Work Smart Live Smart with Beverly Beuermann-King

TIP 2215 - Let’s Talk Month

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Do you think the people have always been this stressed?

I'm often asked if we have more or less stress than we did a hundred or two hundred years ago. Our lives are stressful today, but they were way back then as well.

One of the things that helped people to cope was a sense of support. Back then we lived in smaller communities, had families around us, and we knew our neighbors.

Today we live in large communities, our families may live hours or continents away, and we have no idea who lives around us.

Our support circles have grown smaller and smaller.

Let's talk month embraces sharing your stories and asking for help as ways of gaining and giving support.

It is one of the three main strategies in positive stress management.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

Here Are My Hot Tips For Building Resiliency And Celebrating Let's Talk Month:

Learn to share your thoughts and feelings, your successes, and your challenges.

Learn to listen to other’s thoughts and feelings, successes, and challenges.

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

TIP 2214 - How Bloody Annoying Are Your Pet Peeves

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Squeaky doors. Slow internet connections. No subject heading in an email message. Cracking knuckles. Toilet lid being left up. Being put on hold. Music while on hold. Repeated messages while on hold.

Some of our pet peeves can move from simple annoyances into being rude or aggressive.

Think of road rage. It usually starts because one person was not paying attention or assumed that they had the right to do what they did, and then the offended party gets annoyed, then angry, and they may even retaliate.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

Here Are Today's Tips For Building Resiliency During Pet Peeves Week:

Make a list of your pet peeves.

There is something cathartic and humorous about doing this.

Often awareness can help us to see the lighter side.

Learn how to move on and not waste your mental energy or let your blood pressure skyrocket.

And finally, understand that someone else's behavior that annoys you wasn't targeted specifically to you.

Don't personalize it and read more into it than there is.

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

#mentalhealth #hr

TIP 2213 – Healthy Workplaces

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It saddens me when we still hear stories of how employees feel hopeless and helpless to change negative situations, and the stress of it all ends up having a good employee leave. We know that engaged employees help our companies to be more creative, productive, and successful, yet some employers still look at employees as being a commodity that you push them to their limits, burn them out, and discard them for the next person standing in line.

It is easier to get new employees than to fix the things that are wrong within the system.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

Here are my Tips For Building Resiliency And Celebrating Healthy Workplace Month:

Start a conversation.

If you are a leader, what are the sources of stress within your team, professionally personally? If you're not sure, ask. What impact is it having? What are the symptoms that you see in your employees and in the company?

Get support.

Bring together all involved to talk about strategies.

And finally, get involved in all of the programs that your company has to offer.

You never know what you will learn, or how it could positively impact your life or those around you.

Looking for more resources to build your healthy workplace? Check out my top ten tips under resources and courses at worksmartlivesmart.com

#mentalhealth #hr

TIP 2212 – Financial Planning

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Is financial stress one of your concerns?

According to one report, the number of calls related to financial counseling are rising at twice the rate of other EAP services.

The top financial issues people were stressed out about were cost of living, credit card debt, mortgage payments, retirement, children's tuition, health care costs, divorce and bankruptcy.

During these uncertain economic times it's essential that we find positive ways to take care of ourself.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     
So my tip for building your resiliency and celebrating Financial Planning Month:

Learn as much as you can about what is happening.

Talk to those who know your investments and your financial situation.

Find out what you do and do not have control over.

Keep the situation in perspective.

Try not to get caught up in awfulizing.

And finally make sure that you're taking care of yourself.

Reach out if you find that you are not coping as well as you could be.

Want to find more strategies about coping with stress check out my website at WorkSmartLiveSmart.com

#mentalhealth #hr

TIP 2211– Depression Screening For Better Mental Health

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Today is National Depression Screening Day.

There are many who are suffering in silence who are feeling that there is nowhere to turn. The guilt and the shame of not being able to effectively cope with day to day stressors leaves many feeling isolated helpless and hopeless.

Thankfully there is an anonymous online screening tool if you think that you or a family member may be experiencing depression.

Go online to mentalhealthscreening.org and follow the links.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

Today's Tips For Building Resiliency On National Depression Screening Day:

Don't let fear, shame, or guilt prevent you from getting the help that you deserve.

Talk to your doctor if you're concerned. Use the online screening tool to help explain what you're feeling.

Keep an open mind. Treatment for depression may take a long time and the best treatment options may take time to find and have full impact.

Get educated. Know about the signs and symptoms.

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

TIP 2210 – Promoting Mental Health

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We are working in a corporate world where our teams are faced with a variety of stressors and a world where many of our teams are finding that their coping strategies are inadequate or ineffective at addressing the numerous stressors that they are facing.

