late. Tell yourself that time is up and reach out to the person today. Call them on the phone, or send them an email. It takes two people to mend a broken relationship. There is no sense in trying to fix something if you are the only one willing to do the work. If the other person is unapologetic, dismissive, or continues hurtful behavior, it might be time to move on. If it is a worthwhile relationship to work on, then use your best communication skills. Instead of trying to think of what you need to say next, stop and try to understand what they are telling you. Careful listening shows respect and will help you both figure out what to do next. The time for repairing relationships is today 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... Has Your Child Gone Off To Post-Secondary? Parents are bound to worry when their kids go off to post-secondary school. Will they eat, go to sleep and wake up without their supervision? Do I think they will be able to keep up with the work? Are they going to make friends or socialize too much? Will the pressure to use alcohol or drugs be too great? Post-secondary stress is something to worry about. When it comes to acknowledging and handling stress, students are among the most vulnerable segments of the population. Look for changes in behaviour – especially eating, sleeping and socializing patterns. Some students become distracted and have difficulty concentrating, while others will mention more colds and flus. How your child is affected by stress may be very different from how you are affected by stress. You may become more verbal while your child becomes more withdrawn. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are today's Hot Tips For Building Resiliency and Dealing With Post- Secondary Stress Learn to listen and ask specific questions when you are concerned. Give advice, but don't dictate. Try not to be judgmental if your child's choices are not exactly what you would have them do. Before you intervene, ask yourself whether you need to get involved. Help them to learn from their mistakes. With your guidance and support, and by sharing the strategies listed above your child will be well on the road to becoming an independent and successful student. 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... Our stress can be negatively impacted by the way in which we organize our daily activities and routines, and by the organization or lack there of in our physical environment. De-junking our physical space can increase our efficiency, our effectiveness and can add to a sense of control which can help us create a calm and peaceful presence. I love purging my files and this summer saw me get rid of more than one full cabinet of paper! Now is a very good time to do some fall cleaning. It is time to purge some stuff that is getting in the way of doing business efficiently, or that may be adding to the clutter, and stopping us from being as creative and productive as we can be. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Love Your Files Week. While most of us are fairly paperless, it is a good time to look through past paper files and purge. Do you need to keep a hard copy, from a project that is no longer active? Make sure you have an ecopy then off to the recycle box or shredder it goes. Look at the files on your computer. Have you cleaned out your downloads file? Refile those that you actually need and delete those that are no longer relevant. This is especially important for picture files. Most can be uploaded again if needed. Have you backed up your files? A little extra time ensuring that your back ups are done, can save you heartache and wasted energy if something goes amiss. Today is as good a time as any. 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... Your image is the way you appear to others Some say that it shouldn't matter how others perceive you. But life Is all about relationships. And for most of us, everything that we do involves other people. Building a better image is about making improvements in order to change the way we appear to others. It is about ensuring that when people think about us that they have a positive perception about who we are and the benefits of connecting with us. Our image encompasses your personality, values, culture, and beliefs. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Build A Better Image Week. Take stock. Before changing your personal image take a step back and consider what you want others to perceive. What are your strong qualities? What do you want to showcase? What first impression do you want to convey? Next evaluate. What do others think about now when they do think of you and is that different from the image that you want to present? Get feedback from those that you trust to provide honest information. Beware. Caring too much about how others perceive us, is not good for our mental health. However, aligning how we want people to perceive us with how they actually do, can help to eliminate some of the stress that we may be encountering in our day-to-day relationships. If you like today's wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app. Discover how to take small steps towards a healthier, happier, less-stressed you by visiting my website at worksmartlivesmart.com #mentalhealth #hr
Listen to today's podcast... Would you? Could you hug your boss? Maybe not, but how is your relationship with your boss? According to a website out of the UK this quiz may help you determine if you have a good or stressful relationship with your boss. Does your boss trust you? Do you trust your boss? Have you shared personal stories and weekend activities? Do you work well with your boss? Are you productive? Where do you stand with your boss? Do you work towards the same goals? Have you and your boss socialized together? Do you speak to your boss openly about problems you have at work? The more ‘yes' answers, the more likely you are able to work well with your boss. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Hug Your Boss Day: Understand the differences between you and your boss. Are they more detail-focused or more the ideas type of person? Do they tend to procrastinate or have unrealistic time frames? How do they maintain their composure during stressful times? Are they able to delegate or do they like to be hands-on? Work on various ways to improve the relationship between the two of you. Develop strategies that help you to minimize the differences and maximize the similarities. Communication is the key to a successful relationship. If you like today's wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app. Discover how to take small steps towards a healthier, happier, less-stressed you by visiting my website at worksmartlivesmart.com #mentalhealth #hr
