Today is a day dedicated to encouraging and celebrating those who are making life beautiful.  Whether you’re creating beauty through your art, music, relationships or helping others achieve personal success.

One small action can lead to a ripple effect.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      So Here are today’s Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Making Life Beautiful Day:

Help someone achieve a personal goal.

Donate time to a worthy cause.

Clean up a community space.

Create a work of art.

Refinish and repurpose something old.

Plant a garden or send someone some flowers.

Connect with a friend.

Thank a colleague.

Share a smile.

Expect the best, not the worst.

Choose joy. Making life beautiful starts with you and choosing joy will get your attitude on the right track to making an impact in the world.

There’s no real wrong way to celebrate National Making Life Beautiful Day, as long as you do something and keep focused on making life beautiful.

Remember, If you like today’s wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app.

Looking for more ways to build your resiliency? Take my free on-line vulnerability test at worksmartlivesmart.com under the resources and courses tab.

#mentalhealth #hr

June is a time of reflection.

The goal of Professional Wellness Month is to encourage you to reflect on how your health and wellness intersect with your professional life.  

One of the main sources of stress at work is having too much to do and not enough time to do it in. Examine your workload. Are you working copious amounts of overtime? Have you stop taking breaks? Are you feeling vacation deprived?

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!

Here are today’s Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Professional Wellness Month:

If workload is the reason you're unable to take breaks or vacation, discuss the problem with your manager to find a solution. It is important to know when to ask for help, rather than letting the stress build to the point of burnout, anxiety or depression.

Eating well, exercising, attending to our health and feeling good, makes you more productive at work. So build in strategies to take care of your biological needs, as well as strategies to give yourself a break from your workplace stress.

Get a life outside of work. Focus on hobbies, friends, and family. Unplug and learn to focus on these activities and relationships. Focusing more on your time away from work will benefit your energy and creativity while you are at work.

Remember, If you like today’s wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app.

Looking for resources to build your healthy workplace? Check out my top 10 tips under Resources and Courses at worksmartlivesmart.com

#mentalhealth #hr

Want to live longer?

Then smile more.

Smiling is contagious.  It changes our mood. It fights stress and builds your resiliency. Smiling boosts your immune system. It lowers your blood pressure and blocks pain.

Part of National Smile Month is about maintaining good oral health. I just recently went to see my dentist and I didn’t have it in me to lie about flossing my teeth. I just don’t take the time, especially as life gets busy and rushed. And I am not the only one.

Currently, research shows that a significant number of us have taken time off work in the last five years due to poor oral health. Most problems with teeth and gums are preventable with a good daily routine. Furthermore, a quarter of all adults have not visited a dentist in the past two years and a similar number only brush their teeth once a day.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!

Here are today’s Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Smile Month:

The Oral Health Foundations recommends that we brush our teeth right before going to bed at night and on at least one other occasion throughout the day with a fluoride toothpaste. We should also cut down on how much sugary food and drinks we have, and how often we have them. And finally, we need to go to see our dentist regularly.

Ultimately, the aim is to help us achieve good physical and mental wellbeing by improving our oral health.

A smile might be a small gesture, yet it can have a remarkable effect on our state of mind, as well as the emotional happiness of others.

Remember, If you like today’s wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app.

Looking for more ways to build your resiliency? Take my free on-line resiliency test at worksmartlivesmart.com under the resources and courses tab.

#Mentalhealth #hr

Beauty is only skin deep or in simpler terms, a pleasing appearance is not a guide to character. However, our skin is vital to our health.

Your skin is the largest organ of your body. Your skin covers your entire body and acts as a shield from the elements. It bends with ease, warns you when something is too hot or too cold, repairs itself when broken, and plays a huge part in your appearance.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      So Here are today’s Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Beautiful In Your Skin Month:

Wear sunscreen daily. There are plenty of sunscreens, but the right kind of sunscreen can effectively protect your skin from the damaging UV rays. Choose a sunscreen that has an SPF of 30 and don’t forget your neck and hands.

Getting rid of dry, dead skin cells can leave your skin looking smoother and supple but don’t over exfoliate. Be gentle to your skin and treat it with care.

Hydrate. Drinking 6-8 glasses of water daily does not necessarily mean that your skin will be automatically hydrated.

Stay away from tanning beds and the sun. Do a spray tan instead if you are looking for a glow.

Examine your skin regularly for signs of skin cancer. Look for new or unusual spots, as well as anything changing, itching or bleeding.

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

There are all kinds of headaches.

Some are sharp and painful.

Others are a long, slow ache from somewhere deep inside.

Chronic headache sufferers know that headaches can interfere with work, social activities and even completing the simplest task such as getting dressed.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      So Here are today’s Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Headache Awareness Week:

Learn what triggers your headaches – Is it conflict, noise, food, wine, odours or all of the above

Keep a headache journal to give you some clues as to the triggers

Let go of anger and frustration and try to lower your stress

Get plenty of sleep

Eat a balanced diet

Get outside

Exercise

Learn relaxation techniques such as utilizing pressure points, deep breathing, visualization and muscle relaxation.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about your headaches to see if you have explored all the possible treatments.

Finally, deep breathing is one of the easiest and effective relaxation techniques available to reduce headaches. Learn how to utilize this skill to reduce your headaches and improve your life.

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

I have some great memories of going to the drive-in with friends. Staying up late for the dusk to dawn movies on the long weekends. I loved taking my own kids to see the latest Disney flick at our local drive-in, one of the few remaining ones in our area. The boys would be dressed in their jammies, pillows and blankets ready, popcorn to snack on as we waited for the sun to set and the movie to begin.

Even now, my husband and I will head to the movies during the summer for date night.

Did you know that the creator of the drive-in did so to help his mother enjoy the theatre in a more comfortable seat way back in 1933. These drive-ins saw their heydays in the 50’s to 80’s, but sadly, with movies on demand, many of these local drive-ins have closed.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      So Here are today’s Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Drive In Movie Day:

Gather your family together and head to the drive-in. Enjoy the experience of watching a movie on an outdoor big screen. And if you do, use #DriveInMovieDay to post on social media.

If you don’t have a drive-in close by, plan a trip and take in this unique experience before many of these local treasures shut down.

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

We will sit by the camp-fire and sing a song or two.  There will be peace and happiness.  It will be a wonderful bonding experience.  And everything will be right in the world…

Not bloody likely! as my European friends say. 

I love camping, but it certainly never matched my expectations of what a family camping trip should be like.  We were closer to the Griswold’s with everyone arguing and sometimes wishing they were somewhere or with someone else. 

So why do we still go?

Because camping is really no different than the rest of our lives.  We have moments of chaos, arguing and not getting along, mixed with other moments of happiness, laughter and peace.  Many memories have been made through frantically packing up in the rain, backing up over a deer antler and blowing a tire, and cooking our dinner by the fire.  We have enjoyed kayaking, canoeing and swimming races and our bets on who could catch the biggest, most and ugliest fish.  We have sat on the beach, and in folding chairs by the fire and have snuggled under the covers.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      So Here are today’s Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Camping Month:

Try to go with the flow and let go of your mental picture of what camping should look like.

Chaos Aside, Camping Is A Great Break

Even with all of the effort and potential for chaos, camping represents a break from the everyday for me.  I enjoy some family time and some alone-time, and I get a chance to appreciate nature and all of the beauty it offers. 

Remember, If you like today’s wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app.

Discover how to take small steps towards a healthier, happier, less-stressed, you by visiting my website at worksmartlivesmart.com

#mentalhealth #hr

Time off is essential to our mental health, yet three in ten put our holidays on standby and we leave them unused.

More hours spent on the job can often mean less quality time with friends and loved ones and can negatively impact our mental and physical health.

When we do not use our allotted time, we may experience more stress related symptoms such as mood swings, frustration, irritability, pessimism, feelings of being rushed, pushed or tired, more headaches, sleep difficulties and gastrointestinal disorders. Being overworked and vacation deprived may result in not communicating as effectively, problem solving as efficiently and are being as creative or energized as those who do take their allotted vacation time.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      So Here are today’s Hot Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Our Mental Health:

Many of us are working under the false belief that more in always equals more out. Unfortunately our bodies and minds can only work at peak efficiency for so long before they start to break-down and shut-down. Make sure that you use all of your allotted vacation time.

It may not be the employee that is not valuing the benefits of vacation time. There are some leaders who see vacation time as a nuisance and a disruption to the productivity of the group. Employers can minimize vacation deprivation by lightening their workload and by encouraging them to take time off.

Vacation usage is one of the most common corporate wellness programs. Vacation usage needs to be evaluated, as it can be an early indicator of individual and team difficulties, which may negatively impact the corporate bottom line.

Remember, If you like today’s wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app.

Looking for resources to build your healthy workplace? Check out my top 10 tips under Resources and Courses at worksmartlivesmart.com

#mentalhealth #hr

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and being productive at work depends on us staying active.  Running is a great way to become active and fit.

Some people use running as a form of meditation, a way to block out the work to-dos and the conflict and to focus solely on their breathing and the sound of their steps. They finish their run feeling mentally refreshed.

As meditative as running can be, it can also be tedious.

There are always going to be those mornings when you lace up your sneakers and find that your heart’s just not in it.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      So Here are today’s Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Running Fitness Week:

Pick A Pack. See if you can create a running team. It is still possible to run and maintain social distancing. Make it a safe, social gathering as well as a fitness goal.

Start off slow and gradually increase your tolerance and distance.

Add variety to your running by sprinting stairs, or go off roading.

And finally, if running is just not your thing, that’s okay. Find another fitness activity that gets your heart rate up and promotes strength and flexibility. The idea is just to stay active.

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

“Control the events in your life or the events in your life will control you.”

In these busy times, leaving early may seem like a death sentence to your career.

We know that in spite of the advances in technology, many of us are working longer hours than our parents and chronic illnesses such as burnout, heart disease and depression are on the rise.

In order to maintain our health and our productivity, we must ensure that we have energy.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency So Here are today’s Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Leave The Office Earlier Day:

Leaving early is just one strategy in an attempt to not let time control you. By consciously planning to leave early one day this week, I am betting that you will be much more focused and will feel a renewed sense of balance in your life.

What would you do if you had 20 minutes of ‘free time’ time today? What would you do if you had 1 hour or 2 hours extra?

What priority would you focus on – your health – your kids – your spouse – your gardens – your dog – your community?

Leaving Early Day is an awareness of how time slips away from us. It’s about failing to make our priorities a priority in our life. Our work is important, and we owe it to ourselves and our employer to be present, creative and healthy. How? Control your schedule and be purposeful with your time.

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

It has been six months since the hats, horns, bells and whistles that rang in the New Year. With all that has been going on, the commitments and promises of making changes that were destined to make us healthier, happier or more connected to the people around us, may have moved to the background of our lives.

I like the quote that says, “Who you are in each moment creates your future.” This gives you the opportunity to restart and refocus each month, each day, or even each hour.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      So Here are Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating New Year’s Resolution Recommitment Day:

Examine your life. What are your priorities and over-riding values?

Know why you want the things you want. Too many people resolve to do things because they think that they should rather than because they feel that it is the right thing for them.

Know what the benefits are of making this change or correction. What will the ‘new’ picture of your life look like and feel like?

Share your picture with others – post it, talk about it, find others who have a similar picture.

Re-commit, don’t quit. If you have lapsed for a day or two or fallen off the path completely, so what. Re-picture and jump in again.

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

What you think upon grows. Philosophers through the ages have said that 'thoughts are things' and 'as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.' We are the master weavers of our circumstances and our thoughts can set us up a life of ignorance and pain or enlightenment and happiness.

But it is not just as simple as thinking positively to attract what you want.  It is also about tapping into the emotions of life and monitoring them to see how satisfied you are with what is happening in your life.  Simply dreaming about happiness isn't going to necessarily bring more happiness.  Thinking and focusing on all the ways we can be happier and taking steps to bring in and allow more good stuff to happen, may bring in more opportunities for happiness.

Certainly the opposite is also true.  Focusing on pain, will reinforce the strength of that pain.  You will notice more the impact of that pain. Your attitude and motivation may sink as you feel helpless to get rid of the pain and then you will let that pain engulf everything about the world that you are in.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      So Here are today’s Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating What You Think Grows On You Day:

Our reality today is based on our thoughts from yesterday.

Today’s belief creates tomorrow’s reality. Become your ideal person, as if you have what you are desiring.  How would a happy employee act? How would a loving partner respond? What way would a caring parent see their children?

What would be on your bucket list for work, your relationships, your health, your personal life?  Describe them in detail.  Our mind will look for ways to make these a reality for us.

Remember, If you like today’s wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app.

Discover how to take small steps towards a healthier, happier, less-stressed you by visiting my website at worksmartlivesmart.com

#mentalhealth #hr

I wish that I was one of those people with fantastic feet.  I love the look of feet in sandals and high heel shoes.  They are stylish and fun.

My feet are not stylish or fun.  They are crooked and bony.  I inherited my feet from my mother’s side of the family, who have a long history of foot problems.  My feet are painful and I am just in my 50’s.  There are days that I can barely walk after delivering a presentation.  I don’t wear high heels and instead I settle for my orthotics.  I must admit that I am barefoot more often than not when I am at home and always when I am on the dojo floor. This is when they don’t hurt.

As we age, our feet become more important to our mobility and overall health and happiness.

Did you know…

That when you walk, the forces borne by your feet are about one and one half times your body weight? And that 75% of us will experience foot health problems of varying degrees of severity at one time or another in our lives

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency So Here are today’s Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Foot Health Month:

Keep your blood circulating to your feet. A daily exercise routine contributes to a healthy body and mind.  Walking is an ideal form of exercise. Try putting your feet up when you are sitting or lying down, or getting a gentle foot massage.

And because my feet are not beautiful, they might as well be funny:

What was the foot surgeon’s favorite Olympic event?     Arch-ery

and finally…

Why didn’t the children like their mother’s foot jokes?   They were too corny

Looking for resources to build your resiliency? Check out my Live Smart blog at worksmartlivesmart.com

#mentalhealth #hr

So today is Heat Awareness Day and it feels like the coldest spring that we have had in a while. Soon however, the sun will be shining down and we will spend days either playing or working outside in the heat.

Heat exhaustion and dehydration due to heat are some of the leading weather-related killers in the United States and Canada.

Extreme heat is defined as at least 2-3 days of high heat and humidity with temperatures above 90 degrees Fahrenheit or 30 degrees Celsius. In extreme heat, evaporation is slowed, and the body must work extra hard to maintain a normal temperature. This can lead to death by overworking the human body. Remember that extreme heat can occur quickly and without warning and that older adults, children, and those who are ill are at greater risk from the impact extreme heat.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      So Here are today’s Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Heat Awareness Day:

When we are under an EXTREME HEAT WARNING:

Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.

Find air conditioning when possible. Know places in your community where you can go to get cool.

Keep your home cool by covering the windows and using fans.

Avoid strenuous activities.

Watch for the signs of heat illness, such as HEAT CRAMPS, HEAT EXHAUSTION and HEAT STROKE

The summer heat is welcomed after a long cold winter, but as the slogan goes, Be Aware and Stay Safe in the Heat.

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

Mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of, but stigma and bias shame us all, said Bill Clinton

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency

Here are today’s Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Mental Health Month:

In the spirit of eliminating the stigma around mental health challenges here are some Do's And Don'ts

Do:        

• Educate yourself about mental health challenges and issues
• Foster a healthy workplace environment
• Emphasize abilities, not limitations
• Use respectful language
• Refer to the person not the disability or illness
• Tell people when they express a stigmatizing attitude

Do Not:

• Portray successful people with disabilities as the exception
• Use generic labels such as “retarded” or “the mentally ill”
• Use terms like “crazy,” “lunatic,” or “insane” in general conversation
• Don’t let stigma create self-doubt and shame

It is everyone's responsibility to reduce the stigma, prejudice and discrimination associated with mental health issues. Education, understanding, and support are key to creating a psychologically safe and healthy workplace.

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

Do you eat breakfast?

Research found that people who skipped breakfast had a higher risk of obesity, depression and perceived stress. They also found that performance, problem solving skills, and mood are all affected by breakfast consumption.

What is your approach to breakfast?

Are you The Pauper, The King and The Maestro?

The Pauper - These people almost always skip breakfast. They are either too busy, not hungry in the morning, or are on a diet. Or just like the pauper who was given a small piece of bread to eat, these people may eat a doughnut, or a piece of toast and wash it down with coffee or juice

The King - The ‘feast’ consists of a large quantity of food, including eggs, pancakes with syrup, and sausage.  Though it contains a variety of food groups, it usually is heavy on the carbs and fat and very high in calories, which can lead to obesity, heart disease and diabetes.

The Maestro - Breakfast is a priority for this group, and so is conducting themselves in healthy way.  They make good choices so that they manage their energy effectively and add the right kinds of foods that promote health and longevity.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency So Here are today’s Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Egg Month:

Make it portable.  If time is an issue, look for things that can be taken on the road such as hard-boiled eggs.

Make it fun.  Eggs and waffles can be cooked using a variety of shapes to add some fun. 

Keep it balanced.  Try to cover the basic food groups. 

Look for variety. Just keep it balanced and don’t get stuck in a rut.

