Work Smart Live Smart with Beverly Beuermann-King

EP 1174 - Connection Through A Card

I love Christmas Cards, however the sending of Christmas cards may be becoming extinct. In a world where we are already too busy, the thought of buying, writing, addressing, stamping, sealing and sending cards seems like an overwhelming task.

Just before my oldest son was born, I started a tradition of writing a Christmas newsletter and sending it with my Christmas cards. There have been times when I have thought that I wouldn’t send it out but then someone gives me a comment about looking forward to reading my annual update and seeing the pictures of how the family has changed.

Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Christmas Card Day:

Christmas cards and letters take time, but I have found the benefits to outweigh the cost. It let’s the receiver know that they are being thought about, which in this day of disconnectedness and isolation is especially important.

Another unexpected benefit of writing these annual newsletters is that I have logged many important family events. I have kept copies for myself and for my sons. They have a record of the special moments from their past.

If you like today’s resiliency tips, let me know.

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.

EP 1173 - Stress Free Holiday Preparation Week

Are The Holidays A Stressful Time In Your Household?

Are you ready for the holidays? This is the questions that you hear daily at the grocery store, the post office and in line at the bank? Some people ask because they want to feel like they are not the only ones struggling to get things done before the big day. Others ask because they are concerned about us as we may look a little haggard. Others may just want to gloat about they had in all done in July

Here are my hot tips for building your resiliency and avoiding that stressed-out feeling this holiday season while we Celebrate Stress Free Holiday Preparation Week:

Like many we tend to let our expectations, poor planning, and over-indulgence get in the way of truly enjoying and de-stressing during our ‘down-time’. The key to success in avoiding the ‘festive fizzle’ is to recognize those activities that energize, motivate, and please us, and to delete or change those activities that irritate, disappoint, and anger us.

Get back to basics and simplify to meet these priorities.

Stop often and be in the moment. Far too often the holidays come and go and we missed experiencing the joy, connection, and spirit of the season.

If you like today’s resiliency tips, let me know.

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

EP 1172 - Spread the word, not the germs!

What do you call a germ who wants to have a good time?

A fungi (fun guy)!

I know that it is not pleasant, but think of yourself as a human petri-dish that grows all kind of icky bacteria and is the warm and cozy home for all kinds of viruses. 

Washing your hands regularly can prevent many flus, flu-like illnesses, common colds, conjunctivitis, , tonsillitis, bronchitis, , pneumonia, Streptococcus, Pneumoccous, TB and more from growing, spreading or from entering your body.

Tips For Building Your Resiliency and Celebrating Handwashing Awareness Week:

Henry the Hand says:

Wash your hands when they are dirty and BEFORE eating

Use “Good” hand washing techniques including an adequate amount of soap, rubbing the hands together to create friction and lift the germs from the skin.

DO NOT cough into your hands

DO NOT sneeze into your hands

Above all, DO NOT put your fingers into your eyes, nose or mouth.  These are the only portal of entry into the human body for respiratory infections and washing can reduce your risk significantly

If you like today’s resiliency tips, let me know.

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

EP 1171 - Be More Jolly Like St. Nicholas

Ever wondered who St. Nicholas was?

There once was a young boy named Nicholas, who was born during the third century. His wealthy parents, who raised him to be a devout Christian, died in an epidemic. Nicholas used his whole inheritance to assist the needy, the sick, and the suffering. He was made Bishop of Myra while still a young man. Bishop Nicholas became known throughout the land for his generosity to the those in need.

Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating St. Nicholas Day:

We could all stand to be a little more like St. Nicholas.  Here is a boy, whose world dramatically changed when his parents died.  He could have let this beat him down. He could have drowned in self-pity.  Instead, he relied on his faith and did whatever he could to help those who were even less fortunate then himself.  Let’s get good at turning life around and focusing on what we have, and less on what we have lost or don’t have.

