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... We are what we eat. And what we eat can impact our mood and our ability to cope. Deficiencies in vitamins C, and A, can have a negative impact on the body's production of neurotransmitters, which directly affect our mood and energy…Not to mention digestive ailments, as well as increasing your risk of cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! So Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Eat More Fruits and Vegetables Day: The Heart Association recommends filling at least half your plate with fruits and veggies in order to make it to the recommended 4 ½ cups of each per day. Include more color. The best way to get all the various nutrients is to eat fruits and vegetables from the five main color groups. Can you name these groups? Red and Pink such as beets, Blue and Purple like blueberries, Yellow and Oranges like squash, Green like Brussel sprouts, and White and Brown like bananas and cauliflower. Finally, have healthy fruits and vegetables readily available. Plan ahead and keep them cut up in your fridge, in a container in your desk drawer, or even in the glove box of your car for when you are travelling. Remember, If you like the tips in this briefing, please leave me a review on amazon or in your #alexa app. Looking for more ways to build your resiliency? Take my free on-line vulnerability test at worksmartlivesmart.com under the resources and courses tab. #mentalhealth #hr
Listen to today's podcast... National Employee Health & Fitness Day was created to promote the benefits of physical activity for individuals through their work site health promotion activities. There are two types of fitness: Performance-related fitness - Linked to athletic performance and is tied to speed, reaction time, and coordination. And Health-related fitness - Linked to fitness components that may lower risks such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or low back pain. Health-related physical fitness includes: Aerobic fitness – which is the ability of the heart and lungs to deliver blood to muscles Muscular strength and endurance – enough to do normal activities easily and protect the low back Flexibility – which is the ability to move your many joints through their proper range of motion Body composition – not too much body fat, especially around the waist. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! So Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Promoting National Employee Health And Fitness Month: As an employer provide and promote opportunities for fitness: help employees to measure and track their fitness level co-ordinate lunch hour walking or running groups offer off-site fitness center discounts encourage sport team participation sponsor step by step challenges promote community fitness groups and reward fitness involvement As an individual find an activity that you can get excited about. With our busy lifestyles it is important that we make the time to take care of ourselves. Make the commitment to do one thing to increase your health-related fitness. Remember, If you like the tips in this briefing, please leave me a review on amazon or in 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... They are true heroes in our public healthcare system. They save lives daily in communities across Canada, US and around the world. At some point, many of us may need to rely on the skill and abilities of these EMS workers. However, our EMS workers are at risk. Funding cuts to healthcare have resulted in increased workloads. They deal with shift-work stress and burnout. And they are at great risk for PTSD. When extremely difficult and life-threatening situations are mixed with common everyday stressors, it can be hard to effectively cope. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency So Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Emergency Medical Services Week: While EMS workers are trained to care for others, when it comes to their own well-being, the training may be lacking. If you are an EMS worker, loss of sleep, and not eating on a regular schedule can push you over the edge. Be very focused on ensuring that these basic needs are taken care of. Find ways to vent and talk through highly emotional calls. It is tough to manage when you can't share these situations with your family and friends who are our usual natural supporters, so it is important to make use of colleagues and other workplace resources to manage this stress. And finally, to combat burnout, focus on an attitude of gratitude, and increasing your awareness of the positive aspects of your life. Remember, If you like the tips in this briefing, please leave me a review on amazon or in 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... I found it very hard and often stressful staying connected to family and friends. Our lives were too busy and setting up time to connect seemed like a major exercise in the calendar shuffle. It wasn't that I didn't want to visit with them, it was just that there never seemed to be enough time to do it all. Now we are physically distancing and I would so love to be visiting, even though I am still just as busy. I loved visiting my grandma, especially when we would just sit and play cards for a while. I can still remember the family reunions at the local community center with everyone sitting out on the grass, playing baseball and eating all that amazing food that was set out on the picnic tables, or our Christmases where Santa would come to surprise everyone with a gift or two. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Visit Your Relatives Day: Family and friends can provide the support system needed to get us through these hardest of times. Visit Your Relatives Day was intended to give us the opportunity to get closer to our relatives, stay connected to family and friends, and to strengthen family ties and relationships. It is still a good day to consider how you are keeping these special connections strong during this time. Even though you can't go and visit them, research suggests that even just viewing photos of family members prompts brain activity that can positively affect how you feel about them and even yourself. Remember, If you like the tips in this briefing, please leave me a review on amazon or in your #alexa app. 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... May is Hypertension Month and health professionals from across Canada are encouraging Canadians to know their numbers to help prevent and control hypertension and avoid its serious and deadly complications. Hypertension is the leading preventable cause of death and disability around the world, and can lead to heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and dementia. Over 7.5 million Canadians have hypertension, and 7.4 million more have high blood pressure that will lead to hypertension without preventative action. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating World Hypertension Day: In those who have hypertension, about 30% is related to increased salt consumption, and about 20% related to low dietary potassium, so chose foods wisely. Physical inactivity is related to about 20% of hypertension, so get moving and active. Obesity is related to about 30% of hypertension, so keep your weight in check. Excess alcohol consumption also causes hypertension, so don't over-indulge. Being tobacco free is especially important for people with hypertension. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. Most individuals with hypertension are unaware that their blood pressure is high, so get checked and keep your blood pressure in check. Remember, If you like the tips in this briefing, please leave me a review on amazon or in your #alexa app. Looking for more ways to build your resiliency? Take my free on-line vulnerability test at worksmartlivesmart.com under the resources and courses tab. #mentalhealth #hr
Listen to today's podcast... I am missing my family reunion. Living so far away means that it is tough to make it to this family function. I have some wonderful memories of family reunions. The games that we would play. The prizes that were given out. The laughs that we would have, and the food. The awesome, glorious, delicious potluck that would follow. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Family Reunion Month: Family reunions can be a cherished tradition. But being around your family or going back to the town in which you grew up can stir up implicit memories that can automatically trigger feelings we felt in our past. No matter how mature we feel, memories of our 10 or 15-year-old selves can cause us to act like we did when we were 10 or 15. If we fail to recognize how we are affected by old emotions and negative early experiences, we run the risk of projecting our past onto our present interactions and relationships. So all of this is to say that family reunions can be fun and a point of real connection, but be aware that there is the potential for past memories and experiences to interfere with this enjoyment. Being aware of your triggers and emotions is the first step in being present and just enjoying the moment for what it really is…a chance to create a new memory. If you like today's wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app. Looking for more ways to build your resiliency? Take my free on-line resiliency test at worksmartlivesmart.com under the resources and courses tab. #mentalhealth #hr
