Work Smart Live Smart with Beverly Beuermann-King

TIP 1843 – 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 1842 - 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 1841 – 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 1840 – 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 1839 – 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 1838 – 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 1837 – 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 1836 – 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 1835 – Stupid Can Be Fun

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If corn oil is made from corn and vegetable oil is made from vegetables. What is baby oil made from?

Why is an electrical outlet called an outlet when you plug things into it?

Why does it hurt like hell to hit your funny bone?

Why is it called a “drive through” if you have to stop?

And finally, If the professor on Giligan’s Island can make a radio out of coconut, why can’t he fix a hole in a boat?

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

Today is Ask A Stupid Question Day and Here are today’s Tips For Building Resiliency and having more fun!

If laughter is the best medicine, reading the numerous lists of questions people have asked at the doctor’s office, the supermarket, or on the internet can certainly take the stress out of the everyday.

Stupid questions can be funny conversation starters or interesting brain teasers when you are hanging out with friends.

As for stupid conversation starters, try these ones out:

Is a hotdog a sandwich?

How many chickens would it take to kill an elephant?

Or what would be the worst “buy one get one free” sale of all time?

And finally you can annoy your friends even further with these tricky stupid questions:
What is always coming, but never arrives?

Or If a plane crashes on the border between the United States and Canada, where do they bury the survivors?

If you had fun with 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 1834 – 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 1833 – 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 1832 – Someday and Procrastination

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If running the kids around was actually exercise I would have been in such amazingly good shape! Unfortunately, as women, caregiving can get in the way of taking care of ourselves.  Often, we spend our time looking after the needs of others and sacrifice our own health along the way.  “Someday I will get to it”, is a motto that many of us have lived by.

Guilt is not helpful either.  Feeling guilty because things are not the way we would want them to be, is very detrimental to our health.

Part of balance is having areas of your life that bring you motivation, energy and satisfaction.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     
So Here are today’s Tips For Building Resiliency During National Women’s Health and Fitness Day:

Stop thinking ‘someday’ and find something today.  Start small if you must.  Get outside for a few minutes and play with the dog.  Try some stretching exercises while sitting at your desk.  Reach for a glass of water rather than another cup of coffee. 

Ask for help in order to free up some time.  We don’t need to do it all ourselves. 

Remember that having great days, and having great health and fitness, encompass a variety of things from relaxation and pampering, to eating right and sleeping right, to activities that get your heart beating and your muscles working.

It’s our responsibility to make sure we are doing things that promote health because if we wait until someday, it may be too late.

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 1831 – 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

TIP 1830 – 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 1829 – Parent-Teacher Conflict

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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?

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     
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.

#mentalhealth #hr

TIP 1828 – Restless Leg

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Have You Ever Had The Sensation That Your Legs Are Unable To Relax When Trying To Go To Bed At Night?

Has it kept you awake or even made you pace the floors trying to get them to stop tingling?

If yes, you may have experienced Restless Leg Syndrome.

This is no joking matter for many people. Some research shows that Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) may affect 3 – 15% of the general population.

When I first experienced it, I was pregnant.  I was awake for 3 days straight.  It had me beside myself and stressed out trying to find ways to get them to relax.  When I asked the doctor, his response was that he didn’t know what it was or what could be causing it and that I should just try and get some sleep. 

It wasn’t till I found a name for this on-line that I knew what I was dealing with

Since then, I have experienced it a few times each year – especially when I get over-tired. 

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! 

So Here are today’s Tips For Building Resiliency By Dealing With Restless Leg Syndrome:

Ensure that it is not a reaction to a medication that you may be taking

Avoid getting over-tired or stressed out

Try massage, relaxation techniques and stretches to prepare your body for sleeping

Remove caffeine and other stimulants from your diet

If nothing seems to work, check with your doctor, as there are a variety of medications that may be useful in reducing the symptoms and allow for a better sleep

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 1827 - Why An Ice Cream Cone Can Help You Cope

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When you think of stress and food, you are often told to stay away from treats, like ice cream cones.

Ice cream: My favourite food. Creamy. Cold. Sweet. Hard or Soft…doesn’t matter. I love ice cream. It can be high in fat and it contains a lot of sugar. And it’s not the kind of snack food that I should have everyday…though wouldn’t that be absolutely wonderful? An ice cream cone has some definite pros.