Today, we have the image of Santa Clause and we give gifts to the people we know and love.  But what about our giving to those less fortunate then ourselves? We are donating less each year. The average annual amount per donor is less than $500 with the median amount under $150. With the economy the way that it is, the demand within most charities has increased while their donations have decreased.  Make a difference in the lives of someone less fortunate than you.  It doesn’t take a lot to have a huge impact.

In 1998, my youngest son was due to arrive on Christmas Day.  We decided that boy or girl, their name would honour St. Nicholas as he was our blessed gift.  Nickolas arrived safely on December 22.

If you like today’s resiliency tips, let me know.

Don’t forget that you can find more tips for building resiliency, by checking out my Live Smart blog at worksmartlivesmart.com

EP 1170 - The Luxuries of Bathtubbery

A hiring manager was preparing for an upcoming interview. The supervisor asked why she had a bathtub brought in for the interviews. "Well," said the manager, "we fill up a bathtub, then we offer the applicant a teaspoon, a teacup, and a bucket and ask them to empty the bathtub." "Oh, I understand," said the supervisor. " A smart person would use the bucket because it's bigger than the spoon or the teacup." "No," said the manager. "A smart hire would pull the plug."

I am not a fan of baths. I am too focused on getting what needs to be done, done and showers achieve this in a much more efficient manner. That being said, enjoying a hot bath, can be a very positive resiliency booster for some.

Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Bathtub Party Day:

"Bathtub Party Day" is supposed to be the time to slow down and immerse yourself in a long leisurely bath. It can be a party for one, two or if you have a hot tub, maybe even more.

One site had these recommendations: To enjoy a really good soak, take the ringer off the phone, light a few candles, tune into some favorite music & lock the door. If you want to add a few drops of essential oils to your bath, be sure to wait until the moment you are ready to step into the tub, to ensure the essence doesn’t evaporate before you benefit from it–whether you want the relaxation of lavender or chamomile or the stimulation of rosemary or peppermint. Don’t forget to have a big, fluffy towel ready for you! For after bath skin soothing, while your skin is still damp, apply a favorite body lotion or body oil.

Again, it seems like a lot of work…but the relaxation effects are likely worth it.

If you like today’s resiliency tips, let me know.

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

EP 1169 - Do You Work For An Extraordinary Work Team?

Are you good at recognizing others? 

Recognition works best when it acknowledges the Attitudes, Behaviors, and/or Contributions of the person or the team to the success of the organization.

Companies with a solid strategy to recognize team members enjoy stronger engagement, increased employee morale, better customer service, and lower turnover.

However, recognizing others in a meaningful way is not as easy as you think.

True recognition has to be meaningful and not superficial. It needs to make the employee feel valued, respected, and special.

Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Extraordinary Work Team Recognition Day:

Be sure to recognize people on your team who make it possible for you to do what you do. I love the ‘Crush It’ calls that SnackNation does each week. They go around the room and “Crush” on someone on the team whose work they want to recognize and they also state something that they are grateful for.

Celebrate.

This can be done in many ways, but the point is to highlight and appreciate employees and teams who have made a spectacular effort, have achieved great results or helped others achieve them. Celebrating success is fun and energizing and shows employees that their efforts are being seen by leaders and by their peers.

 

If you like today’s resiliency tips, let me know.

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

EP 1168 – Festive Fizzle Out

Do you know how many litres of eggnog are sold each December?

Here in Canada it is 5.2 million litres.

 

This will be a very different holiday for many of us. We know that our stress levels are elevated significantly by all of the challenges and changes that we have faced, and the holidays will just add to that overall stress.

 

This isn’t the season to be stressed, but many of us will experience Festive Fizzle Out even before the celebration begins.

 

Rather than skipping the eggnog or the holidays, the first step to a ‘stress less’ holiday is to determine your most important goal for the season.

 

Bring back the meaning of the holidays by taking care of yourself and by simply showing people you appreciate them. 

 

Here are today’s tips for Building Resiliency and Preventing Festive Fizzle Out

 

Get back to basics and simplify. Don’t be afraid to alter tradition. Try simplifying things and build in more time for relaxation. 

Avoid ‘holiday perfectionism’. Thinking, saying, or planning for the best holiday ever can lead to certain disappointment.