Remember, If you like the tips in this briefing, please leave me a review on amazon or in 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

With so many companies investing in workplace wellness, it comes as a surprise that research shows that few companies assess the health needs of their employee population before deciding which wellness services to invest in. Even more surprising, is that only about a third of companies evaluate and measure how their programs impact the health and wellness of their employees or their bottom line.

A productive employee wellness program assesses the health, wants, and needs of your employees and then addresses these issues, wants and needs in a meaningful and measurable way that the employer can track over time

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Here are today’s Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating the Mental Health Month:

Simply offering a wellness program, no matter how well-intentioned, provides no guarantee of improving employees' well-being or having any value or return-on-investment. Workers must be aware the program exists and be persuaded to use it. Engaging company managers are key.

Managers that engaged their workers were 28% more likely to participate in a wellness program offered by their company than were average employees.

Wellness is a commitment. It is a commitment by the individual, their manager and by the company.

It can take several years for the investment to be realized, but is well worth doing, because a healthy workplace is clearly a win/win situation for both employee and employer.

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

Gone are the days that some well-meaning teacher would take their knuckle and drive it into the middle of your back and tell you to sit up straight.

The Chiropractic Association has found that even young children are suffering from back pain much earlier than previous generations. Though a major cause of back and neck pain is kids and their backpacks, it is also our overall poor posture.

Hours of computer slouching, hunching over while texting and laying around as a couch potato have serious repercussions on our posture. 

The good news: there are easy things people can do to Reduce Your Stress By Correcting Your Posture.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      So Here are today’s Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Correct Posture Month:

Practice the wall stand.

Back up to a wall so your heels, buttocks, shoulders and head all lightly touch the wall while you keep everything level, relaxed and aligned– and take 3 slow breaths, feeling your body’s best posture.

Shoes matter.

For women, there is no such thing as a good high heel for your posture. Trade in the stilettos for a shoe that gives you the proper support.

It is critical to understand that the body impacts the mind. Standing up straight and walking tall will help you to think and feel better. Reduce Your Stress By Correcting Your Posture and remaining calm, more relaxed, and more physically and mentally healthy.

Discover how to take small steps towards a healthier, happier, less-stressed you by visiting my website at worksmartlivesmart.com

#mentalhealth #hr

What are the first words that come to mind when you think about Schizophrenia?

Some of those may include: crazy, psycho, or dangerous.

Often, someone with schizophrenia is portrayed in the media and through film and television as dangerous or violent, however, this is not the case. A person who is affected by schizophrenia is not more dangerous than anyone else

Most of us are not really aware of what Schizophrenia all entails.

Schizophrenia is an example of a thought disorder, characterized by a history of acute psychosis and chronic deterioration of functioning, and affecting thinking, perception, mood and behaviour.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      So Here are today’s Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Schizophrenia Awareness Week:

There are still many misconceptions about schizophrenia, and it continues to be a mental health challenge that is rarely spoken about.

These misconceptions lead to further stigma, prejudice and discrimination.

Stigma is perhaps the biggest barrier to mental health care. This stigma can prevent people from getting hired, promoted or keeping a job, getting proper health care, feeling loved, needed and accepted, contributing to communities or feeling productive.

Find ways to

• Educate yourself about all mental health challenges and issues
• Foster a healthy workplace environment
• Emphasize abilities, not limitations

It is everyone's responsibility to reduce the stigma, prejudice and discrimination associated with mental illness. Education and understanding are key.

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

The weather is warming up. We are getting outside more. And it is time to play.

It’s National Backyard Games Day. What is your favourite game to play outside with your family or friends?

As kids we would run through the sprinklers in a game of dare to see who could stand the cold well water the longest. Maybe you were more the baseball or soccer ball group.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Here are today’s Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Backyard Games Day:

From tag, to horseshoes, to backyard challenges, it is time to have some fun.

It is time to get out of the house, to let go of the uncertainty, and to remember that we need to balance all aspects of our life. Balance means satisfaction. For many of us the fun factor has dipped to an all time low, so look for ways to play again.

Put the kids in charge of setting up the games. Or allow everyone to pick or create one fun activity and enjoy the laughter and memories that they can create.

Even if you are alone and not able to socially connect with others, grab your camera, head outside, and take some pictures from the oddest angles. Guaranteed to give you a different perspective and boost your mood. Remember, like when you were a kid, you are only limited by your own imagination.

Remember, If you like today’s wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app.

Discover how to take small steps towards a healthier, happier, less-stressed you by visiting my website at worksmartlivesmart.com

#mentalhealth #hr

You remember those times…You had one hour to get to the airport, and you find yourself still stressing out about what clothes to pack and where you’ve hidden the sunscreen.

Though we may not be able to go on vacation right now, it may be the perfect time to plan what you would like to do for your next vacation.

Time away from work is needed to restore our resiliency. Vacations were meant to be rejuvenating, but sometimes our expectations around having the perfect vacation lead to further stress.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Here are today’s Tips For Building Resiliency and Vanquishing Vacation Stress Month:

Even researching and daydreaming about your next vacation can be good for your mental health, so look at pictures, and explore the possibilities for when the time is right.

Remember that there is no such thing as the perfect vacation, so stay flexible in your thinking.

When you get a chance to actually go on vacation, choose your activities wisely. Choose activities that meet with your particular goals. Is your vacation for relaxation, celebration or relationship renewal?

Plan to ease into and out of vacation mode. There is nothing worse than returning from a vacation saying you need a vacation from your vacation.

Finally, take the time to breathe deeply, laugh and nurture your soul now. You don’t have to wait for your vacation to spend time on protecting your mental health. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“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

“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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

1. 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.

2. 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 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

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

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

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

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

What Is Optimism?

Wikipedia states that Optimism is to anticipate the best possible outcome.  Optimists generally believe that people and events are inherently good, so that most situations work out in the end for the best.

Optimism takes work.  Being pessimistic means you are stuck in identifying the problems over and over again.  Being optimistic means you have to move forward and do something about it.

Optimistic people are better at problem-solving - they move quickly from problem-identification to problem-solving. 

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Optimism Month:

Act like an optimist.

Use the word choices and body posture of optimistic people. Use "upbeat" words instead of "upset" words - Challenged vs Overwhelmed.  Optimists take big steps, walk faster and stand taller. Pessimistic people shuffle their feet, take tiny steps, walk slowly and slouch.

Move quickly from problem-identification to problem-solving. We all get angry and upset, but the challenge is to move past these emotions and start looking for strategies and solutions that will help you to deal with that challenge.

Avoid emotional leeches. Minimize your contact with those who look on the down-side of everything, who criticize you or mock or sabotage your dreams and aspirations.

Remember

Optimists enjoy better health.

They find more success.

Optimistic people feel less stressed during stressful times.

Optimists tend to have more supportive networks and resources.

Discover how to take small steps towards a healthier, happier, less-stressed you by visiting my website at worksmartlivesmart.com

#mentalhealth #hr

“I am in Control Day” is a call to action.  It is your chance to get things in order and under control.

We humans have a powerful need to control the world around us.  In the same respect, not being in control, creates an enormous amount of stress.  As we evolved, being in control of our environment increased our chance of survival. It gave us a sense of certainty, completion, understanding, and predictability.

When we can’t completely control something, then we can use trust, routines and rules to help us with a sense of control.  We trust authority figures to keep us safe and make the right decisions.  We can also trust in a ‘higher’ power.  Routines and rules help to keep things more predictable.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating I Am In Control Day:

Take a deep breath and relax. The stress response can be fought by inducing the relaxation response. 

Assess the situation.  Gather the facts.  Sometimes just having all the information about what you are facing can help you to feel more in control.  Be sure that you are not over-exaggerating the situation.

Next, ask yourself what you can do to problem solve the situation? What choices can you make that will help you resolve this?

Focus on the things that you do have control of, even if they are the little things.

 “Remember, we always have choice about the way we live our lives.  We may not be able to control everything and often control is more of an illusion.  But when we give up choosing, we truly are out of control.”

Looking for more ways to build your resiliency, take my free on-line vulnerability test at worksmartlivesmart.com under the resources and courses tab.

#mentalhealth #hr

This day celebrates those entrepreneurs who had a desire to be their own boss and who went out and made it happen.  They are store owners, manufacturers, producers and service providers.  It is through determination and hard work that their success is possible.

The downside is that they probably sacrificed family time and personal care for this success.

In helping entrepreneurs in dealing with work-related stress issues, one of the key reasons I hear that many started their business, was to have control.  Control over the creative process.  Control over the service that they provided to others.  And most especially – control over themselves – How they worked and when they worked.

Often this control over when they worked and how they worked was quickly given away in an effort to grow their business. They became their own worse boss as they strived for success. 

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day

Some advice if you are the business owner – remember why you started your own business and make sure that you are honouring that reason in the way that you conduct your business.

 Make sure that you are taking care of yourself so that you have the energy to continue to work hard in your business. Take several breaks throughout the day to restore your energy. Eat right. Have a life outside your business.  Stay connected to your family and friends.

The goal is to run a successful business and stay healthy and connected at the same time.

To everyone else: Thank those mom and pop business owners in your community who work hard to keep their business going strong

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

Cabin fever took on a brand-new meaning during the pandemic.

Cabin fever refers to the irritability or restlessness experienced when a person, or group, is stuck at an isolated location or in confined quarters for an extended period of time.

Along with irritability or boredom, feeling Stir Crazy may leave you sleepy or on the other extreme, unable to sleep. You may have a distrust of anyone you are with, or have an urge to go out somewhere, even when you know that it is not safe to do so.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Cabin Fever Month:

The cure is as simple as getting outside and interacting with nature.

The sounds of the forest, the scent of the trees, the sunlight playing through the branches, the fresh, clean air — these things give us a sense of comfort. They ease our stress and worry, help us to relax and to think more clearly. Being in nature can restore our mood, give us back our energy and vitality, refresh and rejuvenate us. Research has demonstrated that even brief interactions with nature can promote improved cognitive functioning, and overall well-being.

It is easy to let our perspective on life get distorted, especially during times of chaos and challenge. Sometimes we neglect doing the simple things that can help us to refocus, re-energize and restore our mental health.

An easy way to do that is to move from looking inwards at ourselves and our situation to moving outwards and noticing the awesome things that are occurring all around us.

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

An effective leader shows their employees and their team that they appreciate all their hard work and loyalty. When an employee goes above and beyond on a project, a supportive leader shows their appreciation. When the team achieves a difficult objective, a great leader celebrates their accomplishment.

Wondering what you can do for your staff to thank them for all their efforts?

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Employee Appreciation Month:

Celebrate with food. It may be a breakfast, a catered lunch, or a smoothie break during the afternoon slump. What about a team cooking challenge? Provide each team with various ingredients and see what they can put together and enjoy the fun.

Give the gift of time. Give your team a time off coupon that they can use at their choosing.

Shout it out. Give a shoutout to a member who has completed a task or gone above and beyond to meet a deadline.

Send it. A hand-written note, sent to the employee’s home, is an unexpected and genuine way of showing appreciation.

Bring in a massage therapist to do 15-minute chair massages. A little bit of pampering goes along way.

Your employees are your most precious asset, let them know that they are valued and appreciated!

Looking for resources to build your healthy workplace? Check out my top 10 tips under Resources and Courses at worksmartlivesmart.com

#mentalhealth #hr

"I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have more than enough.  I have learnt the secret to being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether poor or rich.  I have the ability to face all situations because of the strength God gives me."  Philippians 4:11-13

This is the sign above my desk that I read everyday that I am in my office. I am not there yet, but it is what I strive for.  Contentment.  A belief that things will be okay and that I will be okay.

Spiritual Wellness is generally considered to be the search for meaning and purpose in human existence, leading one to strive for a state of harmony with oneself and others, while working to balance inner needs with the rest of the world.

The path to spiritual wellness may involve meditation, prayer, affirmations, or specific spiritual practices that support your connection to a higher power or belief system.

Spiritual wellness involves having compassion, the capacity for love and forgiveness, altruism, joy, and fulfillment.

Your religious faith, values, beliefs, principles, and morals define your spirituality.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Tips For Building Resiliency and Achieving Spiritual Wellness:

Evaluate your own spiritual wellness with this brief quiz.

Do you make time for relaxation in your day?

Is there time for meditation and/or prayer?

Do your values guide your decisions and actions?

Are you accepting of the views of others?

This month focus on the meaning and purpose of your life and try to bring more harmony and balance to it.

Looking for more ways to build your resiliency, take my free on-line vulnerability test at worksmartlivesmart.com under the resources and courses tab.

#mentalhealth #hr

But the little boy said…There are so many colors in the rainbow. So many colors in the morning sun. So many colors in the flowers and I see every one.

I love this song by Harry Chapin. 

March is Colour Therapy Month and it reminds me that soon, the snow will leave us and the amazing colours of spring will surface.  These colours make me smile, they pick me up and they put the world back into perspective.

Research has found that colour does impact our mood.  Colour therapy itself, is an energy healing method that has been used for thousands of years.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Colour Therapy Month:

Deep breathing and visualization are powerful strategies that can calm and heal us.  You may want to vary this by using Colour Breathing.  While breathing in and out, the participant visualizes the various colours of the rainbow filling their body and then being released.  Red, orange and yellow come up from the ground through the body, to the top and leave through the ground.  Green is visualized coming in horizontally from the world to fill your body and then leaves out the back, while blue and violet come in from the head, to the toes and back out to the sky.

Here are a couple favourites from the Colour Therapy Month website:

Eat a salad that contains all 7 colors of the rainbow.

Take a color therapy bath.

Mix and drink your favorite colorful cocktail or fruit smoothie.

Create a flower display of all the 7 rainbow colors.

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

Do you drink more than four cups of coffee a day?

Do you often find yourself irritable, depressed or disoriented after drinking caffeinated beverages?

When you don’t drink caffeine do you find yourself experiencing headaches, drowsiness, or insomnia?

National Caffeine Awareness Month draws attention to the risk associated with caffeine.

At 200 mg of caffeine, you can experience irritability, restlessness, tension, insomnia, excitement, and gastrointestinal disturbance.

If you consume more than 1 gram (1000 mg), you can receive irregular heartbeats, panic and anxiety disorders, muscle twitching, and incoherent speech.

And, believe it or not, when you ingest more than 5 grams, the results can be fatal.

Caffeine has a half-life of about six-hours. That means that if your 4 o’clock cup of coffee contains 200 mg of caffeine, by 10 o’clock that night, there will still be 100 mg of caffeine in your body, preventing you from falling into a deep and restful sleep.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Caffeine Awareness Month:

Look at what you consume – caffeine is often a hidden ingredient in some of our favourite foods.

Be aware of how much caffeine you are consuming in a day.

Look at why you consume certain caffeinated drinks. Is it the flavour, the social aspect, the energy boost, or is it out of thirst or boredom? The answer will help you to determine if there is a healthier way to fill that need.

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

Long ago are the days where the onset of spring meant that housewives everywhere, opened the windows, shook out the rugs and cleared out the closets. Usually, we are far too busy to dedicate a week or even a couple of days just to tackle spring cleaning.

Many of us have forgotten that spring cleaning can improve our mood.

Apparently, just like other types of exercise, the act of cleaning causes our bodies to release endorphins. And using lemon-scented cleaning products can help you de-stress as studies show that a citrus smell reduces stress and leaves a positive impression on others.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Here are my Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Spring-Cleaning Week:

Don’t let other people should all over you, you get to decide what spring cleaning may look like for you.

Pick one thing a week that you would like to tackle – it could be just the front closet or the upstairs windows.

Enlist the help of family members. My long-time friend Laurie challenged her kids to organize her family photos.

Find a way to get and keep your organization. Get rid of clutter. If it is not necessary – get rid of it and let someone else clean around it. With less to think about, there is bound to be less stress related to your physical space.

If you like today’s wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app.

Looking for more ways to build your resiliency. Take my free on-line vulnerability test at worksmartlivesmart.com under the resources and courses tab.

#mentalhealth #hr

It can give us life and it can kill us.

Give us pleasure and cause fear.

It can be found everywhere and in 20 years half of us may not have enough of it.

It’s more valuable than gold.

People are dying to have it.

What is it?

Water

It makes up to 78% of our body. To function properly, the body requires around two litres of water per day to avoid dehydration. It is the most important nutrient to our body. It is rather difficult to drink too much water, but it is dangerous to drink too little. Scientists have estimated that by 2030, in some regions of the world, water demand will exceed supply by 50%.

We take water for granted. Everyone pollutes it without thinking of the consequences and many of us waste it without thinking of how valuable it is. Humans can live without food for several weeks, but we would be in dire straits without water, even for only a couple a days.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating World Water Day:

Plastic water bottles are convenient but a huge waste of resources and pollute our planet.  Look for alternatives.  Use the water fountain.  Take water in a reusable container.

Turn the water off when brushing your teeth.

Make sure your taps aren’t leaking.

Don’t pollute what you have. Look for biodegradable detergents and cleaners to run in your shower, dishwasher and washing machine.

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

Marilyn Monroe said, “I never said I was a good girl.”

If you want to be a bad, then you've got to embrace the look and the attitude.

Being bad is an art.

One site I looked at, said that bad girls rock the sexy shoe. Apparently flip flops don’t cut it.

And sunglasses create an aura of mystery. Not sure my prescription progressive sunglasses count.

I also learned that my flannel pjs just don’t cut it. Better to go black leather. Can’t see it. I am not into bows and ruffles, but I do like my jammies.