Ice cream may help in maintaining weight.

How interesting is that?  Ice cream for weight control.  Research from the American Society of Experimental Biology found that a diet that included dairy prevented about 50 percent of weight regain and 80 percent of fat regain after the animals had lost weight and were allowed to eat at will.  Now this research was done with animals, but if it works there it may work on humans….I would at least like to be a part of the experimental group…test group…not the control group.

Ice cream may help me to keep my girlish figure.

The North American Association for the Study of Obesity found in a study of 800 men and women that those who ate the most calcium were also the leanest. Research from Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Woman’s University in Houston reported an association between the consumption of low-fat milk and dairy products and a lower waist-to-hip ratio.

Ice cream may keep me from shrinking.

Calcium is essential in preventing osteoporosis.  One reasonable (insert small) serving of ice cream can give you 10% of your daily calcium intake. 

Did you know that:

Ice cream is not a new treat…people have been creating frozen delicacies since 400 BC

Britain’s Margaret Thatcher was part of a research team that helped to develop soft ice cream

The average American eats 18.3 litres of ice cream each year while Canadians eat 8.7 litres.  Japan has the lowest consumption with .01 litres per year.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

Here are my tips For Building Resilience By Celebrating National Ice Cream Cone Day:

Ice cream can be a healthy treat.  But it is a treat. 

I have nothing else…just go out and celebrate.

Now which kind to choose…DQ, Kawartha Dairy, soft, hard, dipped, sauced, fruit, chocolate…..

#mentalhealth #hr

TIP 1826 – Pause The World Day

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Sirens, television, computers, printers, car stereos, endless talking — Most of us accept this daily racket as normal.

It is not until we step away, into a peaceful setting, such as when we are walking in a park or camping at the lake, that we notice how loud our life can get.

And it is odd what we can get use to as normal. During the heat and humidity of this summer, I had the fans on high and it didn’t keep me up at night. A few weeks later, when it cooled off at night and there was no need for the fans, I was kept up by a cricket outside my window.

Constant or uncontrollable noise can stress our bodies by raising our blood pressure and heart rate and by releasing stress hormones.

Part of Pause The World Day on September 21st is to relax and to enjoy the silence. Most of us rarely experience true silence, but silence can help us to get in touch with our emotions, provide us with a sense of calm and leave us feeling rejuvenated.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

Here are today’s Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Pause The World Day:

• Listen for the sounds of nature – the birds singing, the bees buzzing and the trees whispering
• Turn down the volume
• Seek out silence
• Sit with only your thoughts to focus on and tune in to the quiet within

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 1825 – What’s Your Image?

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Your image is the way you appear to others Some say that it shouldn’t matter how others perceive you. But life Is all about relationships. And for most of us, everything that we do involves other people.

Building a better image is about making improvements in order to change the way we appear to others. It is about ensuring that when people think about us that they have a positive perception about who we are and the benefits of connecting with us.

Our image encompasses your personality, values, culture, and beliefs.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

Here are today’s Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Build A Better Image Week.

Take stock. Before changing your personal image take a step back and consider what you want others to perceive. What are your strong qualities? What do you want to showcase? What first impression do you want to convey?

Next evaluate. What do others think about now when they do think of you and is that different from the image that you want to present? Get feedback from those that you trust to provide honest information.

Beware. Caring too much about how others perceive us, is not good for our mental health. However, aligning how we want people to perceive us with how they actually do, can help to eliminate some of the stress that we may be encountering in our day-to-day relationships.

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 1824 – How To Be A Healthy Road Warrior

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Have you ever found yourself exhausted or caught a cold after flying for a business trip or a vacation?

Whether it's for business or for pleasure, stress from travelling can cause a person to experience many physically and mental symptoms.

The stress of being on the move can become overwhelming.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

Today is International Road Warrior Day and Here are today’s Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating International Road Warrior Day

Number one: Be healthy.

Road warriors can burn themselves out, so know how to relax and take care of yourself regardless of the environment.

If you're a road who flies learn the tricks and tips around avoiding jet lag.

Number two: Stay connected to your family and friends. Leave them notes. Make use of social media and plan for social times when you are not on the road.

And finally keep things simple and uncluttered.

For more tips my book on amazon called Stressed Out: 52 Weeks To Letting More Life In

#mentalhealth #hr