Stop and be in the moment. Have you noticed the wondrous sights, sounds, and smells around you or have you been too caught up in the to-do’s or the extra amount of work you have to do to notice?

Acknowledge your feelings. Take into account the changes, challenges, and losses that you have experienced. Remember to keep your perspective and to talk positively to yourself about past challenges that you have overcome.

Practice Self-Care. Remember your ultimate goal for the holiday and get support and assistance from those around you to meet those needs. Make sure to take care of yourself by resting well, and eating a balanced diet. Focus on gratitude. Research shows that the more that you do, the happier you will be.

 

Finally, I love this quote: “Gifts are all around us, but it is up to us to recognize them in our lives.”

 

If you like today’s resiliency tips, let me know.

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.

 

 

EP 1167 - Bad Decisions Can Kill

One bad decision can have devastating effects.

This my family knows only too well as over 30 years ago one young man’s bad decision after work left our brother and sister-in-law dead on the side of the road. Drunk driving, left parents heart-broken, robbed brothers and sisters of the chance to lean on each other, left future nieces and nephews without cousins and impacted this young man’s freedom for the next few years.

But there is a long way to go and much of that work is within my own generation. Many of us grew up not thinking a whole lot about drinking and driving. Where the only goal was not to get caught and get a ticket on the weekend. For some, this is still the goal. They’ll say things like, “I’ll take the back way home”, or “I haven’t had that many”.

Here are today’s Hot Tips For National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Week:

Really, it is one simple tip. Don’t be that person who makes this bad decision.

Assign a designated driver before the night even begins

And don’t be afraid to address the ‘elephant’ in the room when someone tries to drive after they have been drinking or if you believed they are stoned.

 

If you like today’s resiliency tips, let me know.

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

EP 1166 - Supporting Parents Of Special Needs Children

We take for granted our health and the health of our children.  But what if you are a family that has a child who is facing special challenges? Your child’s health and well-being are always at the forefront of every decision that you make.

Special Kids Day was put together to help families cope during the extra stress of the holidays.

Today’s Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Special Kids Day by showing your support for these special families:

Provide the gift of time.

You may be able to pick up items that would save a run to the mall or the grocery store for the family.

Provide ready to eat meals for the ‘crazy’ days…the days where it is non-stop appointments or that are especially difficult to cope.

Let them know that you are there for their family.  It can be very isolating and lonely and true friends are hard to come by.  But don’t wait to be asked, as it is hard for many parents of special needs children to reach out and ask for help.

At the end of the day the health of our children is the most important thing to a parent.

 

If you like today’s resiliency tips, let me know.

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

EP 1165 - How Can I Give Back?

We have a day for giving thanks. We have a day for getting deals.

Today is #GivingTuesday and the day we can celebrate giving back and encouraging global generosity.

We all have the power to make a positive difference. How do you give back?

Here Are Today’s Hot Tips For Building Your Resiliency And Celebrating World Day Of Giving:

• What act of giving can you do today? Can you be a coach or mentor? Can you donate blood or buy a cup of coffee for someone in need?
• Share a picture of someone or something that represents your reason for giving

 

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

EP 1164 - Looking Good

The weather is changing and for some of us, so does our skin. Our skin is often a reflection of our overall health. It can show signs of stress, lack of sleep and poor diet. How do we take the best care of our skin during this time?

Here are some quick skin care tips:

Exfoliate at least once a week.

Use sunscreen at least 30 minutes before you go outdoors.

Drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated inside and out.

Get a good sleep – aiming for 7-9 hours of restful sleep.

Beverly’s Hot Tips For Building Resiliency and Awareness During National Healthy Skin Month:

It is important to examine your body for marks

Check your front and back in the mirror, then look at the right and left sides with your arms raised.

If you find a spot look for things like:

One half is unlike the other half.

An irregular, scalloped, or poorly defined border.

If it varies from one area to another; has shades of tan, brown, or black; is sometimes white, red, or blue.

Look for anything that is changing in size, shape, or color.

Early detection is key.