Listen to today's podcast... I find the transition from summer into fall a tough one. I feel draggy, and sometimes not very creative or motivated to work on my business. What gets me kicked into gear is connecting to those around me. My friends and colleagues who cheer me on and get my creative juices flowing. Encouragement, as they say, goes straight to the heart. In fact, the word itself comes from a combination of the prefix en which means “to put into” and the Latin root cor which means “heart”. We all could use a little encouragement and a few words of inspiration now and again. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are today's tips for building our resilience and celebrating National Day of Encouragement. Encouragement lifts up someone when they are down, so be deliberate and reach out today to someone who could use a boost. Send a card, give a call, or send a text to a colleague who may be struggling. Provide reassurance and inspiration to the people around you. Be deliberate in your words to others. Encouragement matters. Simply having others believe in you is enough to keep you moving forward in tougher times. If you like today's wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app. Looking for resources to build your healthy workplace? Check out my top 10 tips under Resources and Courses at worksmartlivesmart.com #mentalhealth #hr
Listen to today's podcast... Children do not attempt or die by suicide False. In fact, 3% of our children are suicidal at any given time and our rates are increasing among our youth. It is the second leading cause of death among our children ages 15-19 and studies show that 1 in 7 students have seriously considered suicide. Identifying those children at risk for suicide can be problematic in that communication skills may be limited, emotional development may lead to spur of the moment decision-making, and support networks limited. It is estimated that about 80% of people give some sort of clue that they are considering suicide. Behaviourally, children may give away their prize possessions, or they may lose interest in their hobbies, activities, school-work and friends. Verbally, children may communicate a sense of hopelessness around their situation, self-hate or self-esteem statements such as ‘everyone would be better off without me around', or they may express more physical complaints. Though most people give some sort of clue, it is important to remember that it is not a family member's ‘fault' if that clue is not recognized or given significance at that time. There is not a parent out there who is superhuman, totally tuned in, and able to tell the future. Take One Action Today To Build #Resiliency! Giving support, providing information and alternatives, and finding the appropriate helping strategy is not easy but resources are available. Children do die by suicide even in the most supported situations. However, as caregivers and parents we can look for the clues and not be afraid to address the issue of suicide. If you like today's wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app. For more information on coping with mental health issues, sign up for one of my on-line courses at worksmartlivesmart.com under the resources and courses tab. #mentalhealth #hr
Listen to today's podcast... “A permanent solution to a temporary state.” We often don't hear about those that died by suicide. Because we don't talk about it, those around us can suffer in silence, unaware of the supports that may be available to them. There is little funding because there is no public outcry. But the issue of suicide touches us all – whether directly or indirectly. Today is World Suicide Prevention Day and it is celebrated on September 10th each year as a way to improve education about suicide, disseminate information, decrease stigmatization and, most importantly, raise awareness that suicide can be preventable. Around the world, every 40 seconds someone dies by suicide. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating World Suicide Prevention Day: Read and learn as much as you can about suicide – it's prevalence, the signs and symptoms, and personal stories from survivors. Understand the pain that those who even consider suicide as an option, must be in. Be open and not afraid. Don't be afraid to ask directly about the issue of suicide. Know the resources that are available to help. Suicide is a difficult issue to discuss, but it is even a more difficult issue to experience. Let's help support those who are in pain so that they can find a better solution to living a peaceful and purposeful life. If you like today's wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app. For more information on coping with mental health issues, sign up for one of my on-line courses at worksmartlivesmart.com under the resources and courses tab. #mentalhealth #hr
Listen to today's podcast... 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 summer 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... I find it sad that we are often more polite to strangers then we are to the people we love the most. Statistics show that about ninety percent of adults will get married at least once in their lives, but many of them get disappointed because in the end, it is not the stuff that fairy tales are made of. I think that I have a healthy marriage. Is it perfect? No. We are loud, and we go to bed angry, but not very often. We know that a happy, healthy marriage is created. It doesn't just happen. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are my Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Health Marriage Month: Know that marriage is more than love and passion. It's about commitment, respect, and believing in your future together. Marriage is not fifty-fifty. It's two people giving all of themselves to each other. And finally. never compare your marriage to others. What you see on the outside is not always what is on the inside. Looking for more health and wellness celebrations? Check out my wellness calendar under resources and courses at WorkSmartLiveSmart.com. If you like today's wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app. #mentalhealth #hr
Listen to today's podcast... “The best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person“. He was tall and taught me to dance while standing on his feet. She was quiet and always had a hug waiting for me. These are my grandparents. My sons are blessed to have had 3 sets of grandparents and 3 sets of great grandparents. They knew and loved each one. One always had their favourite cookies. Another had the special green and white striped candies in a dish just waiting for them. One liked to take them fishing. One took them golfing. One took them for rides on the lawn mower. One had boxes of lego for them to build with. Another had lots of tractors to play with. We are blessed to have grandparents in our lives. They joke that being a grandparent is much more fun than being a parent because you can give the children back. But in reality, they have the wisdom to see through the temper tantrums and other day-to-day issues and to cherish the short time that they have to spend with their grandchildren. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Grandparent's Day: Grandparent's Day is not just a Hallmark creation and a way to increase card sales. It is our opportunity to thank our grandparents for their wisdom and love. Ask your grandparents for their favourite childhood memory. It may be a priceless gift. If they are not in your lives anymore, today is the day to remember the legacy that they have left you and to be thankful. If you like today's wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app. Discover how to take small steps towards a healthier, happier, less-stressed you by visiting my website at worksmartlivesmart.com #mentalhealth #hr