Listen to today's podcast... Are you a 9 to 5er or are you a night shifter? Or do you work from home? Whatever your schedule, the key is making it and your life work together in harmony. It is not about work life balance, but about life satisfaction. Are you satisfied with all of the different aspects of your life? Are you spending the right mix of time and energy on each area so that you are feeling fulfilled and complete' If not, it may be time to look over your commitments, including your work schedule and deciding if it needs to be tweaked. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Revise Your Work Schedule Month: This month reflect on how to best achieve balance between your job, your commitments, and free time. Now is the time to take a hard look at the time we're actually spending in each of these areas of our life and truly evaluating how satisfied we are with them. We have the ability to work from more places, more times of the day, using more devices than we ever have before. The key is to take control of our time and make active choices about how we spend that time. I am not suggesting that you quit your job, but maybe a small tweak to when you start, when you leave or when you shut your technology off for the night, may have a big impact on your life satisfaction and energy. Something to consider. Remember, If you like the tips in this briefing, please leave me a review on amazon or in your #alexa app. Discover how to take small steps towards a healthier, happier, less-stressed you by visiting my website at worksmartlivesmart.com #mentalhealth #hr
Listen to today's podcast... Our minds can not operate on ‘full throttle' all day long. Focused meditation helps to clear the mind of racing, cluttered thoughts by focusing 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 our tasks at hand. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! So Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Meditation Month: One of the key areas that we neglect is time for self. Yet if we do not take care of our physical and mental needs, we will not be in a position to achieve our goals. We need to maintain a healthy rhythm to our life and we can do that by finding ways to ensure our physical needs for food, sleep, water, and exercise our met. Then we need to find ways to alternate the stress and challenges in our life with some relaxation or down-time. 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. Remember, If you like the tips in this briefing, please leave me a review on amazon or in your #alexa app. Looking for more ways to build your resiliency? Take my free on-line vulnerability test at worksmartlivesmart.com under the resources and courses tab. #mentalhealth #hr
Listen to today's podcast... “Night shift can kill the body.” Today is the day that we celebrate National Night-Shift Worker Day and the introduction of the 24-hour society. One repercussion of the nightshift work schedule is that a typical night shift worker sleeps one or two hours less per day than a day worker and often has less deep and REM sleep. Shift Work Maladaption Syndrome is where shift work is leaving the worker so sleepy that they fear for their safety on the job. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Ensuring Resilience In Our Night-Shift Workers: As a leader, it is important to educate employees on what shift work entails and provide annual screening for shift-related illnesses. Promote and educate on healthy lifestyle strategies. Organize mandatory stretch breaks especially during the dangerous hours. As a Night Shift-Worker: Understand the hazards and consequences of shift work. Pay attention to sleep strategies and avoid going into sleep debt. Shift work is a lifestyle and in order to minimize stress and build resiliency, the worker and their family must ensure that they follow a healthy schedule, focus on their sleep strategies, and ensure that they have support from those around them. Looking for Tips To Promote Mental Health Week In Your Workplace, visit worksmartlivesmart.com under the resources and courses tab for my Top 10 Tips. #mentalhealth #hr
Listen to today's podcast... “Reading opens a window to the world; giving us a vision of things we never dreamed possible.” Reading for fun has become like a long-lost luxury, especially in this busy age of 24/7. Relaxation and ‘luxury' activities are often met with the guilt that we should be doing something worthwhile and productive…not indulging and pampering ourselves. One survey found that nearly a third of adults across our country didn't read a single book for pleasure in the past year. The discouraging figure puts Canadians behind the U.S., where an identical poll showed 27 per cent of Americans hadn't picked up a book. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Reading Is Fun-damental Week: Reading can transport us to another time or place. It stimulates the right side of our brain and can engage our imagination and strengthen our creativity. It can expand our understanding of other cultures, help us to find new ways to express our ideas, and expand our vocabulary. Reading forces us to be still and slow down when we are used to running on high-speed. Reading can stimulate our emotions and give us an appropriate way to vent out our frustrations, sadness and joy. I have a very hard time limiting my time when I get a really good book. I have been known to read an entire day (or night) away, just because I couldn't put the book down. Generally I only start a good book when I am truly able to ignore the phones and my work, like while I am on vacation. If you like the tips in this briefing, please leave me a review on amazon or in your #alexa app. Looking for more ways to build your resiliency? Take my free on-line vulnerability test at worksmartlivesmart.com under the resources and courses tab. #mentalhealth #hr
Listen to today's podcast... Allergies occur when the immune system becomes unusually sensitive and overreacts to common substances that are normally harmless, such as pollens, molds, dust or even food. Food allergies are serious business. They impact over 2.6 million Canadians. Everyone is entitled to a safe working environment. Unlike many conditions, anaphylaxis is not visible unless someone is having an allergic reaction. That is why it is extremely important to communicate about your food allergies before a reaction occurs. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Food Allergy Awareness Week: Be open about your food allergies. It's important that your co-workers and boss know about them. Always carry at least one auto-injector on the job. It's better to have two in case you need a second dose during an allergic reaction. Educate co-workers. Your co-workers may have no experience with food allergy. Teach your co-workers how to prevent reactions from happening, recognize the signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction and how to use an epi pen properly. Say thanks. Make sure your colleagues know that you appreciate their support. Those who don't have food allergies can help by understanding the condition and doing their part to create a safe environment to prevent serious reactions from occurring. Simple things like washing your hands well and often. It is one of the most effective ways to prevent cross-contamination as well as the spread of general viruses and bacteria. If you like the tips in this briefing, please leave me a review on amazon or in your #alexa app. Looking for more ways to build your resiliency, take my free on-line vulnerability test at worksmartlivesmart.com under the resources and courses tab. #mentalhealth #hr
Listen to today's podcast... It is out there. We all know that it's out there. Yet, many of us still ignore it, pretend that we don't hear it or worse yet, we laugh and join in on it. Sometimes out of embarrassment. Sometimes out of fear. Recent results show that more than a quarter of working Canadians have experienced sexual harassment or been affected by it. This can result in a variety of stress-related illnesses, relationship difficulties as well as upset productivity and engagement. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Stopping Sexual Harassment In The Workplace: Know that when faced with unwanted and unsolicited sexual harassment, victims feel confused, frustrated and angry. They may not know how to react to the situation and may become very anxious or depressed. Some employees will suffer the humiliation and harassment silently and when they can no longer take it, they will quietly quit. Not addressing sexual harassment in the workplace is bad business and can create a toxic environment. Education around sexual harassment and developing strong policies and procedures to deter it are the most effective means of minimizing its occurrence and impact. Companies can protect their employees, and create a positive workplace culture, by implementing a comprehensive policy and providing training to employees and leaders on that policy. Remember, If you like today's wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app. Looking for more ways to build your resiliency? Take my free on-line vulnerability test at worksmartlivesmart.com under the resources and courses tab. #mentalhealth #hr
