Work Smart Live Smart with Beverly Beuermann-King

TIP 2149 – Holding Hands Reduces Stress

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When it comes to holding hands it’s not all about romance. 

When you hold the hands of another you are sending the message that the other person is valued, important and noticed.

James Coan of the University of Virginia found that when people hold hands, their brains don’t work as hard to cope with stress. 

To hold someone’s hand is to offer them affection, protection or comfort.

A poll showed that more than half of people couldn’t remember the last time they held their grandparents hand and more than a quarter had never done so. However, almost a fifth of respondents, when asked whose hands they would most like to hold, said it would be the hand of a grandparent who has died.

Loneliness and depression are rampant in today’s society.  Holding someone’s hand, especially of someone who is isolated, dealing with an illness or elderly can help them to be more resilient against the impact of stress, promote better health and combat their feelings of isolation.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!

Here are today’s Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Hand Holding Day:

Reach out and touch the hand of someone you love or someone in need.  Not only do they reap the benefit but so do you.

Don’t wait until it’s too late and end up regretting that you didn’t grab at the opportunity.

Robert Fulgham (Everything I Learned, I Learned In Kindergarten) said:

. . . Share everything. . .When you go out in the world, Watch out for traffic, hold hands, And stick together. . . .

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 2148 - Choose Happiness

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Happiness does not just happen.  It has to be worked at.  It is far easier to focus on the difficult, the stressful, the negative and the disappointing.

It takes effort to really notice and be thankful for the big and small things that make us happy.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! 

Here are today’s Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Happiness Happens Day:

Happiness Happens Day aims to spread the joy of being happy and to persuade people to look on the brighter side of life. 

So, raise your glass of pink lemonade to Happiness Happens Day. Why pink lemonade? Happy people naturally turn lemons into lemonade. Also pink is pretty.

Plan something fun to look forward to after work.

Get outside.  Sunlight can boost our mood as it impacts our neurotransmitters and hormones. 

Use different scents to boost your mood. 

Phone your mum. A US study found that hearing a mother’s voice is as good as a hug for stress release.

Get away.  According to one study, vacations lead to increased happiness (93%),  less stress (86%), being recharged (89%),  more energy (81%) and improved health (78%).

And finally, researchers found that people who count their blessings sleep better, have a higher self-worth and are more satisfied and happy with their life.  So, let happiness happen.  Be open to it.  Be  aware of what makes you happy and when you are happy.

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 2147 – Celebrating Professional Speaker’s Day

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I would never have imagined that one day that I, Beverly, would be a public speaker.

I hated giving presentations. When I was younger I struggled with stress and public speaking. My voice would quiver. I would speak a mile a minute. My nervousness was obvious.

Some people report that they would rather be naked in public than have to deliver a speech to their peers. I would have absolutely agreed with this statement. The stress was unbelievable and public speaking was best to be avoided whenever possible.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! 

Here are today’s Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Professional Speaker’s Day:

Public Speaking Advice: You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to be able to deliver your message effectively.

What I learned was that speaking effectively in public and professionally is rarely a natural talent, but it is one that can be learned. When you have a passion for your topic, and you immerse yourself in that topic to become an expert, the stress becomes secondary to the message that you want and need to deliver.

Remember that your audience really does want you to be successful and they are all that truly matters.

I am proud to be a professional speaker. In fact, I am a Certified Professional Speaker and a Certified Virtual Speaker.  If only my high school English Teacher could see me now.

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

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

#mentalhealth #hr

TIP 2146 – Bad Breath

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We know as parents that it is up to us to teach our children how to take care of their oral health and we wouldn’t think twice to tell our child that they need to go and use some mouthwash if their breath smelled.  But how do you handle it when it’s your friend, co-worker or boss? In a study by the Emily Post Institute, 75% of respondents polled said they’d want to be notified by a friend if they smelled.

Working with a colleague whose breath smells can be stressful, that’s why when doing a search on “bad breath and coworker” you can find over 1.8 million sites.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! 

