Work Smart Live Smart with Beverly Beuermann-King

EP 1687 – Don’t Get Caught With Your Pants Down

Have you seen the videos?

Someone doing a zoom meeting and they get caught wearing no pants, just their jockies.

Today is the unofficial holiday – No Pants Day.

And prior to this business disruption, it wouldn’t cross my mind that wearing no pants would be widely celebrated…but here we are and the joke and often asked question is…who isn’t wearing pants on this call?

We have the zoom mullet. All business up top and no pants on the bottom.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency

So just in case this may not be for you, Here are today’s Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating No Pants Day:

• Though the idea of today is about wearing no pants in public and to pretend like it is nothing out of the normal, I’m not sure I am a fan

 

• I do love my PJs and I often wear them all day long…and even more so in these days of zoom calls and working from home. The idea is comfort rules. I am spending way less time on getting ready for work and more time on being creative and getting things done.

 

Remember:  Use your best judgment in celebrating today, you don’t want to be remembered as that person who got caught wearing no pants.

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

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

#mentalhealth #hr

TIP 1686 – What Is Burnout?

Being burned out and being stressed out are not the same thing. Many of us can tell when we are stressed out, but often, we cannot tell if we are burned out.

Burnout may be the result of unrelenting stress, but it isn’t the same as too much stress. Stress is often about too many pressures that need to be dealt with.  Burnout is about feeling empty, lacking in motivation, and beyond caring. Employees experiencing burnout often don’t see any hope of positive change in their situations.

Burnout may occur over a short period of time or take several years to manifest.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     
Here are Tips For Combatting Burnout and Celebrating Mental Health Week:

First:

Slow Down. Take a break. Cut back whatever commitments and activities you can. Give yourself time to rest, reflect, and heal.

Change What You Can. 

Maintain Balance.

Talk to a Professional.

And Make A Plan. Part of the problem with burnout is the lack of control that’s associated with it.

Burnout can be a serious consequence of an unbalanced life and of an environment where the individual experiences little control and high demands. Leaders can help by ensuring a clearer understanding of what their job is and is not, providing as much control as possible, ensuring that demands are realistic and by recognizing the employee’s contributions and achievements.

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

#mentalhealth #hr

TIP 1685 – Super Heros In PJ’s

What superhero reduces greenhouse gas emissions by more than 20 per cent, overcomes gridlock faster than a speeding train, and leaps over distraction barriers in a single bound?

Hint: Often seen wearing pajamas while on the job…It’s not a bird. Nor a solar plane…It’s the Telecommuter!

So, here I sit in my pj`s working at my computer.  No stress spent on deciding what to wear to the office.

I appreciate the flexible work arrangements that I have.  It strengthens my resiliency while running a successful business.  Some days I work all day and into the evening.  On other days, I may find myself helping out a family member or pulling the weeds from my gardens.  This flexibility gives me the balance that I want and need.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     
Here are today’s Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Flexible Work Arrangements Week:

Companies that aim to provide a flexible working options encourage a healthy work-life balance, build resiliency and retain key workers. Develop a flex work policy that outlines what best practices they are expected to adhere to.

As an employee, if you are interested in flexible work arrangements, consider how this might positively or negatively impact your job, your family, your employer, your team members.

There are many adjustments that need to be made both by the employer and by the employee to make flexible work arrangements work.  Good communication and problem-solving skills are the foundation to working out any kinks.

So here`s to all superheroes working in their pj`s – May it be a productive day!

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

#mentalhealth #hr

TIP 1684 – Are Our Children Dealing With Depression

It is hard to understand how a child can experience depression. 

As caregivers and parents, we need to remind ourselves, that while a child’s problems may seem minor to us, they can be overwhelming to them. Your first warning signs will probably be changes in behaviour that may suggest a troubled and unhappy state of mind.

If a student becomes depressed, they are unlikely to talk about it. Very likely, a depressed child will think that no one else feels the same way and that no one will understand their problems. Often a depressed child will feel that they are disliked.