Listen to today's podcast... Could you unplug your TV for 7 days? How about that PS4? What role does screen time play in your daily life? Entertainer, pacifier, babysitter, time filler and/or a distraction? Many parents are concerned about the amount of time their children spend with screens. And with good reason! Research shows that screen time gets in the way of activities known to be good for young children, however kids who spend less time with screens fall asleep faster, sleep longer, eat healthier, and get more exercise. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency So Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency During Screen Free Week: Turn your living room into a place for family interaction and play by arranging the furniture so the TV is not the focus of the room. Take a break from your smartphone and other screens during periods of the day and model good screen time behaviour. TV and screen time is not all bad. It becomes a negative when we let it take over our lives. We grow accustom to the silence of watching TV and it allows us to avoid communication with those around us. It separates us from those we love, even when we are in the same room. It can taint our perspective and the way we see the world as it is full of negative images. During Screen Free Week, challenge yourself. Move outside of your comfort zone and focus on being creative, an active participant and connected to those around you. 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... What superhero reduces greenhouse gas emissions by more than 20 per cent, overcomes gridlock faster than a speeding train, and leaps over distraction barriers in a single bound? Hint: Often seen wearing pajamas while on the job…It's not a bird. Nor a solar plane…It's the Telecommuter! So, here I sit in my pj`s working at my computer. No stress spent on deciding what to wear to the office. I appreciate the flexible work arrangements that I have. It strengthens my resiliency while running a successful business. Some days I work all day and into the evening. On other days, I may find myself helping out a family member or pulling the weeds from my gardens. This flexibility gives me the balance that I want and need. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Flexible Work Arrangements Week: Companies that aim to provide a flexible working options encourage a healthy work-life balance, build resiliency and retain key workers. Develop a flex work policy that outlines what best practices they are expected to adhere to. As an employee, if you are interested in flexible work arrangements, consider how this might positively or negatively impact your job, your family, your employer, your team members. There are many adjustments that need to be made both by the employer and by the employee to make flexible work arrangements work. Good communication and problem-solving skills are the foundation to working out any kinks. So here`s to all superheroes working in their pj`s – May it be a productive day! 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... 1 in 5 people will experience a mental health issue at some point in their lifetime. Mental health disorders are among the leading causes of ill-health and disability world-wide. 17% of Canadians report that they have taken time away from work and school, to deal with a personal mental health issue. According to Guarding Minds At Work, when employers adopt policies and programs to address psychological safety and health, they incur 15% to 33% fewer costs related to psychological health issues. Employers and employees both have a responsibility to protect the health and safety of their employees. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Mental Health Month: Know What Mental Health Is Mental Health is a state in which an individual realizes their own abilities, can cope with the normal stressors of life, can work productively, and is not overwhelmed by their responsibilities. Know What The General Mental Illness Indicators Are In The Workplace. Some of the most common include: Excessive lateness or absences Increased need for extra supervision Reduced productivity and loss of pride in work Inconsistency in work or habits Exhibiting several of these, may indicate that someone may be experiencing a mental illness and intervention and assistance is needed. As a leader and a co-worker, being alert to these indicators can ensure a healthy work environment. 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
TIP 2785 2421 2052 1688 1324 964 231 599 – Are You Clear On What It Takes To Build A Psychologically Healthy and Safe Workplace? Listen to today's podcast... Canada became the first country in the world to have a national standard for psychological health and safety in the workplace. This Standard contains a voluntary set of guidelines, tools, and resources aimed at promoting employees' psychological health and preventing psychological harm due to workplace factors. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Mental Health Week: Get Clear On What's Required For Building A Psychologically Healthy Workplace Foster overall psychological health and a respectful workplace based on trust, honesty, fairness and recognition. As employees, ask questions, report issues, and propose new ideas for building a positive culture. Be sure to train leaders and employees at all levels on awareness and prevention strategies. Look beyond the workplace to what resources are available to help meet personal, as well as workplace challenges. If you like the tips in this briefing, please leave me a review on amazon or in your #alexa app. Looking for more ways to build your resiliency, take my free on-line vulnerability test at worksmartlivesmart.com under the resources and courses tab. #mentalhealth #hr
Listen to today's podcast... It is hard to understand how a child can experience depression. As caregivers and parents, we need to remind ourselves, that while a child's problems may seem minor to us, they can be overwhelming to them. Your first warning signs will probably be changes in behaviour that may suggest a troubled and unhappy state of mind. If a student becomes depressed, they are unlikely to talk about it. Very likely, a depressed child will think that no one else feels the same way and that no one will understand their problems. Often a depressed child will feel that they are disliked. Clinical Depression is more than just the ‘blues'. It is a “biochemical disorder where a person feels very sad for an extended period of time and where this state interferes with their everyday life.” Depression affects about 3% of our children, 8% of adolescents and 10% of adults. Stress can act as a ‘trigger' for Depression. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Mental Health Week and Childhood Depression Awareness Day: Be aware of the signs and symptoms of Depression. As an employer, hold awareness sessions for your employees. Provide support and understanding. Be aware of the signs of suicidal thoughts – Suicide is one of the top killers of our youth. 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... Love this advice…If your shadow is shorter than you are, you should seek the shade. Do you annually check your skin? Wear your sunscreen faithfully? Do you go and see your doctor for regular check ups? If so, you are helping to ensure that you prevent skin cancer or at least ensure that you catch it in its early stages. The spring is an easy time to forget to use your sunscreen. It is essential that we protect ourselves and our kids and know the early signs of Melanoma, that way we can all be safe in the sun. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! So Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Melanoma Monday…and Being Safe In The Sun Check it out. Melanoma can be found anywhere on the body, but it is most common on the legs, back, head and neck. Do an annual scan to check for changes. Visit your doctor regularly and make sure that they do a body scan too. Be safe in the sun. Enjoy the spring, summer and fall sunshine, but cover up and use your sunscreen. Cancer changes lives, impacts families and hinders workplace productivity. Employees coming back to work after cancer treatments describe a variety of challenges that employers may not be aware of/or consider in their return-to-work accommodations. As a leader, look for ways to educate on prevention and look for ways to successfully support a team member who has been impacted. 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... A friend of mine, had been promoted over the years, rewarded for her achievements and was a solid employee. During a major corporate transition she was given a new department that needed a lot of help in restructuring. She worked hard through long days, with little progress. And the results were devastating for her health to the point where she had to leave. What could have been different? Her supervisors should have seen that the new role was unrealistic for one person to handle. They should have noticed the excessive overtime. They should have spotted the impact it was having on her health. And they should have worked with her before she felt that she had no choice but to leave, or feel like a failure. We know that engaged employees help our companies to be more creative, productive and successful. Disengaged or stressed out employees cost our companies in job turnover, disability and lowered productivity. Yet, some employers still look at their employees as being a commodity. Ensuring that your teams work in a healthy environment is a priority. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating the start of Mental Health Week: Start a conversation. What are the sources of stress within your teams-personally and professionally? If you are not sure – ASK! What impact is it having? Benchmark this information. How much is this costing in absenteeism, turnover, lowered productivity, healthcare costs? Decide what programs would help reduce this impact on the individual and the company Looking for Tips To Promote Mental Health Week In Your Workplace? Visit worksmartlivesmart.com under the resources and courses tab for my Top 10 Tips. #mentalhealth #hr