I am not really hitting it out of the ballpark on this Be Bad Day.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Be Bad Day that may help you step into your Bad self:

Being Bad is about being confident. Confident to express yourself in any way, shape or form that you see appropriate. You are not afraid to try something new, even if it isn’t for everyone.

Being confident is about being able to say what you want and go after what you need. It is not about stepping on others to get there, but it is showing the persistence to make it happen.

Being confident attracts people to you. You aren’t afraid to talk to others. Being bad means that you can rely on your friends and step into your independence when you need to. You have your own interests and know how to take care of yourself.

Being bad, means that you are a survivor.

So, I might have a little bad in me…after all Joan Jett was one of my rocker heros.

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

I am so done with winter. It is wearing on my nerves and making me seriously want to move to another country – preferably with snow only in the remotest of locations…just in case I do want to see it again. But that is not likely.

Today is Snowman Burning Day. It is a day to celebrate the changing of season and where we hopefully can soon leave winter behind us.

I am not sure that burning a snowman will bring me some spring juju, but at this point I am willing to try.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Snowman Burning Day:

If you can’t burn a snowman, try encouraging that spring feeling by bringing home some blooms. Even if it is not spring outside yet, some bright flowers can make the day shine a little brighter

Make sure you have space to welcome spring into your home. Clear clutter from your display areas, closets, drawers and storage spaces. Donate, recycle or sell unused and unwanted clothing and household items.

Host a Spring Party and break out the BBQ. Getting together with friends or family can lift some of the winter gloom.

Finally, my favourite choice. Go out for ice cream. Nothing says good-bye to winter more than enjoying an ice cream cone.

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

Laughter Is Good For Us – So Why Don’t We Use It More?

It has been shown that laughter (not just a quick giggle) reduces physical and emotional tension. Muscles tense in laughter and then relax profoundly for as long as 45 minutes. The more hearty, the more relaxing it is and the longer the positive effect. Laughter helps the body to produces endorphins, which are natural pain relievers.

A good belly laugh can stimulate your internal organs, increase your circulation, raise the level of oxygen in the blood and boost the immune system. A group of researchers found that laughing boisterously 100 times a day will give you the same effects as 10 minutes of rowing or 15 minutes on an exercise bike.

We know intrinsically that laughter is good for us, yet as we get older our laugh quota drops further and further. As adults, we need to examine what happened to our playful, fun, humourous side.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Let’s Laugh Day:

Find funny friends and co-workers and make it a point to hang out with them

Go old school and read the comics

Watch funny TV programs, movies and videos

Being able to laugh gives us the physical energy and mental resilience needed to survive.

Smile, Laugh Large and Fight ‘Terminal Seriousness’.

Discover how to take small steps towards a healthier, happier, less-stressed you by visiting my website at worksmartlivesmart.com

#mentalhealth #hr

My parents weren’t perfect.

As a new parent, I knew I was going to be a better parent than my own.  I was going to be kinder, hug more, talk more, connect more, love more.

And my children would appreciate me, know that I was always fair, never ‘hate’ me, and never doubt my love for them.

Reality can be painful.  The realization that there is no such thing as a perfect parent, that no one had perfect parents, that you are not going to be the perfect parent and that no matter what, your children are going to take you for granted, think that you are unfair, ‘hate’ you for the decisions that you’ve made and will probably doubt how much you love them at some point, is all part of our maturing process.

Parenting is not easy.  We wing it, just like our parents did. 

This realization can lead us to forgiveness.

Sometimes there is a little to get past, sometimes there is a lot to forgive.  Sometimes the hurt and damage run very deep.  Hanging on to this ‘baggage’ is damaging.  It can damage your current and future relationships. 

Forgiveness is not forgetting.  It is awareness and it is moving forward. 

The past can never be re-written.  But sometimes forgiveness allows the future to be much brighter.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Forgive Mom and Dad Day:

In my teens, I wanted to change my parents.  As I got older, I have grown to accept them for who they were and are today. 

They were not perfect, but they have some really good qualities.  Now, I see them through the eyes of my children.  They love their grandparents, the way I loved mine. When I look back, I see that they don’t carry that same baggage when they see their grandparents as I do when I see them as my parents. They greet my parents with excitement and enthusiasm.  They laugh and joke around.   Now, I try too.

Forgiveness is essential to living a healthy life.

Discover how to take small steps towards a healthier, happier, less-stressed you by visiting my website at worksmartlivesmart.com.

#mentalhealth #hr

In spite of illness and in spite of difficult life circumstances, we all know someone who seems to not let those things take over the rest of their world. 

It is not that they are blind to the impact that these things are having on their life, but they are choosing not to let these things be their entire life.  They choose to see happiness and miracles around them.  They appreciate the love and kindness they are offered.  They are eager to share that love and kindness with others.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Act Happy Day:

The more that we focus on things to be happy about, the more evidence we find that there are things to be happy about.

Belief creates reality. Become your ideal person.  How would a happy person act?

Happiness is inside us. We have control over what side of the line we focus our attention on. It is not that bad stuff doesn’t happen, but along with the difficult times of life, there is always a positive or beautiful side of life just waiting to be discovered. 

Live with an attitude of gratitude.  What are you thankful for? How can you show that gratitude to those around you?

Today, look for the good, the amazing and the awesome.

Today act happy – not to be untrue to yourself – but by being more perceptive of the good.

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

We are becoming more self-centered and Narcissistic. “Selfie” was Oxford dictionary’s Word of the Year in 2013. Since then, it’s become a serious preoccupation. The cultural phenomenon of the ‘selfie’ exposes a very basic human desire — to feel noticed, appreciated and recognized. Our addiction to selfies has turned deadly and selfie-related incidents now top shark attacks when it comes to unusual ways to die!

One study in the U.K. revealed that women between the ages of 16 and 25 spent an average of five hours a week taking selfies.

Research shows that selfies can make us feel lousy about ourselves to the point where we photoshop and filter our selfies in an effort to be picture perfect. How many pictures have you looked at and wonder why the person adjusted the picture so much that it no longer looks like the real thing?

However, it is hard not to love the ego boost from sharing a selfie because of the positive comments we usually get.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating No Selfies Day:

To celebrate today is easy – all you have to do is NOT participate in taking selfies!

Be in the moment, rather than trying to capture and edit it.

Finally, be careful that you are not falsely praising and reinforcing selfies that are over-processed.

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

Growing up on a dairy farm, I know first-hand how stressful this occupation can be. It is an all-encompassing lifestyle.

Two-thirds of farmers say that they are stressed, with 20% saying that they are very stressed. Shortcuts or inattention can lead to disaster.

Farmers are resilient.

Stuff happens…to everyone…and you move on. Though there is a lot of complaining about what is going on around them, most couldn’t imagine living or making a living any other way. Those that can’t live this way, don’t last and move on.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Canadian Agricultural Safety Week:

Think Safety First. During Canadian Agricultural Safety Week, the message is that awareness is the key to staying healthy and safe on the farm.

Know your priorities.  Don’t let the business of farming become such a focus that you forget the connection to your family and friends, or the importance of your health.

Finally, It is not a weakness to connect with others. In days gone by, it was a given that you had to rely on your community for survival. It is important that you have enough supports in your support circle in order to be resilient.

Discover how to take small steps towards a healthier, happier, less-stressed you by visiting my website at worksmartlivesmart.com

#mentalhealth #hr

Millions are too sleepy for sex, according to a poll by the National Sleep Foundation.

Many of us are sleeping poorly which is causing us to be sleep deprived, and it’s taking a serious toll on professional relationships, productivity, public safety and even the most intimate aspects of our lives.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      So Here are today’s Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Sleep Awareness Week:

A short nap of 20 minutes can help to improve mood, alertness and performance. It can be extremely effective at eliminating fatigue-related accidents and injuries. A 90-minute nap can be extremely effective, if you can schedule it into your day.

Naps can be typed into three different categories:

Planned napping involves taking a nap before you actually get sleepy.

Emergency napping occurs when you are suddenly very tired and cannot continue with the activity you were originally engaged in.

Habitual napping is practiced when a person takes a nap at the same time each day.

I love my naps and I need my naps. They help me through my afternoon slump and allow me to carry on with my projects in a more productive and creative way afterwards.

Discover how to take small steps towards a healthier, happier, less-stressed you by visiting my website at worksmartlivesmart.com

#mentalhealth #hr

Over half of drivers say that they have driven drowsy in the past year. Many of us are sleeping poorly which is causing us to be sleep deprived.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency

So Here are today’s Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating World Sleep Day:

Go to bed and get up at the same time every day. Follow a regular schedule each night. This trains your body and brain and promotes relaxation.

Do not adjust your ritual over the weekend.

Do not nap if you have trouble sleeping, unless there is a need for alertness.

Keep your room cool, dark, and block noises.

Allow for thorough ventilation in the room to avoid breathing stale air

The power of suggestion can be a powerful aid in getting a better sleep, especially if used in conjunction with deep breathing. The more that it is used, the more potent the effect it has. Suggestion works by gently reminding your mind. Try “Calm, Peaceful, Sleep, Dream”

Do not tell yourself how tired you are going to be the next day, as this kind of suggestion is just as fulfilling

 A good night’s sleep can mean the difference between coping effectively with the daily stressors of life and completely losing your mental and physical health.

Discover how to take small steps towards a healthier, happier, less-stressed you by visiting my website at worksmartlivesmart.com

#mentalhealth #hr

I admit that I love the satisfaction after I have cleaned my office or purged my files.

You don’t have to be self-employed or work from home to have a home office. It’s easy for this workspace to become messy, dusty, cluttered, and disorganized. As you work in your home office, things stack and layer around until one day, you realize that it has gotten way out of hand.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Organizing Your Home Office Day tomorrow:

Start off small. Pick five things and throw them out or return them to their proper location.

File, Shred or recycle unwanted paperwork that is sitting on your desk.

Attack one file drawer at a time. Purge out-dated documents or notes.

Take stock of those things in your office of everything you're no longer using, especially unused or broken office equipment, and cut back to only the essentials.

Curb Cable Clutter. Use a surge-protected power bar to prevent your computers and other equipment from frying during an electrical storm or other power surge. Bind the remaining cables together with cable ties, so they stay out of your way.

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

How many of us couldn’t use an extra hour each day? Planning before starting each day, is said to save us this hour, as we are more effective at using the time that we have. Sometimes though we just can’t seem to get our act together.

Maybe we just can’t seem to get past our urge to procrastinate. It may be that we are being too perfectionistic, or we dislike the task or person that we have to work with. We could be too tired or fear that we might fail. Sometimes it is just a matter of the task not being a part of our goals and priorities.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Procrastination Week:

To Avoid Procrastination, we need to:

Find the answer to ‘What’s In It For Me”. Why do I need to accomplish the task at hand and what benefit will there be for me when I finish it?

Chunk your time – set a timer. The timer helps you to become more realistic about how long various tasks take.

Watch out for time gobblers – internet, email, TV, phone, socializing, unimportant notices and forwards

Delegate when the task is not part of your priority. Not everything has to be done or should be done by you. Let go of your need to control everything.

Make it fun by rewarding yourself. It is easier to start and finish a task if there is a reward at the end of it…by the way, my chocolate covered almonds are waiting for me as soon as I finish this flash briefing. Till tomorrow have a wonderful day!

#mentalhealth #hr

Today is the International Day of Awesomeness! This day gives us the opportunity to celebrate every person, place, thing, or idea in the world that is awesome. I encourage all of the participants in my workshops to look for the awesome. As the official tag line points out, “No one’s perfect, but everyone can be awesome.”

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

So Here are today’s Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating International Day Of Awesomeness:

Today is the day to both perform and celebrate feats of awesomeness.

Celebrate by posting about someone who epitomizes the ideals of awesomeness. It may be a family member, friend, or colleague who receive this special recognition.

Be curious. Start a conversation with someone that you have seen everyday, but have not talked to. You may be surprised by their story or by the things that you have in common.  It will brighten their day — and yours.

Build an awesome workplace, one smile at a time.

Explore the “What If”. What if we didn’t do blank anymore? What if we changed blank? What if we started blank? See where the answers take you. This simple exploration could improve your relationships or your workplace.

Wishing you an awesome day!

#mentalhealth #hr

Help! It’s Panic Day.

This awareness day is not about panic attacks or panic disorder which is serious and affects 2-3% of the population. Today is the day to examine how we may over-react to the stress in our everyday lives and to find strategies that will keep us focused and healthy.

You know the over-reactions that we are talking about.  We even have sayings that go with them… such as don’t cry over spilled milk… Or don’t make mountains out of mole hills.

Anxiety and stress have their place in our life. They help us to avoid danger. They keep us thinking and being creative. And they keep us on our toes so that we don’t become complacent.

The point at which worry becomes unhealthy is when it stops pushing us to act and move forward.  This panic can be paralyzing and prevent us from thinking clearly enough to find the best strategies to deal with the source of our anxiety.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Panic Awareness Day:

Listen to the way that you describe the situations that you find yourself in.  Do you use extreme-type words?  Do you awfulize everything?  Choose the words carefully. 

Evaluate how you are feeling in relation to the situation.  Are you feeling helpless or hopeless? 

Notice what happens to your body when you feel this way.  Where does it hit you the most? 

Try different relaxation techniques to combat those anxious feeling.

Evaluate the situation to see what options you have.  Keep yourself moving forward in the problem-solving mode and the anxiety will be kept in check.

What is your release?  Sometimes we need a quick strategy to release the anxiety so that we can start to problem solve.  This may include a good scream, a run, or a round or two on the punching bag.

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

I have a hard time with these adjustments. I love having it brighter in the evenings, but that adjustment to darkness early in the morning again makes it less likely that I am springing out of bed…for a while any way.

Daylight saving time isn't all bad.

In fact, when we move an hour ahead, we enjoy more daytime hours, which hopefully we are using to get outside, connect and just become more active after the sluggishness of winter. There are definite other benefits to the clocks shifting, including decreased oil and energy usage. Daylight Saving Time seems to decrease the risk for accidents in the evening hours. However, a Swedish study found that heart attacks were significantly more common the first three weekdays after our spring transition.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating the switch to Daylight Saving Time:

Though it’s only one day, daylight saving time can throw off your entire schedule, and the sleep effects tend to linger for a few days.

Therefore it is important to take note of the impact that the clock shifting has on your sleep, mood and focus. Ensure that you are getting a good night’s sleep before this occurs to minimize the impact of this shift.

More light can equal more time to do what you want or need to do, which equals a happier you. Make use of the extra daylight and enjoy the changing seasons.

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

Running a small business can be very stressful. One of the keys to success, is to be able to reach your customers. But it can be difficult to break through the noise, so that your customers know that you even exist.

It can be just as difficult to be heard at work by your boss, or even within your family.

Our minds are being constantly bombarded by messaging from other brands and social media, from colleagues and from friends and family.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

So Here are today’s Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Be Heard Day:

Get to the point…you have 8 seconds! One website suggests that we are exposed to around 4,000 to 10,000 messages per day and less than 100 of those messages will be remembered. Human attentions spans are at an all-time low dropping from 12 seconds to less than 8 seconds. The key to cutting through the noise is through short messages.

Use visuals. We process visuals faster than text and we remember visuals more than text. Create a picture in the mind of your listener if you can’t use a visual.

Provide value first. People are most engrossed in their own self-interest, so play into that. Make it about them, their needs, goals, wants and desires. Relate it to their own history, situation, reputation and behavior.

As a small company, what do you do to make it easy to work with you? How do you assist your boss or colleagues before presenting issues or problems? Do they only hear negative comments or issues from you? In your family, do praise and recognize the positives or is all your communication negative?

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

We are missing out on living life, the more we have our noses buried in our phones or spend time chronicling our every move through Facebook and Instagram. Not to mention that constant connectivity negatively affects your sleep, takes a toll on your mental health and can lead to burnout. Ditching your devices gives your brain a much-needed rest.

Have you tried to disconnect, but FOMO took over? Could you go unplugged for 24 hours? Do you check your phone or social media out of boredom or procrastination?

Maybe it is time for a detox?

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Day Of Unplugging:

Unplugging allows us to connect with ourselves, our loved ones and our communities in real time. 

Take a walk out in nature today. Check out the parks, countryside or stroll along a beach, even if there is still snow on it.

Share a meal with friends or family.

Play together. Try a board game or use conversation starters like ‘would you rather’ to create some fun.

Write a gratitude list.

Meditate and fully relax. This can leave you feeling less stressed, and positively change your brain.

Immerse yourself in the moment. Take in the awesomeness of a sunset without Instagramming it.

Looking for more ways to build your resiliency? Take my free on-line vulnerability test at worksmartlivesmart.com under the resources and courses tab.

#mentalhealth #hr

It’s not a bird. Nor a plane…It’s the Telecommuter!

A survey of employees who telecommute three days a week experienced a

• 46% decrease in stress,
• 45% increase in job satisfaction, and
• 30% increase in job productivity.

In addition, telecommuting provides an opportunity to create a more harmonious balance between home and work commitments. Three-quarters of employees polled said the ability to work from home was their most desired family-friendly job perk.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Telecommuter Appreciation Week:

For some, telecommuting may be a viable option that allows for an increase in productivity and more sense of control over when tasks get accomplished.