Listen to today's podcast... Can you find time? Stop looking. You will never find it. It isn't lost. Sometimes we lose time because we are procrastinating. This could be because jobs or tasks are difficult or time consuming, but it is not procrastination if the job doesn't rank in importance or urgency. So why else do we procrastinate? Perfectionism – have you ever wanted something to turn out ‘just right', that you got overwhelmed by the details and couldn't move forward? There are 3 books waiting to be written, but the thought of them being less than spectacular keeps me from sitting down to write. Fear of failure, success, or finishing – Like the examples above, sometimes procrastination is also fueled by the fears that we have. Dislike task or person – I hate tackling my monthly finances. It wouldn't be so bad if I actually did them monthly. However, I procrastinate, and I end up doing them every 3 months or so. I get frustrated and annoyed which makes me want to put the task off even more. Too tired – I need my sleep. If I am worn out, all those little tasks are easy to draw out or avoid all together. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Do It Day: Find the answer to ‘What's In It For Me”. Why is this task/decision important? What will I achieve once it is completed? Use positive self talk to keep you moving forward. Watch out for time gobblers. Reward yourself. Make it fun. 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... Procrastinators Rejoice! Today it is okay to be late. I hate being late. But I am not quite as bad as my dad, who arrived early and often unexpectedly for almost everything. He even had a hard time with me being the last one to arrive for my wedding. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Late For Something Day: While it is okay to be late for somethings, it is not okay to be late for everything. It is not okay to be late for a meeting, especially if others are depending on your input. It is not okay to be late in paying your bills. And if grandma was making dinner, it was most definitely not okay to be the last one to the table. There is an incredible pressure to meet challenging deadlines, and to regulate our lives by tightly defined schedules and calendars. Wouldn't it be nice to just stop for a little bit and see what happens? Be Late For Something Day encourages you to take a step back from your schedule and intentionally be late for something. You may find that people can still function without you, and maybe all of the stuff that you fuss about is not all quite as important as you thought. 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... Do you find yourself creaking, cracking, groaning, or moaning, more as you age? I recently took a look at a website that tried to determine your real age compared to your chronological age. I was pleased to see that it covered a variety of areas related to positive stress management and this sparked some interesting reflection regarding healthy aging. Studies show that regularly exercising our brains by problem-solving, organizing, and prioritizing helps our bodies age healthy. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Healthy Aging Month. Well besides the obvious of healthy eating and staying hydrated, along with regular exercise, make sure that you're getting an adequate amount of sleep. And finally, look for creative ways to stimulate your brain. If you'd like some more tips, follow me on twitter at SOS to stress. #mentalhealth #hr
Listen to today's podcast... So what are people skills? And why do these skills matter in this age where communication is more focused on texting and messaging? People Skills are a set of skills enabling a person to get along with others, to communicate their ideas effectively, to resolve conflicts, and to achieve personal and business goals. One issue of having information at the tips of our fingers all times is that you can get any answer to a question, anytime and anywhere, by simply typing it into a mobile device or computer. Many have not learned to branch out, ask questions and connect with other humans to learn and gain people skills. One of the most important factors in gaining influence and achieving success, is developing strong, positive, and effective people skills. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! So Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating International People Skills Month: Learn to ask great questions that people are excited to answer and then listen attentively. You will engage at a much deeper level than the superficial ‘how are you doing?'' Be authentic. Authenticity breeds trust, and trust breeds relationships. Engage with a story. The secret to persuading people is to tell an effective story. Connect to their head, heart and soul. Be contagious. A bad mood impacts those around us. A good mood, full of energy can produce more energy in others. Employers often seek out those who have these strong interpersonal skills as they have the ability to work collaboratively, communicate effectively and display the commitment and work ethic that they require. Remember, If you like today's wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app. Looking for more ways to build your resiliency? Take my free on-line resiliency test at worksmartlivesmart.com under the resources and courses tab. #mentalhealth #hr
Listen to today's podcast... Back to school and the kick-off of fall can be exciting and full of energy. It may also be dreadful for both children and parents. Not many parents cherish the thought of forgotten textbooks, missing permission slips, making lunches or lost backpacks. For many children, success is dependent on their ability to effectively manage the stress of the morning routine. For both parents and children, having to deal with morning chaos can throw everyone off course. So what can you do to reduce your stress? Enlist everyone's help in establishing a smooth morning and evening routine. Decide what needs to be done, who can do it and who is responsible for it. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Reducing Back To School Chaos: Post a calendar of all weekly or monthly events and activities. Predictability helps to relieve anxieties. By seeing what needs to be accomplished for the week ahead, everyone can plan to complete tasks accordingly. Do not over-schedule. If it starts to look crowded on the calendar, it is probably going to increase the difficulty in transitioning. Establish a ‘drop zone'. Have a set place for everything so that it is all easily and predictably found. And finally, keep a sense of humour. This is not the time to panic, get angry or impatient. It sets an awful flavour for the rest of the day. If you like today's wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app. Discover how to take small steps towards a healthier, happier, less-stressed you by visiting my website at worksmartlivesmart.com #mentalhealth #hr