Listen to today's podcast... Being burned out and being stressed out are not the same thing. Many of us can tell when we are stressed out, but often, we cannot tell if we are burned out. Burnout may be the result of unrelenting stress, but it isn't the same as too much stress. Stress is often about too many pressures that need to be dealt with. Burnout is about feeling empty, lacking in motivation, and beyond caring. Employees experiencing burnout often don't see any hope of positive change in their situations. Burnout may occur over a short period of time or take several years to manifest. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are Tips For Combatting Burnout and Celebrating Mental Health Week: First: Slow Down. Take a break. Cut back whatever commitments and activities you can. Give yourself time to rest, reflect, and heal. Change What You Can. Maintain Balance. Talk to a Professional. And Make A Plan. Part of the problem with burnout is the lack of control that's associated with it. Burnout can be a serious consequence of an unbalanced life and of an environment where the individual experiences little control and high demands. Leaders can help by ensuring a clearer understanding of what their job is and is not, providing as much control as possible, ensuring that demands are realistic and by recognizing the employee's contributions and achievements. 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 seen the videos? Someone doing a zoom meeting and they get caught wearing no pants, just their jockies. Today is the unofficial holiday – No Pants Day. And prior to this past business disruption, it wouldn't cross my mind that wearing no pants would be widely celebrated…but here we are and the joke and often asked question is…who isn't wearing pants on this call? We have the zoom mullet. All business up top and no pants on the bottom. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency So just in case this may not be for you, Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating No Pants Day: Though the idea of today is about wearing no pants in public and to pretend like it is nothing out of the normal, I'm not sure I am a fan I do love my PJs and I often wear them all day long…and even more so in these days of zoom calls and working from home. The idea is comfort rules. I am spending way less time on getting ready for work and more time on being creative and getting things done. Remember: Use your best judgment in celebrating today, you don't want to be remembered as that person who got caught wearing no pants. If you like today's wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app. Discover how to take small steps towards a healthier, happier, less-stressed you by visiting my website at worksmartlivesmart.com #mentalhealth #hr
Listen to today's podcast... Today we encourage honesty and straightforward communication in politics, relationships, consumer relations and education. Most of us have told a few lies. Lying can bail us out of awkward situations. Spare the feelings of others. Preserve or strengthen alliances. Enhance social standing. Keep us out of trouble. Even save our lives. In today's world of so many false truths, it is even more essential to build relationships based on honest and clear communication. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Honesty Day: Practice telling the truth. Studies have shown that human children begin practicing deception as early as six months of age through such attention-getting gambits as fake crying or laughter. Try answering questions honestly all day today and see where the difficulties lie for you. Be more transparent. Honesty goes a long way in building solid relationships. Leaders get ahead by making the right choices and showing that they are trustworthy. This builds trust, which is essential for teamwork. Discover how to take small steps towards a healthier, happier, less-stressed you by visiting my website at worksmartlivesmart.com #mentalhealth #hr
Listen to today's podcast... It's quiet. Well, almost. There is the ticking of the clock, the rattle of the furnace, the birds chirping outside of my window and my computer humming along. For some this silence is uncomfortable or we feel guilty, so we turn on the TV, though we aren't really watching. It is important in the chaos of everyday living that we take a few moments and shut out as many sounds of the world and just be. It is here that we can rest, that we can rejuvenate, that we can be creative, and we can reflect. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Noise Awareness Day: Pay attention to the noise you make and respect your neighbour's right to peace and quiet. Turn down the volume two notches on your radios and personal stereo systems with headphones. Turn down the volume one notch on your television and turn it off during dinner. Do NOT honk your horn, except in the case of imminent danger. Replace noisy activities with quiet ones such as taking a walk. Wear adequate hearing protection if you must be in a noisy environment and if you are concerned, get a hearing screening test done. Try to observe one minute of no noise everyday. 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... Tick tock. Tick tock. Can you hear your biological clock ticking away? I am pretty sure that I can, though, I am certainly not looking at having anymore children! So What Does Your Biological Clock Tell You? Our biological clock does so much more than tell us the perfect time to get pregnant. In fact, both men and women and the young and old are subject to the influence of the biological clocks that we all have. Circadian rhythms are controlled by “clock genes” that carry the genetic instructions to produce proteins. These instructions control everything from when we sleep and rest, body temperature, heart activity, hormone secretion, blood pressure, oxygen consumption, and metabolism. They may even influence our mood, particularly in the form of wintertime depression known as seasonal affective disorder. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Biological Clock Day: Celebrate – whatever age you are, or whatever life stage you are in. Sleep is essential to our mental and physical health. Clock genes normally keep us awake during the day and asleep at night. But when a clock gene mutates, it can disrupt the normal sleep cycle. Sunlight, air travel and even the seasons can disrupt our Circadian Rhythms and the quality and quantity of sleep that we get. So avoid night light. When possible, avoid bright and outdoor light close to bedtime and keep your surroundings as dark as possible at night. Cover the lights of your alarm clock, so that you are not tempted to look at it or have its glow disrupt your sleep. Avoid eating or exercising too close to bedtime. Also watch out for caffeine and nicotine, both of which are stimulants. Discover how to take small steps towards a healthier, happier, less-stressed you by visiting my website at worksmartlivesmart.com #mentalhealth #hr
Listen to today's podcast... Today is the day to share your favourite poem with your friends and co-workers. You may share the actual piece of paper you wrote it on, or you can Tweet it or FB it. Poetry can be shared at any time. Poetry can be a mantra for living. It can express your emotions. Sometimes it can remind us of those we have loved or lost. Poetry can give a spiritual connection. It can provide you with a new perspective, and it can transport you. One of my favourites for living my life is by Dylan Thomas. Life is to be lived, not watched. Do not go gentle into that good night, Old age should burn and rave at close of day; Rage, rage against the dying of the light. Sometimes we find lessons in poems that are bang on. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! So Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Poetry Month: Go through your old books and re-visit some of the poems that use to connect to your heart Search through the Internet to find some old classics or to read what a younger generation is writing about Write your own poem to express your gratitude or your emotions. It can help you to go deeper and sort out all that you are experiencing Share your poems with others 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's 3 o'clock in the afternoon, you are irritated, your head is fuzzy and your eyes are having trouble focusing. You would love to find a corner and go to sleep, but there is no time. How about a coffee or a chocolate bar? Most of us instinctively reach for sweets or caffeine to give relief from the morning sluggishness or afternoon slump. We use sweets as a way of helping ourselves through stressful times. Those strategies might help, temporarily, but there is a downside to these methods. Poor eating strategies affect our brain chemistry and cause fatigue, apathy, apprehension, edginess and the blues. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! So Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Women's Nutrition Month: Avoid The Sugar Blues. Eat breakfast, lunch and dinner. Smaller balance meals are preferable to large meals. Use exercise or stretching to increase energy and lift the ‘fog'. Include fish in your weekly diet as the essential fatty acids they contain increase energy and improve mood. Don't confuse thirst with hunger. Drinking a cool glass of water can boost energy in the middle of the afternoon slump. Have healthy snacks readily available. Plan ahead and keep them in desk drawers, lockers or even in the glove box of your car We have all heard the saying ‘We are what we eat', but most of us connect this with the body's physical reactions. Our brain is just as dependent on the food that we consume. Healthy food choices help us avoid the erratic blood sugar levels and associated mood swings. Plan your snacks ahead of time and avoid the sugar blues. 