According to research, one in five will experience a diagnosable mental illness.

Mental illness can affect anybody. Stigma and guilt play a role in preventing people from seeking help.

Only one in every three with a mental health issue will seek help, leaving millions trying to cope all on their own. Though some may be seeking medical help, fear of being criticized, or judged by those around them, may prevent them from reaching out to others for support.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

Today's Tip For Building Resiliency On World Mental Health Day:

Care. Communicate. Connect.

Educate yourself. Educate others and examine policies and attitudes that prevent those experiencing a mental illness from getting the help that they need.

For more tips on how to promote mental illness awareness, check out my website at WorkSmartLiveSmart.com under the resources and courses tab.

Stigma, guilt and fear can prevent someone from reaching out. Awareness and support are key.

#mentalhealth #hr

TIP 2209 – Facing Your Phobias

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I have a social phobia.

It produces extreme reactions in me.  I get tongue-tied. My voice shakes and my heart races whenever I have to perform in front of others.

I hate snakes. They give me the willies.

Many people have those things in their life that give them the heebie-jeebies. It may be snakes or it could be heights, needles, or even lightning.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

Here Are My Tips For Building Resiliency And Celebrating Face Your Fears Day:

Know that it's okay to avoid your phobia if you can and as long as it doesn't interfere with your everyday living and happiness.

Thankfully I can stay away from snakes in my line of work and in my life. If you can't outright avoid them, learn how to challenge some of the unhelpful thoughts that the fear generates.

Plan and practice your stress and relaxation strategies ahead of time, so that they're like second nature during your exposure.

And finally, ask for help. Others can support you during those stressful times and they may be able to find strategies to lessen the stress that you feel.

For more information on phobias and other mental health issues sign up for one of my online courses at WorkSmartLiveSmart.com under the resources and courses tab.

#mentalhealth #hr

TIP 2208 - Let Your Friends Know They Matter

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True friends are precious, but often we take them for granted.

The saying goes that you can't have too many friends. I disagree. Trying to balance too many friendships, plus a lack of time, equals more stress.

Friendships can protect your health, so it's important to take the time and make the effort to hold on to the friendships that mean the most to us.

We need to let them know how much they matter to us.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

Here Are My Tips For Building Resiliency And Celebrating You Matter To Me Day:

First take stock of friends that you currently have. Do you have too few? Just enough? Or too many to currently maintain?

Let your friends know how much they mean to you. Plan to get together. Pick up the phone. Invest some time and effort into those friendships that you want to hang on to.

Over the years, I've had many friendships that have endured the test of time. It takes a great deal of effort for us to get together, but when we do, the energy that I gain from those connections is invaluable.

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

TIP 2207 – Stop The Stigma Of Mental Illness MIAW

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For many years I was the educational consultant to the Canadian Mental Health Association in Toronto Ontario in that capacity I developed several mental illness awareness workshops for frontline workers agencies and caregivers.

The most satisfying part of that role was going into a group who may have been fearful of those with mental illness and opening their eyes to the realities. The proverbial light bulbs would go off, the stigma would be lifted, and their minds open on to how they could better the lives of those who are experiencing a mental illness.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

My Tip For Building Resiliency In Celebrating Mental Illness Awareness Week:

Taking the time to learn about mental illness can make all the difference to you or to someone you care about.

During this month open your eyes and find your own path to helping a family member a friend a co-worker or a person you meet sitting there on the street who may desperately need your understanding and compassion.

For more information on coping with mental illness sign up for one of my online courses at WorkSmartLiveSmart.com under the Resources And Courses tab.

#mentalhealth #hr

TIP 2206 - Emotional Intelligence and Coping Skills

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It is so much easier to teach our children the basics of reading, writing and arithmetic then it is to develop and maintain a positive mental health and to build positive, healthy relationships.

Bully, harassment, disciplinary issues, and conflict often occur because we have not been taught how or have not worked at our own Emotional Intelligence.

It starts with the basics: No emotion is ‘wrong’, but there are ways of acting out or expressing those emotions that are inappropriate.  

So what is EI and how is it different from well-being, and emotional health. Well-being is your emotional state at any given moment. Are you sad, mad, happy?.

Emotional health is a set of malleable skills, habits, and beliefs which impact on our thoughts, feelings and behaviours. Developing your emotional health helps you to manage the ups and downs of day-to-day life and build positive relationships. Emotional health relies on the skills of Emotional Intelligence and how they are used in the person’s current environment and interactions.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

Today’s Tips For Building Resiliency And Celebrating Emotional Intelligence Month:

Focus in and develop the 5 components to Emotional Intelligence to help you manage the day-to-day challenges that you are facing.

