Work Smart Live Smart with Beverly Beuermann-King

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.

EP 1154 – 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.

So Here Are Today’s Hot 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

 

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EP 1153 - The Truth About Stuff

Is Your Stuff Starting To Take Over?

I have a lot of stuff!  I use some stuff regularly, some is more seasonal.  There’s also stuff that hardly sees the light of day and other stuff, is just stuff taking up space.

Now is a good time to look and see how you can use less stuff or get rid of the stuff that you have. 

Here Are Today’s Hot Tips For Building Your Resiliency And Celebrating Use Less Stuff Day:

As you are preparing to clean and decorate your home for the holidays, take a few extra moments to evaluate whether or not you need the stuff that you are organizing or cleaning around.

Get rid of items that are useful, but you have too many of.

As we cleaned out grandma’s house when she moved into a nursing home, it amazed me how much stuff we really do accumulate over the years. She had piles of bowls, though I could only remember her using one or two favourites. There were things that she had received as gifts that she was waiting for the right occasion to use…in 91 years, I guess that the right occasion never came around.

Use Less Stuff Day is an awareness day to take stock and make choices about the stuff that we gather, organize and clean around. It is the day to ask if our stuff is taking over our lives. 

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 1152 – 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.

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

EP 1151 - 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.

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

EP 1150 - 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.

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.

EP 1149 - 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.

Here Are Today’s Hot 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.

EP 1148 - 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.

Here Are Today’s Hot 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!