Here are today’s Hot Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Fresh Breath Day:

Most workplace experts recommend that the upfront method works the best…tell the person that their breath smell today and offer them a piece of gum.  You have given them a way out, by indicating that ‘today’ may mean that this is unusual or temporary and the gum lets them save face while they talk to you.

If bad breath is something that you deal with on occasion, minimize foods that can increase sulphur production and stimulate bacteria like alcohol, coffee, dairy and sugars

Stimulate saliva production which is nature’s breath freshener using sugar-free mints

Drink lots of water

Scrape the back of your tongue

If it is chronic, you need to talk to your dentist about solutions that may be right for you.

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 2145 - Breastfeeding and Stress

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I thought getting pregnant was stressful.  Feeding my baby was even more stressful.  It was very clear after 2 weeks that my little boy was starving and as a new mom, I was horrified. Deemed a ‘failure to thrive’ baby.  He was so hungry that he could barely keep awake.  I wasn’t producing enough milk to nourish my own child.

At this point I thought I was a failure.  My dad, who was a dairy farmer, said later that if I had been one of his milking cows, I would have been turned to steak. Humourous now…certainly not then.

I now look at this tall, athletic, muscular man and it is hard to believe the rough start we had together.  He is healthy and that is the ultimate goal.

Breastfeeding is a healthy choice

But the pressure to nurse your child should never be so great that it makes a mother feel like a failure if they can’t make it happen.

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

Nursing a baby is natural.  Help moms to feel comfortable when it comes to feeding their child.

Don’t assume that a parent who is bottle-feeding is doing so by choice.  Be supportive of all of the options that are available to parents.

If you are expecting a baby or if you have a newborn, rely on the people around you for support.

And finally, Supermom status is a lousy goal and impossible to reach.  If we could all learn this early on it really would save us a tonne of stress.

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

TIP 2144 – Reduce The Clutter

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How you organize yourself can either help or hinder in the way that you deal with stress. Clean out your inbox, or clean out your closet and you’ll notice the stress relief from being organized and clutter free.

Clutter can add more chaos. But being too worried that everything is in its place can stop us from being productive and creative as well.

Your personal organization should help you to move forward, give you a sense of control over your space and help to decrease the stress that you feel.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!

Here are today’s Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Reduce the Clutter Week:

Use baskets to gather unread magazines/journals/computer accessories etc.

Colour coded file folders makes for easier identification and location of topics.

The idea of keeping sentimental treasures is not entirely practical and I am not really good at letting go. I know that there is simply no reason to save that dried flower that my first boyfriend gave me back in high school. Besides, how much am I actually enjoying anything that’s packed up in a box? We need to let these things go.

De-junk your clothes closet while you are at it. Look at the bottom third of any drawer. These are usually the clothes that you are not attached to and could be donated.

Purge periodically – it takes time but gives you more space and you may find that it can trigger your creative juices

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 2143 – Friendships Can Protect Our Health

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Witmer and Sweeney found in their study 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. The benefit of friendship is having the emotional support of a community during difficult times.

Workplaces are also recognizing the value of support in their organizations. Effective leaders are evaluating their teams and ensuring that they reduce isolation, celebrate occasions and successes, develop trust through effective communication, deal with conflict and gossip in a direct and open way, promote a casual and friendly atmosphere, and develop a support network through human resources, an EAP or connection to community contacts.

Unfortunately, many people in the workplace do not make the effort to utilize this great coping strategy and the busier we have become the easier it is to let our existing friendships go by the way-side. So where do we start?

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

Here are today’s Hot Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating International Friendship Week:

At work and in your community, smile and say hello to those around you

Connect with your co-workers informally

Call, write or email those friends that you have lost touch with and book a date to get together

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

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

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

#mentalhealth #hr

TIP 2142 - Simplify Your Life

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Life can get very complicated and stressful what with all of the ‘hats’ we wear.

