Work Smart Live Smart with Beverly Beuermann-King

Have you lost touch with an old colleague? Have you ever thought about reaching out to a childhood friend?

In the ‘old’ days, that would have been almost impossible and possibly very expensive. However, today, it is relatively easy to search down most people from our past. With social networks getting smaller and smaller, sometimes reaching out to past colleagues and friends can increase our sense of social connectedness and reduce our sense of isolation.

Here are today’s Hot Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Locate An Old Friend Day.

This day is about reintroducing former relations into your life, and catching up with them on what’s happening in your life now, or just to take a walk down memory lane together.

Gathering details, using search tools, having family and friends help: these are just some of the ways that you can find friends or colleagues.

Social Media is one of the best ways to try and reconnect with old friends. But what if your old friend doesn’t use social media?

You can use search engines like Classmates.com, Pipl, Wink, PeekYou, and Zabasearch to track them down, with a little help of some background information like their high school, college, or town they grew up in.

It can be difficult to reach out and it may feel awkward. People change. You have changed. However you might be pleasantly surprised to find out that the person you once knew is someone you like even more today!

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

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

I disagree with the usual sentiment. Respect is earned, not given. I believe that Respect is given, first. But you can lose my respect and you may have to earn it back.

Our default setting should be to respect every person we meet. Every single one.

Respect is not just deep admiration for someone elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements. Respect is due regard for the feelings, wishes, rights, or traditions of others.

Here are today’s Hot Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Respect Day.

Start by treating people with a more polite approach. Are you saying ‘please’ and ‘thank you’?

Respect their time, energy, and experience.

Treat people they way you would hope that they would treat you with.

Sometimes, people mistakenly think that they must agree when showing respect. That is not true. It is very possible, to disagree in a manner that demonstrates politeness and consideration. That can be done without berating the person, without insulting them or their opinions, and without causing hurt, guilt or shame.

Respecting everyone can create a ripple out effect to others. Respect is like kindness and once demonstrated, it can have a profound impact on the person receiving it.

If after getting to know a person you realize they are very cruel or bigoted, or they have demonstrated a lack of respect and understanding towards their fellow humans, you don't have to continue to respect them. But it is always best when we start from a place where we believe people are good.

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

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

Life is too short. Some Day will never come. Tomorrow is not guaranteed.

Time’s Up Day is here. Today is the day to make the most of your life.

It is also the time to get over whatever is standing in between you and someone else: Arguments, disagreements, feeling slighted, jealous, or whatever it is. It is time to address the situation head on.

Hurt is inevitable in significant relationships. Yet pain and strife do not have to mean a relationship is going to end.

Here are today’s Hot Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Time’s Up Day.

Time is fleeting. Waiting until tomorrow, may be too late. Tell yourself that time is up and reach out to the person today. Call them on the phone, or send them an email.

It takes two people to mend a broken relationship. There is no sense in trying to fix something if you are the only one willing to do the work. If the other person is unapologetic, dismissive, or continues hurtful behavior, it might be time to move on.

If it is a worthwhile relationship to work on, then use your best communication skills. Instead of trying to think of what you need to say next, stop and try to understand what they are telling you. Careful listening shows respect and will help you both figure out what to do next.

The time for repairing relationships is today

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

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

Backpack Injury. Should Parents Be Worried About Their Children?

With all of the stressors that parents have to worry about when their young children are going back to school, a backpack may be far down the list of priorities.

When you place a heavy backpack filled with books, binders and gym clothes, the stress can pull you backwards. Research shows that up to 60% of children will experience back pain by the time they are 18 years old.

So here are today’s Hot Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Backpack Safety Month:

The maximum weight of a loaded backpack should not exceed 15% of the child’s body weight.

Pick the right backpack that fits your child’s size and strength. If they can’t stand up straight, then they may be carrying too much weight.

Choose a pack with a hip strap or waist belt and a padded back. A strap or belt can take as much as 50-70% of the weight off the shoulders and spine, and will equalize the strain on the bones, joints, and muscles.

There is a free app featuring easy-to-perform posture exercises, that you can use in just three minutes a day to help keep your child healthy. Practice The Straighten Up Canada program anywhere as a great way to improve posture.

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.

Has Your Child Gone Off To Post-Secondary?

Parents are bound to worry when their kids go off to post-secondary school. Will they eat, go to sleep and wake up without their supervision? Do I think they will be able to keep up with the work? Are they going to make friends or socialize too much? Will the pressure to use alcohol or drugs be too great?

Post-secondary stress is something to worry about. When it comes to acknowledging and handling stress, students are among the most vulnerable segments of the population.

Look for changes in behaviour – especially eating, sleeping and socializing patterns. Some students become distracted and have difficulty concentrating, while others will mention more colds and flus. How your child is affected by stress may be very different from how you are affected by stress. You may become more verbal while your child becomes more withdrawn.

