86.7K
Downloads
2297
Episodes
Hope, Health, and Happiness. Would you like to live your life with less stress and more happiness? Discover how to take small steps towards a healthier, happier, more resilient you. Stress is a powerful force in life. It can bring about illness, destroy relationships and cause chaos. There is not a one-size-fits-all coping strategy for dealing with stress. Our goal is to put a plan together that helps us to deal with the sources of stress, take care of ourselves during those stressful times, and allows us to reach out to those around us for support. The Work Smart Live Smart flash briefing focuses on helping you to Harness Your Energy, Build Your Resiliency and Protect Your Mental Health!
Episodes
Tuesday Apr 21, 2020
EP 577– I’ll Do It
Tuesday Apr 21, 2020
Tuesday Apr 21, 2020
The most rewarding experiences that I have had have come from volunteering. Especially my time developing youth groups, being on boards for various charities and associations, and fundraising for my children’s sport programs. In fact, I would guestimate that about ¼ of my time is given to volunteering.
Over a quarter of Canadians aged 15 and over volunteered for a charitable or non-profit organization last year. And though we think of women volunteering more than men, men contributed more volunteer hours on average than women.
Volunteering is a way of connecting yourself to the larger society and connection is critical when it comes to dealing with the sources of stress that we face.
By far the most commonly cited barriers were those related to time.
So Here are today’s Hot Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Volunteer Week:
If you are a volunteer, talk about your experiences to others. Positive role models are needed, especially by our younger generations.
If you are looking for volunteers for your organization, be clear about the expectations, make commitments short and ASK. Many have difficulty holding up their hand to volunteer, but would say yes if asked in person.
Discover how to take small steps towards a healthier, happier, less-stressed you by visiting my website at worksmartlivesmart.com
Monday Apr 20, 2020
EP 576 – Find The Positive In All Of The Negative
Monday Apr 20, 2020
Monday Apr 20, 2020
The pandemic continues. Social isolation for several more weeks. Jobs lost.
We get bombarded every day with negative news stories. Often to the point where we see the world as a very difficult place to live. For some, it may get to the point of wondering why any sane person would bring a child into this world.
All of this negativity has an impact. It impacts our outlook, our relationships and our health. Negativity is contagious and a major health hazard.
We need to balance these negative news stories with positive and inspirational stories. Positive stories and experiences have a positive impact on our health. A recent review of more than 160 studies on the connection between a positive state of mind and overall health and longevity has found that happier people enjoy better health and longer lives.
So Here are today’s Hot Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Inspirational News Week:
We need to be informed and I am not suggesting that we keep our ‘head in the sand’ when it comes to difficult issues. But make sure that you don’t get sucked into the negativity that is around you.
Be proactive and look for the positive ‘stories’. Share these stories.
And if you have children, watch what you share with them. We can easily skew their perception of the world if we only share the negative. Inspire them with stories of how others have taken on a difficult situation and found ways to overcome.
Remember: Negative breeds negative and positive can inspire positive.
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
Sunday Apr 19, 2020
EP 575 – Meditation To Mend The Mind
Sunday Apr 19, 2020
Sunday Apr 19, 2020
Our minds can not operate on ‘full throttle’ all day long. Focus meditation helps to clear the mind of racing, cluttered thoughts by focusing our energies on a particular image or thought. Gradually distracting thoughts will decrease during meditation. This strategy helps to restore mental balance by providing a break in our hectic day. By allowing our mind to slow down it is better able to focus when we return to the task at hand.
So Here are today’s Hot Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Stress Awareness Day:
All that is needed is a quiet environment, a comfortable position, a mental image or positive thought in which to focus on, and an attitude that will permit relaxation to happen. Meditating or focusing on music or a relaxing video can give the mind a needed break from stressful events such as conflict, problem-solving, and high energy output.
Guided imagery is a visualization technique, that goes one step further than mediation, by actually engaging the senses within the body to deliver a variety of messages. It can be used to reduce blood pressure, lower cholesterol, reduce muscle tension, and increase energy. Your body responds to these positive images in the same way it would, if the image was ‘real’.
There is no way we can not get rid of all of our stress, nor do we want to. What we want to do is to reduce our negative reactions to stress so that we don’t become sick, worn down, and worn out. Start by adding one relaxation technique to your daily checklist of things to do.
Looking for more tips to build your resiliency? Look for my book on Amazon called Stress Out. 52 Weeks To Letting More Life In
Saturday Apr 18, 2020
EP 574 – Husband Appreciation
Saturday Apr 18, 2020
Saturday Apr 18, 2020
Now, I must admit that I am not the best at letting my husband know how much I appreciate everything that he does. He is a wonderful man, a great friend, a good listening post, a terrific father, handyman excellente and very supportive of all of the things that I am involved with.
