Work Smart Live Smart with Beverly Beuermann-King

EP 934 - Make A Friend Not Foe

Have You Ever Had A Dog Bite You?

I was only two.  In my mind, I vaguely remember being in our living room with my mom while she was crying and talking on the phone to the hospital.  I remember being in the emergency room.  And before all of this, I have a fleeting memory of being out at the barn and our dog.  Somehow, our dog thought that I was going to steal his food, though I had been out there numerous times.  On this particular occasion, he snapped at me and bit me, just missing my eye.

Even the calmest, most loving dog can get snappy when sat on, stepped on or when they feel fear for themselves or their family.

My experience could have left me scarred in many more ways than just the one that I carry on my face.  Today, I am a dog lover. I don’t fear them, but I do have a very healthy respect for them.

So Here are today’s Hot Tips For Protecting Yourself And Celebrating Dog Bite Prevention Week:

The Canadian Safety Council estimates that in 70% of dog bite cases the victim knew the dog.  Parents need to teach their children how to interact safely with Fido.

NEVER disturb a dog who is sleeping, eating, or caring for puppies.

NEVER pet a dog, even your own, without letting him see and sniff you first.

Dogs that haven’t been properly socialized, receive little attention or handling, or are left tied up for long periods of time frequently turn into biters.  Be a responsible pet owner.

Properly train and socialize your dog, and teach it submissive behaviors like giving up food without growling.

Cynophobia is an irrational fear of dogs. If you find that your fear of dogs is excessive and you can’t easily avoid them, seek out the help of a professional counselor, psychologist or psychiatrist.

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 933 – Walk On Your Wild Side

Do you walk on the wild side?

Or have you given in to the every-day routines of life?

Here are today’s Hot Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Walk On Your Wild Side Day:

Take the Walk On Your Wild Side Challenge.

Use this day to plan something out of the ordinary, unusual or even extraordinary.

Better yet, don’t plan something, just do it.

It doesn’t have to be something dangerous, just a bit quirky or different from the everyday.

What about spraying your hair your favourite colour?

Or dressing up like a famous rock star or movie character?

Or maybe it is to get up on stage and belt out your favourite tune at a karaoke bar? How about the 1972 song, Walk On The Wild Side, by Lou Reed?

Let yourself be free and unencumbered.

Share the moment with #wildside and encourage others to add more joy to their life too!

PS My most recent wild side display was going to a big-hair 80’s band concert…dressed in authentic garb of the day.

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 932– Mental Health Boosting Power Of Pets

Research shows that pets can provide excellent social support, stress relief and numerous other mental health benefits.

Pets can be there for you in ways that people can’t. They can offer love and companionship, and can be the best antidote to loneliness.

Pets can increase your sense of purpose in life. Researchers found that elderly people who owned pets had better everyday well being than those that didn’t own pets. When you have meaning and purpose, you are less likely to feel depressed, isolated, and lonely.

Pets connect to our nurturing side. Pets learn to sense emotions from humans. If the human is withdrawn the pet senses that something is wrong or different and attempts to change the human’s behavior.

So Here are today’s Hot Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Pet Day:

If you have a pet, take the time to be focused while in their presence

Today is the day to create public awareness about the plight of many different kinds of animals awaiting a forever home

One simple thing that we can do is to assist an ill, elderly or a financially struggling neighbor or friend by purchasing pet food, hay or needed items for their pets.

No one should be separated from their pet family member when they need them the most.

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 931 – Celebrating Siblings

It is usually the longest relationship in our life. If you have brothers or sisters, then you will know that rivalry and love can exist in the same relationship. Siblings are a part of who we are, and that shared history is what makes this relationship so valuable.

Did you know that research has shown that healthy sibling relationships can significantly benefit us later in life’ The quality of sibling relationships is one of the most important predictors of mental health in old age, according to The American Journal of Psychiatry. Research shows that people who are emotionally close to their siblings have higher life satisfaction and lower rates of depression later in life.

An agreeable relationship between siblings isn’t always a given. It takes work.

Today is the day to let your siblings know how much you appreciate them. Sibling Day is a way of honouring that special bond that can exist between siblings.

So Here are today’s Hot Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Siblings Day:

• Post a photo with your siblings using the hashtag #NationalSiblingsDay
• Reach out and share a special memory of the two of you growing up together
• Plan for connection time and share goals. Aging changes us into vastly different people, and it’s entirely possible your sibling might not even know who you truly have become as an adult. Open up, share, and learn about each other
• Finally, just as you might regularly tell your spouse or partner you love them, siblings need those reassurances too.