Here are today’s Hot Tips For Building Resiliency and Dealing With Post- Secondary Stress

Learn to listen and ask specific questions when you are concerned.

Give advice, but don’t dictate.

Try not to be judgmental if your child’s choices are not exactly what you would have them do.

Before you intervene, ask yourself whether you need to get involved.

Help them to learn from their mistakes.

With your guidance and support, and by sharing the strategies listed above your child will be well on the road to becoming an independent and successful student.

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

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

We are a couple of weeks into school and believe it or not, now is the time that issues and conflict may be starting to boil and bubble.

So how do you ensure that the school year stays on the right path and that there will be less stress for you, your child and their teacher?

Follow These Hot Tips For Building Resiliency During Any Parent-Teacher Conflict:

Parent-teacher interviews are usually scheduled for after the first report card. By then the stress or conflict may have grown too large. Set up an appointment and bring any issues out early.

Communication is the key.

Watch that you are not becoming an ‘Helicopter Parent’ who jumps in too soon or hovers around. We need to allow our children to solve their issues and try different strategies.

Be open to the possibility that your child may be part of the problem. Outline with your child the kind of behaviours and attitudes that you expect and let them know that you will be discussing your expectations with their teacher. If the teacher approaches you regarding behaviour or attitudes of your child, try to keep emotionally neutral. Move quickly into problem solving.

Remember that this is a team approach to helping your child succeed.

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.

“The best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person“.

He was tall and taught me to dance while standing on his feet. She was quiet and always had a hug waiting for me. These are my grandparents.

My sons are blessed to have had 3 sets of grandparents and 3 sets of great grandparents. They knew and loved each one. One always had their favourite cookies. Another had the special green and white striped candies in a dish just waiting for them. One liked to take them fishing. One took them golfing. One took them for rides on the lawn mower. One had boxes of lego for them to build with. Another had lots of tractors to play with.

We are blessed to have grandparents in our lives. They joke that being a grandparent is much more fun than being a parent because you can give the children back. But in reality, they have the wisdom to see through the temper tantrums and other day-to-day issues and to cherish the short time that they have to spend with their grandchildren.

Here are today’s Hot Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Grandparent’s Day:

Grandparent’s Day is not just a Hallmark creation and a way to increase card sales. It is our opportunity to thank our grandparents for their wisdom and love. Ask your grandparents for their favourite childhood memory. It may be a priceless gift. If they are not in your lives anymore, today is the day to remember the legacy that they have left you and to be thankful.

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

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

I find the transition from summer into fall a tough one. I feel draggy, and sometimes not very creative or motivated to work on my business.

What gets me kicked into gear is connecting to those around me. My friends and colleagues who cheer me on and get my creative juices flowing.

Encouragement, as they say, goes straight to the heart. In fact, the word itself comes from a combination of the prefix en which means “to put into” and the Latin root cor which means “heart”.

We all could use a little encouragement and a few words of inspiration now and again.

Here are today’s tips for building our resilience and celebrating National Day of Encouragement.

Encouragement lifts up someone when they are down, so be deliberate and reach out today to someone who could use a boost.

Send a card, give a call, or send a text to a colleague who may be struggling. 

Provide reassurance and inspiration to the people around you. Be deliberate in your words to others.

Encouragement matters.

Simply having others believe in you is enough to keep you moving forward in tougher times.

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

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

Stress (83%), lack of physical activity (49%), and obesity (41%) are often cited as the top three health risks.

Stressed out workers incur healthcare costs 50% higher than the norm while 60% of lost workdays each year can be attributed to stress

Research indicates that stress is still the number one lifestyle risk and that employers and employees couldn’t be any farther apart when reporting the top sources of stress in their workplace.

For the Employer: the number one source of stress for their employees is a Lack of work-life balance.

While for the Employee: they identified inadequate staffing as the number one cause of stress.

Leaders need to address the main sources of stress for their employees and this can only be done if they have been clearly identified for your particular workplace.  Until you have talked to your employees or surveyed them for their opinions, you may be addressing the wrong issues.

The programs that you implement should address the sources of stress at the corporate level and promote skills and resiliency at the individual level.  Ensure that the right strategies are considered for your unique situation. By specifically addressing your challenges and stresses, by utilizing strategies to maintain your health during stressful times, and by building a supportive network, you can find the right tools for coping with the situations that you face.

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

“A permanent solution to a temporary state.”

We often don’t hear about those that died by suicide. Because we don’t talk about it, those around us can suffer in silence, unaware of the supports that may be available to them. There is little funding because there is no public outcry. But the issue of suicide touches us all – whether directly or indirectly.