Clinical Depression is more than just the ‘blues’. It is a “biochemical disorder where a person feels very sad for an extended period of time and where this state interferes with their everyday life.” Depression affects about 3% of our children, 8% of adolescents and 10% of adults. Stress can act as a ‘trigger’ for Depression.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     
Here are today’s Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Mental Health Week and Childhood Depression Awareness Day:

Be aware of the signs and symptoms of Depression. As an employer, hold awareness sessions for your employees.

Provide support and understanding.

Be aware of the signs of suicidal thoughts – Suicide is one of the top killers of our youth.

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

#mentalhealth #hr

TIP 1683 – Celebrating Our Mental Health

A friend of mine had been promoted over the years, rewarded for her achievements, and was a solid employee.  During a major corporate transition, she was given a new department that needed a lot of help in restructuring.  She worked hard through long days, with little progress. And the results were devastating for her health to the point where she had to leave.

What could have been different?  Her supervisors should have seen that the new role was unrealistic for one person to handle. They should have noticed the excessive overtime. They should have spotted the impact it was having on her health. And they should have worked with her before she felt that she had no choice but to leave or feel like a failure.

We know that engaged employees help our companies to be more creative, productive, and successful. Disengaged or stressed-out employees cost our companies in job turnover, disability, and lowered productivity.  Yet, some employers still look at their employees as being a commodity.

Ensuring that your teams work in a healthy environment is a priority.

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

Start a conversation. What are the sources of stress within your teams-personally and professionally? If you are not sure – ASK!  What impact is it having?

Benchmark this information. How much is this costing in absenteeism, turnover, lowered productivity, and healthcare costs?

Decide what programs would help reduce this impact on the individual and the company

Looking for Tips To Promote Mental Health Week In Your Workplace? Visit worksmartlivesmart.com under the resources and courses tab for my Top 10 Tips.

#mentalhealth #hr

TIP 1682 – To Tell The Truth

Today we encourage honesty and straightforward communication in politics, relationships, consumer relations and education.

Most of us have told a few lies. Lying can bail us out of awkward situations. Spare the feelings of others. Preserve or strengthen alliances. Enhance social standing. Keep us out of trouble. Even save our lives.

In today’s world of so many false truths, it is even more essential to build relationships based on honest and clear communication.

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

Practice telling the truth. Studies have shown that human children begin practicing deception as early as six months of age through such attention-getting gambits as fake crying or laughter. Try answering questions honestly all day today and see where the difficulties lie for you.

Be more transparent. Honesty goes a long way in building solid relationships. Leaders get ahead by making the right choices and showing that they are trustworthy. This builds trust, which is essential for teamwork.

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

#mentalhealth #hr

TIP 1681 – Neighbours Helping Neighbours

April is often seen as the month to focus on spring cleaning, but it is also the month to reach out and help your neighbours.

When I was young, our family dairy barn burned down. Neighbours came to help in the rebuild, and brought food to feed the construction workers and volunteers. It was just something that was done. Neighbours helping neighbours.

National Rebuilding Month is a campaign to highlight the connection between our homes and health. It encourages everyone to take steps to be safer and healthier at home.

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

These past couple of years have certainly seen many people looking for ways to work at home, feel happier in their homes, and to relax in their homes.

National Rebuilding Month is also an annual month-long call to service, culminating with National Rebuilding Day, the last Saturday of the month. It encourages you to look out for those who need a helping hand in your neighbourhood. Volunteers eliminate health and safety hazards and help their neighbours live safely and independently in their homes.

Adopt a neighbour and provide the critical repairs that they need to stay safe in their home.

Maybe you are not handy, but you have a green thumb. Help a senior work their flower beds or pull weeds.

Provide a bag of groceries or a bag of pet food to alleviate a bit of the financial pressures someone may be experiencing.