Listen to today's podcast... Enthusiasm makes ordinary people extraordinary. Enthusiasm originally meant inspired by a god. So how can you be enthusiastic about your life? Be present. Be involved. Make active choices about your life including what priorities you will focus on and what activities can wait. This is how ordinary people achieve extraordinary lives. They enthusiastically go after what is important to them regardless of whether it is a business idea or cheering for their child sport's team. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Enthusiasm Week Examine your priorities Be clear about what areas of your life are your priority. Don't let other people determined your priorities. Watch out for the peter pan syndrome of jumping from one flavour-of-the-day to the next. Working at our priorities isn't always fun and it can be frustrating and hard work. Being enthusiastic is pushing forward, in spite of the tough times. If you like today's wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app. Looking for more ways to build your resiliency? Take my free on-line resiliency test at worksmartlivesmart.com under the resources and courses tab. #mentalhealth #hr
Listen to today's podcast... The tragedy of overdose is preventable. While street drugs often come to mind, an overdose can happen with many different types of drugs, from alcohol to opioids, in all segments of the population. Worldwide, almost 200,000 people die prematurely due to drugs every year—the majority due to the use of opioids. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Promoting International Overdose Day: Recognizing the signs and symptoms of overdose, can help prevent death and injury. These include: Unresponsiveness or unconsciousness Passing out or a “slumped over” posture Shallow or irregular breathing, or no breathing at all Choking or gurgling sounds Purple lips and fingernails Vomiting Seizures Loss of coordination Panic, paranoia, or symptoms of psychosis Confusion or disorientation An overdose is a medical emergency that requires immediate medical attention. Always call 9-1-1 if you suspect someone has overdosed. Education and preparation can be one of the most important things that you can do to help prevent an overdose from happening or leading to death. For more information on how to recognize the signs and how to be a supportive family, friend, or co-worker, sign up for my on-line courses at worksmartlivesmart.com under the resources and courses tab. #mentalhealth #hr
Listen to today's podcast... Sitting by the campfire…making smores and roasting marshmallows. There is nothing like the total relaxation of a peaceful night by the fire. Did you know that the marshmallow originally came from a marsh mallow plant or that it started as a candy in Ancient Egypt? The end of the August tells us that summer is unofficially coming to an end. It is important that we get ourselves ready for the busyness of the fall, but it is equally important to ensure that the summer holidays are not forgotten. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Toasted Marshmallow Day: Visualization is a powerful stress management strategy. You may not be anywhere near a campfire, roasting marshmallows, but your mind can certainly take you there when you need a moment to relax. Funny thing is that if your mind can take you there, your body will follow and will become as relaxed as if you were actually there. There still may be time to plan one last campfire before it is back to school and back to work. Break out the marshmallows and enjoy! And if there is no time left for a relaxing campfire, break out the marshmallows anyway, and play a game of Chubby Bunny with your friends and family…not sure what it is…add marshmallows to your mouth one at a time to see how many you can stuff in while still being able to say “Chubby Bunny”! Disgusting, but good for a belly laugh! 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... Living on a farm and being the girl of the family meant that I made dinner. Dinner was always a big meal and usually was meat and potatoes based. Salt on the meat. Salt in the water to boil the potatoes. I can remember getting into a load of trouble for not remembering to salt the water. Today, we salt very little of our food. I have even given it up on my most favourite of foods – corn-on-the-cob. However, there is salt in all most all of the foods that we buy and in most cases way too much. We take in way more than our allotted 3 grams per day. On average about 3-5 times this amount, and processed foods are the largest culprits. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Less Salt Day: Read the labels and get an idea of how much salt is in the foods that you buy. True or False? If you're trying to watch your sodium intake, eating a can of soup at lunch is a good alternative to a hamburger and fries. It may be, but one cup of soup can have up to 1300 milligrams of sodium. Try more herbs – experiment and see what flavours you can add to your meats and soups Awareness is the first key to health and wellness. The second is making good choices. Start small by reading and comparing and then choosing the less salt option. If you like today's wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app. Looking for more ways to build your resiliency? Take my free on-line resiliency test at worksmartlivesmart.com under the resources and courses tab. #mentalhealth #hr
Listen to today's podcast... Have you lost a beloved pet? I can remember growing up on the farm and being surrounded by dogs and cats, along with baby cows and horses. But they weren't really my pets. It wasn't until my husband and I bought a house and brought home our first little border collie puppy. We were in love with this little crazy puppy and for 14 years she was a part of our family. She was there to greet each of my boys when we brought them home from the hospital. She protected them from getting too close to the pool fence by nudging them aside. She kept my kitchen floors amazingly clean. And then one day she could no longer get up to greet us, eat the food that we set out for her, or wag her long tail to show her appreciation and we knew it was time to say goodbye. If you have ever had a pet, you know how tough this was on all of us. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are today's tips for Building Resiliency and Celebrating Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day: The pain of loss is real. As each person travels through their grief, it is important to remember the companionship and comfort that our pet provided to us. I love the image of the rainbow bridge where your beloved pet waits for you to join them. For me, it helped me to deal with my grief. On this day of remembrance, it is okay to take a moment to say thank you or feel gratitude for all that your pet did to bring love into your life. Take time to enjoy memories of your pet. Look through pictures and celebrate your time together. If you like today's wellness tips, let me know. 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... Do you over plan? Do you get stuck in the details rather than getting down to it? While planning is important, so is being mentally agile. Being mentally agile is being able to shift and turn in a different direction when a challenge or opportunity arises. It is not about going after the next shiny object, but rather being flexible and able to go with the flow of the day. Practicing spontaneity keeps you mentally agile and it can be beneficial to your mood and well-being. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Just Because Day: This day is a chance to do something without rhyme or reason. To be spontaneous. Just Because. So what kinds of things can you do…Just because? Go for a walk Have an ice cream cone Stay in your pj's Dress to the nines Buy a friend some flowers Call a friend just to say hi Watch puppy videos Spontaneous people tend to not stress out over much and tend to be happier. Spontaneous people make the best of every situation they face, and take full advantage of everything life has to offer. They understand that life goes on, whether it goes as planned or not. They're less disappointed when things don't turn out the way they expected, as they will simply move on to whatever life has in store for them next. If you like today's wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app. Discover how to take small steps towards a healthier, happier, less-stressed you by visiting my website at worksmartlivesmart.com #mentalhealth #hr
Listen to today's podcast... How can you make the world a better place? The next evolutionary step for humankind is to move from man to kind. Martin Luther King Jr. is quoted as saying that we have flown the air like birds and swum the sea like fishes, but have yet to learn the simple act of walking the earth like brothers. We need to counterbalance the negative things we read and hear about every day. On the Be Kind To Humankind Week site, the organizer posts, “People need people; it's as simple as that! In order to have the power to make the world a better place, we must first change our attitudes for the better. We can create our own good news if we choose to do so!” Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Be Kind To Humankind Week: So this week, try to focus on the little things that are kind and good. Show someone that you care - offer to drive someone who has trouble getting around. Drive respectfully – try letting another car go ahead of you instead of racing ahead of them Spread kindness - make a donation to a charity you love Offer a helping hand – offer to babysit or pet sit Treat others well – make it a point of saying please and thank-you or holding the door for the person behind you Say something nice - if you notice something great about someone, give them a compliment! Do your little bit of good where you are; it's those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world. Desmond Tutu 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... We all have spats from time to time with our significant other. And when we do, we often make it a point to kiss and make-up. Kiss and Make-Up: means to become friendly again after a fight or disagreement Did you know that the purple hyacinth means ‘I'm Sorry – Please forgive me'? One site posted a list of apology notes to send with those flowers. I like this one…The words are hard to say, but I hope that these flowers pave the way…I'm sorry. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Kiss and Make-Up Day: Spats and disagreements do occur, but it is important that you never resort to dirty fighting, which includes name-calling, or cursing. Use I statements, and focus on problem-solving. Beside being able to say sorry and send flowers, the Interpersonal Reactivity Index suggest that empathy is the building block of successful interpersonal relationships. It suggests these strategies: First, after your angry feelings resolve, ask yourself whether there isn't some value to your partner's side. Take a moment to feel your partner's pain. Often, when we watch a movie or read a good book, we can put ourselves into the character's role. After a disagreement, try putting yourself in your partner's role. Finally, if you have lost control in the midst of your argument, try to regain your composure. Relationship skills come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and it's possible that you (and your partner) aren't as empathic as you could be. Before having to resort to the kiss-and-make up” strategy, find more ways to be in tune with your partner's thoughts and feelings. 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... If you are a parent, you may remember when your little one learned how to crawl. All of a sudden you started to see danger in every corner, in every wall plug, in every drawer and in every room. You became super aware of the many potential dangers hiding in your home. Is that a bad thing to be on guard and to look for danger? No. We are hard-wired to do so. Early humans faced a lot of dangers, and their ability to detect danger evolved to help them evade or battle those dangers in order to survive. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Safe At Home Week: The purpose of National Safe At Home Week is to raise awareness of the need to stay safe around the home. So here are some recommended tips: Sound the Alarm: Install smoke detectors on every floor of your home and carbon monoxide detectors near sleeping areas. Avoid Overload: Check for overloaded extension cords. Plan Your Escape: Practice a fire escape plan with your family where you identify two exits for every room. Keep Extinguishers Handy: Place all-purpose fire extinguishers in key locations in your home—the kitchen, bedroom and basement. Knowing that the space you live in is safe allows your brain to relax and stand down. It allows you to sleep more deeply. And according to research, a safe, secure home promotes emotional security for your children. If you like today's wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app. Discover how to take small steps towards a healthier, happier, less-stressed you by visiting my website at worksmartlivesmart.com #mentalhealth #hr