Self-Awareness is all about recognizing your moods and emotional drivers. It is about building self-confidence, not taking yourself too seriously and being realistic about who you are.

Self-Regulation is the ability to control your impulses, suspend judgment and to think before you act. Are you open to change, comfortable with the unknown and trustworthy?

Are you focused on Internal Motivation? This is motivation that goes beyond money and title. It is doing something for pure joy, curiosity, and with a sense of optimism and hope.

Exercise your Empathy muscle. Emotional Intelligence is not only about self-awareness, but an awareness of the emotional state of others. Can you easily recognize facial expressions and language cues and read them appropriately?

And finally develop your Social Skills. This is the ability to take this empathy and build positive relationships and manage conflict effectively.

For more information on building positive mental health, sign up for one of my online courses at WorkSmartLiveSmart.com, under the resources and courses tab.

#mentalhealth #hr

TIP 2205 – Smiling Is Good For You

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Smiling is a blissful way to live longer

Harvey ball a commercial artist from Massachusetts created the smiley face in 1963.

That image went on to become the most recognizable symbol of goodwill and good cheer on the planet.

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.

Smiling makes your face look younger.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     
Here Are My Tips For Building Resiliency On World Smile Day:

Use it.

Even if you don't feel like smiling, fake it until you make it. There is a theory entitled the facial feedback hypothesis. Research has shown that the muscles in our face that allow us to smile, actually stimulate our brain. And when this part of the brain is stimulated, it makes us feel happy.

Share it.

There are friendly smiles and romantic smiles. There are many different smiles and different ways the act of smiling can be done. Smiles can communicate feelings, show kindness, or help take someone's mind off their problems.

So for today, smile.

It's free and it's easy to do, and it is good for you!

#mentalhealth #hr

TIP 2204 – Be Positive

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It's the end of the day and you're exhausted frustrated and wondering if this is what your life has come to.

You hear yourself describing your day as if it were someone else using those words.

It takes a lot of energy to be positive, to keep things in perspective and to actively look for the good in someone.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

Today's Tips For Building Resiliency And Celebrating Positive Attitude Month:

It is essential that you take care of yourself.

Maintain your balance. Be sure to have other pursuits that you can count on for pleasure and distraction Eat properly to control your mood swings and to feel more energetic.

Cut out caffeine which makes us more sensitive to those around us,

Get plenty of sleep. Probably more than what you're getting right now.

Lighten up. Have fun and remember to smile.

And if you think what I'm recommending will never work, well then it may be time for you to commit to some self-reflection.

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

TIP 2203 - Standing Up To The Bully

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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

TIP 2202 – Less Than Perfect Is Healthy

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I am a perfectionist.

Are you?

Do you know someone who is?

 

Perfectionists are extremely hard workers and they generally accomplish more than the average person. However perfectionists are extremely hard on themselves and on those around them.

 

Perfectionism is destructive behavior and it's addictive. Physical exhaustion and burnout are common.

 

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

Here are my tips for Building Your Resiliency on Less Than Perfect Day:

 

A quote that I like goes like this: "Less than perfect is a perfect start."

This is something that I need to keep in mind. Give yourself permission not to be perfect all of the time.

 

Number two: Practice self compassion. Challenge those thoughts of criticism and unrealistic expectations.

 

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

#mentalhealth #hr

TIP 2201 – Celebrating Family Day By Helping Your Children

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As parents, we often worry about assisting our children to become competent, capable and healthy adults.

We're concerned about their self-esteem and their overall emotional health. We often wish we had more time to spend with them.

So today being Family Day, it's the day to sit down, talk, eat dinner, and connect with your children.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

Here are today’s Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Family Day.

As parents, we need to constructively express both our negative and positive feelings and thoughts. Our children learn how to cope and express themselves through us.

Do they often use just the word sad or mad or they don't know even what to say?

As parents, help your child to put a name to their feelings.

Help them to find positive ways of expressing their difficult emotions.

For more information, visit worksmartlivesmart.com and check out our resources and courses

#mentalhealth #hr

TIP 2200 – Minimizing Caffeine

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Coffee has never been more popular, with an estimated 3 billion cups consumed every day.

Caffeine can promote alertness, and it may decrease the occurrence of depression.

However, sleep can be negatively affected by caffeine. It can create a never-ending cycle of reduced sleep, fatigue, and a need for increased caffeine consumption.

