Work Smart Live Smart with Beverly Beuermann-King

EP 1523 - 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.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

So Here Are Today’s 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.

#mentalhealth #hr

TIP 1522 – 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.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

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

#mentalhealth #hr

TIP 1521 - 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.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

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.

#mentalhealth #hr

TIP 1520 - Everyone Has Bad Days!

Everyone Has Bad Days!

We all have a day that is off, but sometimes we feel pressure to pretend that all is good and that we are happy.

Have A Bad Day is permission to actually have a bad day or to take a mental health day.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

So Here Are Today’s Hot Tips For Building Your Resiliency And Celebrating Have A Bad Day:

Know that there are friends out there to support you through it.  Let them know that you could use a pick-me-up.

Don’t try to suppress those negative emotions.  Recognize them for what they are.  Feel them and then move yourself through the situation.

Know that tomorrow will be different.  It may not be better.  It may be worse.  But it will be different. Just because today was horrible, doesn’t mean tomorrow will be.

Your goal on these days is just to survive the day and minimize the long-term damage. 

Remember those times that were good so that you don’t get so tainted by the bad day. 

Try a do-over.  Sometimes going back to bed and starting the day over can be just the cure that you need!

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 1519 – Family Stories Matter

“Hold On, It’s Going To Be Okay”

This saying is part of my family story, along with how my parent’s set up their farm, the struggles that they had, where my grandparents went dancing on the weekends and how they walked up hill both ways to get to school, through 10 foot drifts of snow, even in the spring.

Family stories shape who we are.

They directly impact how we see ourselves, our desire to succeed, and even our level of resiliency.

Family stories give us an idea of where we come from and how we fit into our larger, extended, family.

Research shows that teens who were able to recount details of their family stories had higher self-esteem and greater resilience than those who couldn’t.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     
So Here Are Today’s Hot Tips For Building Your Resiliency And Celebrating Family Stories Matter Month:

If you have elderly relatives, ask them about their stories. Record them. Share them.

Ask about the traditions. Ask about the hardships and the triumphs. Stories of perseverance and resilience give us the faith and hope that we can too. Stories of different generations provide insight and understanding. They provoke curiosity to learn more.

Take the time during family gatherings to ask your children about their stories. You may be surprised at what you may not know about them and their story.

Finally, write your own story. Some of it is painful. Some brings a smile. Share these so that others can see your story in building their resiliency.

If you like today’s resiliency 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 #family

TIP 1518 - Fighting Hunger and Homelessness

Tis the season to think about what we are thankful for. It is also a perfect time to share our compassion. Being grateful is the number one personality trait that leads to happiness. And being compassionate to others has been found to be protective to our own mental health.

Within our communities there are many who are experiencing homelessness and hunger. No one should have to worry about whether they will have food on their plate or a roof over their head. But the reality is that hunger and homelessness are widespread problems that affect far too many people.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

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

Practice daily gratitude. What are you thankful for?

Show compassion. Find ways to contribute to supporting those facing the challenges of homelessness and hunger.

6 children a minute are dying from a hunger-related disease, but this is not just in famine-stricken countries. 1 in 5 children in the US live in poverty and 1 in 8 families in Canada struggle to put food on the table. These families live in a state of food insecurity, which means they do not have reliable access to adequate amounts of safe, good-quality, nutritious food. Food banks are an important method of addressing this need. They may not be best solution, but they are necessary right now. So consider donating or volunteering.

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 #hunger #homeless

TIP 1517 - Words Hurt: Dealing With A Bully

“You can’t do anything right”. “This is your fault – It’s always your fault”.

Many of us have grown up, been in a relationship with, worked for, or even been coached by, someone who was emotionally abusive. It is often seen as a normal part of the culture of the organization and tolerated.

People who are the target of emotional abuse are made to feel insignificant and incapable. They may actually begin to feel that they have brought this on themselves and that it really is their fault.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

Here Are Today’s Hot Tips For Building Your Resiliency And Celebrating Bullying Awareness Week

If you are the Recipient of someone else’s abusive behaviour:

1. Take precautions – look for the signs of excessive jealousy and control
2. Don’t blame yourself for the way other person is treating you
3. Believe in yourself – believe that you deserve to be treated with respect
4. Trust your instincts – if you feel uncomfortable than this is probably not a healthy relationship
5. Talk to someone – find someone you can trust – a family member, friend, co-worker, EAP, supervisor, spiritual leader, community advisor or health professional. Call the Distress Centre and they can help make the appropriate referral. These resources can help you to examine all of your options so that you can decide what is best for you.