Listen to today's podcast... We all have a responsibility to do something when we see harassment happening. But too often we turn the other way. We don't know what to do. We don't know what to say. When we intervene, we don't just reduce trauma for the person being harassed., we also start to chip away at a culture that allows this harassment to be so prevalent. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Building Resiliency and celebrating Bystander Awareness Month: These five ‘D' strategies may be just the thing to help you intervene. Distract – interrupt the incident. You could engage directly with the person who is being targeted. Start a conversation or ask a question about something completely unrelated. Or you may accidentally-on-purpose spill your coffee. Direct - You may want to directly respond to harassment by naming what is happening or confronting the harasser. This may be risky: the harasser may redirect their abuse towards you and may escalate the situation, so use this with caution. Delegate – Look for assistance from someone in authority, like a supervisor, bus driver, security guard or front desk attendant. Document – It may be helpful to record the incident, but keep safety in mind at all times. And never post the video without the person that was targeted's permission. Delay – Even if you can't act in the moment, you can make a difference for the person who has been harassed by checking in on them after the fact. Ask them if there's any way you can support them. it is important that we show up for one another as active bystanders. This lets the person who is being targeted know that they are not alone. However, in any interaction always prioritize your own safety while intervening. If you like today's wellness tips, let me know. Looking for resources to build your resiliency? Check out my Live Smart blog at worksmartlivesmart.com #mentalhealth #hr
Listen to today's podcast... Our angels watch out for us. Our angels wipe away our tears. Our angels make our day brighter just being there. And many times we do not recognize that we are looking into the eyes of our angels. There are probably people in your life that could really use an angel by their side right now. Why not be that person? It's easy to share love and kindness with the world if you put in a little bit of effort. On this special day, I am encouraging you to not only be someone's angel, but to recognize those angels who are already in our lives. They may be our parents, our grandparents, our children, our doctors, our nurses, our teachers, or our friends. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Be An Angel Day: Look for your angels – those who have made your life easier – and say thank you. They won't want it, because our true angels don't usually feel like they have done anything exceptional, but we all can benefit from the appreciation of others. In such a busy society, people forget to stop and listen. You can be an angel to someone today just by taking the time to really listen to what they have to say. Listen with empathy. Listen without judgement. Speak with kindness. Simply using kind words to spread positivity can lift up others around you. Angels offer a helping hand to those in need. When we show a small gesture of kindness and compassion to others, we are spreading love. Those who encounter you will be lifted up by your blessings of compassion and kindness. Being like an angel is easy, if you just put in the effort. If you like today's wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app. Looking for more ways to build your resiliency, take my free on-line resiliency test at worksmartlivesmart.com under the resources and courses tab. #mentalhealth #hr
Listen to today's podcast... It is awesome to watch those videos of those 100+ who are running in the senior games. Have you ever wondered what it takes to get there? A healthy genetic background is a good start – but research also shows that being positive, staying active, being able to relax, using a sense of humour, being organized, involved in hobbies/community, having a spiritual side, and striving to be a continuous learner are all positive traits that can lead to healthy aging and a long life. It is important to understand how our mind and body work together to keep us healthy. If the body is not healthy the mind reacts, and if the mind is full of worry the body functions are affected. The mind and body are so tightly connected that it is difficult and often pointless to separate the two. Taking care of both through nutrition, exercise and/or stimulation, and rest/relaxation, the mind and the body will work more efficiently and in tune with each other, which should result in a healthier aging process. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Senior Citizens' Day Besides the obvious of healthy eating and regular exercise, one should also be sure to include: adequate sleep so the body and mind can repair itself 6-8 glasses of water to avoid dehydration which can affect one's memory a sense of humour which helps to release natural endorphins a variety of hobbies to add satisfaction and enjoyment to life I am fortunate to have several people in my family who have aged gracefully and where longevity seemed to be the norm. 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... Do you know where pink lemons come from? Two 12 year-olds were left with a sour taste in their mouths after officials shut them down for not having a permit when they started selling lemonade in a dog park to raise cash for new soccer uniforms for their team. Today we celebrate Lemonade Day. A day which is designed to introduce children to having their own business. I still remember when my boys decided that they were going to sell lemonade at the end of the street when we held a garage sale at their great grandpa's. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Lemonade Day: It is May and the weather is getting nicer, but we are not able to set up a lemonade stand…not yet. What we can do though is talk to our children about what type of business they would run if they could or what kind of business do they think they could run now. The idea is to have a conversation around what would be involved, who their customers might be, and how would they let their customers know that they were open for business. Fun Fact…. The Greeks were the first to make pink lemonade. They made this so that while the adults were having wine at celebrations, the children would also have a special treat. When the Greeks dyed the lemonade pink by adding wine, the common myth in the community was that this drink was made from pink lemons that grew in a forest that no man could enter and come out alive. They made the children believe that these magical pink lemons were brought back by a noble king. Now there is marketing 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... Once there was a time when photography didn't exist. A time when precious moments couldn't be captured, uploaded and shared. I look back at my baby pictures and there were only a handful. My mom and dad had a single picture each and I don't know if I have ever saw one of any of my grandparents when they were really young. Compare all of that to the albums upon albums that I have of my sons who are now young adults. Today, we don't even print all of our pictures, but save them to on-line albums or files to be viewed at any given instant. Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving. Photography is a great hobby that can help us build our resiliency. It is something to take our minds off of all of our stressful life situations. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Nature Photography Day: Photography can be a means to get out and physically active. Use your camera to take note of the awesome or the bizarre. Have some fun looking for the humour in everyday life. Photography is a good activity to strengthen relationships. Make it an outing and invite others to join you. Visit the park or a natural habitat and spend time discussing what you see. So what is the funniest photograph that you have ever taken? Remember, If you like today's wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app. Looking for more tips to build your resiliency? Look for my book on Amazon called Stress Out. 52 Weeks To Letting More Life In #mentalhealth #hr