As houses are transformed, neighbourhoods and communities find hope. And HOPE is so critical right now in helping us to look towards the future with joy and energy.

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

#mentalhealth #hr

TIP 1680 – Tick tock

Tick tock. Tick tock. Can you hear your biological clock ticking away?  I am pretty sure that I can, though, I am certainly not looking at having anymore children!

So What Does Your Biological Clock Tell You?

Our biological clock does so much more than tell us the perfect time to get pregnant. In fact, both men and women and the young and old are subject to the influence of the biological clocks that we all have.

Circadian rhythms are controlled by “clock genes” that carry the genetic instructions to produce proteins. These instructions control everything from when we sleep and rest, body temperature, heart activity, hormone secretion, blood pressure, oxygen consumption, and metabolism. They may even influence our mood, particularly in the form of wintertime depression known as seasonal affective disorder.

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

Celebrate – whatever age you are, or whatever life stage you are in.

Sleep is essential to our mental and physical health.  Clock genes normally keep us awake during the day and asleep at night.  But when a clock gene mutates, it can disrupt the normal sleep cycle. Sunlight, air travel and even the seasons can disrupt our Circadian Rhythms and the quality and quantity of sleep that we get.

So avoid night light. When possible, avoid bright and outdoor light close to bedtime and keep your surroundings as dark as possible at night. Cover the lights of your alarm clock, so that you are not tempted to look at it or have its glow disrupt your sleep.

Avoid eating or exercising too close to bedtime. Also watch out for caffeine and nicotine, both of which are stimulants.

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

#mentalhealth #hr

TIP 1679 – Over-Emotional Stress Eating

Do you reach for comfort foods when you are frustrated, tired, or stressed out?

I do.

I crave chocolate covered almonds, coffee flavoured Hagen Daas Ice Cream, and Cadbury mini eggs.

These cravings are worse when I am emotional or feeling out of control.

We know that cortisol increases food cravings for sugary or fatty foods. It also increases hunger hormones which can lead to us making poor nutritional choices.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     
Here are today’s Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Emotional Over-Eating Month:

Emotional overeating is a huge topic. Using food as a way of attempting to cope with or control feelings can lead to weight gain and poor nutrition. It is a problem when the emotional overeating leaves you feeling unhappy, guilty, and less than.

Eating can distract you and calm you. You may see it as a reward…a way of doing something special for yourself.

Start by understanding which emotions increase your cravings.

Create a clear picture of what “peace with food” means for you. Visualize yourself at your best and the role you want food and eating to play in your life.

Look for ways to indulge and reward yourself without turning to food.
One site suggested to look for things that smell good rather than taste good – I am attracted to hand creams and fabric sprays, so maybe that will work for me as a mood booster. Another suggested to look for things that feel good – like a fuzzy blanket or sweater.

It is all about addressing the habit to reach for foods that in the end, don’t satisfy or leave you feeling less than.

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

#mentalhealth #hr

TIP 1678 – Shh!

It’s quiet. Well, almost. There is the ticking of the clock, the rattle of the furnace, the birds chirping outside of my window and my computer humming along.

For some this silence is uncomfortable or we feel guilty, so we turn on the TV, though we aren’t really watching. It is important in the chaos of everyday living that we take a few moments and shut out as many sounds of the world and just be. It is here that we can rest, that we can rejuvenate, that we can be creative, and we can reflect.

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

Pay attention to the noise you make and respect your neighbour’s right to peace and quiet.

Turn down the volume two notches on your radios and personal stereo systems with headphones.

Turn down the volume one notch on your television and turn it off during dinner.

Do NOT honk your horn, except in the case of imminent danger.

Replace noisy activities with quiet ones such as taking a walk.

Wear adequate hearing protection if you must be in a noisy environment and if you are concerned, get a hearing screening test done.

Try to observe one minute of no noise everyday.

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

#mentalhealth #hr

TIP 1677 – Green Is For Life

Green is the symbol for life.  Appropriately, the green ribbon is the symbol of how we can save lives.