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

EP 930 – Express Yourself Through Poetry

Today is the day to share your favourite poem with your friends and co-workers. You may share the actual piece of paper you wrote it on, or you can Tweet it or FB it. Poetry can be shared at any time.

Poetry can be a mantra for living.  It can express your emotions.  Sometimes it can remind us of those we have loved or lost.  Poetry can give a spiritual connection.  It can provide you with a new perspective, and it can transport you.

One of my favourites for living my life is by Dylan Thomas.  Life is to be lived, not watched.

Do not go gentle into that good night, Old age should burn and rave at close of day;

Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Sometimes we find lessons in poems that are bang on.

So Here are today’s Hot Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Poetry Month:

Go through your old books and re-visit some of the poems that use to connect to your heart

Search through the Internet to find some old classics or to read what a younger generation is writing about

Write your own poem to express your gratitude or your emotions.  It can help you to go deeper and sort out all that you are experiencing

Share your poems with others

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 929 – Sleep Tight and Don’t Let The Bad Energy Bite

Getting a full night’s sleep is up there on the list of things that can make you an energetic, happier person. That quality and quantity can be impacted by poor feng shui in your bedroom. By being aware of some of the principles of feng shui, your bedroom can promote healing, love, and energy.

So Here are today’s Hot Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Feng Shui Awareness Day:

Meeting the feng shui bed guidelines starts with a solid headboard, good mattress, good frame height, and no storage underneath.

Choose Your Bedroom to be at the back-end of your home. The back-end of our homes are usually much quieter and your sleep is less likely to be disrupted.

Position your head so that you can see the door and have your headboard against the wall. This gives you a subtle sense of security that’ll help you fall asleep easier. The feng shui commanding position is the area furthest diagonally from the door, but not in line with it.

Only have things that bring you joy and help your energy

Work and sleep don’t mix, so avoid work-related furniture in the bedroom.

Get rid of “light pollution” that causes sleepless nights. Use black out curtains if necessary.

Remove all electronics from easy-access to your bed, and you can find your sleep quality improve.

Keep your bedroom free of clutter including underneath your bed. A clean and organized bedroom is more visually relaxing and less likely to invoke frustration and agitation that lower your sleep quality.

Feng shui is often misconstrued as a complicated, confusing process, however, just follow a few basic principles. Keep clutter at a minimum, have plenty of natural light and fill your home with rounded or curved furniture to allow energy to flow more freely throughout a space.

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

EP 928 - How Not To Let Social Phobias Derail You

I have a Social Phobia.  It produces extreme reactions in me. 

I am a stress and wellness speaker.  I can stand up in front of hundreds of people.  However, put me into a situation where I am being graded, evaluated, or tested and I fold. I think that I have FNE or fear of negative evaluation.

This became obvious when I went to a karate grading.  It wasn’t even really being graded. It was being pre-graded for my black belt.  When the big day came, it overwhelmed me. 

When I think back, I know that this happened at every skating competition and every piano recital.

So Here are today’s Hot Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Stress Awareness Month:

Many employees hate the performance appraisal to the point where they make them physically ill.  Often in these situations, they miss any positive comments and hear only the areas that were cited as needing to improve. 

As employers, flexibility is needed.  Not all performance appraisals need to be delivered in person.  Allow people to choose how they want to proceed. 

If you have a social phobia, know that to overcome a fear takes work. You need to slowly learn how to challenge some of the unhelpful thoughts that the fear generates.

Expose yourself to your social phobia in a safe way.  Plan and practice your stress strategies ahead of time so that they are like second nature during your exposure.

Ask for help.  Let others support you during those stressful times.

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

EP 927 - 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.

So Here are today’s Hot 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

EP 926 – Controlling Conflict

April celebrates Conflict Awareness Month.

Celebrates sounds like a funny word to use when we are talking about conflict, but there are benefits to conflict including:

Becoming aware of issues within your team

Encouraging change in the way things are done

Stimulating creativity and bonding as you work to solve the conflict

And Promoting decision-making.

Conflict becomes difficult to manage when personalities hinder the process.

So Here are today’s Hot Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Conflict Awareness Month:

Understanding why some team members become more difficult or negative, and when they are more likely to act that way, can prevent that build up of tension from happening, that may prevent the team from productively solving the conflict.

So why are people difficult?

For some, negative attitudes and behaviours are expressed when they are stressed out and just don’t have the energy to use better communication skills, judgment and manners.