Listen to today's podcast... At this point in the summer vacation cycle, some of you are very tired of being home or entertaining or dropping off your children and you can hardly wait until the school bell rings. This doesn't make you a bad parent. Being home with your children whether for a day or as a career choice can take a lot of energy and creativity, and it is important for parents to take care of themselves and to support each other. Whether you are a working parent or a stay-at-home parent, both of these decisions take a certain sacrifice and toll. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are today's Hot Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Stay At Home With Your Kids Day: Find something fun to do today with your children. Examine your priorities. Leaving your job may not be an easy decision, but if your heart aches every time you drive away from the daycare center in the morning, it might be time to look at other options. Financially, there are many more options today. Some parents have chosen flex hours, telework, job sharing, starting their own company, virtual companies etc. Once you have made the choice make the best of it. Don't let guilt rule and take the enjoyment out of life. When you are home, be at home. When you are at work, be at work. Be present and engaged. Finally, on this day, reward yourself and your children. Being a parent is hard – there is no manual and a million right and wrong ways to do just about everything. Give yourself a pat on the back. Look back at what you have accomplished as a parent and take some satisfaction in that. It is not about perfection. It is about raising happy, healthy, well-adjusted children, in the very best way that we can. If you like today's wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app. Looking for more ways to build your resiliency? Take my free on-line resiliency test at worksmartlivesmart.com under the resources and courses tab. #mentalhealth #hr
Listen to today's podcast... What does the makeup of your team look like? Are they mostly from the Baby Boomer or Generation X era? Do you have any Gen Y's or even Millennials working for you? For the first time in contemporary history, there are four generations in the workforce — Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials and Gen Z. With employees ranging in age from their late teens to their 70s, leaders must tailor their management styles to fit their multi-generational workforce, who work with different value sets and expectations of each other. This age difference can make it a bit more challenging for leaders to handle. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating our diverse workforce on Baby Boomer Recognition Day Don't confuse your teams by phrasing orders as suggestions: Boomer managers are often reluctant to give clear, direct, specific instructions. Although you really mean “Do it,” often we use phrases such as “You might want to consider…”, or “Have you thought about…” Gen Xers and New Millennials (Gen Yers) hear these as suggestions. They're caught off guard when you're later surprised to find out they didn't carry out your directive in they way that you intended. Talk with them about more than just work. Be a leader, not a friend: Knowing and being interested in your employees isn't the same as becoming their friends. What they're looking for is a role model, a mentor, and a leader—not a buddy. Reward good work quickly: Gen X and Y employees are used to instant feedback and gratification. Think knowledge exchange, not knowledge transfer. As technology changes, your younger generations have the upper hand and experience. Allow them to shine as they show others how to adapt. With 4 generations in the workplace, a strong leader can juggle these vastly different expectations, communication needs, and views about the workplace. 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... Today we honor the insect responsible for more than 1/3 of the food we eat. The Honey Bee. Now you may ask what does the honey bee have to do with mental health, stress management or resiliency? It is all about taking notice. When you go outside, do you stop, look, and listen. Can you see the bees? Can you hear them buzzing from flower to flower? Part of building our resiliency is about learning how to pause. August is almost over, have you taken the time to stop, look, and listen for the sounds of summer? Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating World Honey Bee Day. Get outside and take a moment to see what nature is busy creating. Listen for the sounds of the bees, the birds, the wind, and the water. And to celebrate our pollinator: Visit a beekeeper to become acquainted with their work Learn more about the value of bees and honey. Did you know that high-quality honey contains many important antioxidants that may be able to lower cholesterol and blood pressure and can promote healing because of its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties? If you like today's wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app. Want to check out more health and wellness related celebrations, visit my wellness calendars under the resources and courses tab at worksmartlivesmart.com #mentalhealth #hr