Today is World Suicide Prevention Day and it is celebrated on September 10th each year as a way to improve education about suicide, disseminate information, decrease stigmatization and, most importantly, raise awareness that suicide can be preventable.

Around the world, every 40 seconds someone dies by suicide.

Here are today’s Hot Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating World Suicide Prevention Day:

Read and learn as much as you can about suicide – it’s prevalence, the signs and symptoms, and personal stories from survivors. Understand the pain that those who even consider suicide as an option, must be in.

Be open and not afraid. Don’t be afraid to ask directly about the issue of suicide.

Know the resources that are available to help.

Suicide is a difficult issue to discuss, but it is even a more difficult issue to experience. Let’s help support those who are in pain so that they can find a better solution to living a peaceful and purposeful life.

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

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

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

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

Here are today’s Hot 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.

Children do not attempt or die by suicide

False. In fact, 3% of our children are suicidal at any given time and our rates are increasing among our youth. It is the second leading cause of death among our children ages 15-19 and studies show that 1 in 7 students have seriously considered suicide.

Identifying those children at risk for suicide can be problematic in that communication skills may be limited, emotional development may lead to spur of the moment decision-making, and support networks limited.

It is estimated that about 80% of people give some sort of clue that they are considering suicide. Behaviourally, children may give away their prize possessions, or they may lose interest in their hobbies, activities, school-work and friends.

Verbally, children may communicate a sense of hopelessness around their situation, self-hate or self-esteem statements such as ‘everyone would be better off without me around’, or they may express more physical complaints.

Though most people give some sort of clue, it is important to remember that it is not a family member’s ‘fault’ if that clue is not recognized or given significance at that time. There is not a parent out there who is superhuman, totally tuned in, and able to tell the future.

Giving support, providing information and alternatives, and finding the appropriate helping strategy is not easy but resources are available.

Children do die by suicide even in the most supported situations. However, as caregivers and parents we can look for the clues and not be afraid to address the issue of suicide.

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

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

Do you find yourself creaking, cracking, groaning, or moaning, more as you age?

I recently took a look at a website that tried to determine your real age compared to your chronological age.

I was pleased to see that it covered a variety of areas related to positive stress management and this sparked some interesting reflection regarding healthy aging.

Studies show that regularly exercising our brains by problem-solving, organizing, and prioritizing helps our bodies age healthy.

So Here are today’s Hot Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Healthy Aging Month.

Well besides the obvious of healthy eating and staying hydrated, along with regular exercise, make sure that you're getting an adequate amount of sleep.

And finally, look for creative ways to stimulate your brain.

If you'd like some more tips, follow me on twitter at SOS to stress.

Can you find time?

Stop looking. You will never find it. It isn’t lost.

Sometimes we lose time because we are procrastinating. This could be because jobs or tasks are difficult or time consuming, but it is not procrastination if the job doesn’t rank in importance or urgency.

So why else do we procrastinate?

Perfectionism – have you ever wanted something to turn out ‘just right’, that you got overwhelmed by the details and couldn’t move forward?  There are 3 books waiting to be written, but the thought of them being less than spectacular keeps me from sitting down to write. 

Fear of failure, success, or finishing – Like the examples above, sometimes procrastination is also fueled by the fears that we have. 

Dislike task or person – I hate tackling my monthly finances.  It wouldn’t be so bad if I actually did them monthly.  However, I procrastinate, and I end up doing them every 3 months or so.  I get frustrated and annoyed which makes me want to put the task off even more.

Too tired – I need my sleep. If I am worn out, all those little tasks are easy to draw out or avoid all together.

So here are today’s Hot Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Do It Day:

Find the answer to ‘What’s In It For Me”.  Why is this task/decision important?  What will I achieve once it is completed?

Use positive self talk to keep you moving forward.

Watch out for time gobblers.

Reward yourself.  Make it fun.

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

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

Procrastinators Rejoice!

Today it is okay to be late.

I hate being late. But I am not quite as bad as my dad, who arrived early and often unexpectedly for almost everything. He even had a hard time with me being the last one to arrive for my wedding.

So Here are today’s Hot Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Late For Something Day:

While it is okay to be late for somethings, it is not okay to be late for everything.

It is not okay to be late for a meeting, especially if others are depending on your input. It is not okay to be late in paying your bills. And if grandma was making dinner, it was most definitely not okay to be the last one to the table.

There is an incredible pressure to meet challenging deadlines, and to regulate our lives by tightly defined schedules and calendars. Wouldn’t it be nice to just stop for a little bit and see what happens?

Be Late For Something Day encourages you to take a step back from your schedule and intentionally be late for something. You may find that people can still function without you, and maybe all of the stuff that you fuss about is not all quite as important as you thought.