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

EP 1163 - Empty Nest Does Not Mean An Empty Life

One minute you’re changing diapers and wiping noses, the next minute they have moved out and on.

“empty nest,” does not need to mean an empty life. At least I hope not. With my two sons starting to venture out on their own, I am actually looking forward to our new life.

For many parents becoming empty nesters can be a “joyous” time.  A time for exploring, getting involved in new activities and new developing their adult relationships.

When much of your life has been defined as a parent it can be hard to adjust to life without kids in the home. Research points out that some parents have a hard time adjusting and they do experience depression and emotional distress when their children left home.

So Here Are Today’s Hot Tips For Building Your Resiliency And Celebrating Empty Nester Month:

Grieving is normal. Be gentle with yourself.

Explore other activities that can give you meaning and purpose.

Did you have any hobbies that you slowly gave up as parenting took over your life’

Coming to terms with this new phase in your life can be tough. But most parents find they’re able to adjust to their new roles as being parents of young adults and they develop a new sense of normal.

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

EP 1162 - Get In The Game

It is easy just to plunk on the couch and watch TV.

Especially when you have been overwhelmed by deadlines, projects and family responsibilities. But this does little to build our family bonds.

 So what can?

Researchers have studied the impact that gaming can have on cognitive abilities, interpersonal relationships and stress levels. The results are overwhelmingly positive: Games strengthen connections in the brain as well as improve connections among friends and family! Kids and adults who play games experience spikes in creative thinking.

Here Are Today’s Hot Tips For Building Your Resiliency And Celebrating National Game And Puzzle Week

• Dust off your old games and puzzles
• Challenge your family members to a tournament and create some lasting memories filled with time talking, laughing, and playing together
• No family around. No worries, invite your friends and host a game night

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

EP 1161 - Buy Nothing Day

Have you seen any zombies walking around the mall?

These zombies want you to Forget Black Friday and instead celebrate Buy Nothing Day.

Today is the day to consider if you are on the road of over-consumption.

Are you in need of a retail detox? It is easy to get caught up in the ads that promise bargains and we end up jumping on the bandwagon purchasing things that we don’t really need.

So Here Are Today’s Hot Tips For Building Your Resiliency And Celebrating Buy Nothing Day:

• Make a commitment to examine your purchasing habits
• Evaluate whether they are needs or wants
• Do your purchases end up having a negative impact on your budget or the environment?

Buy Nothing Day is not just about changing your habits for one-day, but about starting a lasting lifestyle commitment to consuming less and producing less waste.

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

EP 1160 - Every Story Matters

 

I belong to the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers. As one of our chapter presidents, it was obvious that we were not the association of professional listeners. It took forever to get everyone focused to begin our events, as the chatter was so extensive.

Listening can be hard for us to do. It is an investment that sometimes we are not willing to make and because of this, we may miss out on hearing the other person’s story.

Originally this week was initiated to encourage people to interview a loved one, friend, or member of your community and to share this story with others. The feeling was that every story matters, and they need to be shared

Here Are Today’s Hot Tips For Building Your Resiliency And Celebrating Better Conversations Week:

• Ask people about their journey and experiences and really listen in
• Interview a friend or family member. Record the interview and then share it with others.

By really listening to these stories, you will be conveying that they matter. This may be the most meaningful time you spend with someone all year.

If you like today’s resiliency tips, let me know.

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

EP 1159 - Uniquely You

We are all remarkable.

However, many of us have talents that we don’t share, as we believe that we are unremarkable, plain, or ordinary.

I love this quote by Henry Van Dyke:  the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best.

So Here Are Today’s Hot Tips For Building Your Resiliency And Celebrating Your Unique Talent Day:

• Embrace your uniqueness. You are truly a category of 1
• Share your talent. If it is a creative talent, share it so that others can appreciate it.
• If it is a quirky talent, make someone laugh. This can be the best gift that they received all day
• Host a talent break at work

 

So sing out loud, dance in the street, paint a picture, wiggle your eyebrows, talk in a cartoon voice or whistle through your nose.