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 #bullying #harassment

TIP 1516 – Celebrating The Entrepreneur

They are shapers. Solution lovers. Grabbers of Opportunity.

They are a special stock of a person. The one who wants to carve their own way in life.

These entrepreneurs may start their own main street business or launch a tech start up. They may be providing consulting services or building the latest time saving gadget. Thanks to their vision, dedication, sacrifice and drive, these entrepreneurs are driving our countries forward.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

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

• If you know an entrepreneur, thank them. Encourage them. Buy from them.
• If you are an entrepreneur, maintain your balance and remember the reasons why you started your business. Don’t let stress take you off track.
• If you are a successful entrepreneur, mentor someone who is just starting out or is a Futurpreneur and let them learn from the trials and tribulations that you faced along the way
• Consider donating to organizations that do micro lending around the world. These companies help to alleviate poverty and act as a catalyst for positive change in these communities

 

Want to make sure that you don’t miss out on any of my weekly postings? Follow Work Smart Live Smart on FaceBook.

#mentalhealth #hr

TIP 1515 - Loosen Up Lighten Up

Humour can help us thrive in change, remain creative under pressure, work more effectively, play more enthusiastically, and stay healthier in the process.

It has been proven that laughter reduces physical and emotional tension. It is potent but not toxic, low-calorie, organic and absolutely free.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

Here Are Today’s Tips For Building Your Resiliency And Celebrating Loosen Up Lighten Up Day:

Some of us think that Life, especially work, is serious and in order to succeed, we must be serious too.

We need to loosen up and lighten up and we need to be better role models for the next generation. There is nothing more distressing than to see a young adult, so stressed out, about their future. Many of them are developing physical illnesses and mental disorders thought to be experienced only in later adult years.

Being able to laugh about our situation and ourselves helps us to release the tension, regain our perspective, accept that which we cannot change and experience joy. It also gives us the physical energy and mental resilience needed to survive. So let go of your fears, lighten up, smile, laugh large and fight terminal seriousness.

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

#mentalhealth #hr

TIP 1514 - If You Can Be Anything, Be Kind

Far too many of us are feeling isolated, overly challenged and highly stressed.

World Kindness Day Gives us a chance to reach to others and show them that they are not alone, and the world is not as gloomy as it is often made out to be.

Numerous scientific studies show that:

Stress-related health problems improve after performing kind acts.

Helping can enhance our feelings of joyfulness, boost our emotional resilience, and reduce the unhealthy sense of isolation.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

Here Are Today’s Tips For Building Your Resiliency And Celebrating World Kindness Day:

Think of those that are closest to you and take a moment to connect with them…phone your grandmother, mother, father, uncle…nothing is more personal than a visit or a phone call so that they can hear your voice.

Make your son or daughter their favourite meal. Food is one of the main ways that we connect with others.

Leave a love note for your spouse. Let them know that you still hold them in your heart.

Make a donation to a charity on behalf of a love one.

Send an appreciation note to a colleague.

Being kind to another doesn’t have to cost us anything other than the energy to think of something

So my challenge to you is to do something to show someone you care!

#mentalhealth #hr

TIP 1513 - Giving Thanks

“What do you say?”  “Thank you”

As parents, we probably said this a lot, as we taught our children to be thankful for the gifts that they received or when others did nice things for them.

Are You Thankful?

I think as adults we sometimes forget to be thankful.  We often focus on the difficulties and on the things that are not going right and sometimes we lose sight of the things that are going well and the blessings that we have received.

A line of wisdom goes…You cannot welcome more abundance into your life until you have said thanks to the universe for all that you have.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

Here Are Today’s Tips For Building Your Resiliency And Celebrating I Am So Thankful Month

Make a list of all that you are thankful for in your work and personal life. 

Look at that list when you are feeling down and use it to pick up your spirits and keep you moving forward

Know that when we are full of thanks, we radiate this to the people around us and we impact them in a positive way.

Hang out with people who are truly thankful.  It is contagious.

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 1512 - Have You Written Your Dear Santa Letter?

This is the time of year to start drafting your letter to Santa. Letters to Santa Claus have a magical Christmas power all their own — they share a child's hopes and dreams, contain wishes innocent enough to bring tears to a parent’s eyes and can save the day like in the classic holiday film, "Miracle on 34th Street."

One letter went like this Dear Santa, I have been good for the last week or so…let’s just focus on that.

Even if you don’t believe in Santa, what would you wish for?