Our goal is to stop rewarding these irritating behaviours. To do this, we must understand what employees expect to gain from being so difficult. Some want to feel more in control. Some want to feel important and listened to, and some want to avoid outright conflict, but will act out their annoyance or disagreement through other negative behaviours. By finding the strategies to meet their needs and lower their stress, they may be better able to focus on solving the conflict.

The difficulty behind these attitudes and behaviours is that they are highly “toxic.” It is important that we practise good self-care so that our stress doesn’t add more negativity to the situation.

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

EP 925 – Motivation and Wellness

As wellness leaders and wellness cheerleaders know, it is often not a lack of information that our team’s face.  It is about finding a stronger motivation to fight the no’s and the excuses.

Look for example at your smoking cessation programs.  I would venture to say that almost everyone who smokes know that it is harming them in one way or the other.  It is not until someone has a clear mental picture as to what the benefits are or how they see their life without smoking, that they can even hope to be successful. 

So Here are today’s Hot Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Physical Wellness Month:

Help people to have a picture in their head of what life will look like when they have achieved their wellness goal. 

 So, my picture, is to be able to still run a successful business and to have the creativity and motivation to keep trying new things.  It is to be teaching karate to young boys and girls when I am older.  I want to be that cool grandma that goes on the roller coaster rides and can walk along the beach. I want to be in my gardens, and I want to stay living in my two-story house.  I want to be sure-footed and not afraid to go out and about.  I want my back to be straight and my eyes looking forward, not hunched and looking at the ground.  So I try to walk at least a couple of times every week, sometimes, complaining the whole way.  I go to karate class as often as I can. I throw the frisbee in the snow, because even though it’s only the dog getting exercise, I am taking in the benefits of the light that will positively impact my mood and energy.

There are so many wellness programs that you could host at your workplace. How are those programs going to help your team be who they picture themselves being? 

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

EP 924 – Remembering Date Night

I remember date night…That was before hockey and weekends at the rink. That was before school projects and helping out with math homework.  And that was before going to bed before 9:00 was a matter of survival.  With today’s chaotic pace, it is easy to take your partner for granted.

When we first fall in love, everything is excitingly-new. But, as the novelty factor starts to wane, we settle into more of a routine. That’s when excitement can be replaced by boredom.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. Research shows that couples can regain that excitement in their relationship by trying something new together.  Experiencing new things triggers the release of two brain chemicals, dopamine and norepinephrine — the same ones released when you’re newly in love.

So Here are today’s Hot Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Couple Appreciation Month:

Start going on dates again.

Plan a road trip to nowhere.

Go for a walk in the park and hold hands the entire time.

Cook a special dinner together just for the two of you.

Leave a quick note on the mirror, their gym bag, or their briefcase/purse to make them smile.

Take a minute to think about how much more enjoyable they make your life, and then tell them.

These are my suggestions, but I am sure that there are things that you did before that you would like to do again or new things that you would like to try with your partner.  So go ahead – what’s stopping you? (nothing should be stopping you!)  Nothing can be more important then ensuring that your relationship stays rock solid.

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

EP 923 – Early Detection Is Key

I had no idea. There will be nearly 9,000 new cases of Testicular Cancer diagnosed during this year and more than 300 young men will die from the disease because they didn’t catch it in time. That is more deaths than women in this age group who will die of breast cancer.)

Testicular Cancer is the most common cancer in men ages 15-40, that time when we don’t want to admit the possibility of illness.  However, if detected early, it is among the easiest to cure.

So Here are today’s Hot Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Testicular Cancer Awareness Week:

You are never too young or too old to do a self-exam.  Teach young boys just like we do teen girls to do a self-exam.  It should not be embarrassing, and it does save lives.

Know the risk factors:

Age: Most testicular cancers occur between the ages of 15 and 40.

The main risk factor for testicular cancer are undescended testicle(s).

A family history of testicular cancer increases the risk.

Race and ethnicity: The risk of testicular cancer among white American men is about five times that of African-American men and more than double that of Asian-American men.

Talk about it. Private parts are private, but knowing how to detect an illness early is just as essential as the ‘birds and the bees’.

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

EP 922 - Fun Deficiency Syndrome

Today we fight the perils of FDS: Fun Deficiency Syndrome on this National Fun Day

Today is also Wet Monday.  A tradition that was grew out of splashing holy water to a university wide water fight.  Now, that sounds like fun!

It is also National Deep Dish Pizza Day – how about squishing some dough and making your own pizzas. That could be fun and probably not too messy!