Listen to today's podcast... We finally have a day off. One that we have been looking forward to. Only to be struck down with some kind of bug which makes us feel rotten. These symptoms can be a sign of leisure illness and they are often linked to stress caused by work overload and pushing ourselves too hard before taking time off. Sometimes it is not until we stop the ‘rollercoaster ride' that our body responds, and we experience these flu or cold like symptoms. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Relaxation Day: Vacations are important to our health and well-being, so don't wait for the ‘right' time. Make plans to use all of your vacation allotment, whether it be a day off, an extended weekend or a longer vacation period. Do not over-program your days off. Look for activities that are relaxing and rejuvenating. Promote relaxation. Try deep breathing, visualization, yoga or a massage. Get involved in a hobby. Try gardening, fishing, boating, or reading a book. Reading something uplifting activates the same positive emotion center as experiencing a happy moment first-hand. Get out and Play. Play is important for all aspects of our lives, including creativity and relationships. When we play, we trigger a mix of endorphins that lift our spirits and the relationships that we form during play remind us that we are not alone in this world. Playing with a pet can elevate levels of serotonin and dopamine, which calm and relax us. 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... While secretly hiding to catch a nap on the job is irresponsible and dangerous, banning napping altogether may not be the best idea either. Are you able to nap at work? Are you a good napper? Would a napping policy be beneficial? For some of us, napping is essential. A short nap of 20-30 minutes can help to improve mood, alertness and performance. It can be extremely effective at eliminating fatigue-related accidents and injuries and reducing workers compensation costs. Smart leaders and companies are taking note. They know that plenty of sleep is not for the weak, frail or unsuccessful. Good Nappers are in good company: Winston Churchill, John F. Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, Albert Einstein, Thomas Edison and George W. Bush are known to have valued an afternoon nap. Naps can be typed into three different categories: Planned naps Emergency naps Habitual naps Naps can restore alertness, enhance performance, and reduce mistakes and accidents. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Napping Month: Take into account these three things when it comes to napping. First, The right length: A short nap is usually recommended (20 minutes) for short-term alertness without leaving you feeling groggy or interfering with nighttime sleep. The right environment that is conducive to sleep And The right time: If you take a nap too late in the day, it might affect your nighttime sleep patterns and make it difficult to fall asleep at your regular bedtime. A nap can provide an easy way to get some relaxation and rejuvenation If you like today's wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app. Want to check out more health and wellness related celebrations? Visit my wellness calendars under the resources and courses tab at worksmartlivesmart.com #mentalhealth #hr
Listen to today's podcast... What is your burden to blessing ratio? How often do you catch yourself complaining about something and how often are you outwardly expressing gratitude? For most of us, we spend far too much time looking at the negative and the difficult and not nearly enough looking at the positive and the awesome. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Admit You're Happy Month: The more that we focus on the positive and the awesome, the bigger the impact it will have on our happiness. Admitting that we are happy, increases our happiness. And it encourages others to admit to being appreciative and happy in their lives. So celebrate the brief moments that make you smile, and the occasions that knock your socks off! Dr. Amit Sood, Professor of Medicine and the Mayo Clinic, states that life's happiest moments have one or more of these three ingredients: Creating, Connecting, Caring. What positive things have happened to you today? Acknowledge all of them. Be proud of who you are. Celebrate yourself. Keep a positive mental attitude. You'll feel better, live better, and be happier. If you like today's wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app. Discover how to take small steps towards a healthier, happier, less-stressed you by visiting my website at worksmartlivesmart.com #mentalhealth #hr
Listen to today's podcast... I'll take care of myself when…. Do you neglect your own needs while you take care of others or are busy making a living? Many of us put our own needs at the bottom of our to-do list and over time, we may actually forget what self-care looks feels like. Research shows that self-care helps manage stress and promotes happiness and can help you to be more productive and better able to care for the needs of others. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Today's Tips for Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Wellness Month: It is time to focus on our overall wellness, which includes self-care in all five aspects of health: Physical Emotional Social Spiritual Intellectual Small, daily acts of self-care lead to a lifetime of wellness. Look for small changes that can positively impact your health, like adding more water to your daily intake, taking a moment to breathe deeply, writing in a gratitude journal, connecting with a friend that you haven't seen in a while, or watching a video on national geographic on the migration of turtles. To celebrate your commitment, post a picture on your social media feed of you with a sign that says “I choose wellness. #wellnessmonth”. Inspire others to create their own healthy habits. 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... Some say that romance is dead. I don't think that it's dead. I just think that our expectations have been lowered. Quick and convenient has polluted our relationships to the point where the effort of being truly romantic is seen as being over the top. We settle for emoji's, watching TV together, and hanging out. Romance is so much more. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Resurrect Romance Week: Remind your significant other as to why you cherish them in the first place. Romance takes effort and a dash of creativity. Here are some suggestions based on the Love Languages that got me thinking: Verbal appreciation is extremely powerful towards those who have Words of Affirmation as their primary love language. How about leaving a sweet or sexy note in their coat or on the dashboard of their car? Acts Of Service might be breakfast in bed or even making the bed. For those you appreciate Gift Giving, try to think of a meaningful gift, that doesn't cost anything. Be creative like framing a favourite picture of the two of you. Quality Time together might be setting up a date night, complete with dressing up. Or going out on an unplanned adventure together. And for the fifth love language of Physical Touch you may try a foot massage or just holding your special someone's hand while you drive. Finally, remember that little romantic gestures here and there won't make an ounce of difference to the quality of your relationship if, the rest of the time, you treat your partner in unloving, negative and disrespectful ways. If you like today's wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app. Discover how to take small steps towards a healthier, happier, less-stressed you by visiting my website at worksmartlivesmart.com #mentalhealth #hr
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