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

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

Back to school and the kick-off of fall can be exciting and full of energy. It may also be dreadful for both children and parents. Not many parents cherish the thought of forgotten textbooks, missing permission slips, making lunches or lost backpacks. For many children, success is dependent on their ability to effectively manage the stress of the morning routine.  For both parents and children, having to deal with morning chaos can throw everyone off course.

So what can you do to reduce your stress?

Enlist everyone’s help in establishing a smooth morning and evening routine. Decide what needs to be done, who can do it and who is responsible for it.

Here are today’s Hot Tips For Building Resiliency and Reducing Back To School Chaos:

Post a calendar of all weekly or monthly events and activities. Predictability helps to relieve anxieties. By seeing what needs to be accomplished for the week ahead, everyone can plan to complete tasks accordingly.

Do not over-schedule. If it starts to look crowded on the calendar, it is probably going to increase the difficulty in transitioning.

Establish a ‘drop zone’. Have a set place for everything so that it is all easily and predictably found.

And finally, keep a sense of humour. This is not the time to panic, get angry or impatient. It sets an awful flavour for the rest of the day.

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

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

I find it sad that we are often more polite to strangers then we are to the people we love the most.

Statistics show that about ninety percent of adults will get married at least once in their lives, but many of them get disappointed because in the end, it is not the stuff that fairy tales are made of.

I think that I have a healthy marriage.

Is it perfect? No. We are loud, and we go to bed angry, but not very often.

We know that a happy, healthy marriage is created. It doesn't just happen.

So here are my Hot Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Health Marriage Month:

Know that marriage is more than love and passion.

It's about commitment, respect, and believing in your future together. Marriage is not fifty-fifty. It's two people giving all of themselves to each other.

And finally. never compare your marriage to others. What you see on the outside is not always what is on the inside.

Looking for more health and wellness celebrations? Check out my wellness calendar under resources and courses at WorkSmartLiveSmart.com.

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

“You can’t do anything right”. “This is your fault – It’s always your fault”.

Those who are emotionally abusive, are just as dangerous as those who are physically abusive.

People can be emotionally abusive by:

Rejecting the person by undermining self-esteem, criticizing, humiliating, blaming, or ridiculing

They can withhold affection or threaten to take away possessions

Abuse my also be restricting access to people or money, or exposing the person to inappropriate situations

Emotional Abuse can lead to many emotional, physical, cognitive, and behavioural issues. It can impact social development, future success, and relationships outside of the abusive relationship.

Here are today’s Hot Tips For Building Resiliency and Bringing Awareness To Emotional Abuse:

People who are the target of emotional abuse are made to feel insignificant and incapable. Often, having an advocate or a person that they can confide in, can help them to see the abuse is not their fault.

If you are being emotionally abused, talk to someone – find someone you can trust – a family member, friend, co-worker, EAP, supervisor, spiritual leader, community advisor or health professional. These resources can help you to examine all of your options so that you can decide what is best for you.

Emotional abuse is a serious issue faced by many, but help is available. Recognition is the key.

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

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

Enthusiasm makes ordinary people extraordinary.

Enthusiasm originally meant inspired by a god.

So how can you be enthusiastic about your life?

Be present. Be involved.

Make active choices about your life including what priorities you will focus on and what activities can wait.

This is how ordinary people achieve extraordinary lives.

They enthusiastically go after what is important to them regardless of whether it is a business idea or cheering for their child sport’s team.

Here are today’s Hot Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Enthusiasm Week

Examine your priorities

Be clear about what areas of your life are your priority.

Don't let other people determined your priorities.

Watch out for the peter pan syndrome of jumping from one flavour-of-the-day to the next.

Working at our priorities isn't always fun and it can be frustrating and hard work.

Being enthusiastic is pushing forward, in spite of the tough times.

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

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

The tragedy of overdose is preventable. While street drugs often come to mind, an overdose can happen with many different types of drugs, from alcohol to opioids, in all segments of the population.

Worldwide, almost 200,000 people die prematurely due to drugs every year—the majority due to the use of opioids.

Here are today’s Hot Tips For Building Resiliency and Promoting International Overdose Day:

Recognizing the signs and symptoms of overdose, can help prevent death and injury.

These include:

Unresponsiveness or unconsciousness

Passing out or a “slumped over” posture

Shallow or irregular breathing, or no breathing at all

Choking or gurgling sounds

Purple lips and fingernails

Vomiting

Seizures

Loss of coordination

Panic, paranoia, or symptoms of psychosis

Confusion or disorientation

An overdose is a medical emergency that requires immediate medical attention. Always call 9-1-1 if you suspect someone has overdosed.

Education and preparation can be one of the most important things that you can do to help prevent an overdose from happening or leading to death.

For more information on how to recognize the signs and how to be a supportive family, friend, or co-worker, sign up for my on-line courses at worksmartlivesmart.com under the resources and courses tab.