We sometimes let others control our activities and determine our priorities. 

So how do we simplify it so that our life is more manageable and enjoyable and we are more resilient?

Realization and acceptance can be the first steps to gaining control.  Accept that it’s impossible to do it all and it’s all right if you don’t, in fact, it’s much better if you don’t.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! 

Here are today’s Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Simplify Your Life Week:

Avoid blaming others and situations – WE have the ultimate decision on how OUR time will be spent.

Develop and set your priorities and say ‘No’ to those things which are not your priority.

Planning and time management are essential skills.

Prepare for the transition from work to home by planning your work-related activities for the next day before you leave the office. 

Do not over-program yourself or your family.

Make the morning routine as simple as possible, leaving yourself more than enough time for ‘emergencies’.

Our stress can be negatively impacted by the way in which we organize our daily activities and routines, and by the organization or lack there of in our physical environment.  Simplifying routines and de-junking physical space can increase our efficiency, our effectiveness and can add to a sense of control which can help us create a calm and peaceful presence.

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 2141 - Great Friends Support Us

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Our closest friends support us. They cheer for us. They cry with us. They laugh with us (and at us). They are there for us.

I have a couple of ‘bestest’ friends. I don’t see them very often as we have moved far apart. But I know that I can count on them.

Research shows that our social connection to our friends gives us a sense of belonging, a feeling of security and increase our sense of self-worth. They help us to deal better with the stressors in life and live happier more successful lives.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!

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

Listen to your intuition – true friends give off a positive energy that make us feel good as opposed to drain us – Evaluate your friendships.

Make the time – though life can get away from us we should never let our friendships get away from us – friendships take energy and time to nurture and to keep fresh.

Learn to let go – our friends are no more perfect than we are. We need to ignore those imperfections and learn to celebrate their positive traits that brought us together as friends.

Today is a great day to share a special memory of those that you hold in your heart.

 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 2140 – Family Reunions

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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

TIP 2139 – Friendships Matter

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Life is to be fortified by many friendships. To love and to be loved is the greatest happiness of existence. Sydney Smith

I love my friends. They boost my energy. They make me laugh. They allow me to vent. They cheer me on.

Often, we can’t get together in person.

Social media has become a way for us to still stay connected. It is similar to the quilting bee of days gone by. The quilting bee was not about putting a quilt together. It was a way for the women of the community to get out from their homes and get connected. They shared, they vented, they cried, and they laughed.

Social media is just like the quilting bee for when we can’t connect in person. We post about our thoughts and our situations and our friends reply back with comments and support us.

Though others can comment on our writings, our pictures and our videos, there is nothing like the face-to-face gatherings of friends.

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

We know from our research that people with friends are less likely to suffer physical and mental health problems than those who are socially isolated.

Friendships can last a lifetime or be specific to a time in our life – however long, they are valuable.

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.

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

TIP 2138 – Rainy Day

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There is no rain in sight, which makes for a gorgeous summer day and some time enjoying nature just outside my door.

But what if it had been raining? Would this add stress to your life?

Do you plan for rain days when you are on vacation?

Rain days can force you to make different decisions on how you are going to spend your downtime.

When it comes to spending, do you have a rainy-day fund that you can tap into when times are not so prosperous?

This safety net protects you when an unexpected event - such as job loss or unexpected repairs to your home.

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

People all over the world have celebrated rain and its life-giving power. All life is dependent on rain, and rain is what keeps our world green and beautiful. Today, celebrate all things wet and wonderful.

Managing your stress and building your resiliency means that you have a back up plan. Plan for a rainy day. This may mean knowing what alternate activities you can take advantage of, or packing an umbrella. Or it may mean putting money aside for an emergency or unexpected expense into a rainy-day fund.

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

TIP 2137 – Parenting Is Hard

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I like my parents today. But I don’t think that I did when I was growing up.

They were always telling me what to do. Always treated my brother better than me. They never let me do anything that I wanted to.

