Work Smart Live Smart with Beverly Beuermann-King

TIP 1487 - Building The Best Relationship With Your Boss

Are bosses who are fair, supportive, and kind gone by the way of the dodo bird?

If we were to listen to the media, or the complaints from friends and family, you would think that this was true.

We hear about cut-throat bosses. Bosses who are bullies. The ones who steal all of the glory for themselves.

There are bosses who are perfectionists.

And then there are those bosses who only care about the bottom line.

In fact. in one survey, seventy five percent of workers said that dealing with their boss was the most stressful part of their day.

Bosses Day is the day for employees to recognize their boss for their positive traits.

Like it or not your boss plays an important role in your productivity, creativity, and overall health.

It is up to you to build the best relationship with your boss that you can.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

Here Are Today’s Tips For Building Resiliency And Celebrating Bosses Day:

Examine how you describe your work, your boss, and your company.

If you find that you are using all negative language, stop. It's undermining you mental and physical health.

Focus on solutions not problems.

Have conversations that move things forward.

And finally, don't be moody and don't let your boss’ mood impact you. You have no idea what they are dealing with. So reserve your judgments. Be the one that is in control of their mood.

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

#mentalhealth #hr

TIP 1486 – But You Look So Healthy

But you look so good!

96% of illnesses are invisible. These people do not use a cane or any assistive device and may look perfectly healthy.

60% are between the ages of 18 and 64.

It's hard to know what to do when a person has an illness. It’s even harder when it's virtually invisible.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

Here are today’s Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Invisible Chronic Illness Week

Don't be afraid to talk about what they're experiencing. Open the lines of communication and follow the other person's lead. If they want to go into details, they will. If they would rather talk about other things, they will let you know.

If you're living with an invisible chronic illness it's important to keep connected. Reach out for support. It's only by opening up about your illness that you can educate people and invite them to be there for you.

You may be surprised, but they may be dealing with their own invisible chronic illness and could really use your support, or they may become one of your biggest advocates or confidents. You won't know until you give them a chance.

Looking for more information on making your mental health matter? Check out my online courses at worksmartlivesmart.com

#mentalhealth #hr

TIP 1485 - Complain And Be Grouchy

All goody two-shoes, beware. You are not welcome on this day.

Today is a day for all grouches to celebrate their way of life.

According to the Muppet Wiki, a grouch’s mission in life is to be as miserable and as grouchy as possible and pass that feeling on everyone else.

Only then will a grouch be in touch with his or her world and be happy.

Yet even though grouch may show happiness at anyone's misfortune, a grouch would never admit to being happy.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

My Tip For Celebrating National Grouch Day:

Be miserable. Complain over everything. And enjoy nothing.

Tomorrow will not be better.

There is no silver lining.

And the glass almost empty.

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 1484 - Protect Yourself From The Flu

Children have been back to school now for a month and we're starting to see the rise of colds and other ailments, both in our children and in our workplaces.

Though these are not usually cases of influenza, it is a reminder that the true flu season is just around the corner, and that we need to protect our families and our co-workers.

Influenza is an infection of the nose throat and lungs caused by the influenza virus. For most people the flu is uncomfortable, tiring, and can keep you bedridden for many days.

But for some, the flu can be serious.

Each year the flu causes many unnecessary deaths. The most common way the flu is spread is through flu germs on people's hands. If you touch something with the flu germs on it, then touch your face or mouth, you could get infected.

Flu germs can also travel through the air. If a person with the flu sneezes, or coughs, their spray can carry the virus to your nose, mouth, and our eyes.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

Today's Tip For Building Resiliency And Celebrating Flu Prevention Month:

Wash your hands often and consider getting the flu shot.

For some the flu shot is the best defense.

For more information, check me out on twitter at SOS To Stress.

#mentalhealth #hr

TIP 1483 – Substance Abuse Prevention

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.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

So Here Are Today’s Tips For Building Your Resiliency And Celebrating National Substance Abuse Prevention Month

Millions experience substance abuse issues, which includes underage drinking, alcohol dependency, non-medical use of prescription drugs, abuse of over-the-counter medications, and illicit drug use. Substance use disorders are health disorders. They are not the result of any kind of character flaw or lack of personal willpower.

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

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”.

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 substance use on-line course at worksmartlivesmart.com under the resources and courses tab.

#mentalhealth #hr

TIP 1482 - How Bloody Annoying Are Your Pet Peeves

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

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

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

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

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

Make a list of your pet peeves.

There is something cathartic and humorous about doing this.

Often awareness can help us to see the lighter side.

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

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

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

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

#mentalhealth #hr

TIP 1481 – Facing Your Phobias

I have a social phobia.

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

I hate snakes. They give me the willies.

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

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

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

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

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

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

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

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

#mentalhealth #hr

TIP 1480 – Promoting Mental Health

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

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

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

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

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

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

Care. Communicate. Connect.

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

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

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

#mentalhealth #hr

TIP 1479 - Emotional Intelligence and Coping Skills

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

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

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

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

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

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

#mentalhealth #hr

TIP 1478 - Know Risks And Benefits Of Sarcasm

Well everyone lobs a snarky remark here and there.

A sarcastic person expresses humor in verbal irony by making statements that defy their literal meaning.

For some it's as natural as breathing.

Some say that sarcasm is the lowest form of wit, but the highest form of intelligence.

Whether sarcasm is a sign of intelligence or not, communication experts typically advise us to stay away from this particular form of expression.

And yet, there is some research that suggests that there may be some unexpected benefits from sarcasm, including greater creativity in the workplace.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

Today's Hot Tips For Building Resiliency And Celebrating Sarcasm Awareness Month:

Research shows that sarcasm can be easily misinterpreted, so use it sparingly and take great care that it doesn't damage your relationships.

It comes down to trust. Given the risks and benefits of sarcasm, your best bet is to keep salty remarks limited to conversations with those you know well.

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 1477 - Let Your Friends Know They Matter

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 1476 – Depression Screening For Better Mental Health

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 1475 - Let’s Talk Month

Do you think the people have always been this stressed?

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

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

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

Our support circles have grown smaller and smaller.

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

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

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

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

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

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

Looking for more tips to build your resiliency?

Look for my book on Amazon called Stress Out! 52 Weeks To Letting More Life In.

#mentalhealth #hr

TIP 1474 – Healthy Workplaces

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 1473 – Be Positive

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 1472 – Stop The Stigma Of Mental Illness MIAW

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 1471 – Less Than Perfect Is Healthy

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 1470 – Stupid Can Be Fun

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 1469 – Minimizing Caffeine

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 1468 – Be A Good Neighbour

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