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

EP1158 - Watching Our Language

Sadly, one in 10 Canadians suffers from some type of substance use disorder. That could mean your colleague, your neighbour or someone in your own family. Addiction does not discriminate—it affects all walks of life. ​

The total societal cost of substance abuse is in the billions. Whether the cost comes from lost productivity in the workplace, increased cost to our healthcare system or pressure on our law enforcement agencies, substance use disorders cost money.

People are dying. Substance use disorders can be progressive and fatal if left untreated.

So Here Are Today’s Hot Tips For Building Your Resiliency And Celebrating National Addiction Awareness Week:

Choose to recognize that substance use disorders are health disorders. They are not the result of any kind of character flaw or lack of personal willpower. In fact, substance use disorders are the most common mental health disorder.

Stigmatizing language can perpetuate harmful stereotypes and act as a barrier to seeking help and sustaining recovery. The truth is … WORDS MATTER.

Watch the language that you use. Here are some ways to avoid using language that stigmatizes substance use and addiction:

Use “people-first language.” For instance, refer to “person who uses substances”, rather than a  “drug user”, “addict” or “alcoholic”. This is more neutral language that helps to maintain the individuality of the person.

Choose language that promotes the recovery process. This means not describing a person being “clean” or “dirty” but rather “not currently using substances” or “in recovery”.

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.

EP 1157 – Is Your Life Under Control?

My life is too complicated. I feel like I am always rushing to get somewhere. I feel like I don’t spend any quality time with my family. What suggestions do you have for getting my life under control? This is what one conference attendee asked me.

Many of us feel our lives are too complicated. We rush from one destination to the next – rush through traffic to get to work – then rush back again to pick up the children – and back to rushing from one sporting lesson to the next.

Rush! We get frustrated.

In the end we forget how to talk to each other. We don’t remember what it is like to spend quality time together just being.

Here Is My Hot Tip For Building Resilience and Celebrating National Family Week:

Trends in our society have been to achieve more, get more, do more.

A contrary movement is underway called Simplification. It can be hard to do, but the rewards can be great. Simplification means reorganizing your life and routines to focus on the meaningful, and to minimize the chaos.

The more you can par down your life by simplifying your routines or de-junking your physical space, the less hectic it will be for you and your family.

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

EP 1156 – Family PJ Party

I love my pajamas.

I could hang out in them all day. I could work in them all day. And I feel a sense of relief when I put my flannels on at the end of the day.

It is a huge trend right now to having matching family pjs for watching movies or playing games during the holidays.

So here is to Celebrating National Family PJ Night:

There is some confusion as to what day this should be celebrated on, however, I don’t think that it matters when you get together.

National Family Pajama Night is a time to relax, have fun, and create some memories.

Start your own new tradition just in time for the holiday season.

No matter what the age everyone can get into the spirit of connection and fun.

If you don’t have family to get together with, have a virtual PJ party with friends, or dress your pet up and snuggle on the couch.

It is the spirit of fun that matters the most.

If you like today’s resiliency tips, let me know.

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

EP 1155 - Play For The Fun Of It

Somewhere between childhood and adulthood, we’ve stopped playing. Play can be an important source of relaxation and stimulation for adults as well. It can fuel your imagination, creativity, problem-solving abilities, and emotional well-being.

Here Are Today’s Hot Tips For Building Your Resiliency And Celebrating National Day Of Play

Focus your play on the actual experience, not on accomplishing any goal. There doesn’t need to be any point to the activity beyond having fun and enjoying yourself.

By giving yourself permission to play, you can reap tons of health benefits.

Play is one of the most effective tools for keeping relationships fresh and exciting. Playing together brings joy, vitality, and resilience to relationships. Through regular play, we learn to trust one another and feel safe.

Many companies have long recognized the link between productivity and a fun work environment. These companies know that more play at work results in more productivity, higher job satisfaction, greater workplace morale, and a decrease in staff turnover.

If your company lacks the play ethic, you can still inject your own sense of play into breaks and lunch hours.

It’s never too late to develop your playful, humorous side.

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.