Over 4000 Canadians are awaiting a transplant and unfortunately more than 200 Canadians died last year waiting transplant.  

I believe that many of us want to donate, but life gets in the way and we forget to sign our donor’s card and have the discussion with our loved ones.   If you are okay with donating, take the opportunity during this awareness week to sign your card and discuss it with your family. Someone may be counting on you.

Here are some things I didn’t know…

Living donors can provide a kidney or part of their liver as well as bone marrow.

Between 80-95 per cent of patients are doing well one year after their transplant.

Spain has highest donation rate.

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

Having “organ donor” noted on your driver’s license or carrying a donor card or provincial health card is not all you have to do to become a donor.

Organ and tissue donation are always discussed with family members prior to the donation. For that reason, it is very important that you discuss your wishes with your family.

Don’t let the busyness of life get in the way of saving a life.

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

#mentalhealth #hr

TIP 1676– Stress Decreases Your Chances Of Conceiving

In our early adult years we spent so much effort on prevention, who knew that conception could be so difficult, or that Stress Decreases Your Chances Of Conceiving.

For more than a couple of years my husband and I tried to conceive a child.  At that time we never heard that Stress Decreases Your Chances Of Conceiving. We endured months and months of taking temperatures, doctor visits, disappointments, crying, trying new medications, testing of all kinds and grieving.  It was a horrible roller-coaster ride.  We were not alone in our struggles. Infertility rates in Canada are increasing with roughly 1 in 6 couples experiencing fertility issues.

While we were going through this struggle, we told very few people, especially our families. 

Stress grew as the months passed.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     
Here are today’s Tips For Building Resiliency Increasing Your Chances of Conceiving and Celebrating Infertility Awareness Week:

Find Ways To Relax. I know that you may hate hearing this, but it is one thing that you can do.

Be Nutrition Wise. Our nutrition impacts the way in which our bodies function, both efficiently and effectively.

Aim For Emotional Balance. Watch out for negative emotions such as anger, guilt, or resentment, which many women may feel at some point in their journeys to conceive.

Laugh More. Laughter can take the edge off of a stressful day.

Take Advantage of Support and Counselling.

Keep the Romance Alive While Trying to Conceive.

If you know someone who is experiencing fertility issues, let them know that you understand how difficult this is for them and that you are there to listen to their frustrations, their fears, and their disappointments.

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

#mentalhealth #hr

TIP 1675 – I’m A Princess

I want to be a princess. Not the entitled kind, but the kind who works at being secure, confident, and powerful.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     
Here are today’s Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Princess Week with me:

One site listed 10 Qualities of a Healthy Princess Mentality

A princess is humble. She doesn’t try to overtly call attention to herself. Her poise and confidence may draw attention, but she doesn’t go out of her way to get people to notice her.

A princess knows her self worth. She sets boundaries and doesn’t let others walk all over her.

After a princess has taken care of her personal needs, she helps those around her.

A princess is a leader. She carries herself with authority.

A princess has an opinion and can voice it on a subject with both strength and tact, not with judgment and force. I am working on the judgement issue.

So to all the other princesses out there, have a wonderful week!

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

#mentalhealth #hr

TIP 1674 – Mother Earth

I am very glad that the snow is gone and that my flowers are trying hard to poke their heads up to the sun.  A few years ago we celebrated Earth Day while we were on vacation. My boys were looking forward to the release of the Disney production of Earth, while we were at Disney.  It inspired them to do our annual clean up of the roadside where we live. They learned that each of us can do a little and we can all have an impact.

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

Be a Smart shopper. Buy what you need, not what you want. Consider renting and borrowing things that are seldom needed

Walk, cycle, car pool and use public transportation

Choose local foods that are in season and support local food producers

Wash full loads of clothes in cold water and hang to air dry

For summer air conditioning, set your thermostat to 24°C or 25°C

For winter heating, set your thermostat to 19°C or 20°C

Take short showers instead of baths

Don’t discard. Donate, reuse and recycle items before throwing them into the trash

Earth Day isn’t about a single action you can do to support a healthier environment. Instead, Earth Day is seen by many as a day to renew a personal commitment to support a healthier environment. Though my family and I have a long way to go, every little bit helps as we move to live more responsibly with the environment.