Cheap, But Fun Things To Do

A lack of money shouldn’t mean a lack of fun.  There are lots of fun things to do that don’t require any money at all.  Play dress up or make-believe with your kids.  Go and ride your bike.  Take a walk at the beach or along a nature trail and see what spring has to offer.  Play catch or Frisbee with your dog.

Fun can take place at work as well.  This is also Laugh At Work Week – so check out our posting on this celebration for things that you can do at work.

When we are having fun we forget ourselves.  Fun includes happiness, amusement, exhilaration, laughter and joy.  However, we lose our sense of fun as we age if we do not nourish it regularly.

Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Fun Day:

Do something fun today – anything – but don’t let the day pass without having some fun!

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

 

 

EP 921 - Is Your Sleepiness Serious?

According to American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine the accident risk is two to six times higher for those suffering from sleep apnea than it is for regular drivers. Everyday, car crashes are caused by drivers with sleep apnea falling asleep at the wheel.

I grew up with people who snored.  I thought that everyone did.  And I thought, like most people, that it was no big deal.  However, people with untreated sleep apnea are more likely to have motor vehicle crashes, hypertension, heart attacks, irregular heartbeat stroke, depression, impotence and diabetes.

Do You Think You May Have Sleep Apnea?

Are you often very sleepy throughout the day?

Do others tell you that you snore or have short pauses in your breathing while you sleep?

Are you known to choke, gasp, or hold your breath while asleep?

Do you think you get a full night’s sleep most nights but still wake up tired?

Are you overweight?

The Public Health Agency of Canada found that 26%of Canadian adults aged 18 years and older are estimated to be at high risk for having sleep apnea and only 5% of people at high risk have been tested for the condition.

Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Sleep Apnea Day:

If in doubt, get it checked out.  Go to see your doctor and ask for a referral to a sleep clinic.

Decrease your risk. You can control your diet and weight, how much you exercise, how you use alcohol and caffeine and whether you smoke.  All of these can lower your risk for sleep apnea.

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 920 - Celebrating I Am In Control Day

“I am in Control Day” is a call to action.  It is your chance to get things in order and under control.

We humans have a powerful need to control the world around us.  In the same respect, not being in control, creates an enormous amount of stress.  As we evolved, being in control of our environment increased our chance of survival. It gave us a sense of certainty, completion, understanding, and predictability.

When we can’t completely control something, then we can use trust, routines and rules to help us with a sense of control.  We trust authority figures to keep us safe and make the right decisions.  We can also trust in a ‘higher’ power.  Routines and rules help to keep things more predictable.

Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating I Am In Control Day:

Take a deep breath and relax. The stress response can be fought by inducing the relaxation response. 

Assess the situation.  Gather the facts.  Sometimes just having all the information about what you are facing can help you to feel more in control.  Be sure that you are not over-exaggerating the situation.

Next, ask yourself what you can do to problem solve the situation? What choices can you make that will help you resolve this?

Focus on the things that you do have control of, even if they are the little things.

 “Remember, we always have choice about the way we live our lives.  We may not be able to control everything and often control is more of an illusion.  But when we give up choosing, we truly are out of 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.

EP 919 - Celebrating Entrepreneurs

This day celebrates those entrepreneurs who had a desire to be their own boss and who went out and made it happen.  They are store owners, manufacturers, producers and service providers.  It is through determination and hard work that their success is possible.

The downside is that they probably sacrificed family time and personal care for this success.

In helping entrepreneurs in dealing with work-related stress issues, one of the key reasons I hear that many started their business, was to have control.  Control over the creative process.  Control over the service that they provided to others.  And most especially – control over themselves – How they worked and when they worked.

Often this control over when they worked and how they worked was quickly given away in an effort to grow their business. They became their own worse boss as they strived for success. 

Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day

Some advice if you are the business owner – remember why you started your own business and make sure that you are honouring that reason in the way that you conduct your business.

 Make sure that you are taking care of yourself so that you have the energy to continue to work hard in your business. Take several breaks throughout the day to restore your energy. Eat right. Have a life outside your business.  Stay connected to your family and friends.

The goal is to run a successful business and stay healthy and connected at the same time.

To everyone else: Thank those mom and pop business owners in your community who work hard to keep their business going strong

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 918 - Can Spring Cleaning Improve Your Mood?

Long ago are the days where the onset of spring meant that housewives everywhere, opened the windows, shook out the rugs and cleared out the closets. Usually, we are far too busy to dedicate a week or even a couple of days just to tackle spring cleaning.