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... April is often seen as the month to focus on spring cleaning, but it is also the month to reach out and help your neighbours. When I was young, our family dairy barn burned down. Neighbours came to help in the rebuild, and brought food to feed the construction workers and volunteers. It was just something that was done. Neighbours helping neighbours. National Rebuilding Month is a campaign to highlight the connection between our homes and health. It encourages everyone to take steps to be safer and healthier at home. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Rebuilding Month: These past couple of years have certainly seen many people looking for ways to work at home, feel happier in their homes, and to relax in their homes. National Rebuilding Month is also an annual month-long call to service, culminating with National Rebuilding Day, the last Saturday of the month. It encourages you to look out for those who need a helping hand in your neighbourhood. Volunteers eliminate health and safety hazards and help their neighbours live safely and independently in their homes. Adopt a neighbour and provide the critical repairs that they need to stay safe in their home. Maybe you are not handy, but you have a green thumb. Help a senior work their flower beds or pull weeds. Provide a bag of groceries or a bag of pet food to alleviate a bit of the financial pressures someone may be experiencing. As houses are transformed, neighbourhoods and communities find hope. And HOPE is so critical right now in helping us to look towards the future with joy and energy. 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... Have you had a bizarre dream or a scary dream and wondered what it meant if anything? Do you have a recurring dream? Are you late for a test in high school? Can you fly? Do you visit the same places night after night in your dreams? Do you remember your dreams? I have very vivid dreams and for the most part, I remember them for a little while, especially the bizarre ones. Once I woke up and was super angry at my husband because in my dream on a very lovely and romantic walk, he mistakenly thought that a little black and white critter was a kitten. I awoke suddenly in my dream as we were sprayed by a skunk. I wonder what my subconscious was trying to tell me? Was it a warning? Or was I releasing pent up emotional energy? Dreams can give us guidance and inspiration and help us solve problems. At the end of April, you can phone the National Dream Hotline and from Friday through to Sunday night, the School of Metaphysics will be on hand to offer free dream interpretations. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Dream Hotline: Sleep is one of the most effective things that we can do for our health. A good quality and quantity of sleep are needed to ensure that our minds and bodies repair and heal themselves. However, research clearly shows that people who overestimate their ability to get by on less sleep are sadly mistaken. As a lack of good quality sleep will have a negative impact over time. Tip #1 Know that sleep is essential. Some research suggests that time spent in dream sleep is what specifically heals. Dreaming allows us to re-process upsetting memories and experiences in a safer, calmer environment. Everybody dreams but not everybody remembers their dreams. Dreams are our picture language. Our dreams are not literal and so it may take a bit of work to interpret the pictures that we are seeing. If you do remember your dreams and have an interest in the meaning behind your dreams, you can call and learn how your conscious and subconscious relate to each other. Looking for more tips to build your resiliency? Check out my Live Smart blog at worksmartlivesmart.com #mentalhealth #hr
Listen to today's podcast... I have been asked about how to ensure that irate customers don't rattle your staff' The first step is to understand that negative attitudes and behaviours are usually expressed when our customers are stressed out or they just don't have the energy to use better communication skills, judgment and manners. Being stressed out is chronic in today's society. Our customers often have too much to do, too many decisions to make, and are usually running behind schedule. The difficulty behind the negative attitudes and behaviours of our customers is that they are highly “toxic” to our team. As the leader, there are several steps that you can take to ensure that your staff can effectively handle the best and the worst in these customers. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Get to Know Your Customer Day Discuss the types of customers that your team may encounter ahead of time. What are some of the common complaints that your staff may face' Share past experiences and horror stories with each other and prepare answers and solutions ahead of time? Preparation allows your staff to feel more confident in dealing with these difficult customers and not absorb the negativity. Teach your staff how to keep their composure, be assertive and know exactly what it is they want to communicate. Help them to get comfortable with those customers who need to vent and express themselves – however, let them know that they do not need to tolerate abuse. As the leader, you play a very important role in preventing customer negativity from rattling your team. Looking for resources to build your resilience? Check out my Live Smart blog at worksmartlivesmart.com #mentalhealth #hr
Listen to today's podcast... I am very glad that the snow is gone and that my flowers are trying hard to poke their heads up to the sun. A few years ago we celebrated Earth Day while we were on vacation. My boys were looking forward to the release of the Disney production of Earth, while we were at Disney. It inspired them to do our annual clean up of the roadside where we live. They learned that each of us can do a little and we can all have an impact. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Earth Day: Be a Smart shopper. Buy what you need, not what you want. Consider renting and borrowing things that are seldom needed Walk, cycle, car pool and use public transportation Choose local foods that are in season and support local food producers Wash full loads of clothes in cold water and hang to air dry For summer air conditioning, set your thermostat to 24°C or 25°C For winter heating, set your thermostat to 19°C or 20°C Take short showers instead of baths Don't discard. Donate, reuse and recycle items before throwing them into the trash Earth Day isn't about a single action you can do to support a healthier environment. Instead, Earth Day is seen by many as a day to renew a personal commitment to support a healthier environment. Though my family and I have a long way to go, every little bit helps as we move to live more responsibly with the environment. 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... In our early adult years we spent so much effort on prevention, who knew that conception could be so difficult, or that Stress Decreases Your Chances Of Conceiving. For more than a couple of years my husband and I tried to conceive a child. At that time we never heard that Stress Decreases Your Chances Of Conceiving. We endured months and months of taking temperatures, doctor visits, disappointments, crying, trying new medications, testing of all kinds and grieving. It was a horrible roller-coaster ride. We were not alone in our struggles. Infertility rates in Canada are increasing with roughly 1 in 6 couples experiencing fertility issues. While we were going through this struggle, we told very few people, especially our families. Stress grew as the months passed. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency Increasing Your Chances of Conceiving and Celebrating Infertility Awareness Week: Find Ways To Relax. I know that you may hate hearing this, but it is one thing that you can do. Be Nutrition Wise. Our nutrition impacts the way in which our bodies function, both efficiently and effectively. Aim For Emotional Balance. Watch out for negative emotions such as anger, guilt, or resentment, which many women may feel at some point in their journeys to conceive. Laugh More. Laughter can take the edge off of a stressful day. Take Advantage of Support and Counselling. Keep the Romance Alive While Trying to Conceive. If you know someone who is experiencing fertility issues, let them know that you understand how difficult this is for them and that you are there to listen to their frustrations, their fears, and their disappointments. 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 want to be a princess. Not the entitled kind, but the kind who works at being secure, confident, and powerful. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Princess Week with me: One site listed 10 Qualities of a Healthy Princess Mentality A princess is humble. She doesn't try to overtly call attention to herself. Her poise and confidence may draw attention, but she doesn't go out of her way to get people to notice her. A princess knows her self worth. She sets boundaries and doesn't let others walk all over her. After a princess has taken care of her personal needs, she helps those around her. A princess is a leader. She carries herself with authority. A princess has an opinion and can voice it on a subject with both strength and tact, not with judgment and force. I am working on the judgement issue. So to all the other princesses out there, have a wonderful week! 