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

#mentalhealth #hr

TIP 1673 – Dream More

Have you had a bizarre dream or a scary dream and wondered what it meant if anything? Do you have a recurring dream? Are you late for a test in high school? Can you fly? Do you visit the same places night after night in your dreams?

Do you remember your dreams?

I have very vivid dreams and for the most part, I remember them for a little while, especially the bizarre ones. Once I woke up and was super angry at my husband because in my dream on a very lovely and romantic walk, he mistakenly thought that a little black and white critter was a kitten. I awoke suddenly in my dream as we were sprayed by a skunk.

I wonder what my subconscious was trying to tell me? Was it a warning? Or was I releasing pent up emotional energy?

Dreams can give us guidance and inspiration and help us solve problems. At the end of April, you can phone the National Dream Hotline and from Friday through to Sunday night, the School of Metaphysics will be on hand to offer free dream interpretations.

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

Sleep is one of the most effective things that we can do for our health. A good quality and quantity of sleep are needed to ensure that our minds and bodies repair and heal themselves. However, research clearly shows that people who overestimate their ability to get by on less sleep are sadly mistaken. As a lack of good quality sleep will have a negative impact over time. Tip #1 Know that sleep is essential.

Some research suggests that time spent in dream sleep is what specifically heals. Dreaming allows us to re-process upsetting memories and experiences in a safer, calmer environment.

Everybody dreams but not everybody remembers their dreams. Dreams are our picture language. Our dreams are not literal and so it may take a bit of work to interpret the pictures that we are seeing. If you do remember your dreams and have an interest in the meaning behind your dreams, you can call and learn how your conscious and subconscious relate to each other.

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

#mentalhealth #hr

TIP 1672 – Get to Know Your Customer

I have been asked about how to ensure that irate customers don’t rattle your staff’

The first step is to understand that negative attitudes and behaviours are usually expressed when our customers are stressed out or they just don’t have the energy to use better communication skills, judgment and manners.

Being stressed out is chronic in today’s society. Our customers often have too much to do, too many decisions to make, and are usually running behind schedule.

The difficulty behind the negative attitudes and behaviours of our customers is that they are highly “toxic” to our team.

As the leader, there are several steps that you can take to ensure that your staff can effectively handle the best and the worst in these customers.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     
Here are today’s Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Get to Know Your Customer Day

1. Discuss the types of customers that your team may encounter ahead of time.

What are some of the common complaints that your staff may face’ Share past experiences and horror stories with each other and prepare answers and solutions ahead of time. Preparation allows your staff to feel more confident in dealing with these difficult customers and not absorb the negativity.

2. Teach your staff how to keep their composure, be assertive and know exactly what it is they want to communicate. Help them to get comfortable with those customers who need to vent and express themselves – however let them know that they do not need to tolerate abuse.

As the leader, you play a very important role in preventing customer negativity from rattling your team.

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

#mentalhealth #hr

TIP 1671 - Make Sure You Stay Safe

Part of spring cleaning is tackling your cupboards and drawers.  Well how about that medicine cupboard? Do You Know About Medication Safety?

I know that mine had been neglected when I found a jar of Vicks medicated rub from when I was a kid.  Yes, that was a long time ago and yes, it was about time that it was thrown out.  I have no idea if that stuff ever goes bad, but I probably should have thrown it out years ago.  I have carted it from my bedroom, to my residence room, to my first apartment, and then from one home to the next with my family.

Medication errors are said to affect at least 1.5 million Canadians per year according to the Canadian Institute for Health Information.  And those mistakes can be disastrous.