If you think that this is for you, sit down with your work team and discuss how this may be implemented.  If telecommuting isn’t the answer, at least you have opened the door to looking for other alternatives to maintaining work and life balance.

Though I am not a true telecommuter, I am an entrepreneur with a home-based office.  I appreciate the flexible work arrangements that I have.  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.

Want to find more strategies to coping with stress?

Check out my website at worksmartlivesmart.com

#mentalhealth #hr

Everyone has problems that they need to deal with. Because problems can cause anxiety, many people will try to avoid, ignore or procrastinate when dealing with difficult issues in their lives. Ignoring them is useful sometimes. Unfortunately, with most problems, avoiding them just causes them to come back, and a small problem can become a big problem over time.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Do Something Day:

The most difficult step in problem solving is getting to the doing part. To help you carry out your solution, make an action plan. If you know how you are going to carry out your solution, you are more likely to follow through.

Don’t let your own voice derail you. Be aware of and challenge negative self-talk that can stop you from moving forward.

List all the obstacles. Great problem solvers take a high-level view of the issues and list of all the potential factors that could get in the way of implementing their solution so that they don’t get taken off task.

Want to find more strategies to coping with stress? Check out my website at worksmartlivesmart.com

#mentalhealth #hr

Yesterday was the day to encourage each other, to avoid selfishness, and do something to make other people happy.

I know that you can’t make someone happy, but you can remind them of their value and you can help change their focus, all of which can allow their happiness to flourish.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Building Resiliency and Celebrating I Want You To Be Happy Day:

Buy a friend a flower to brighten up their day.

Remind your kids how much you love them and how proud of them you are. 

Leave a sticky note for a co-worker letting them know something that you appreciate about them. Compliments make us feel valued, and they give us a positive boost to our thoughts and self-esteem.

Smile. Research has shown that a smile is constantly rated as the number one thing that makes other people feel emotionally better.

This day was created as a day encouraging us to do something to make others happy.  The benefit is that putting a smile on someone’s face tends to put one on ours, too. 

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

Whether out in the field or occupying the leader’s chair, everyone has a stake in reporting incidents of suspected or actual wrongdoing. However, being a whistle-blower feels like a violation of that playground rule not to be a tattletale.

Creating a culture that encourages an individual to raise the red flag when something unethical or illegal is taking place is critical.

So how do you get past the feeling of not wanting to cause trouble for someone else?

It’s by understanding that the consequences of keeping silent can be significant and harmful.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Ethics Awareness Month:

Create a culture within your organization that encourages employees to report wrongdoing. Work with your teams to understand that the cost of silence is high. This silence may impact the safety of colleagues or damage the reputation and bottom-line of the organization.

According to an article in the Harvard Business Review, a survey of 195 global leaders located in 15 different countries reported that high ethical and moral standards were the most important leadership trait in the workplace.

Those whose word is their honor and who can be absolutely trusted to be fair, honest, and forthright, are more likely to command the respect of those around them.

High ethical and moral standards create a safe and trusting environment in the workplace where employees can thrive. When employees feel that they can depend on and trust their leader, they feel safe and will go the extra mile for the organization.

While leaders have an obligation to set the ethical tone of the organization, it is everyone's ethical behavior that matters.

Looking for resources to build your healthy workplace? Check out my top 10 tips under Resources and Courses at worksmartlivesmart.com

#mentalhealth #hr

Have you ever wanted just to get away, but the timing didn’t work for your partner, children, or friends?

Why wait for the timing to be just right? Why not go solo?

Vacations are a great way to restore resiliency. They can be rejuvenating, and energizing.

And going solo is one of the best ways to learn about yourself.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      So here are Today’s Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Plan A Solo Vacation Day:

There is no such thing as the perfect vacation. But planning, especially when going solo, is essential.

The first step is to pick and choose your location and activities wisely. Choose a location and activities that meet with your particular goals. Decide if your upcoming vacation will be focused on relaxation, celebration or adventure. Then chose activities that meet those needs.

Don’t be afraid to step outside your typical vacation comfort zone and say yes to new experiences.

If you find yourself craving company, find a group tour of the city or local area. Or strike up a conversation with the bartender or barista and you will be sure to find out some insider secrets to exploring your vacation area.

Going solo means that nobody is going to kick up a fuss about whatever plans you decide. It’s your trip, your way.

If you like today’s wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app.

Looking for more tips to build your resiliency? Look for my book on Amazon called Stress Out. 52 Weeks To Letting More Life In

#mentalhealth #hr

Did you know that people with few ties to others had 2 to 5 times the death rate as those who had more ties?

Support and connectedness can be a powerful tool in preventing illness by acting as a buffer to the effects of stress. We benefit from the emotional support of a community during difficult times.

Connectedness is so important to our overall well-being that workplaces are also recognizing the value of support to the success of their organization.

It is unfortunate that the busier we become, the easier it is to let our existing friendships go by the way-side, let alone develop new connections.

Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating International Friendship Week:

Look up. Smile and say hello to those around you

Try to connect with your co-workers about things other than the task at hand

Participate in social programs

Call, text, or email those friends that you have lost touch with

Connectedness and group involvement have exceptional powers in decreasing our stress, if we venture to put ourselves ‘out there’.

Looking for resources to build your resiliency? Check out my Live Smart blog at worksmartlivesmart.com

A friend confided that her co-worker was a bully, intimidating, and demeaning.

He used innuendos to put other people down. She spent most of her energy trying to stay out of his line of fire.

Dealing with harassment can be very difficult and unfortunately more than 1/3 of employees have experienced it or been impacted by it.

It can trigger a variety of stress-related illnesses, cause relationship difficulties, and upset productivity and engagement.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

Here Are Today's Tips For Building Resiliency During Bullying Prevention Month Using The Steps Of The Proactive Personal Response:

Number one tell the offender.

Number two document everything.

And number three if it continues, let your supervisor or designated officer know.

Educating around sexual harassment and developing strong policies and procedures to deter It, are the most effective means of minimizing its occurrence and impact.

It's not easy to stand up to a harasser, but use the policies and supports that you have available to help you to stand up to the bully.

Looking for better ways to build your resiliency? Take my free online vulnerability test at WorkSmartLiveSmart.com, under the resources and courses tab.

#mentalhealth #hr

Our greatness is limited only by our imagination.

Your road to your greatness takes courage, energy, and persistence. It is about being hungry for more for yourself, but also enjoying what you have achieved along the way. If greatness is the ever-expanding concept of your potential, you must have an internal urge to become your best.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Building Resiliency and Celebrating Plant The Seeds Of Greatness Month:

Pay attention to what is happening around you. Take time each day to think about your life and the opportunities for growth.

Be willing to try new things, take different approaches, and experiment. Ask different questions that will create a different reality. Greatness involves failure. It involves taking calculated risks. It is about learning through the journey. You’ve got to believe that you can make the changes necessary in order to achieve greatness in your life.

The more we learn, the larger our capacity for growth becomes.

And finally, have a picture of the best version of yourself. What does greatness look like for you? How would you act towards your self? How would you act towards others? What would you have achieved? This picture my change as you grow, but striving in this direction will put you on the path to your greatness.

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

“The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be.”  Anne Frank

Studies show that even low-level chronic noise increases aggression and decreases cooperation and is associated with increased risk for peptic ulcers, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and stroke.

Today is the day to lower the noise level. Being quiet reduces your stress.

It allows the mind to focus and be more creative. It can boost your immune system.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Building Resiliency and Celebrating Quiet Day:

Breathe: Become aware of your breath and inhale and exhale slowly and deeply inhale for 5 minutes.

Try this meditation: Turn off the lights, light a small candle and watch the flame. This stills the optic nerve, and calms the nervous system.

At work, take advantage of a quiet room.  Many companies have developed quiet spaces where employees can take a moment or two during the working day to relax, have a break, meditate, pray or simply ‘take stock’ without the distractions and interruptions of office life.

Get out into nature:  Taking a walk along a park path or country road early in the morning or before bed can bring focus and serenity to one’s mind. 

Looking for resources to build your resiliency? Check out my Live Smart blog at worksmartlivesmart.com

#mentalhealth #hr

When you expect success, you become successful!

But it is not just a matter of thinking good thoughts and good things will happen.

Positive and successful people expect success and they look for ways to bring success into their life.

Research shows that high expectations lead people to work harder and commit to problem solving the challenges ahead of them. 

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Building Resiliency and Celebrating International Expect Success Month:

People who want to change their mental mindset:

1. Accept that life will have setbacks and disappointments and they don’t let the fear of failure cloud their judgment or allow them to aim too low
2. They build their resiliency by seeing the setback as only temporary.
3. They don’t quit trying just because there was a set back.
4. And finally, they wake up every morning and expect positive things to happen.

If you like today’s wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app.

Looking for more tips to build your resiliency? Look for my book on Amazon called Stress Out. 52 Weeks To Letting More Life In

#mentalhealth #hr

Do You Find It Hard To Stay Focused?

Have you ever had your computer lock up when you have opened too many files or programs at once?

Sometimes when we try to multi-task, we may actually freeze up, lock up or quit performing at our peak. 

Researchers have studied human multi-tasking for the past 25 years or so and have found that the brain cannot fully focus when multi-tasking.  We take longer to complete tasks, and are predisposed to error. 

The pressure to get more and more done, and toggle between one task and another creates a great deal of stress and pressure on the mind and body. Developing the ability to focus completely on a single task can help in our energy management.  

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Building Resiliency and Celebrating Single Tasking Day:

Single-Tasking should be our main way of operating when needing to accomplish important tasks

Let go of the idea that the more we tackle at any given time, the more productive we are or will be

We have become like junkies in many ways, by needing a ‘fix’.  We check our emails, notices and webpages out of curiosity.  By setting time aside for these activities, we fill our curiosity, yet we are more likely to stay on task and complete that task more efficiently and effectively

 Looking for more ways to build your resiliency? Take my free on-line vulnerability test at worksmartlivesmart.com under the resources and courses tab.

#mentalhealth #hr

There are so many different aspects to health.

We hear daily about eating right and exercising, but health also involves our relationships.  

February is Relationship Wellness Month and it reminds us that we need to reach out to others and build stronger social ties with family and friends.

One key to happy, healthy relationships is the opportunity to spend quality time with the people you care about. Relationship Wellness encourages us to develop better communications with those around us including the ability to share our feelings and needs.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Building Resiliency and Celebrating During Relationship Wellness Month:

Relationships take time. Time to develop. Time to nurture. Time to sustain.

Spend time really listening to your family and friends.  Find out what is important to them.  What issues are they facing? Listening to someone else is one of the best things that we can do for them and it allows us to keep our own issues and challenges in perspective.

What is the one thing that you can do this month to pump up your relationships, on your road to a healthier you’?

Looking for more ways to build your resiliency? Take my free on-line vulnerability test at worksmartlivesmart.com under the resources and courses tab.

#mentalhealth #hr

We never seem to be able to find ‘the time’.  Stop looking.  You will never find it.  It isn’t lost.  You are living in it.

So what kinds of things waste our time?

44.7% of the more than 10,000 people polled cited personal internet use as their #1 distraction at work.

Today’s Time Truth:

If we fail to control the events in our life, then the events in our life will control us. Planning is key to performance. Not planning wastes time and energy.

According to one survey the average worker admits to wasting away 2.09 hours per 8-hour workday, which is twice as much time as their employers expect.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      So Here are today’s Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Time Management Month:

Eliminate useless meetings. Insist on short, well-planned, morning stand-up meetings. They are the least likely to waste your time and interfere with your work.

Stop thinking that you can multi-task. Prioritize and then break up your day accordingly. Don’t move on to the next task until you’ve really completed the previous one. Not only will you do a better job when you’re focused, you’ll also force yourself to finish something within the time allotted.

Come up for air. Productivity declines after a certain period, so pump up your productivity with scheduled breaks.

Looking for more ways to build your resiliency, take my free on-line vulnerability test at worksmartlivesmart.com under the resources and courses tab.

#mentalhealth #hr

Their names are Carly and Misty. They are my source of stress at times as we train each other, and my cuddly companions when curling up on the couch at the end of the day.

Research shows that pets can provide excellent social support, stress relief and numerous other health benefits including lower blood pressure

Pets Stave Off Loneliness and Provide Unconditional Love: Pets offer love and companionship, and can also enjoy comfortable silences, keep secrets, and are excellent snugglers.

Pets Encourage You To Get Out And Exercise

It’s important to realize that owning a pet isn’t for everyone. Pets can make additional work and add to our responsibilities. However, for most people, the benefits of having a pet outweigh the drawbacks.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Building Your Resiliency and Celebrating Love Your Pet Day:

If you don’t have a pet and are considering one – carefully consider you and your family’s lifestyle and the needs of the pet you choose. A good fit will reduce stress and not add to your stress load.

If you have a pet – give them some extra attention today – throw the frisbee, snuggle on the couch, or give an extra treat – you will both enjoy and benefit from it.

Looking for more ways to build your resiliency? Take my free on-line vulnerability test at worksmartlivesmart.com under the resources and courses tab.

#mentalhealth #hr

Many entrepreneurs started their own business so that they could be happier by having more control over their life, but often the demands of running the business leave them feeling out-of-control.  In order to be successful it is important the entrepreneur not only works hard, but takes the time to take care of themselves, and stay connected to those around them.

Burnout is a state of fatigue while feeling frustrated, overworked, and unappreciated. Burnout can be a serious consequence of an unbalanced life. Often this is the case for a new entrepreneur or a small business owner.

Some of the other signs of burnout include needing more hours to get your work done, lack of focus, decreased creativity, sleep problems, distrusting, complaining more, and feeling more isolated. When these occur it becomes extremely difficult to carry on with your business.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      So here are today’s Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Entrepreneurship Week:

Know your priorities – have a clear understanding as to why you started your own business and the benefits of owning your business

Set very clear expectations for yourself and for those around you based on those priorities

Take care of your mental health

Develop a life outside of your business

Take care of your physical health

Develop family, friend and peer supports

Looking for resources to build your healthy workplace? Check out my top 10 tips under Resources and Courses at worksmartlivesmart.com

On one particular visit home, I learned that my grandma didn’t learn English until she went to public school. Up till then, she spoke German. I had no idea that my maternal grandma came from a German background. I had just assumed that she was English, like my grandpa.

Understanding our heritage is important.

I grew up in a farming family. This meant that the ‘farm’ came first and that everyone in that family was responsible to make the farm successful.  Families helped each other, as more often than not, we were related to our neighbours in some way, and that conflict was put aside to get things done.  Happy or not.

I see a lot of conflict that happens on family farms when someone new comes into the farm family that doesn’t share those same values to the extent that the rest of the family does. 

These values are neither right or wrong, but unless the differences and expectations are talked about, openly and respectfully, the conflict festers and grows.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      So Here are today’s Hot Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Heritage Day:

Whether you like it or not, heritage is what makes you who you are. Things like values, culture, food, and traditions are all past down. Your heritage is the foundation on which you stand.  It is the very thing that has gotten you to where you are now.

Honor your past by the way you carry yourself in the present.

Share your heritage with your children to create a solid foundation for them.

If you like today’s wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app.

Looking for more tips to build your resiliency’ Look for my book on Amazon called Stress Out. 52 Weeks To Letting More Life In

#mentalhealth #hr

Today is My Way Day. Yes, it is MY way or the highway!

I like MY way, it is the RIGHT way. It is the ONLY way!

Why, because I said so. I know it is so.

You just haven’t realized it to be so.

And until you come around to my way of thinking, just do as I say, and life will be much better for all of us.

And don’t argue with me. When it is Your Way Day, I’ll do what you say, so, till then, remember it is MY Way Day!

I jest, but part of it is true.  I really do want things my way.  It’s all about control and I like to have control.  I can be seen as a difficult person and in fact I am one of the ‘characters’ that I talk about in my workshops.  When we understand what motivates others and what motivates ourselves, it is much easier to deal with the negative sides of these personalities.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Building Resiliency and Celebrating My Way Day:

Just because it is My Way Day, don’t expect that everything will go your way, because funny enough, others think it is their way day too.

Learn what pushes your buttons and learn what pushes other people’s buttons. 

Relaxation skills can help to reduce that overwhelmed, frustrated feeling, helping to prevent you from stomping around.

Looking for more ways to build your resiliency? Take my free on-line vulnerability test at worksmartlivesmart.com under the resources and courses tab.

#mentalhealth #hr

As parents we worry about assisting our children to become competent, capable and healthy adults. We are concerned about their self-esteem and their overall emotional health. We wish we had more time to spend with them. Today, where I am it is Family Day. It’s a day to sit down, talk, eat dinner and connect with your kids and other family members.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Family Day:

When caring on a conversation, constructively express both negative and positive feelings and thoughts – children learn how to cope and express themselves through us

Help your child to put a name to their feelings. Assist them to expand their vocabulary beyond using ‘happy’, ‘sad’ and ‘mad’. Help children to find positive ways of expressing difficult emotions

Challenge unrealistic expectations when they become interpreted as a self-failure or become expressed as frustration

Remind the child of the number of different people that they can go to in difficult situations

Teach children the importance of developing friendships and what it means to be a ‘good’ friend to someone else

For more information on coping with mental health issues, sign up for one of my on-line courses at worksmartlivesmart.com under the resources and courses tab.