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... Green is the symbol for life. Appropriately, the green ribbon is the symbol of how we can save lives. Over 4000 Canadians are awaiting a transplant and unfortunately more than 200 Canadians died last year waiting transplant. I believe that many of us want to donate, but life gets in the way and we forget to sign our donor's card and have the discussion with our loved ones. If you are okay with donating, take the opportunity during this awareness week to sign your card and discuss it with your family. Someone may be counting on you. Here are some things I didn't know… Living donors can provide a kidney or part of their liver as well as bone marrow. Between 80-95 per cent of patients are doing well one year after their transplant. Spain has highest donation rate. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Organ and Tissue Donors Awareness Week: Having “organ donor” noted on your driver's license or carrying a donor card or provincial health card is not all you have to do to become a donor. Organ and tissue donation are always discussed with family members prior to the donation. For that reason, it is very important that you discuss your wishes with your family. Don't let the busyness of life get in the way of saving a life. 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... Now, I must admit that I am not the best at letting my husband know how much I appreciate everything that he does. He is a wonderful man, a great friend, a good listening post, a terrific father, handyman excellence and very supportive of all of the things that I am involved with. Like many people, I spend more time thinking about what could be different, what hasn't been done and what I wish he would do, then letting him know what I am thankful for. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Husband Appreciation Day: Take a moment and think about how life would be terribly different without this person in your life Let them know a couple of the little things that they do that make you smile Give a hug for no reason Use funny Post-It Notes and stick them in their car, their briefcase or lunch bag Send a cheerful email to them at work (not one that reminds them to pick up a few groceries on their way home) Being able to appreciate others benefits not only your relationship but also your own mood and perspective on life. Look for the things that are going right and they will start to over-shadow those things that may not be just as we would like them to be. Discover how to take small steps towards a healthier, happier, less-stressed you by visiting my website at worksmartlivesmart.com #mentalhealth #hr
Listen to today's podcast... It debuted at the World Fair on April 17, 1964. It was featured on the covers of Newsweek and Time magazines and appeared on the silver screen in the James Bond movie “Goldfinger” that same year. Here's another hint: It was built for the working man and it sold almost 400,000 in the first year. What am I referring to: The Ford Mustang and today is the day that all Mustang owners and enthusiasts celebrate. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Ford Mustang Day: My husband and I own a 1965 Mustang. Sally is numbers matching, which means that she is in her original condition. She is part of our resiliency tool belt, as during the summer months, we take Sally out for drives in the country. Mostly to find a good ice cream cone or to enter her in a car show. Driving around is about savouring the summer. Whether you're into gardening, fixing up vintage cars, or even soduko puzzles, research has found that hobbies are just as important to good health as exercise is, thanks to their ability to relieve stress. This study found that people who engaged in leisure activities were 34% less stressed, reported feeling happier, and their heart rate was lower. It didn't seem to matter what the participants did just so long as it was something they deeply enjoyed. So on this day of celebrating the iconic Mustang, find something that you enjoy and be immersed in it. Your health will thank you for it. 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... No need to get dressed up for work today. You can ditch the shoes too. Today is wear your pjs to work day, along with a pair of fuzzy bunny slippers. For me, I regularly wear my pjs to work. 15 steps down from my bedroom and 15 steps into my office and I am at work. And since I am the boss, there is not a dress code. Unless, I am going out to speak somewhere, then, I shower up, beautify and dress in my best. Whether or not you want to wear your pjs to work, today is a day to ditch the stress. Focus on self-care and let loose. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Wear Your PJs To Work Day: Have fun with this day. Many celebrities, radio stations and tv shows are celebrating, so why not you? Have your own pajama party – even if it is on-line. You may want to ensure a few rules, such as ensuring appropriate body coverage. Give prizes for the loudest pajamas or the craziest designs. If the day has passed and you didn't wear your pjs to work in, put them on as soon as you are done. For me, there is nothing as relaxing as a cozy, comfy pair of pjs. My kids know exactly what to get me for my birthday and I love all of them. In pajamas you can be yourself. Pjs are also great on Saturdays and Sundays that are lounge all-day days. How about Pjs, a movie and hot chocolate or ice cream or other wonderful treats. 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... Life as we know it has changed. And for many who are isolated from their school mates, friends, family and colleagues, or who have lost their job, or who have gotten sick, life may be pretty crappy right now. Life isn't fair. Life sucks. Then it gets better. Then it can suck again. All we are required to do, is to take one day, or one moment at a time. To keep moving ourselves forward. Like is a journey of a million steps and hopefully we don't stop too often and want to turn back. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are today's Tips For Building Your Resiliency and Celebrating Life Sucks Day: It is OK to be sad, or mad, to cry, to be frustrated, to feel angry, jealous, anxious and scared. It is okay to feel. Set you intentions on those things that you can control and use that sense of control to show you that 100% of your life, right now, does not suck. Some of it may, but not 100% Focus in on the things that you can be grateful for. However small that may be. Finally, hold on to HOPE. HOPE for me stands for Hold On. Possibility Exists. Strategic Hope forces me to take action and that action is based on problem solving what I can control. And when I have a sense of control, I don't feel so sucky. The circle of life. Hold on…it's going to be okay. If you like today's wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app. For more information on coping with mental health issues, sign up for one of my on-line courses at worksmartlivesmart.com under the resources and courses tab. #mentalhealth #hr
Listen to today's podcast... The most rewarding experiences that I have had have come from volunteering. Especially my time developing youth groups, being on boards for various charities and associations, and fundraising for my children's sport programs. In fact, I would guestimate that about ¼ of my time is given to volunteering. Over a quarter of Canadians aged 15 and over volunteered for a charitable or non-profit organization last year. And though we think of women volunteering more than men, men contributed more volunteer hours on average than women. Volunteering is a way of connecting yourself to the larger society and connection is critical when it comes to dealing with the sources of stress that we face. By far the most commonly cited barriers were those related to time. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! So Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Volunteer Week: If you are a volunteer, talk about your experiences to others. Positive role models are needed, especially by our younger generations. If you are looking for volunteers for your organization, be clear about the expectations, make commitments short and ASK. Many have difficulty holding up their hand to volunteer, but would say yes if asked in person. 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 Had A Dog Bite You? I was only two. In my mind, I vaguely remember being in our living room with my mom while she was crying and talking on the phone to the hospital. I remember being in the emergency room. And before all of this, I have a fleeting memory of being out at the barn and our dog. Somehow, our dog thought that I was going to steal his food, though I had been out there numerous times. On this particular occasion, he snapped at me and bit me, just missing my eye. Even the calmest, most loving dog can get snappy when sat on, stepped on or when they feel fear for themselves or their family. My experience could have left me scarred in many more ways than just the one that I carry on my face. Today, I am a dog lover. I don't fear them, but I do have a very healthy respect for them. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are today's Tips For Protecting Yourself And Celebrating Dog Bite Prevention Week: The Canadian Safety Council estimates that in 70% of dog bite cases the victim knew the dog. Parents need to teach their children how to interact safely with Fido. NEVER disturb a dog who is sleeping, eating, or caring for puppies. NEVER pet a dog, even your own, without letting him see and sniff you first. Dogs that haven't been properly socialized, receive little attention or handling, or are left tied up for long periods of time frequently turn into biters. Be a responsible pet owner. Properly train and socialize your dog, and teach it submissive behaviors like giving up food without growling. Cynophobia is an irrational fear of dogs. If you find that your fear of dogs is excessive and you can't easily avoid them, seek out the help of a professional counselor, psychologist or psychiatrist. 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... Do you walk on the wild side? Or have you given in to the everyday routines of life? Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Walk On Your Wild Side Day: Take the Walk On Your Wild Side Challenge. Use this day to plan something out of the ordinary, unusual or even extraordinary. Better yet, don't plan something, just do it. It doesn't have to be something dangerous, just a bit quirky or different from the everyday. What about spraying your hair with your favourite colour? Or dressing up like a famous rock star or movie character? Or maybe it is to get up on stage and belt out your favourite tune at a karaoke bar? How about the 1972 song, Walk On The Wild Side, by Lou Reed? Let yourself be free and unencumbered. Share the moment with #wildside and encourage others to add more joy to their life too! PS My most recent wild side display was going to a big-hair 80's band concert…dressed in authentic garb of the day. 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... Research shows that pets can provide excellent social support, stress relief and numerous other mental health benefits. Pets can be there for you in ways that people can't. They can offer love and companionship, and can be the best antidote to loneliness. Pets can increase your sense of purpose in life. Researchers found that elderly people who owned pets had better everyday well-being than those who didn't own pets. When you have meaning and purpose, you are less likely to feel depressed, isolated, and lonely. Pets connect to our nurturing side. Pets learn to sense emotions from humans. If the human is withdrawn the pet senses that something is wrong or different and attempts to change the human's behaviour. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Pet Day: If you have a pet, take the time to be focused while in their presence Today is the day to create public awareness about the plight of many different kinds of animals awaiting a forever home One simple thing that we can do is to assist an ill, elderly or financially struggling neighbour friend by purchasing pet food, hay or needed items for their pets. No one should be separated from their pet family member when they need them the most. 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 usually the longest relationship in our life. If you have brothers or sisters, then you will know that rivalry and love can exist in the same relationship. Siblings are a part of who we are, and that shared history is what makes this relationship so valuable. Did you know that research has shown that healthy sibling relationships can significantly benefit us later in life. The quality of sibling relationships is one of the most important predictors of mental health in old age, according to The American Journal of Psychiatry. Research shows that people who are emotionally close to their siblings have higher life satisfaction and lower rates of depression later in life. An agreeable relationship between siblings isn't always a given. It takes work. Today is the day to let your siblings know how much you appreciate them. Sibling Day is a way of honouring that special bond that can exist between siblings. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Siblings Day: Post a photo with your siblings using the hashtag #NationalSiblingsDay Reach out and share a special memory of the two of you growing up together Plan for connection time and share goals. Aging changes us into vastly different people, and it's entirely possible your sibling might not even know who you truly have become as an adult. Open up, share, and learn about each other Finally, just as you might regularly tell your spouse or partner you love them, siblings need those reassurances too. 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... Part of spring cleaning is tackling your cupboards and drawers. Well how about that medicine cupboard? Do You Know About Medication Safety? I know that mine had been neglected when I found a jar of Vicks medicated rub from when I was a kid. Yes, that was a long time ago and yes, it was about time that it was thrown out. I have no idea if that stuff ever goes bad, but I probably should have thrown it out years ago. I have carted it from my bedroom, to my residence room, to my first apartment, and then from one home to the next with my family. Medication errors are said to affect at least 1.5 million Canadians per year according to the Canadian Institute for Health Information. And those mistakes can be disastrous. Medication safety isn't just about an expiry date. It's about safe storage. Knowing what medications may interact with other medications, food and supplements. It's about telling your doctor about any side effects you may have had from previous prescriptions and what supplements or over-the-counter medications you may be taking. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Medication Safety Week: Check your prescriptions periodically for expiration dates Don't share medicines with friends or family Dispose of medications properly. Most pharmacies will take your old drugs for proper disposal. Avoid putting them in trashcans or into the toilet Remember that the term “natural” does not necessarily mean “safe”. Treat all supplements and herbal remedies with the same respect as you would any prescribed medications Make Sure That Your Family Stays Safe And Healthy Want to find more strategies to coping with stress? Check out my website at worksmartlivesmart.com #mentalhealth #hr
Listen to today's podcast... Getting a full night's sleep is up there on the list of things that can make you an energetic, happier person. That quality and quantity can be impacted by poor feng shui in your bedroom. By being aware of some of the principles of feng shui, your bedroom can promote healing, love, and energy. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! So Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Feng Shui Awareness Day: Meeting the feng shui bed guidelines starts with a solid headboard, good mattress, good frame height, and no storage underneath. Choose Your Bedroom to be at the back-end of your home. The back-end of our homes are usually much quieter and your sleep is less likely to be disrupted. Position your head so that you can see the door and have your headboard against the wall. This gives you a subtle sense of security that'll help you fall asleep easier. The feng shui commanding position is the area furthest diagonally from the door, but not in line with it. Only have things that bring you joy and help your energy Work and sleep don't mix, so avoid work-related furniture in the bedroom. Get rid of “light pollution” that causes sleepless nights. Use black out curtains if necessary. Remove all electronics from easy-access to your bed, and you can find your sleep quality improve. Keep your bedroom free of clutter including underneath your bed. A clean and organized bedroom is more visually relaxing and less likely to invoke frustration and agitation that lower your sleep quality. Feng shui is often misconstrued as a complicated, confusing process, however, just follow a few basic principles. Keep clutter at a minimum, have plenty of natural light and fill your home with rounded or curved furniture to allow energy to flow more freely throughout a space. 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 remember date night…That was before hockey and weekends at the rink. That was before school projects and helping out with math homework. And that was before going to bed before 9:00 was a matter of survival. With today's chaotic pace, it is easy to take your partner for granted. When we first fall in love, everything is excitingly-new. But, as the novelty factor starts to wane, we settle into more of a routine. That's when excitement can be replaced by boredom. But it doesn't have to be that way. Research shows that couples can regain that excitement in their relationship by trying something new together. Experiencing new things triggers the release of two brain chemicals, dopamine and norepinephrine — the same ones released when you're newly in love. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! So Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Couple Appreciation Month: Start going on dates again. Plan a road trip to nowhere. Go for a walk in the park and hold hands the entire time. Cook a special dinner together just for the two of you. Leave a quick note on the mirror, their gym bag, or their briefcase/purse to make them smile. Take a minute to think about how much more enjoyable they make your life, and then tell them. These are my suggestions, but I am sure that there are things that you did before that you would like to do again or new things that you would like to try with your partner. So go ahead – what's stopping you? (nothing should be stopping you!) Nothing can be more important then ensuring that your relationship stays rock solid. Discover how to take small steps towards a healthier, happier, less-stressed you by visiting my website at worksmartlivesmart.com #mentalhealth #hr