Medication safety isn’t just about an expiry date.  It’s about safe storage.  Knowing what medications may interact with other medications, food and supplements. It’s about telling your doctor about any side effects you may have had from previous prescriptions and what supplements or over-the-counter medications you may be taking.

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

Check your prescriptions periodically for expiration dates

Don’t share medicines with friends or family

Dispose of medications properly. Most pharmacies will take your old drugs for proper disposal. Avoid putting them in trashcans or into the toilet

Remember that the term “natural” does not necessarily mean “safe”.  Treat all supplements and herbal remedies with the same respect as you would any prescribed medications

 Make Sure That Your Family Stays Safe And Healthy

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

#mentalhealth #hr

TIP 1670 – I’ll Do It

The most rewarding experiences that I have had have come from volunteering. Especially my time developing youth groups, being on boards for various charities and associations, and fundraising for my children’s sport programs. In fact, I would guestimate that about ¼ of my time is given to volunteering.

Over a quarter of Canadians aged 15 and over volunteered for a charitable or non-profit organization last year. And though we think of women volunteering more than men, men contributed more volunteer hours on average than women.

Volunteering is a way of connecting yourself to the larger society and connection is critical when it comes to dealing with the sources of stress that we face.

By far the most commonly cited barriers were those related to time.

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

If you are a volunteer, talk about your experiences to others. Positive role models are needed, especially by our younger generations.

If you are looking for volunteers for your organization, be clear about the expectations, make commitments short and ASK. Many have difficulty holding up their hand to volunteer, but would say yes if asked in person.

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

#mentalhealth #hr

TIP 1669 – Mustang Sally

It debuted at the World Fair on April 17, 1964. It was featured on the covers of Newsweek and Time magazines and appeared on the silver screen in the James Bond movie “Goldfinger” that same year.

Here’s another hint: It was built for the working man and it sold almost 400,000 in the first year.

What am I referring to: The Ford Mustang and today is the day that all Mustang owners and enthusiasts celebrate.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

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

My husband and I own a 1965 Mustang. Sally is numbers matching, which means that she is in her original condition. She is part of our resiliency tool belt, as during the summer months, we take Sally out for drives in the country. Mostly to find a good ice cream cone or to enter her in a car show. Driving around is about savouring the summer.

Whether you're into gardening, fixing up vintage cars, or even soduko puzzles, research has found that hobbies are just as important to good health as exercise is, thanks to their ability to relieve stress.

This study found that people who engaged in leisure activities were 34% less stressed, reported feeling happier, and their heart rate was lower.

It didn't seem to matter what the participants did just so long as it was something they deeply enjoyed.

So on this day of celebrating the iconic Mustang, find something that you enjoy and be immersed in it. Your health will thank you for it.

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

#mentalhealth #hr

TIP 1668 – Meditation To Mend The Mind

Our minds can not operate on ‘full throttle’ all day long. Focus meditation helps to clear the mind of racing, cluttered thoughts by focusing our energies on a particular image or thought. Gradually distracting thoughts will decrease during meditation. This strategy helps to restore mental balance by providing a break in our hectic day. By allowing our mind to slow down it is better able to focus when we return to the task at hand.

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

All that is needed is a quiet environment, a comfortable position, a mental image or positive thought in which to focus on, and an attitude that will permit relaxation to happen. Meditating or focusing on music or a relaxing video can give the mind a needed break from stressful events such as conflict, problem-solving, and high energy output.

Guided imagery is a visualization technique, that goes one step further than mediation, by actually engaging the senses within the body to deliver a variety of messages. It can be used to reduce blood pressure, lower cholesterol, reduce muscle tension, and increase energy. Your body responds to these positive images in the same way it would, if the image was ‘real’.

There is no way we can not get rid of all of our stress, nor do we want to. What we want to do is to reduce our negative reactions to stress so that we don’t become sick, worn down, and worn out. Start by adding one relaxation technique to your daily checklist of things to do.

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