#mentalhealth #hr

“Wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for kindness.” Seneca

World Kindness Day gives us a chance to reach to others and show them that they are not alone, and the world is not as gloomy as it is often made out to be.

Numerous scientific studies show that acts of kindness result in significant health benefits. Performing kind acts can help reverse feelings of depression, decrease feelings of hostility and isolation, decrease intensity and the awareness of physical pain, and increase sense of self-worth, happiness, and optimism.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Building Resiliency and Celebrating Random Acts Of Kindness Week:

Think of those that are closest to you and take a moment to connect with them…phone your grandmother, mother, father, uncle…nothing is more personal than a visit or a phone call so that they can hear your voice. Let them know how much they mean to you.

Leave a love note for your spouse. Let them know that you still hold them in your heart.

Make a donation to a charity on behalf of a love one. You are letting your love one know that you are thinking of them and you are helping out a worthy cause at the same time.

Send an appreciation note to a colleague. Many of us receive little or no appreciation at work. Let’s change this and help increase the engagement of each other.

Being kind to another doesn’t have to cost us anything other than the energy to think of something.

Discover how to take small steps towards a healthier, happier, less-stressed you by visiting my website at worksmartlivesmart.com

#mentalhealth #hr

One of the most important places for your signature is on your Donor Card. It can impact so many people. That signature can save lives.

Today we thank those individuals who already voluntarily donated their blood, organs and tissue to save someone else’s life or to improve the quality of their life.  

With our lives being so busy it is easy to forget to do this simple little act of kindness. But this little act can mean the difference between life and death.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Here are today’s Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Donor Day:

If you are okay with donating, take the opportunity today, to sign your card. Someone may be counting on you.

Discuss this decision with your family.

Sometimes starting the conversation can be difficult. Making the decision for yourself in advance makes it easier for your family to cope during a very difficult time.

If you are not sure about your family member’s wishes, #StarttheConversation.

Looking for more tips to build your resiliency? Look for my book on Amazon called Stress Out. 52 Weeks To Letting More Life In

#mentalhealth #hr

Do you know who Dianne Belmont was? I think that she was a comedic genius. Still not sure? Dianne later became known as Lucille Ball.  

Have you ever wished you were given a different name by your parents?

If so, today is the day, as it is Get A Different Name Day. If you could, what new name would you give yourself?

In some religions they have or had a practice or ceremony during which you selected a new name. Sometimes taking a new name is a case of a celebration, such as getting married. Some actors or musicians choose a new stage name, especially if they had a hard to pronounce name.

Taking on a new name can help affirm a new identity, like when transitioning from one gender to another. It’s all about getting a fresh start, and that’s what Get A Different Name Day is about!

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Get A Different Name Day:

If you are not seriously looking for a new name, have fun with a different name anyways, just for today.

Choose a character from a movie or TV show or from folk lore and post it on your social media to let your friends and family know about this new or hidden identity

Are you a Sheldon Cooper, a Zena Warrior Princess, Taz for Tasmanian Devil, or a Lucy because of your sense of humor?

Discover how to take small steps towards a healthier, happier, less-stressed you by visiting my website at worksmartlivesmart.com

#mentalhealth #hr

Though everyone may want something unique from their job, there are some common things that employees want their job to provide.

Employees want to gain a sense of confidence, competence and control.

What motivates employees is having interesting work that challenges them, along with increased responsibility, autonomy, and recognition for a job well done. These motivating factors fill our need for growth and achievement, and bring about long-term happiness and fulfillment.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Leadership Success Day:

Successful leaders build confidence, competence and control by treating their employees with respect and by giving positive recognition for performance and dedication.

Successful leaders focus on building two-way trust within the organization.

When employees feel that they are trusted and respected, they will share issues openly and are more productive and creative. They are more likely to develop meaningful relationships and take pride in contributing their skills and abilities. All of this increases overall confidence, competence and control.

Looking for resources to build your healthy workplace? Check out my top 10 tips under Resources and Courses at worksmartlivesmart.com

#mentalhealth #hr

Electrific. I have no idea what this word means, but isn’t it a great word’  When I hear it, I think of great, terrific, electrifying, bubbly, energizing…..

How can you be electrific?

Often, we find ourselves just going through the motions.  Days run into each other.  Life can become boring and stagnant.

If we don’t purposefully attack each day, we can become anything but electrific.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Electrific Day

Share a smile with those around you.  Greet your family the way you wish to be greeted

Do something fun – just because

Say thank you to your co-workers, to your boss, to your spouse

Think of something positive to say to each person that you connect with today

Get plenty of sleep so that the energy you have bubbles out from you

Wear something bright to pick you up from the winter blahs

Do your best to be electrific 🙂

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

The quest for goodwill, peace and understanding among people of the world. This is the fourth avenue of service for the Rotary Club.

With all of the chaos and conflict happening in the world, we need courage to take a stand and promote peace in our communities.

We do this by digging in and learning how to understand other people's cultures, by promoting engagement with others, and by building strong, diverse communities.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Tips for Building Resiliency and Celebrating National World Understanding Month:

The first part of expanding our understanding is to recognize that every cultural group has unique strengths and perspectives that the larger community can benefit from.

We need a wide range of ideas, customs, and wisdom to solve problems and enrich community life. It is by bringing non-mainstream groups into the center of civic activity that we get fresh perspectives and shed new light on tough problems.

Here are some questions that may help you think about and understand your community:

How would you define your community? Does it have geographical boundaries? Is it local or global?

Who lives in your community right now?

What kinds of diversity already exists?

What issues do different cultural groups have in common?

These are just a few of the questions that can expand your understanding and this insight can lead to an increase of goodwill, cooperation, and peace in your community.

If you like today’s wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app.

Looking for more ways to build your resiliency? Take my free on-line vulnerability test at worksmartlivesmart.com under the resources and courses tab.

#mentalhealth #hr

CEO Jeff Bezos admitted that he reads in his bathtub. He took a one-gallon Ziploc bag, and put his e-reader inside it. Book in hand…safe and sound.

An interesting way to combine two popular stress-relieving pastimes. I am not sure that I am co-ordinated enough to master this even with a Ziploc bag.

Bathtubs are the picture-perfect scene to the end of a hard day for many people. I have trouble sitting in a tub. I don’t find it very relaxing and my mind usually wanders off to what else needs to be done.

Part of the S-O-S Principle that I developed involves finding strategies that get your mind off of the stressful situation. The key is to find something that works for you.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Read In The Tub Day:

If you have trouble slowing down to relax, ask yourself why. Are you too caught up in what needs to be done next’ Keep the superhuman syndrome in check – we need to take time to take care of ourselves.

If the bathtub or a good book doesn’t do it for you, find something else that does. Find something that changes the speed, changes your focus and helps to renew your energy.

If you are still willing to try the book and bathtub combo to relax, start with a magazine or book that doesn’t matter if it gets wet.

Looking for more ways to build your resiliency? Take my free on-line vulnerability test at worksmartlivesmart.com under the resources and courses tab.

#mentalhealth #hr

I have a hard time with these adjustments. I love having it brighter in the evenings, but that adjustment to darkness early in the morning again makes it less likely that I am springing out of bed…for a while any way.

Daylight saving time isn't all bad.

In fact, when we move an hour ahead, we enjoy more daytime hours, which hopefully we are using to get outside, connect and just become more active after the sluggishness of winter. There are definite other benefits to the clocks shifting, including decreased oil and energy usage. Daylight Saving Time seems to decrease the risk for accidents in the evening hours. However, a Swedish study found that heart attacks were significantly more common the first three weekdays after our spring transition.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating the switch to Daylight Saving Time:

Though it’s only one day, daylight saving time can throw off your entire schedule, and the sleep effects tend to linger for a few days.

Therefore it is important to take note of the impact that the clock shifting has on your sleep, mood and focus. Ensure that you are getting a good night’s sleep before this occurs to minimize the impact of this shift.

More light can equal more time to do what you want or need to do, which equals a happier you. Make use of the extra daylight and enjoy the changing seasons.

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

I am really glad that February is the shortest month of the year, as it always seems tough to get through. I often get hit with the blahs during this time. Sometimes it is because of the busyness around me and sometimes it is weather related. Sometimes it is both.

Have you ever been caught up in the blahs and you aren’t sure that things are going to ever pick back up? Do you worry that you may feel this way forever?

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Blah Buster Month:

Getting together with a friend is a sure way to put the blahs at bay. Social connections ground us.

Declutter Your Closet. Go through your clothes and pull out the things you no longer wear. Donate those items. Organizing and Decluttering open up space in our environment and our minds.

Get Active. Exercise is a mood enhancer and will naturally lift your spirits.

Go to the light. I often get caught staying indoors during this month, but the more I get outside the better I feel.

Finally, try something new. A new activity. A new recipe. A new technology. All of these can increase your brain’s plasticity and add a bit of a spark to a tough month.

For more information on coping with mental health issues, sign up for one of my on-line courses at worksmartlivesmart.com under the resources and courses tab.

#mentalhealth #hr

Accept Yourself. Accept Your Body. Celebrate Yourself. Celebrate Your Body.

Fact #1 Eating Disorders affect people of all gender, sexual orientation, age, socioeconomic class, ability, race, and ethnic background.

Fact #2 Eating disorders are not choices, but seriously biologically influenced mental illnesses and need to be treated as life threatening conditions

Fact #3 You can’t tell by looking at someone whether they have an eating disorder.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

Tips For Building Resiliency and Bringing Awareness To Eating Disorder Week:

Whether you're a parent concerned for a child, a friend or someone who just wants to make a difference, there are many ways to shine a spotlight on eating disorders to help those in need and celebrate people who have made a recovery.

Find ways to show your support. US News & World Report recommends:

Be honest: Tell the person you're concerned about his or her health.

Be sincere: Compliment the person on their intrinsic qualities – like their ability to make people laugh or their ability to work as a team player.

Be caring, but firm: Let them know that you care and want to help in the recovery process.

For more tips on how to Promote Mental Illness Awareness check out my website at worksmartlivesmart.com under the Resources and Courses tab

#mentalhealth #hr

Some suggest that working naked, means that you work alone, without the support of a corporate group around you. If this is the case, I guess I do work naked. Being in business for yourself means that you have to push your limits, test new waters and find new paths. Without supporters around you, you can feel exposed and vulnerable.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Working Naked Day:

If you are literally going to work naked today, it is best to ensure that no one else is around. It is very difficult to use the celebration as a line of defense with your boss.

If you are an entrepreneur, working alone, celebrate that you have courage. Though many wish to work for themselves, it takes true courage to actually go out on your own and sink or swim on your own merits.

Minimize your exposure. Surround yourself with those who will cheer you on, give you honest feedback, pick you up, dust you off and send you back out.

Looking for more tips to build your resiliency? Look for my book on Amazon called Stress Out. 52 Weeks To Letting More Life In

#mentalhealth #hr

A study found that 20% of workers felt that their employer didn’t care about them. Imagine what that would look like in your organization. What impact do you think that this would have on productivity and engagement?

Quality leaders are aware of the value of recognition. During Leadership Week, I encourage supervisors, managers, directors and the C-Suite to look closely at the relationship that they have with their employees. A poor relationship – one in which employees feel powerless, uninformed, disrespected, used and stressed – will lead to high rates of heart and cardiovascular problems, anxiety, depression, and alcohol and drug use. It can also leave the company with higher rates of absenteeism, lowered productivity, higher rates of job turnover and more difficulty in attracting and retaining high quality workers.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating International Leadership Week:

Quality relationships take time to develop. They require that leaders allow for participation in decision-making, provide information and support on stress, develop support strategies between team members and that the leader ensure the proper resources are available to get the job done.

Challenge yourself to evaluate your leadership skills. Would your team consider you a quality leader?

Want to check out more health and wellness related celebrations? Visit my wellness calendars under the resources and courses tab at worksmartlivesmart.com

Have you ever looked at those websites that compare your real age to your chronological age?

I did and I was pleased to see that it covered a variety of areas related to positive stress management and resiliency. It also had some interesting questions regarding heart health.

Cardiovascular diseases continue to be a major threat to women's health.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Building Resiliency and Celebrating Women’s Heart Week:

It is imperative that women learn the warning signs and symptoms of heart disease and stroke, see a doctor regularly, and learn their family history. Making a commitment to your health isn’t something you have to do alone either, so grab a friend or a family member and become accountability partners.

Nutrition and exercise essential.

But also consider the impact of being positive, being able to relax, using a sense of humour, being organized, being involved in hobbies/community, having a spiritual side, and striving to be a continuous learner.

Our heart pumps life through our body, so ensure that you are pumping your heart full of life.

Looking for more ways to build your resiliency? Take my free on-line vulnerability test at worksmartlivesmart.com under the resources and courses tab.

Have you just about had it? If you live in Canada or in the northern hemisphere, winter has worn out its welcome. The cold temperatures and the gusting winds along with the shorter days, have made many of us cranky, tired, and ready to say enough is enough.

One survey reported that winter is bad for our health, appearance and our sex life. Others claimed they had less energy, struggled to wake up and had sore and achy joints and muscles.

Cheer up. We are at the half way point of winter and thankfully from now on, we will start to notice the longer days, and the temperatures hopefully rising.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency So Here are today’s Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating the Half Way Point of Winter:

Brighten up. Buy some flowers for your office desk or kitchen table. The perk of colour can help to brighten your mood.

Turn up the beach music. Music can flip the switch from negative to positive, hopefully giving you enough of a jump start to begin to turn things around.

Start Sniffing. Our human olfactory system is intricately tied to our emotional control centre. Essential oils from plants can reduce stress, promote relaxation and enhance cognitive function. Our sense of smell is also connected to our memory. Does suntan lotion remind you of your family vacation’ Does the smell of oranges, make you think of the tropics’ If so, light a candle, grab your essential oils or look for foods that make you think of sunshine and summer.

Want to find more strategies to coping with stress, check out my website at worksmartlivesmart.com

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Have you found that when your plate is overloaded with work and family responsibilities, or when you are in a professional, financial, or relationship crisis, your self-care tends to fly out the window?

For some of us, self-care is a luxury that we feel we can not afford to indulge in. There is a quote that I like that says, “How thin can I spread myself before I no longer exist’”

Self-renewal is about transforming yourself. It can give you a fresh take on life. You feel better and more able, more competent and more effective. Self-care is like oxygen. It is essential in order to live a balanced and fulfilled life. If grit is what keeps you going, and resilience is what picks you up, self- renewal is what helps you stay energized.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Self-Renewal Day:

Tip #1 Do A Body Scan. As soon as you wake, ask yourself, “Physically, emotionally, or spiritually, what do I really need to focus on today’” Self-renewing activities include looking after your well-being.

Tip #2 Find Your Tribe. “Build your support network,” When we gather together to “tend and befriend,” our body releases more of the stress-reducing hormone, oxytocin. This makes us feel more hopeful, grateful and resilient.

Looking for resources to build your resiliency? Check out my Live Smart blog at worksmartlivesmart.com

#mentalhealth #hr

Have you met any S.O.B’s lately?  I mean the good kind.  The feisty, spirited ones kindly referred to as, Spunky Old Broads.

These are the ladies who live life to the fullest, regardless of their circumstances.  They have learned to push forward, find humour and share their spirit with those around them.

I’ve been fortunate to meet some very Spunky ladies – Liked my mom’s cousin Linda, who makes me laugh every time I see her, Virginia who ran her first marathon at the age of 50 and who shared her message of hope with those who were also dealing with severe depression, and Shelle who travels the world for business and still takes the time to make me laugh and be my mentor.

SOB Month celebrates all women over 50, who believe it is never too late to live your dream, be who you want to be, and create and do whatever you want to do.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Spunky Old Broads Month:

I want to be a spunky old broad.  I’m not there yet.  For me, I take things way too seriously and I fret about the little things.  But I believe that it is never too late to learn something new, try something different and strive for all that life has to offer.  So I am going to remind myself to let go and laugh a little more and maybe one day I will be known as a SOB.

Looking for more tips to build your resiliency?

Look for my book on Amazon called Stress Out. 52 Weeks To Letting More Life In.

#mentalhealth #hr

“Blessed is the person who can have fun while being productive.”

Really, isn’t that what it is all about. Enjoying what you do.

Some people have fun actually doing their jobs. They get a kick out of creating or solving. Some people create fun while they are doing their job by connecting with the people that they work with.

Our research shows that those who have fun at work are more engaged, more productive and are healthier. It is in a company’s best interest then to build more fun into the workplace.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      So here are Today’s Hot Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Fun At Work Day:

Create a special theme for the day – decorate, dress up

Bring food to share – tie it to your theme

Share the jokes of the day – or list the best excuses for the day

Set up team challenges

Any job can be transformed. It is how you look at it and the fun that you build around it.

According to one philosopher, the supreme accomplishment is to blur the line between work and play.

Looking for more tips to build your resiliency? Look for my book on Amazon called Stress Out. 52 Weeks To Letting More Life In

#mentalhealth #hr

Does time just slip away from you?

Take Back Your Time is an initiative to challenge this epidemic of time stress.

Studies show that Time Stress threatens our:

Health. It can lead to fatigue, accidents and injuries.

It can threaten our Relationships. As we find less time for each other, our ability to connect, empathize and communicate is impaired.

Preventing illness, slowing down the aging process and living life to the fullest – these are a few of the reasons that we are craving a healthier, more balanced lifestyle. 