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

Here Are Today’s Tips For Building Your Resiliency And Celebrating Dear Santa Letter Week:

Try writing a letter of all of your wants for the upcoming holidays.

Don’t expect them to be delivered on Christmas morning. That only happens in those sappy Hallmark-movies, but it might actually do you some good to take a moment to think about what you really want and put it in writing. There's something to be said for putting into words the things you want in your life. It can be an eye-opening experience as you may find that your priorities are made clear. You may also find that many of the things that you are wanting are within your control.

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 1511 – Forget Me Not

Have you ever looked through old pictures and ever wondered whatever happened to some of the people that you were friends with or met along the way?

Have you tried to find out where they are or what they are up to on social media?

I have.

I have looked up long lost roommates, classmates, old boyfriends, teachers, and even old bosses.

Sometimes out of nostalgia. Sometimes out of curiosity. Sometimes out of a desire to reconnect.

Forget Me Not Day is a day to try and reconnect with some of the people that you may not be in touch with anymore.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

Here are my tips for Building Resiliency and Celebrating Forget Me Not Day:

Social connection is important, but before I would spend a lot of time and energy on finding those from your past, ask yourself if you are doing a good job of staying connected and supporting those who are your current friends, colleagues, and family members.

Research shows that doubling your group of friends has the same impact on your well-being as a 50% increase in income, we only have so much time and energy to spend on cultivating true, healthy relationships. So use your time and energy wisely.

If you do have a desire to reconnect, ask yourself why. Is it because of curiosity, guilt, or an interest to start up a new relationship? The answer will also help you decide if you should reach out or invest the time and energy.

Social connections and support are key to building resiliency and we know that we are forming fewer friendships than in the past. As life gets busier, we often find that we barely have enough time for ourselves, let alone staying connected with others. Developing and maintaining positive friendships takes effort. Friendships take time to grow, to build trust and to share common experiences. Today is a great day to reach out and let your friends know that you are thinking of them.

 

If you like today’s wellness 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

#mentalhealth #hr

TIP 1510 - Appreciating The Right To Choose World Freedom Day

Our freedom is not something to be taken for granted. We could say that we are lucky to have the freedom to choose any religion we want, the freedom to be in a relationship with the person we love, the freedom to vote for our government officials…the list goes on.

We are not lucky. People fought for our rights and our freedoms. Our freedom to chose should be celebrated, and that’s what World Freedom Day is all about.

World Freedom Day was first observed to commemorate the fall of the Berlin Wall and the reunification of loved ones separated by differing ideologies.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

Here Are Today’s Tips For Building Your Resiliency And Celebrating World Freedom Day:

Read, listen and watch news stories about what is happening around the world. Expand your knowledge so that you can appreciate what you have because of the freedom to choose. Recognize that many people in the world who are still fighting for their own freedoms and liberties.

With Remembrance Day only a few days away, give appreciation to all those who had and have the courage to insist on a better future for themselves, their families, and their country.

Want to make sure that you don’t miss out on any of my weekly postings? Follow Work Smart Live Smart on FaceBook

#mentalhealth #hr

TIP 1509 - Wishing You Had More Time?

Wouldn’t it be nice to have ample time…Really?

More than enough time to get the things done that we would like to be able to get done?

Do you remember the 1996 movie “Multiplicity” with Michael Keaton? 

I would love to have several clones of myself all existing at the same time to get all of the many things done that I wanted to get done.  There would be the Magnificent Mom. The Grateful Gardener. The World Renown Stress Speaker and the Magnificent Marketer who could pump out websites and create marketing materials faster than a speeding bullet.  I am sure that I could think of more me’s that I would need, but even 1 or 2 would be a great start.

Since this is not likely to happen, Here Are Today’s Tips For Building Your Resiliency And Celebrating Ample Time Day:

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

Know what your priorities are in each area of your life.  Write them down.  Once we know what is important to us, it is a lot easier to make decisions about how we use our time in the best way possible.

Watch out for ‘black holes’ that seem to suck a lot of our time away.  These activities may be enjoyable, they may be part of your relaxation program, but they also tend to eat up more time then we allocated or expected.

Finally, make sure that you are taking care of yourself, otherwise you will be tired out and lack the energy to use your time wisely. 

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 1508 – Drowsy Driving Kills

Some days I am so tired that I can’t think straight or even focus my eyes. This is an awful feeling, especially if this fatigue hits while I am driving. Has this ever happened to you?