It’s funny, but I heard my own children say many of the same things.

I know that my parents are there when I need them.

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

Parenting is hard. It is not for the weak at heart.

Parenting is about the unconditional love that you give to your children, often with very few rewards given back at the time.

So, look through your family pictures and focus on the easy, fun and/or rewarding times, instead of the difficult times that you have had as a parent

Share a special memory with your child about your child. Let them know that you hold them dear to your heart

Share a special memory of your own childhood. Let your children know that you didn’t always value your parents, but you do now

Call your own parents and let them know that you appreciate them as parents

Parenting is hard. We need to support each other as parents and let each other know that perfection is not the key, but self-confident, happy adult children is the reward. Happy Parent’s Day!

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

TIP 2136 – Plants Can Make You Feel Less Stressed

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Today is take your houseplants for a walk day.

Well, I’m not sure that I am going to take my plants for a walk, but I will try to be nicer to them.

Many of my plants have ‘taken a walk’ to the dump when they failed to survive my watering and care routine (or lack of). 

After reading a report from NASA where they found that some houseplants were able to remove up to 87 percent of air toxins in 24 hours, I decided I needed to give houseplants another try.

I found that some species of plants and I do very well, others, and others, I had to give up on.

According to a University of Agriculture Norway study, indoor plants can reduce fatigue, coughs, sore throats and other cold-related illnesses by more than 30 percent, partially by increasing humidity levels and decreasing dust.

Washington State University found that participants in the presence of plants were less stressed and reacted 12% more quickly than those in the absence of plants.

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

Give a houseplant a try, after all plants can reduce stress. 

Look for varieties that are low maintenance.

However, if trying to have a green thumb is creating too much stress in your life, forgo the growing at home and go out and enjoy the gardens of someone else.

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 2135 – Social Wellness for Mental Health

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What is Workplace Culture?

Workplace organizational culture is defined as the attitudes, values, and beliefs that shape the workplace environment. The culture or these “unwritten rules” can impact employee morale, productivity and health. It plays a key role in predicting workplace satisfaction and stress levels and provides the foundation for workplace health.

One of the most often neglected areas of workplace culture is the social support that is given and received in our teams. It is seen as an ‘extra’, a social nicety, or something to focus on if you have time.

With more people living alone or separate from extended family and friends, it is critical that we are as diligent about our social well being as we are about our physical well being.

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

July is Social Wellness Month and it reminds us that we need to reach out to others and build stronger social ties with co-workers, family and friends.

Social connection provided by friends and colleagues may ward off depression, boost self-esteem, and provide support, along with fewer cardiovascular problems and immune problems, and lower levels of cortisol. People with strong social connections feel more relaxed and at peace, which is related to better health and a better bottom-line.

Workplace celebrations are an important part of social wellness and can range from monthly birthday parties to rewards for team accomplishments.  It’s about making connections and knowing that you’re a part of something bigger than yourself. 

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

TIP 2134 – Cell Phone Courtesy

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Have you experienced this?

The driver in front of you is going slower and slower on the highway as they talk on their phone

You are in the bookstore when the person walking beside you has their phone go off breaking the peace and silence.

You are sitting at a restaurant enjoying the company and the meal when the person next to you engages in cell yell.

I think that we have all been exposed to poor cell phone etiquette.

Are you attached to your cell phone?

I don’t particularly like mine.  In fact, I keep it off most of the time, unless I need to call my husband or remind my kids of something if I am on the road.  But it is getting harder and harder to do that.

Cell phones are an integral part of our technology-based world, and they won’t be disappearing anytime soon.  However, if we all practiced a little more courtesy using our phone, then maybe cell phones would not seem so annoying and intrusive.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     
Here are today’s Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Cell Phone Courtesy Month:

Evaluate your own cell phone practices:

Make sure you keep it down. No one wants to hear you on the phone

Love the vibration. Use your phone’s vibration mode when in public

Try to excuse yourself when accepting a call in a group gathering

Focus on the task at hand, not your cell phone

And try to make the Person You are With Feel Like the Most Important Person you want to talk to

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

TIP 2133 – Drive Thrus: Quick and Convenient Or Unhealthy?