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      So here are Today’s Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Take Back Your Time Week:

Take control of your time by learning how to say no. Say no to things that are outside of your priority. Say no to working late, especially if it is self-imposed. Say no to extra activities, if you are feeling stretched to thin. Saying no now, does not mean that it will be a no forever. When you feel like it is a priority and you have the time to dedicate to the activity without compromising yourself, then it is okay to say yes.

Finally, be realistic with your time. Don’t get caught up in activities that suck away your time, without purposefully scheduling for them. Email, social media and meetings are notorious for eating up more time that we imagine.

Looking for resources to build your healthy workplace? Check out my top 10 tips under Resources and Courses at worksmartlivesmart.com

#mentalhealth #hr

According to the Dictionary a curmudgeon can refer to a mood or someone’s whole personality.

Curmudgeons Day is a day to celebrate the cranky people in our lives or a day to allow the cranky person in us to have a day out in the sunshine. It is also a celebration of WC Field who prided himself on being a real curmudgeon.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      So here are Today’s Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Curmudgeon’s Day:

Take stock of what usually brings about your curmudgeonly side. Knowing this can help you to develop strategies to not bring that mood to your workplace.

Sometimes it is okay to allow yourself a day to be cranky. Doing so can help you to move past these feelings and start to see the world in a more positive light.

Don’t let the crankiness of someone else bring you down. Find ways to buffer yourself against their negativity. Try to show them kindness. Buy a cup of coffee for that co-worker who never seems to have a good day.  Maybe, an act of kindness can change that person’s whole world.

Discover how to take small steps towards a healthier, happier, less-stressed you by visiting my website at worksmartlivesmart.com

#mentalhealth #hr

It’s the end of the day and you’re exhausted, frustrated and wondering why you put up with your difficult boss. If you have been in this situation before, you know just how much they can impact how you feel about your job, and even your own security and confidence.

Understanding why some people become more difficult or negative, and when they are more likely to act that way, can prevent you from obsessing about your difficult boss, to the exclusion of all your other colleagues, who were quite pleasant and appreciated your work. By reflecting on your role in these difficult interactions, you will be in a better position to learn strategies to head off and/or counteract the stressful effects of these encounters.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      So here are today’s Hot Tips For Building Your Resiliency and Celebrating Home and Office Safety and Security Week

The main premise to work from is that difficult people use negative behaviour to get what they want. It has decreased their stress before and they are counting on it to work for them again.

We must understand not only what people are going through but also what they expect to gain from being so difficult. Some want to feel more in control. Some want to feel important and listened to, and some want to avoid outright conflict, but will act out their annoyance or disagreement through other negative behaviours.

Our role is to find alternate ways of meeting their needs for control, importance or safety.

Don’t forget that you can find more tips for coping with mental health issues, by checking out my Live Smart blog at worksmartlivesmart.com

#mentalhealth #hr

The Think Tank - The Log Cabin - The Johnny on the Spot - The Oval Office

Toilets are the most amazing invention that most of us just take for granted. 

For some, getting stressed out, can cause bathroom and digestive issues.

Some people experience toilet anxiety. Toilet phobia, is a term used to describe a number of issues related to using the toilet. It is a type of anxiety condition in which the sufferer may experience concerns and fears about:

Being unable to urinate or defecate

Using a public toilet

Being too far from a toilet

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      So here are Today’s Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Thomas Crapper Day:

The experience of toilet anxiety is unique to each individual, and consequently, different treatments will work better for different people.

If your digestive system is acting up it might be an indication to take it easy and try to reduce some stress wherever possible in your life. You can also be mindful of what you're doing, eating, and drinking when you're under pressure to see if that helps.

Looking for resources to build your resiliency’ Check out my Live Smart blog at worksmartlivesmart.com

Finally do you know the most popular toilet joke?

What did the toilet say to the other toilet? – You look a little flushed

#mentalhealth #hr

Have you ever been in a good mood, and then one conversation with your spouse can turn your mood around? Research shows that moods and emotions are highly contagious.

We can literally catch each others’ emotions like viruses, a phenomenon known as emotional contagion.

I love my spouse and hopefully, if you have one, you can say that too.

However, the mood I bring to the home and that he brings home affects our conversations and connections with each other.

Research has found that wives were not affected significantly by their spouse’s stress. Husbands, however, experienced lower marital satisfaction when their wives reported higher stress.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      So here are Today’s Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Spouse’s Day:

Self-awareness is the first step toward bringing moods under control so that they don’t continually impact your relationships.

Make an effort to enter into a conversation in an upbeat frame of mind.  Change your routines if you are irritated by the rush-hour traffic.

Watch your body language. Research has shown that when people are trying to “read” someone’s mood they rely heavily on that person’s body language for cues. So make sure your posture, gestures, and facial expressions send the right signals.

Be proactive about managing your moods. Learn a few stress-management techniques that may help you avoid negative moods altogether. Mood lifters may also include talking to a funny friend, listening to music, or going for a walk.

Take care of your health. Bad moods can have physical causes, including hunger, fatigue, and pain. Build your resiliency to buffer yourself against these.

Remember that emotions are contagious and your relationships are precious.

If you like today’s wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app.

Looking for more ways to build your resiliency? Take my free on-line resiliency test at worksmartlivesmart.com under the resources and courses tab.

#mentalhealth #hr

Did you ever play ‘Opposites’ in school? Any time you were asked a question you had to give the opposite answer. You wore your clothes the opposite way around, and you ate your lunch in the opposite order.

Opposite day is a day to have fun and be silly. Especially as you kick it back up into high gear after vacations. Some celebrate Opposite Day a month after Christmas, other’s today…the idea is just to add some fun to your life.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Here are today’s Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Opposite Day:

Adults can get in on this silly holiday.

Try having dinner for breakfast and breakfast for dinner.

Eat, write and use your mouse with your non-dominate hand.

If you are the super achiever, ask for help.

If you are a procrastinator, try getting the tough stuff done first.

Flip that button-down shirt around and wear opposite coloured socks and shoes.

Just be sure to let your family, friends and colleagues know that you are celebrating Opposite Day. Otherwise, it could get very confusing for everyone around you.

Have a great day. Sorry, I mean hello, how are you?

If you like today’s wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app.

Looking for more ways to build your resiliency? Take my free on-line resiliency test at worksmartlivesmart.com under the resources and courses tab.

#mentalhealth #hr

Author CW Metcalfe, writes that Humour can help you thrive in change, remain creative under pressure, work more effectively, play more enthusiastically, and stay healthier in the process.

It has been shown that a big old belly laugh, reduces physical and emotional tension for as long as 45 minutes. The heartier, the more relaxing it is and the longer the positive effect.

A good belly laugh can stimulate your internal organs, increase your circulation, raise the level of oxygen in the blood and boost the immune system. A group of researchers found that laughing boisterously 100 times a day will give you the same impact as 10 minutes of rowing or 15 minutes on an exercise bike.

Studies show that those who are able to laugh at work are more productive and less distracted than their humourless counterparts.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      So here are Today’s Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Belly Laugh Day:

Find funny friends and co-workers who can make you laugh.

Develop a Humour First-Aid Kit and fill it with your favourite jokes, clippings, and stories

Watch funny TV programs, movies and videos

Being able to laugh about our situation and ourselves helps us to release the tension, regain our perspective, accept that which we cannot change and experience joy. Not only that, but, it also gives us the physical energy and mental resilience needed to survive.

Looking for more tips to build your resiliency? Look for my book on Amazon called Stress Out. 52 Weeks To Letting More Life In

#mentalhealth #hr

Words Hurt. Name Calling is a form of Emotional Abuse.

Many of us have worked for or with someone who was emotionally abusive. According to research from  Employment Law Alliance, 45% of us reported being abused in the office.

People who are the target of emotional abuse are made to feel insignificant and incapable.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

So here are Today’s Tips For Building Resiliency and Bringing Awareness To No Name Calling Week:

There is a thin line between joking around and causing harm to each other in the office. Nicknames are bound to pop up in the office. But once the name calling is unwanted and based on gender, sexuality, or ability, it's no longer a friendly exchange.

If we are bullied, we might think it's because we are not a good worker, or perhaps not a good person. In other words, we start to believe what the bully is saying about us. We start to blame ourselves.

Don't give in to the lie.

Document your experience. If you don't keep track of what is happening, then, in the eyes of the law, it didn't happen.

One of the bully's tactics will be to isolate you from fellow workers. Keep your relationships with co-workers as strong as you can.

Let them know what is going on and let them know that you need support during this time.

Looking for resources to build your healthy workplace? Check out my top 10 tips under Resources and Courses at worksmartlivesmart.com

#mentalhealth #hr

Could you go without eating refined sugar for even one day?

Eating well and maintaining energy throughout the day can be a difficult feat in today’s busy workplaces.  When we are time-pressured, we tend to make poor nutritional choices.  Often, we skip lunch and grab for a soft drink, cup of caffeine or an energy drink to keep us going. 

These poor food choices can promote obesity, illness and negatively impact productivity. 

Companies are looking for simple ways to promote health and support healthier nutrition. 

Some are adding vending machines that have more healthy choices and others have taken a harsher stance and eliminated the “pop and chip” machines altogether. 

Some company cafeterias have added a premium fee to “fast food” items or subsidized healthy meals and snacks. 

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      So here are Today’s Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Sugar Awareness Week:

Examining the nutritional needs and habits of your employees makes good business sense.  When designing your workplace wellness program, look for ways to educate, support behaviour changes and promote a healthier environment. 

The results may not just be reduced waist sizes and decreased benefits usage, but more engaged and productive employees.

Looking for resources to build your healthy workplace? Check out my top 10 tips under Resources and Courses at worksmartlivesmart.com

#mentalhealth #hr

Mental illness is a very common form of human pain and suffering. One of the biggest hurdles for anyone suffering from mental illness is overcoming the stigma attached to it. This stigma brings about isolation and prevents people from getting the help that they need.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      So here are Today’s Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Let’s Talk Day:

Language matters. Watch the words that you use that may colour the way we see mental health issues.

Simple kindness can make a world of a difference. Whether it be a smile, being a good listener or an invitation for a chat over coffee, these simple acts of kindness can let someone know you’re there for them.

Break the Silence. Two out of three people suffer in silence, fearing judgement and rejection. Being open to a conversation is the first step towards eliminating the stigma.

When it comes to mental illness, education is key. Having the right tools, knowing the right words to use and understanding how to correctly speak with someone experiencing a mental illness can make all the difference.

You are not alone. There are resources available to help you to feel more competent in providing this support. Check out my on-line courses at worksmartlivesmart.com under the resources and courses tab.

#mentalhealth #hr

We know that we are not active enough, especially during the winter months. It is cold. It is dark. And did I mention that it is cold?

Did you know that 63% of us are not active enough to achieve the health benefits they need from physical activity.

Did you also know that research shows that as much as one half of the functional decline between the ages of 30 and 70 is due not to aging itself, but to an inactive way of life.

Consider this:

We are awake about 13-18 hours a day, but we only have to be active for one hour and that 60 minutes of activity doesn’t have to be done all at once.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

So here are Today’s Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Take A Walk Outdoors Day:

Take advantage of the outdoors, dress your children warmly, get them outside and keep them moving.  Besides just taking a walk, some good winter fun can include: ice skating, tobogganing, and hiking.

At work, get active by taking a “walking” meeting or taking a brisk walk before lunch for about 10 minutes.

Keep track of your active and inactive time.  Awareness is the first step to going from inactive to active.

Looking for more ways to build your resiliency? Take my free on-line vulnerability test at worksmartlivesmart.com under the resources and courses tab.

#mentalhealth #hr

It is Blue Monday….the most depressing day of the year.

The date was calculated by using many factors, including: weather conditions, debt level, time since Christmas, time since failing our new year’s resolutions, low motivational levels and feeling of a need to take action.

This isn’t a scientifically true formula, but it does point out several things that we already know.  Our stress levels are impacted by many things such as negative weather conditions, lack of finances, unrealistic expectations and unmet goals.  If all of these things come to a head at the same time, it certainly can make for a stressful or depressing time in our life.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      So here are Today’s Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Blue Monday:

Get outside. Go for a walk.  Even if it is a snowy, winter’s day, the benefits of getting a light break, beat staying indoors and moping around.

Turn today into a celebration.  Plan special activities at work or going out with friends. 

Start planning a vacation.  Even just looking at beautiful vacation pictures has a positive impact on our mood.

Know though, that sometimes, it is okay to indulge in the blues.  Wrap up in a cozy blanket, turn on that sappy movie, and let all of your emotions flow out.

If you think that you have moved beyond the blues, talk to your doctor.  Seasonal Affective Disorders and Depression are serious and can spiral out of control quickly.  The sooner you do, the better.

Discover how to take small steps towards a healthier, happier, less-stressed you by visiting my website at worksmartlivesmart.com

#mentalhealth #hr

It is a gorgeous July morning. I have finished watering my newly planted grass seed and now it is time to focus on my business. I am finally feeling like my life is in balance.

This was a reflection on life that I had several years ago.  It didn’t mean that my life wasn’t chaotic, but I was feeling satisfied with the time and energy that I was spending on the various aspects of my life.

Sometimes my ‘balance’ lasts for a long time, other times, that balance is fleeting. Balance to me, does not mean equal. Balance means satisfaction.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! 

Here are today’s Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Life Balance Month:

My First Strategy is the belief that I have a purpose in this world and that this world has a purpose.

Second, is being comfortable with who I am. I am not superhuman. I try my best to take care of myself. My family and my business need me to function.

Third, I enjoy the little things and look for the awesome.  In my reflection above, my day started outside, watering and weeding. For me, this is nature at its most glorious and it helps to ground and center me.

Each day I experience different challenges, but these beliefs keep me satisfied with where I am going. How do you create more satisfaction and balance in your life?

If you like today’s wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app.

Looking for more ways to build your resiliency? Take my free on-line resiliency test at worksmartlivesmart.com under the resources and courses tab.

#mentalhealth #hr

A successful mentor is someone who sees how remarkable you can be and constantly holds that image for you.

We all need someone to hold that mirror for us – And we need to be able to hold that mirror for someone else.

Who can you reach out to for that boost and who around you could use that lift?

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Mentoring Month:

Mentoring is a learning relationship where someone more experienced puts time and energy into a less experienced person’s development. Successful mentors know that they need to focus on nurturing the person, not just performance. Since mentees may be reluctant to expose their shortcomings to a superior, the mentor needs to demonstrate it’s safe to do so.

The strongest relationships are based on mutual respect and as a mentor, you don’t just want to be a solution provider.  Discern when it is appropriate to offer a direct answer versus when it’s better to coach a mentee through their question or problem.

As a mentee, clarify your goals: explain to your mentor what you want from your career, and from mentoring.

Strong mentoring programs not only provide support for new hires but also help create an open, inviting culture that emboldens all workers to contribute their ideas for improving the company.

Don’t forget that you can find more tips for coping with mental health issues, by checking out my Live Smart blog at worksmartlivesmart.com

#mentalhealth #hr

I have been taking karate for quite a few years now.  I’m a second-degree black belt, so not quite a beginner.  It takes lots of hard practice to get this far…yet I am pretty sure that I would still have a great deal of trouble using it against an attacker, especially one with any size behind them.

Early in my university years and again when I was working within a college, I took a couple of basic self-defense courses.  They did two things. They enhanced my awareness of the dangers and gave me ideas for options that I could use.  They were definitely worthwhile.

Fear is powerful.  And so it should be.  Fear keeps us on our toes.  It warns us to not be in dangerous situations.  Even the best karate move is not to be there when the attack comes in.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Personal Self-Defense Month

Consider your answers to these questions.

Do you know what to do if someone grabs you? If not, you may need to take a course on basic self-defence strategies

Are you aware of your surroundings? Don’t become complacent, even in familiar situations.

Are you confident in yourself and do you carry yourself in a confident way? Learn how to walk with confidence. This can be the difference of a potential attacker thinking that you are an easy target and them moving on to the next person.

Take your personal safety seriously.  Be prepared.  Be Aware.  Look like you know what you are doing.

Want to find more strategies to coping with stress? Check out my website at worksmartlivesmart.com

#mentalhealth #hr

Happiness, for some can seem like an elusive dream and for others it is a constant reality. The difference is a mindset that looks for the best in a given situation.

If we spend our time waiting for life to be perfect…the children are polite and well behaved…there is enough money in our savings account and retirement fund…the renovations are finished…we have the right job…we have the best partner… we may be waiting for a very long time and we may be disappointed that happiness doesn’t seem to come our way.

True happiness is not putting a smile on our face and saying that everything is great, but it is problem solving the difficult situations and looking for the things in our life that are going well. In the workshops that I deliver, we talk about looking for the awesome. What are the cools things that are around us everyday that often we miss because we spend too much of our time looking for the things that are not quite right’

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

So here are Today’s Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Hunt For Happiness Week:

Look for the awesome

Be thankful for the things that are true blessings in your life

And understand that you have the final say in your own happiness

Discover how to take small steps towards a healthier, happier, less-stressed you by visiting my website at worksmartlivesmart.com

#mentalhealth #hr

Smoking is no longer glamourous.  Most people understand the link to major health issues.