Listen to today's podcast... Do you reach for comfort foods when you are frustrated, tired, or stressed out? I do. I crave chocolate covered almonds, coffee flavoured Hagen Daas Ice Cream, and Cadbury mini eggs. These cravings are worse when I am emotional or feeling out of control. We know that cortisol increases food cravings for sugary or fatty foods. It also increases hunger hormones which can lead to us making poor nutritional choices. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Emotional Over-Eating Month: Emotional overeating is a huge topic. Using food as a way of attempting to cope with or control feelings can lead to weight gain and poor nutrition. It is a problem when the emotional overeating leaves you feeling unhappy, guilty, and less than. Eating can distract you and calm you. You may see it as a reward…a way of doing something special for yourself. Start by understanding which emotions increase your cravings. Create a clear picture of what “peace with food” means for you. Visualize yourself at your best and the role you want food and eating to play in your life. Look for ways to indulge and reward yourself without turning to food. One site suggested to look for things that smell good rather than taste good – I am attracted to hand creams and fabric sprays, so maybe that will work for me as a mood booster. Another suggested to look for things that feel good – like a fuzzy blanket or sweater. It is all about addressing the habit to reach for foods that in the end, don't satisfy or leave you feeling less than. Looking for more tips to build your resiliency? Check out my Live Smart blog at worksmartlivesmart.com #mentalhealth #hr
I have a Social Phobia. It produces extreme reactions in me. I am a stress and wellness speaker. I can stand up in front of hundreds of people. However, put me into a situation where I am being graded, evaluated, or tested and I fold. I think that I have FNE or fear of negative evaluation. This became obvious when I went to a karate grading. It wasn't even really being graded. It was being pre-graded for my black belt. When the big day came, it overwhelmed me. When I think back, I know that this happened at every skating competition and every piano recital. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! So Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Stress Awareness Month: Many employees hate the performance appraisal to the point where they make them physically ill. Often in these situations, they miss any positive comments and hear only the areas that were cited as needing to improve. As employers, flexibility is needed. Not all performance appraisals need to be delivered in person. Allow people to choose how they want to proceed. If you have a social phobia, know that to overcome a fear takes work. You need to slowly learn how to challenge some of the unhelpful thoughts that the fear generates. Expose yourself to your social phobia in a safe way. Plan and practice your stress strategies ahead of time so that they are like second nature during your exposure. Ask for help. Let others support you during those stressful times. 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... April celebrates Conflict Awareness Month. Celebrates sounds like a funny word to use when we are talking about conflict, but there are benefits to conflict including: Becoming aware of issues within your team Encouraging change in the way things are done Stimulating creativity and bonding as you work to solve the conflict And Promoting decision-making. Conflict becomes difficult to manage when personalities hinder the process. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Conflict Awareness Month: Understanding why some team members become more difficult or negative, and when they are more likely to act that way, can prevent that build up of tension from happening, that may prevent the team from productively solving the conflict. So why are people difficult? For some, negative attitudes and behaviours are expressed when they are stressed out and just don't have the energy to use better communication skills, judgment and manners. Our goal is to stop rewarding these irritating behaviours. To do this, we must understand what employees expect to gain from being so difficult. Some want to feel more in control. Some want to feel important and listened to, and some want to avoid outright conflict, but will act out their annoyance or disagreement through other negative behaviours. By finding the strategies to meet their needs and lower their stress, they may be better able to focus on solving the conflict. The difficulty behind these attitudes and behaviours is that they are highly “toxic.” It is important that we practise good self-care so that our stress doesn't add more negativity to the situation. Want to find more strategies to coping with stress and dealing with conflict? Check out my website at worksmartlivesmart.com #mentalhealth #hr
Listen to today's podcast... I had no idea. There will be nearly 9,000 new cases of Testicular Cancer diagnosed during this year and more than 300 young men will die from the disease because they didn't catch it in time. That is more deaths than women in this age group who will die of breast cancer.) Testicular Cancer is the most common cancer in men ages 15-40, that time when we don't want to admit the possibility of illness. However, if detected early, it is among the easiest to cure. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! So Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Testicular Cancer Awareness Week: You are never too young or too old to do a self-exam. Teach young boys just like we do teen girls to do a self-exam. It should not be embarrassing, and it does save lives. Know the risk factors: Age: Most testicular cancers occur between the ages of 15 and 40. The main risk factor for testicular cancer are undescended testicle(s). A family history of testicular cancer increases the risk. Race and ethnicity: The risk of testicular cancer among white American men is about five times that of African-American men and more than double that of Asian-American men. Talk about it. Private parts are private, but knowing how to detect an illness early is just as essential as the ‘birds and the bees'. 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... As wellness leaders and wellness cheerleaders know, it is often not a lack of information that our team's face. It is about finding a stronger motivation to fight the no's and the excuses. Look for example at your smoking cessation programs. I would venture to say that almost everyone who smokes know that it is harming them in one way or the other. It is not until someone has a clear mental picture as to what the benefits are or how they see their life without smoking, that they can even hope to be successful. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! So Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Physical Wellness Month: Help people to have a picture in their head of what life will look like when they have achieved their wellness goal. So, my picture, is to be able to still run a successful business and to have the creativity and motivation to keep trying new things. It is to be teaching karate to young boys and girls when I am older. I want to be that cool grandma that goes on the roller coaster rides and can walk along the beach. I want to be in my gardens, and I want to stay living in my two-story house. I want to be sure-footed and not afraid to go out and about. I want my back to be straight and my eyes looking forward, not hunched and looking at the ground. So I try to walk at least a couple of times every week, sometimes, complaining the whole way. I go to karate class as often as I can. I throw the frisbee in the snow, because even though it's only the dog getting exercise, I am taking in the benefits of the light that will positively impact my mood and energy. There are so many wellness programs that you could host at your workplace. How are those programs going to help your team be who they picture themselves being? 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... Today we fight the perils of FDS: Fun Deficiency Syndrome on this National Fun Day Today is also Wet Monday. A tradition that was grew out of splashing holy water to a university wide water fight. Now, that sounds like fun! It is also National Deep Dish Pizza Day – how about squishing some dough and making your own pizzas. That could be fun and probably not too messy! Cheap, But Fun Things To Do A lack of money shouldn't mean a lack of fun. There are lots of fun things to do that don't require any money at all. Play dress up or make-believe with your kids. Go and ride your bike. Take a walk at the beach or along a nature trail and see what spring has to offer. Play catch or Frisbee with your dog. Fun can take place at work as well. This is also Laugh At Work Week – so check out our posting on this celebration for things that you can do at work. When we are having fun we forget ourselves. Fun includes happiness, amusement, exhilaration, laughter and joy. However, we lose our sense of fun as we age if we do not nourish it regularly. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Fun Day: Do something fun today – anything – but don't let the day pass without having some fun! 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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