Over 60% of adults say they have driven drowsy in the past year. And 4% have had an accident or near accident because they were too tired, or they actually dozed off while driving.

Drowsy Driving kills

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

Here Are Today’s Tips For Building Your Resiliency And Celebrating National Drowsy Driving Prevention Week:

Know that even one night of sleep loss or poor sleep can put you at risk of drowsy driving. But certain people have a higher risk of drowsy driving than others. So be aware if you have a sleep disorder, work shifts or are taking medications as these can increase your risk for drowsy driving.

Rolling down the windows or turning up the volume on the radio will do little to increase your alertness while driving. So try to get a full night of seven to eight hours of sleep before driving. Avoid driving late at night or alone. And if you need to pull over at a rest stop and take a nap.

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 1507 – Zerotasking

Sometimes when we try to multi-task, we may actually freeze up, lock up, or quit performing at our peak.

There is so much pressure to get things done in a day, that we try to split our focus and work on several things at once. 

Researchers have studied human multi-tasking for the past 25 years or so and have found that the brain cannot fully focus when multi-tasking. We take longer to complete tasks, often double or more the time, and are predisposed to error.  

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

Here Are My Tips For Building Resilience and Celebrating ZeroTasking Day:

Today is the day to take it easy, give up multitasking, and try doing nothing. Not for the whole day. But try for an hour. And if that is too long, try 20 minutes. See how you feel and if being anxious was the only thing that you could focus on, know that being able to be still for a moment and quiet your mind and body takes practise. If you weren’t successful, try again next weekend.

Finally, let go of the idea that the more we tackle at any given time, the more productive we will be.

Maintain your productivity by setting your priorities for a focused period of time and don’t let distractions take you off course. 

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

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 1506 – Upping The Happiness Factor

Does your company have a happiness engineer?

Should it have one?

Big Viking Games in London, Ontario hired happiness engineers to create a low stress work environment in a high-stress industry.

Their arsenal of happiness includes daily catered lunches a soft-serve ice cream machine and even puppies.

The founder hopes that this will help them to attract the best people.

His theory seems to be proving itself.

His company was named one of the Top 10 Medium Business Employers in Canada by the Great Places To Work Institute.

Hiring a happiness engineer may not be an option for all companies however, all companies can benefit from upping the happiness factor in their workplace.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

So Here Are Today's Tips For Building Resiliency And Celebrating International Games Day:

Bring fun to your workplace. It may include games or challenges.

Ask your team what suggestions, large and small, will create a happier workplace for them. Even small steps are noticed and appreciated.

Remember you will not be able to please everyone or make everyone happy, but the majority will respect your efforts.

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

#mentalhealth #hr

TIP 1505 - Using Your Common Sense

Why is common sense not so common?

Common sense is one of the most revered qualities in the workplace. People with common sense are seen as reasonable, down-to-earth, reliable, and practical but here's the catch.

Common sense is neither common nor sense.

If common sense was common, then most people wouldn't make the kinds of decisions they do. Every day people wouldn't buy stuff they couldn't afford. They wouldn't smoke cigarettes or eat junk food. They wouldn't gamble.

In other words people wouldn't do a multitude of things that are clearly not good for them.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency

So Here Are My Tips For Building Resiliency In Celebrating Use Your Common-Sense Day:

Trusting in common sense can cause us to make poor rather than sound judgments.

Gather the facts.

Look at past experience and talk to others before making decisions which could have dire consequences.

Keep an open mind to all the possibilities, rather than just confirming the solution that you want to see.

And finally, while we often think with our emotions, this can lead to negative outcomes.

There are times when it's better to think with our analytic brain instead of our heart.

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 1504 - Giving Up On Gossip

Most of us do it and some of us even started.

It is frowned upon publicly, but privately, it is often indulged in.

If you're a professional gossiper, then you can make money through publishing it in magazine and newspaper columns or even through your own talk show.

However, in some places around the world it is seen as downright criminal.

Workplace gossip can destroy.

Gossip is thought to empower one person while disempowering another, accordingly many companies have formal policies in their employee handbook against gossip.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

Here are Today's Tips For Building Resiliency And Celebrating And Gossip Day:

Gossiping is a reflection of who you are at the core.

Consider the conversations that you have. Are they serving a purpose? Is that purpose constructive. Is it focusing on solving issues or just to draw people to your side?

It can be hard to avoid gossip. Become skilled at walking away or changing the subject. If you can, focus  the conversation on problem solving instead of allowing the attack to continue.

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

#mentalhealth #hr