Though smoking has lost its ‘public’ appeal, it is still a major issue and addiction within our families and workplaces. Smoking cessation is the focus of many workplace wellness programs because nicotine addiction has a negative impact on absenteeism, productivity and benefits usage. 

Wouldn’t it be great, if we could prevent the up and coming generations from having to face the ‘futility’ of quitting, of being a ‘slave’ to their addiction, or experiencing the devastating impact of their ‘habit’.

Some people wrongly believe that if we continue to raise the price, add more tax or put more disgusting pictures on the packages, that people will stop smoking and choose to live a healthier life.

However, being addicted to something, means that logic is skewed, and the addiction can always be justified or at least continued to exist

So, I go back to my original statement…we have come a long way…but the key to our success is to continue to convince the younger generation that it isn’t worth it. 

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

Today is Weedless Wednesday. Hopefully future generations will not understand the need for this kind of promotion.

Looking for more ways to build your resiliency? Take my free on-line vulnerability test at worksmartlivesmart.com under the resources and courses tab.

#mentalhealth #hr

We would all love a magic lamp or a fairy godmother to make our dreams come true.  But in their absence, it is up to us to make our dreams come true.  This requires effort on our part.  Not just wishful thinking, but hard work and intention.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Make Your Dreams Come True Day:

Create your dream list.  Write it down.  Put it into pictures.  Make a Dream Board.  This makes it real and more likely to come true than if your dreams stay locked up inside your head.

Decide what steps or actions you need to take to make these dreams come true. 

Watch out for negative self-talk, and fears that can sabotage you before you even start. 

Bronnie Ware is an Australian nurse who spent several years working in palliative care, recording her patient’s epiphanies.  Here were the top five wishes of those patients:

The wish that they had the courage to live a life true to them self, not the life others expected of them.

The wish that they had not worked so hard.

The wish that they had the courage to express their feelings.

The wish that they had stayed in touch with their friends.

The wish that they had let them self be happier.

 So what are YOU going to do TODAY to move closer to making your dreams a reality?

Looking for more tips to build your resiliency? Look for my book on Amazon called Stress Out. 52 Weeks To Letting More Life In

#mentalhealth #hr

Are you and your family spending too much time as couch potatoes?

Although this is Family Fit Lifestyle Month, healthy habits should be a lifelong journey. I recently asked my sons what life lessons they have they learned from me (risky question but I wanted to know). I was proud to hear some of things that they said. Both of them said that one of the important lessons was around eating right and exercising often. They said that it has helped them to be good athletes and to feel good. (So all that harping around eating their lunch and working hard at practise has paid off after all). They saw me involved in fitness activities even when I was not naturally good at them. And they saw me having fun anyways.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Family Fit Lifestyle Month:

Reward participation in fitness activities. Be each other’s cheerleader.

Have fun. Fitness shouldn’t be boring or feel like drudgery. If it does that you haven’t found the right activities. Some of us prefer activities that we can do alone. Some of us need the watchful eye of a coach. Others prefer team settings. Fitness activities should be something that we look forward to.

This year, set a few goals for creating a healthier family.

Looking for more ways to build your resiliency? Take my free on-line vulnerability test at worksmartlivesmart.com under the resources and courses tab.

#mentalhealth #hr

Have you worn a milk moustache today? January 11th is milk day, the anniversary of milk being first delivered in glass bottles.

I grew up on a dairy farm. Milk was a part of every meal.  I can still remember my dad skimming the cream off the milk for his cereal and the first time I stayed with my aunt who ‘bought’ her milk from the store, and thinking that it was so watery.  Nothing at all, like what I was used to.

Even after 7000 years of drinking it, milk is still very controversial. Many say we need it for bone growth, but there are those who say we shouldn’t drink it, as it can increase our risk for certain diseases.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Milk Day:

Watch what you drink.  Add more water and milk to your diet as opposed to pop and other sugary drinks. Studies show that kids and adults who drink milk are less likely to consume sugary drinks which add no nutritional value to their diet.

If you are having trouble sleeping, try a cup of warm milk.  The chemicals in milk, along with the warmth of the drink, can help to produce that sleepy feeling.

So to honour my dad and brother, here is a little milk day humour…..

Q: What did the farmer call the cow that had no milk?

A: An udder failure.

Don’t forget that you can find more tips for promoting health, by checking out my Live Smart blog at worksmartlivesmart.com

#mentalhealth #hr

The alarm clock goes off, but you would rather roll over and continue sleeping. You get up, look in the mirror and you feel dumpy and grumpy. You go to the cupboard and instead of something healthy, you pull out one of those sugar cereals. You are not sure what is happening, but there are days when life is definitely more of a challenge.

Reportedly 65% of us notice a difference in our mood and energy in the fall and winter. These people may be fighting the winter blues. This decrease in mood and energy colours the way in which we handle the other areas of our life that compete for our energy and attention.

Research into the direct causes of the winter blues is ongoing. However, the more severe form, called Seasonal Affective Disorder, is thought to be related to seasonal variations in light which negatively impact the production of neurotransmitters and hormones that affect our sleep, mood and appetite.

The winter blues are usually characterized by varying degrees of sadness, anxiety and energy. Winter blues differ from SAD in that the symptoms do not last as long and do not interfere significantly with everyday living.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

Tips For Building Resiliency Against Seasonal Affective Disorders:

Increase your exposure to light. Spend at least 20 minutes twice a day.

Arrange your indoor environment so that it receives more natural light.

Install full spectrum lights.

By increasing your exposure to light and monitoring your diet, sleep patterns and exercise levels you will be able to maintain your health, increase your energy and combat the winter blues.

For more information on coping with mental health issues, sign up for one of my on-line courses at worksmartlivesmart.com under the resources and courses tab.

#mentalhealth #hr

“What do you say?”  “Thank you”

As parents, we probably said this a lot, as we taught our children to be thankful for the gifts that they received or when others did nice things for them.

Are You Thankful?

I think as adults we sometimes forget to be thankful.  We often focus on the difficulties and on the things that are not going right and sometimes we lose sight of the things that are going well and the blessings that we have received.

A line of wisdom goes…You cannot welcome more abundance into your life until you have said thanks to the universe for all that you have. January is the month of new beginnings.  Let’s kick it off by being truly thankful. 

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Thank You Month:

Make a list of all that you are thankful for in your work and personal life.  Be specific.  True blessings are the things in your life that resonate importance and touch your core.

Know that when we are full of thanks, we radiate this to the people around us and we impact them in a positive way.

Hang out with people who are truly thankful.  It is contagious, and you will feel energized, and inspired.

Discover how to take small steps towards a healthier, happier, less-stressed you by visiting my website at worksmartlivesmart.com

#mentalhealth #hr

Negative attitudes and behaviours are usually expressed when our customers are stressed out or they just don’t have the energy to use better communication skills, judgment and manners.

Being stressed out is chronic in today’s society. We often have too much to do, too many decisions to make and are usually running behind schedule. The difficulty behind the negative attitudes and behaviours is that they are highly “toxic” to our staff.

Dealing with difficult customers can make us feel grouchy, out-of-control and can rattle staff to the point where they may quit.

It takes a lot of energy to be positive, to keep things in perspective and to actively fend off this toxic effect. As the leader, there are several steps that you can take to ensure that your staff can effectively handle the best and the worst in these customers.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

So here are Today’s Tips For Reducing The Impact Of Negative Attitudes and Celebrating Thank You To Your Customer Day:

1. Discuss the types of customers that you may encounter ahead of time. What are some of the common complaints that your staff may face’ Share past experiences and horror stories with each other and prepare answers and solutions ahead of time.
2. Teach your staff how to keep their composure, be assertive and know exactly what it is they want to communicate.

Looking for resources to build your resiliency? Check out my Live Smart blog at worksmartlivesmart.com

#mentalhealth #hr

Do you hold a grudge?

January is the month of new resolutions.  It is also the month to Get Over It.  Whatever ‘It’ is. 

‘It’ can be very destructive emotionally and physically.  It is not to say that feeling hurt or angry is bad, but holding on to hurt and anger for a long time is.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Get Over It Month:

Weigh the risks.  Holding a grudge takes energy and has a negative impact on your health.  It can keep you awake at night. It can cause excessive dread and worry and negatively impact your digestion.  It can bring about Depression.  Weigh out the risks of hanging on to that grudge or negative emotion and see if it really is worth the energy.

Learn to accept what is.  You may not hear an apology.  The person may never admit their mistake but that shouldn’t be the goal in trying to get over something.

Often hearing someone say sorry doesn’t make us feel better.  Only you can change your perspective and focus, so start today and Get Over It.

Looking for resources to build your resiliency? Check out my Live Smart blog at worksmartlivesmart.com

#mentalhealth #hr

Everyone hates change.

So many people I know believe that this statement is true.  However, the truth be known, people don’t really hate change, they may just dislike the process of changing. 

I know that people will only change when the behaviours that they have been using stops getting them the results that they want. 

With the start of the new year, many of us have taken the time to reflect on the past year’s events or our life.  We may have set some goals for the upcoming year based on these reflections.  When we set our goals for the future and aim to be more on purpose with who we want to be, we need to see and feel the past as uncomfortable and realize that life requires change.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Living On Purpose Month:

Know Your Why. To reach your goals, you need to identify the reason for the change in the first place.

Sometimes it helps to write this ‘why’ down and keep it available, because sometimes when we are in the midst of moving forward and the path becomes difficult, we may forget the reason for the change and give up on it, before we get through it.

Remember that change is not bad, and we don’t need to hate it. Whether the change you are making is a New Year’s Resolution or a life change to live more on purpose, always be kind to yourself.

Looking for more tips to build your resiliency? Look for my book on Amazon called Stress Out. 52 Weeks To Letting More Life In

#mentalhealth #hr

Having trouble returning to work on Mondays? Feel like you never really left? Struggling with the blahs’?

Studies show that happiness at work may be the most important success factor for a modern workplace and that happy companies make more money!

Your happiness at work is your responsibility. Not your boss’s, not your co-workers’ and not society’s. It’s Yours. However, if you are a boss or leader it is your responsibility to set a culture where it’s easy to be happy at work.

Happiness at work doesn’t only come from the policies, strategies, plans or values. It comes from being able to do great work with great people.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

So Here are today’s Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Thank God It’s Monday:

Decide to say, “Thank God it’s Monday”. Make sure that you set the intention to be grateful for the fact that you have a job and grateful for the fact that you get to demonstrate your talents to the world through your work.

Smile – it is contagious. Just as negativity is contagious, so is being optimistic, fun and happy.

How you show up in life and at work, matters! If you are just going through the motions, you will be shortchanging yourself and depleting your happiness.

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

Humour can help you thrive in change, remain creative under pressure, work more effectively, play more enthusiastically, and stay healthier in the process.

Humour is an attitude focused on generating positive feelings in yourself and for others. It is an active state and a choice that we make.

One other advantage of maintaining a sense of humour and being able to freely laugh is that it provides us with a powerful sense of perspective and ability to build relationships with those around us.

Humour and creativity originate from a lively imagination and the ability to recognize and to appreciate the incongruities of life.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

Tips For Building Your Resiliency and Celebrating Some Day We'll Laugh About This Week:

Our ability to look at the funny side of life can be developed with practice.

• Post a ‘Murphy’s Law of our Workplace’
• Develop a Humour First-Aid Kit and fill it with your favourite jokes, clippings, and stories
• Make up a humourous response to ‘How are you doing’’

Being able to laugh about our situation and ourselves helps us to release the tension, regain our perspective, accept that which we cannot change and experience joy.

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

I must have been sleeping. I missed the Festival of Sleep this morning. The celebration is an opportunity to sleep in, snooze, doze, nap, and catch 40 winks. However, I did doze off and I did go to bed early last night, so I guess that I unknowingly celebrated it anyway.

The Festival of Sleep reminds us that we all could use a little more sleep. Before the light bulb was invented, we use to get on average 10 hours of sleep. Now many of us are lucky to get 6.5 hours of sleep per night. Yet, we know that we need 7-9 hours per night just to stay healthy.

In fact, I think that we should celebrate the Festival of Sleep for two solid weeks – The week between Christmas and New Years and then the week after New Years. What a great way to end an old year and start a new year.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating The National Festival Of Sleep:

Obvious tip alert – Go to sleep.

Watch for those things that interfere or prevent you from getting a good night’s sleep. If you are like the majority (65%) of the population who do not get the right kind or length of sleep, you need to find the right strategies to get a good night sleep. Go to bed at the same time and get up at the same time. Keep your room cool. Block outside noises. Watch the kinds of foods that you eat prior to bedtime. Don’t exercise right before bed.

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

The pressure is on! Too much to do. No time to think. Be productive. Do more. Uncertain economy. Climate change. Make the right decision. Make it now.

Your thoughts create your emotional and physical state. How you think and react at any given time determines the decisions or actions you take. Successful people realize that by transforming their thinking that they can master the essential skills for thriving in these turbulent times.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Transform Your Thinking Month:

Look at the decisions that you have made in the past. Have they been the best ones that you could have or should have made? If not, evaluate how you made those decisions and see if there is something that you need to work on.

Do you have enough tools in your strategy tool belt to deal with the issues and challenges you are facing? Using the S-O-S Principle can help ensure that you deal with issues, stay healthy and are supported during stressful times.

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

“This year, I am going to earn my CSP.” That is what I said several years ago at this time. And thankfully, I can say that after many hours of sweating it through, I received my Certified Speaking Professional designation in San Diego, California July 2007.

For many of us, New Year’s Resolution Week is a time to reflect on the changes that we want and need, and in doing so we compile a list of resolutions. Unfortunately if our resolutions happen not to work out as we had hoped, we tend to put off trying again until the following year.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

Tip For Building Resiliency and Celebrating New Years Resolutions Week:

Visualize It

Many experts agree that the resolution itself is too often equated with the plan when it is only one part of the overall plan. One tip is to visualize the future.  Identify and visualize what feelings will come about by you achieving your goal. Replay this image regularly. The more details the better!

Everyday is a new challenge to live the way you intend to, according to your passions and purpose. Remember, it takes less effort to stay the same than it does to change. Most goals require stepping outside of your comfort zone and that is why many people give up.

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

On the last working day of the year, the office is quiet and you are prepared to take advantage of it to get caught up on your work.  The phone rings.  You sigh. Another stressful interruption.

According to Fast Company the average office worker is interrupted and taken off task every 11 minutes. Even worse, they say that it takes basically that much time to refocus on the task at hand.  Often, we end up compensating for interruptions by working faster and harder, which results in us experiencing more stress. We get frustrated, impatient, annoyed, angry, defeated.  The key to avoid interruptions at work is to find productive ways to minimize and deal with them and keep our emotions in check.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

Tips For Building Resiliency and Dealing With No Interruptions Day:

Plan for interruptions.  Know the type of interruptions that you usually encounter and when they are most likely to occur. 

Limit the opportunities for people to distract you.  If you need time to concentrate on a particular task, block it off in your schedule and let colleagues know that you are not available until a certain time.  Turn off your phone and your email notifiers.  Shut the door.  Book a meeting room just for yourself.

Watch for your own personal interrupters.  A messy desk, hunger, thirst and curiosity all get in our own way of being as productive as we can.  Organize yourself prior to starting your focused time, not during it.

Discover how to take small steps towards a healthier, happier, less-stressed you by visiting my website at worksmartlivesmart.com

#mentalhealth #hr

It is almost the last day of the year. This is the day that many news programs offer up a year in review. What happened that was newsworthy? Good, Bad and even the Ugly.

This is a good time of year to do the same for our own personal life.

What was great? What successes did you achieve? What challenges did you face? What didn’t go the way you would have liked. What lessons did you learn?

All of these questions can help you to put life in perspective and help you to recognize the skills that you have developed that have aided you along the way.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating the New Year ahead:

Reviewing Your Life Allows You to Know Where You Are. If you don’t want to live this upcoming year exactly the same as your last year, you need to take stock of all that has happened. It is only when you stop and reflect, that you are able to find out, if what you do, is getting you the results you want.

Ask yourself the question, What Am I Working Towards?  If you are serious about living your ideal lifestyle, you must take stock of where you are and where you would like to be.

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

Are you overworked, over-scheduled and just plain stressed out?

There is a quote that says, “Time is the most valuable coin in your life. You and you alone will determine how that coin will be spent. Be careful that you don’t let other people spend it for you.”

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency

Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating It’s About Time Week:

Schedule downtime. At least once during the day, you should allow yourself the luxury of having a period of time to decompress. The simplest and easiest strategy to use is deep breathing. It can be done by anyone, anywhere and in any circumstance.

Create off-work zones. Determine what times during the day are off-limits for working, including no e-mail, or text messages. By defining these zones such as at meal-time, bed-time and days off, we are creating the space for rejuvenation and connection.

Learn to say no. Say no to things that are outside of your priority. Say no to working late, especially if it is self-imposed. Say no to extra activities if you are feeling stretched to thin. Saying no now, does not mean that it will be a no forever.

When you feel like it is a priority and you have the time to dedicate to the activity without compromising yourself, then it is okay to say yes.

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

I am a chocoholic. I love milk chocolate. Creamy. Rich. Sweet. Delicious. It picks me up when I am down.

Is this wrong?  Not terribly. We all have comfort foods and mine is chocolate. I don’t eat it everyday. My addiction is quite mild most of the time. But there are days when I just have to give in. I have scavenged the cupboards looking for any type of chocolaty morsel. And when I do indulge, I try to do so with very little guilt, (which isn’t always possible).