Our sensitivity to caffeine and the impact on our sleep seems to be dependent on age, the amount of caffeine ingested at bedtime, and also on the amount of caffeine ingested over the whole day.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

So here are today’s Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating International Coffee Day:

Caffeine consumed close to sleep time has the greatest potential for sleep disruption, so be aware of how much caffeine you are consuming in a day and when.

When stress is at its highest, it is advisable to cut back on caffeine. Caffeine abstinence for a whole day can improve sleep quality quickly, which is vital for being able to cope and ward off the negative impact of the stressful situation.

Finally, while drinking caffeinated coffee in moderation can help to maintain adequate fluids, which can reduce fatigue, water is still considered to be more beneficial in rehydration and maintaining cognitive functioning.

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

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

#mentalhealth #hr

TIP 2199 – Be A Good Neighbour

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Good neighbours help each other.

You can't pick your neighbors but if you are lucky, you have good neighbours.

I live in the country and I don’t really have close neighbours, but I do wave to them, as we drive by. And when my boys were little, it was the neighbourhood teenagers that I counted on for babysitting.

Neighbours who look out for one another are the key to a strong community. It was this connectedness that acted as a buffer to those who left everything that they a couple of hundred years ago, and started the settlements here in North America. Times were tough, but the sense of belonging, support, and care helped them to flourish.

Sadly, this sense of connectedness to our neighbours is lacking in many communities. Neighbours don’t often know each other. And many people feel isolated and disengaged.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

Here are today’s Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Good Neighbour Day.

Everyone will have their own definition of what it means to be a good neighbour.

For me, a good neighbour is friendly and considerate.

They respect your space and privacy.

Good neighbours take time to talk, smile, or give a wave hello.

They keep an eye out, when they know you are away.

The neighbourhood we live in can affect our happiness and stress levels in multiple ways. When you're thinking of strategies to manage your stress, consider investing in your relationships with your neighbours.

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

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

#mentalhealth #hr

TIP 2198 – Show That You Care Send A Love Note

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Who doesn't love receiving a special note of affection from someone they cherish? Well, my boys don't or at least that's what they told me.

Apparently, my love notes added to their lunchbox when I was out of town was embarrassing. Opening your lunch bag and having one of these notes fall in front of your friends was horrific.

How could their mother do this to them?

It was so horrible though, that one day I found several of these notes tucked away in my son's room. When questioned, he admitted that he really did like them, but he would prefer to find them under his pillow instead. I can live with that.

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

Express yourself. Let the person know how much you love them, miss them, are grateful for them, and appreciate them.

Hide your love notes someplace special. Stick it to the water bottle, inside their fridge, or attach it to the backside of the remote control.

My challenge for you today is to do one thing to show someone that you care.

#mentalhealth #hr

TIP 2197 – Forget Me Not

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Have you ever looked through old pictures and ever wondered whatever happened to some of the people that you were friends with or met along the way?

Have you tried to find out where they are or what they are up to on social media?

I have.

I have looked up long lost roommates, classmates, old boyfriends, teachers, and even old bosses.

Sometimes out of nostalgia. Sometimes out of curiosity. Sometimes out of a desire to reconnect.

Forget Me Not Day is a day to try and reconnect with some of the people that you may not be in touch with anymore.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

Here are my tips for Building Resiliency and Celebrating Forget Me Not Day:

Social connection is important, but before I would spend a lot of time and energy on finding those from your past, ask yourself if you are doing a good job of staying connected and supporting those who are your current friends, colleagues, and family members.

Research shows that doubling your group of friends has the same impact on your well-being as a 50% increase in income, we only have so much time and energy to spend on cultivating true, healthy relationships. So use your time and energy wisely.

If you do have a desire to reconnect, ask yourself why. Is it because of curiosity, guilt, or an interest to start up a new relationship? The answer will also help you decide if you should reach out or invest the time and energy.

Social connections and support are key to building resiliency and we know that we are forming fewer friendships than in the past. As life gets busier, we often find that we barely have enough time for ourselves, let alone staying connected with others. Developing and maintaining positive friendships takes effort. Friendships take time to grow, to build trust and to share common experiences. Today is a great day to reach out and let your friends know that you are thinking of them.

If you like today’s wellness tips, let me know. Looking for more tips to build your resiliency? Look for my book on Amazon called Stress Out. 52 Weeks To Letting More Life In

#mentalhealth #hr

TIP 2196 – Words Hurt

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

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

People can be emotionally abusive by:

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

They can withhold affection or threaten to take away possessions

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

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

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

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

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

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

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

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

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

#mentalhealth #hr