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Did you know that going through the drive thru naked is illegal?

In 2012, a naturist was found guilty of “partial nudity that offended public order” for incidents that occurred in 2008 and 2009 as he went through a drive thru.

Today is National Drive Thru Day and while it is not recommended to go through the drive thru naked, we know that many of us will go through at least one drive thru today.

Eating out is no longer a special event, but a practical alternative to eating at home when no one feels like shopping or cooking.  Decisions about ‘what’s for dinner?’ reflect a solution to an equation that involves three variables: 1) what’s on hand in the fridge, cupboard or freezer, 2) the time available to cook and eat and 3) the urgency of hunger.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!

Here are today’s Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Drive Thru Day:

Drive thru foods are not all bad.  It is possible to make some wise choices, but it can be difficult if you don’t consider the options before you are about to order.

Examine your life and do a rhythm check.  Are you pushing and rushing most of the time?  If so, consider altering your drive thru behaviour slightly to allow yourself the opportunity to slow down, take your time eating, socialize and enjoy the ‘whole’ meal experience.

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 2132 – Gorgeous Grandma

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I am blessed to have had a grandma who was a huge influence on my life.  She made me feel accepted, wanted, and truly loved.  I loved how she could dress it up for a night out and she could get down and dirty in the garden.  And she was gorgeous.

My sons were blessed. They had 3 great grandmas and 3 grandmas that got to share in their early years.  I hope that they remember them as being gorgeous women and that beauty is not about what is on the outside but what is on the character of the soul.

Our worth is not about the job that we have, the goals that we achieve, or the beauty of our youth.  Jobs change.  Goals change.  Looks change.

Our beauty is in the connections that we make with others.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! 

Here are today’s Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Gorgeous Grandma Day:

Don’t Be Someone You’re Not. I see young girls who put on ‘airs’ and try to mould themselves into the popular image of beauty. If you have young girls and women in your life, help them to see that beauty is about so much more than that.

Tell the gorgeous women in your life what you see when you look at them.  Don’t describe their physical beauty, but what you see that radiates from their heart or the positive impact that they have on those around them.

Having had a gorgeous grandma, I can only hope that I can make as much of a difference in someone’s life like her.

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

TIP 2131 – Your Life Matters

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Our world is changing and sometimes that change is difficult to keep up with. Sometimes we see the need for the change, but we don’t know how to move forward. Sometimes we want the change and we look for ways to push it forward.

I grew up in rural Ontario where my cousins and second cousins and so on were my neighbours and classmates. We looked like each other and we sounded like each other. I had 3 local TV stations, and we watched very little TV except for hockey, which I tuned out.

I don’t remember giving skin colour a second thought. I went to University and I still don’t remember giving it a second thought.

It wasn’t until I lived in Toronto that I remember hearing some of my first racial slurs.

I know that 30 years later, I have said or thought things that were racial generalizations in reactions to activities, sayings, or even music.

So here we are in the midst of turmoil and I am still seeing arguments around Black Lives Matter versus All Lives Matter. I absolutely agree with both statements. Black Lives Matter. All Lives Matter. Your Life Matters.

My life matters.

However, I can not remember a time where my skin colour has put me at a disadvantage, or made me looked down upon as something less, or put me at risk, or seen as dangerous.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!

So what can we all do…Listen and show up.

Listen to each other.

Show up and be willing to acknowledge someone’s experiences, no matter how different it may be to yours.

By listening and showing up, by opening up in this way, we can examine where we can push change forward. Where we can make the necessary impact. We all have a role to play in making that happen. It’s needed and long overdue as Every Life Matters.

#mentalhealth #hr

TIP 2130 – Life Balance

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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?

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