It’s About Moderation

Contrary to popular belief, chocolate isn’t its own food group, but treats are not all bad. Moderation is the key. Eating healthy around the treats is also well advised.

But I do like my chocolate and I am always glad that my Christmas stocking, is lovingly filled with….Chocolate. My boys use to wondered why Santa only brought mommy chocolate…I told them, it was because daddy wanted mommy to be happy so he wrote it in his letter to Santa to bring me a stocking full of chocolate. And Santa hasn’t let me down yet.

So hats off to the Mayans and the Aztecs for creating the first chocolaty drink.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Chocolate Day:

I don’t have any, other than to indulge responsibly

Looking for resources to build your resiliency? Check out my Live Smart blog at worksmartlivesmart.com

#mentalhealth #hr

If you are a business owner, you may be looking at the end of the year as the time to review your Business Plan. I don’t enjoy doing this and I find it stressful to sit down and review where I have been and where I would like to grow my business. But I know that this is a necessary task as an entrepreneur.

Writing my business plan greatly improves my chances for success.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

So Here are today’s Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Write A Business Plan Month:

Keep it short. Your business plan should be a tool you use to run and grow your business. If it is too long, it becomes daunting, stressful, and relegated to the bottom of your to do list.

The biggest part of the business plan and the most helpful part of my plan answers the questions of what am I actually selling, how am I solving a problem for my market, and why me and not my competition. Your customers are stressed about something and you are there to solve it.

My customers are leaders who see that stress is negatively impacting the health, productivity and functioning within their team, and they need tools that they and their teams can use to manage their stress, promote positive mental health, and build overall resiliency.

Whether you are a business owner or not, the end of the year is a great time to review where you have been and where you are going. Set your intentions for a bright year ahead and make decisions that take you along this path.

Remember, If you like today’s wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through 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

We can be a nation of entitled whiners.  “It’s too cold.”  “I am the only one around here who does anything.”  “Blah, blah, blah” or should I say “whine, whine, whine.”

Hunger, tiredness, boredom and feeling unwell are factors that can precipitate whining sessions at work, but some colleagues have learned from a very early age that whining gets them the attention that they are seeking.  Whining has become second nature and their predominant way of communicating.  Their behaviour is draining on relationships and it can poison a workplace.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Whiner’s Day:

If you catch yourself whining:

Try moving from an attitude of entitlement to one of gratitude.  It is hard to be whining when focused on the positive and being thankful.

Focus on problem solving.  It is okay to vent, but that venting must be followed by problem solving otherwise it is whining for whining’s sake.

If you are going to confront a whiner:

Understand that they are looking for attention, but give them attention for solving the issue, not for whining about the issue.

Finally, minimize the amount of time that you spend with the whiner.  They will zap your energy if you aren’t careful.

Looking for resources to build your healthy workplace? Check out my top 10 tips under Resources and Courses at worksmartlivesmart.com

#mentalhealth #hr

It is Christmas Day for those of us who celebrate this time of year.

As we go into the holidays, I wanted to share this little blessing with you.

To you I wish all the blessings of Christmas.

May you experience the warmth of home,

The cheer and good will of friends,

And the hope of a child-like heart.

May love work its magic into your life,

And may you touch every life you meet.

May you provide compassion to those in need,

And have the courage to stand up for yourself.

May the stars light your way.

May you have unmatchable success in life and the ability to handle it with grace.

Have a blessed Christmas.

#mentalhealth #hr

It is Christmas Eve for those of us who celebrate this time of year.

As we go into the holidays, I wanted to share this little blessing with you.

To you I wish all the blessings of Christmas.

May you experience the warmth of home,

The cheer and good will of friends,

And the hope of a child-like heart.

May love work its magic into your life,

And may you touch every life you meet.

May you provide compassion to those in need,

And have the courage to stand up for yourself.

May the stars light your way.

May you have unmatchable success in life and the ability to handle it with grace.

Have a blessed Christmas.

#mentalhealth #hr

Holidays provide opportunity for celebration, and they often bring about family tension. By determining your goals for the holidays and by staying in control of your reactions, you can help to ward off excessive stress and have a stress-free family gathering – whatever that may look like this year.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

So here are today’s Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Stress-Free Family Gatherings Week:

The first and most important step to a less stressful family gathering is to determine who pushes your buttons. Then understand what the person gets from being so difficult. Some want to feel more in control over what is happening around them. Some want to feel important and listened to, and some want to avoid outright conflict, but will act out their annoyance or disagreement through other negative behaviours.

By understanding what people expect to gain from using undesirable behaviours, we are in a much better position to deflect and defeat the difficult behaviour and move the person towards more acceptable ways of responding. Our job is to help these family members feel more in control, more listened to and more important.

My second tip is to avoid ‘holiday perfectionism’. Thinking, saying, or planning for the best holiday ever can lead to certain disappointment. Be okay with disorganization, conflict, and family chaos. Going with the flow will help to reduce your stress.

Finally, stop and be in the moment. When you start to feel the tension rising, take a moment to notice the wondrous sights, sounds, and smells around. Changing focus helps to reduce your stress level.

Wishing you a meaningful, joyful, and Stress-Free Family Gathering.

Remember, If you like today’s wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app.

Looking for more ways to build your resiliency during the holidays? Check out my holiday infographic at: https://worksmartlivesmart.com/mental-health-infographics/

or read a few of the articles posted at: https://worksmartlivesmart.com/?s=holiday+stress

#mentalhealth #hr

What would a day of complete silence be like?

Would you love it or hate it? Would you be lonely?

Some people dislike being silent as they equate it with being alone. Would you know how to cope with silence for a day?

We live in a very loud world where TV, music, and smartphones fill the void with white noise. Many of us, never take the opportunity to sit and enjoy silence.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Be A Lover Of Silence Day:

Silence and solitude give us the space to think, act, and play "catch up" with our mind, and can be very healthy for our physical and mental wellbeing. By keeping external silence we are allowing our internal thoughts to be heard.

Shut it off. Noise has a negative impact on the brain, which can lead to elevated levels of stress hormones. Researchers found that silence can release tension in the brain and body in just two minutes. It was even more relaxing than listening to "relaxing" music.

Finally, if you can’t keep silent for an entire day, start off small. Engage in deep breathing exercises or meditation. This helps calm your mind and quiet it at the same time.

For more information on coping with mental health issues, sign up for one of my on-line courses at worksmartlivesmart.com under the resources and courses tab.

#mentalhealth #hr

Every one of us has heard the phrase “Look on the bright side!”

Look on the bright side is used to refer to focusing on the good part of something that is mostly bad.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

As we head into a new year, let’s focus on these Hot Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Look On The Brighter Side Day:

#1 It's difficult to look on the bright side when you're surrounded by negativity so be careful who you spend your time with.

Remove “can’t” from your vocabulary. A defeatist attitude will get you about as far as a car without an engine.

Be grateful. There are times when looking at the bright side of things can seem out of the realm of possibility. However, it’s important to take a step back and concentrate on what you do have, rather than what you don’t have.

Finally, It’s OK to make mistakes. Your past mistakes are meant to guide you, not define you. Remember, no one is perfect. Rather than looking at the negative aspects of a mistake that you’ve made, look at the bright side of that mistake and use it as a lesson moving forward.

So today, I challenge you to look on the bright side of a negative situation and use it to your advantage.

Looking for more resources to build your resiliency? Check out my Live Smart blog at worksmartlivesmart.com

#mentalhealth #hr

Have you ever gone caroling?

We used to when I was in public school. We would go to the nursing homes and entertain the elderly residents there. I probably didn’t appreciate it as much as I would today.

Christmas caroling is believed to have originated by St. Francis of Assisi in 1223. Though caroling has slipped by the wayside, I still love watching the old Christmas movies that depicted the carollers dressed up going from door to door singing the old favourites.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Go Caroling Day:

While you might prefer to stay indoors with your eggnog, Christmas cookies, cozy blanket, the point of Go Caroling Day is to get out and share the spirit of the season, however, you celebrate it, with everyone.

And a quote from a favourite Christmas movie character, Buddy the Elf says that “The best way to spread Christmas cheer, is singing loud for all to hear.”

Looking for more tips to build your resiliency? Look for my book on Amazon called Stress Out. 52 Weeks To Letting More Life In

#mentalhealth #hr

I can still remember playing parcheesi with my grandma and euchre with my grandpa.

What kind of games do you most enjoy the most? Board games, card games, or maybe its video games? Whatever game is you favorite, this is the week to play them and have some fun!

Research finds that it is not just academic skills being developed over time by playing board games. Social skills are also enhanced as we improve communication and practice good sportsmanship traits.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency

So here are today’s Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Game Week:

What better a break could you take from the stresses of the holidays than to partake in Games Week? Playing games is a great way to just kick back, relax and have some fun with your family of friends.

Conduct a poll on Facebook to find out what kind of games the people invited enjoy the most, and use the results of this poll as your guide to choosing the right game or games to keep your guests entertained all evening and well into the night.

Looking for more ways to build your resiliency, take my free on-line vulnerability test at worksmartlivesmart.com under the resources and courses tab.

#mentalhealth #hr

Thank you! Good work, as always. Thanks for getting this done. You are a lifesaver.

Thanks for your help today.

One step to emotional wellness is being able to learn to give to others. Recognize and tell someone that they are doing a good job. Research says that you will be boosting their health and yours.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

So here are today’s Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Tell Someone They Are Doing A Good Job Week:

Don’t forget that your people want to do well. Before getting frustrated with someone remind yourself of that, and then decide how to provide constructive feedback.

When someone does something well, tell them that you notice. As a leader, it is easy to forget to mention it. Most leaders wait until something goes wrong before they even think about giving employee feedback. And then it’s only negative. Block out some time during the week to reflect on positive contributions your team has made over the week

However, don’t overdo it. If you are sending people emails every day then your positive feedback becomes diluted and meaningless.

Finally, don’t use phrases like "great job" or "nice work" as these are so vague as to be virtually useless. Use the opportunity to teach which of their terrific behaviours you would like to see repeated in the future.

Looking for more tips to build your resiliency? Look for my book on Amazon called Stress Out. 52 Weeks To Letting More Life In

#mentalhealth #hr

Did you know that flowers and plants freshen the air?

This is a day set aside to honour our clean air and to raise awareness of the many environmental issues that are changing our climate on Earth. This is one of several official days to pay attention to your environment and the air we breathe. Air pollution is the largest environmental health risk in the country, ranking alongside cancer, heart disease and obesity on the scale of its health impacts.  Air pollution affects us all at work, at home and when we are out and about.  It causes heart and lung diseases, affects children’s lung development and shortens life. 1 in 8 deaths around the world is linked to poor air quality.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

So here are today’s Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Clean Air Day:

Clean Air Day is the perfect opportunity for people to ditch their cars and either walk or cycle to work.

Even the smallest contribution soon mounts up when large groups of people pledge their commitment.

Taking a walk in nature, breathing in the cool crisp air and slowing down for a moment is also a great way to celebrate

We need to protect Mother Earth and make sure that the air that we breathe is as clean and healthy as possible.

Looking for resources to build your resiliency? Check out my Live Smart blog at worksmartlivesmart.com

#mentalhealth #hr

Today is my day to indulge. Chocoholics, rejoice! For today, we celebrate the treat of dipping anything in chocolate

Chocolate compliments so many different flavours. From chocolate-covered pretzels to chocolate-covered espresso beans, sweet, salty, and savory items can all be dipped. Love this quote from Charles M Schultz: “All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.”

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Chocolate Covered Anything Day:

If you don’t have access to a chocolate fountain, you can still have some chocolate dipping fun. Look up melted chocolate recipes and instructions and gather your favorite foods to dip in chocolate. Make it healthy and dip strawberries, pineapple spears, or really any fruit. Or go decadent and dip marshmallows, cookies, and cakes. You can really dip almost anything in chocolate, and it will be delicious. Though I may draw the line on chocolate-covered bacon, jalapenos or fish.

Cover your food in chocolate today, and, in the spirit of the holiday season, share some of your chocolate-covered treats with your friends and family.

Discover how to take small steps towards a healthier, happier, less-stressed you by visiting my website at worksmartlivesmart.com

#mentalhealth #hr

This day is a day of encouragement and inspiration. National Wear Your Pearls Day was created by best-selling author and motivational speaker DeAnna Bookert to celebrate life after she emerged from a deep depression.

She said, “I wear pearls as a reminder that I have purpose and value,”.

We are reminded that one irritating grain of sand can cause an iridescent pearl to form. 

National Wear Your Pearls Day reminds us that when life throws dirt our way, we can take that dirt build on it and turn it into something meaningful and precious.

Pearls symbolize wisdom acquired through experience and represent new beginnings.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

So here are today’s Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Wear Your Pearls Day:

Embrace the beauty of your life, a beauty that is often formed through hardships and trials.

And when life throws dirt your way, put on your pearls.

Looking for more tips to build your resiliency? Look for my book on Amazon called Stress Out. 52 Weeks To Letting More Life In

#mentalhealth #hr

Yoga can give you a piece of time to observe your mind and your heart. People have different ways of relaxing, some of them healthier than others. Some people drink a glass of wine, some doze off in front of the TV, and some people prefer physical pursuits. One of the best and oldest ways to release the tension building up in both the body and the mind is practicing yoga. The benefits of practicing yoga, such as mastering countless techniques of controlling the body and the mind, have been widely recognized by the Western world for years.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

So here are today’s Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Yoga Day:

If you are a devout practitioner, today is the day to celebrate as it is the birthday the man called “the father of modern yoga,” B.K.S. Iyengar.

Even if you don’t consider yourself a particularly fit person—don’t worry! Due to its slow, fluid movements, few people suffer any kind of injuries practicing yoga, and many of the meditation techniques, breathing exercises, and certain postures are considered safe and beneficial even for those suffering various illnesses as well as pregnant women. Just make sure you don’t attempt a headstand the first time you decide to give yoga a try.

Looking for more ways to build your resiliency? Take my free on-line vulnerability test at worksmartlivesmart.com under the resources and courses tab.

#mentalhealth #hr

When was the last time you wrote a letter by hand’ We’re quick to email or text our friends, but nothing can replace the joy of receiving a personalized letter in the mail. December is the perfect time to stop what you’re doing and drop a note to a friend or a family member.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

Tips For Building Resiliency and Write A Friend Month:

Researchers have found that people with few ties to others had 2 to 5 times the death rate as those who had more ties. Support and connectedness can be powerful tools in preventing illness by acting as a buffer to the effects of stress. One way to continue building that sense of connection and deeper friendship is to continually communicate and writing allows us to contemplate, ask questions or show appreciation in a very different way than by calling or emailing.

One of my favourite quotes is: Life is to be fortified by many friendships.

It is a shame that for many of us, the more stressful life gets the less connected we become.

Remember your friends. Let them know that they matter. Connect when possible – but don’t leave it up to chance – or time may pass you both by.

Discover how to take small steps toward a healthier, happier, less stressed you by visiting my website at worksmartlivesmart.com

#mentalhealth #hr

Unmentionable thoughts.

There is a Festival that celebrates these thoughts. Guess that is what today is. The Festival of Unmentionable Thoughts

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

Beverly’s Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating the Festival of Unmentionable Thoughts:

We aren't going to mention any subjects you could be thinking about today. Feel free to think about them yourself, but make sure not to mention them.

We don't even want to know what you're thinking. It’s not that we don’t care. Some things should just stay unmentionable.

It’s surprising how little control we seem to have over the timing and content of “bad” thoughts. Researchers found that people have about 500 thoughts a day that are unintentional and “intrusive” and that last about 14 seconds on average. While most dealt with the concerns of everyday life, 18 percent were unacceptable, uncomfortable, or just plain bad—politically incorrect or mean thoughts. And a remaining 13 percent were ugly, out of character, or downright shocking.

So whether they are morbid, perverse, or prejudicial, know that we all have them, but what we do with them and the significance we attach to them are key.

If you like today’s resiliency tips, let me know.

Don’t forget that you can find more tips for coping with mental health issues, by checking out my Live Smart blog at worksmartlivesmart.com

#mentalhealth #hr

What is your favourite app?

Do you have one that saves you time or reminds you to do something that you couldn’t live without?

Apps are so ingrained into the way we do things now and there are very few people who don’t use at least one app.

Apps can be used for communication and entertainment.

Travel apps provide needed information and tools, helping with everything from transportation to finding the closest restaurant.

Other apps help people organize their homes or perform essential functions at work. Some can help build your resiliency.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

Today’s Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National App Day:

According to Flurry, mobile users spend 86% of their time on mobile apps. App Annie says that the average user now has around 80 apps installed and uses around 40 every month.

Look for apps that are easy to use and make sense in your daily life.

There are many apps now for almost any kind of stress therapy, be it meditation, mindfulness breathing, cognitive behaviour therapy, relaxation techniques, colouring in, or online therapy chat services. Use these apps to build in a pause to your day or as an aid to get a better night's sleep.

Though keeping up with technology can be a source of stress, it can also be used to build our resiliency.

If you like today’s resiliency tips, let me know.

Looking for more ways to build your resiliency? Take my free on-line vulnerability test at worksmartlivesmart.com under the resources and courses tab.

#mentalhealth #hr