Many of us have forgotten that spring cleaning can improve our mood.

Apparently, just like other types of exercise, the act of cleaning causes our bodies to release endorphins. And using lemon-scented cleaning products can help you de-stress as studies show that a citrus smell reduces stress and leaves a positive impression on others.

In light of today’s uncertainty and challenges, here are my Hot Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Spring-Cleaning Week:

• Don’t let other people should all over you, you get to decide what spring cleaning may look like for you.
• Pick one thing a week that you would like to tackle – it could be just the front closet or the upstairs windows.
• Enlist the help of family members. My long-time friend Laurie challenged her kids to organize her family photos.
• Find a way to get and keep your organization. Get rid of clutter. If it is not necessary – get rid of it and let someone else clean around it. With less to think about, there is bound to be less stress related to your physical space.

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

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

EP 917 - Be Bad

Marilyn Monroe said, “I never said I was a good girl,”

If you want to be a bad, then you've got to embrace the look and the attitude.

Being bad is an art.

One site I looked at, said that bad girls rock the sexy shoe. Apparently flip flops don’t cut it.

And sunglasses create an aura of mystery. Not sure my prescription progressive sunglasses count.

I also learned that my flannel pjs just don’t cut it. Better to go black leather. Can’t see it. I am not into bows and ruffles, but I do like my jammies.

I am not really hitting it out of the ballpark on this Be Bad Day.

Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Be Bad Day that may help you step into your Bad self:

Being Bad is about being confident. Confident to express yourself in any way, shape or form that you see appropriate. You are not afraid to try something new, even if it isn’t for everyone.

Being confident is about being able to say what you want and go after what you need. It is not about stepping on others to get there, but it is showing the persistence to make it happen.

Being confident attracts people to you. You aren’t afraid to talk to others. Being bad means that you can rely on your friends and step into your independence when you need to. You have your own interests and know how to take care of yourself.

Being bad, means that you are a survivor.

So, I might have a little bad in me…after all Joan Jett was one of my rocker heros.

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 916 - Being Optimistic Takes Work

What Is Optimism?

Wikipedia states that Optimism is to anticipate the best possible outcome.  Optimists generally believe that people and events are inherently good, so that most situations work out in the end for the best.

Optimism takes work.  Being pessimistic means you are stuck in identifying the problems over and over again.  Being optimistic means you have to move forward and do something about it.

Optimistic people are better at problem-solving - they move quickly from problem-identification to problem-solving. 

Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Optimism Month:

Act like an optimist.

Use the word choices and body posture of optimistic people. Use "upbeat" words instead of "upset" words - Challenged vs Overwhelmed.  Optimists take big steps, walk faster and stand taller. Pessimistic people shuffle their feet, take tiny steps, walk slowly and slouch.

Move quickly from problem-identification to problem-solving. We all get angry and upset, but the challenge is to move past these emotions and start looking for strategies and solutions that will help you to deal with that challenge.

Avoid emotional leeches. Minimize your contact with those who look on the down-side of everything, who criticize you or mock or sabotage your dreams and aspirations.

Remember

Optimists enjoy better health.

They find more success.

Optimistic people feel less stressed during stressful times.

Optimists tend to have more supportive networks and resources.

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

EP 915 – Cabin Fever And Going Stir Crazy

Cabin fever has taken on a brand-new meaning during this pandemic.

Cabin fever refers to the irritability or restlessness experienced when a person, or group, is stuck at an isolated location or in confined quarters for an extended period of time.

Along with irritability or boredom, feeling Stir Crazy may leave you sleepy or on the other extreme, unable to sleep. You may have a distrust of anyone you are with, or have an urge to go out somewhere, even when you know that it is not safe to do so.

Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Cabin Fever Month:

The cure is as simple as getting outside and interacting with nature.

The sounds of the forest, the scent of the trees, the sunlight playing through the branches, the fresh, clean air — these things give us a sense of comfort. They ease our stress and worry, help us to relax and to think more clearly. Being in nature can restore our mood, give us back our energy and vitality, refresh and rejuvenate us. Research has demonstrated that even brief interactions with nature can promote improved cognitive functioning, and overall well-being.

It is easy to let our perspective on life get distorted, especially during times of chaos and challenge. Sometimes we neglect doing the simple things that can help us to refocus, re-energize and restore our mental health.

An easy way to do that is to move from looking inwards at ourselves and our situation to moving outwards and noticing the awesome things that are occurring all around us.

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

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