Like many people, I spend more time thinking about what could be different, what hasn’t been done and what I wish he would do, then letting him know what I am thankful for.
So Here are today’s Hot Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Husband Appreciation Day:
Take a moment and think about how life would be terribly different without this person in your life
Let them know a couple of the little things that they do that make you smile
Give a hug for no reason
Use funny Post-It Notes and stick them in their car, their briefcase or lunch bag
Send a cheerful email to them at work (not one that reminds them to pick up a few groceries on their way home)
Being able to appreciate others benefits not only your relationship but also your own mood and perspective on life. Look for the things that are going right and they will start to over-shadow those things that may not be just as we would like them to be.
Discover how to take small steps towards a healthier, happier, less-stressed you by visiting my website at worksmartlivesmart.com
Friday Apr 17, 2020
EP 573 – Mustang Sally
Friday Apr 17, 2020
Friday Apr 17, 2020
It debuted at the World Fair on April 17, 1964. It was featured on the covers of Newsweek and Time magazines and appeared on the silver screen in the James Bond movie “Goldfinger” that same year.
Here’s another hint: It was built for the working man and it sold almost 400,000 in the first year.
What am I referring to: The Ford Mustang and today is the day that all Mustang owners and enthusiasts celebrate.
So Here are today’s Hot Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Ford Mustang Day:
My husband and I own a 1965 Mustang. Sally is numbers matching, which means that she is in her original condition. She is part of our resiliency tool belt, as during the summer months, we take Sally out for drives in the country. Mostly to find a good ice cream cone or to enter her in a car show. Driving around is about savouring the summer.
Whether you're into gardening, fixing up vintage cars, or even soduko puzzles, research has found that hobbies are just as important to good health as exercise is, thanks to their ability to relieve stress.
This study found that people who engaged in leisure activities were 34% less stressed, reported feeling happier, and their heart rate was lower.
It didn't seem to matter what the participants did just so long as it was something they deeply enjoyed.
So on this day of celebrating the iconic Mustang, find something that you enjoy and be immersed in it. Your health will thank you for it.
Discover how to take small steps towards a healthier, happier, less-stressed you by visiting my website at worksmartlivesmart.com
Thursday Apr 16, 2020
EP 572 – Would You Wear Your PJs To Work
Thursday Apr 16, 2020
Thursday Apr 16, 2020
No need to get dressed up for work today. You can ditch the shoes too. Today is wear your pjs to work day, along with a pair of fuzzy bunny slippers.
For me, I regularly wear my pjs to work. 15 steps down from my bedroom and 15 steps into my office and I am at work. And since I am the boss, there is not a dress code. Unless, I am going out to speak somewhere, then, I shower up, beautify and dress in my best.
Whether or not you want to wear your pjs to work, today is a day to ditch the stress. Focus on self-care and let loose.
So Here are today’s Hot Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Wear Your PJs To Work Day:
Have fun with this day. Many celebrities, radio stations and tv shows are celebrating, so why not you? Have your own pajama party – even if it is on-line. You may want to ensure a few rules, such as ensuring appropriate body coverage. Give prizes for the loudest pajamas or the craziest designs.
If the day has passed and you didn’t wear your pjs to work in, put them on as soon as you are done. For me, there is nothing as relaxing as a cozy, comfy pair of pjs. My kids know exactly what to get me for my birthday and I love all of them. In pajamas you can be yourself.
Pjs are also great on Saturdays and Sundays that are lounge all-day days. How about Pjs, a movie and hot chocolate or ice cream or other wonderful treats.
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
Wednesday Apr 15, 2020
EP 571 – Life Sucks and Then It Doesn’t
Wednesday Apr 15, 2020
Wednesday Apr 15, 2020
Life as we know it has changed. And for many who are isolated from their school mates, friends, family and colleagues, or who have lost their job, or who have gotten sick, life may be pretty crappy right now.
Life isn’t fair. Life sucks. Then it gets better. Then it can suck again.
All we are required to do, is to take one day, or one moment at a time. To keep moving ourselves forward.
Like is a journey of a million steps and hopefully we don’t stop too often and want to turn back.
So Here are today’s Hot Tips For Building Your Resiliency and Celebrating Life Sucks Day:
It is OK to be sad, or mad, to cry, to be frustrated, to feel angry, jealous, anxious and scared.
It is okay to feel.
Set you intentions on those things that you can control and use that sense of control to show you that 100% of your life, right now, does not suck. Some of it may, but not 100%
Focus in on the things that you can be grateful for. However small that may be.
Finally, hold on to HOPE.
HOPE for me stands for Hold On. Possibility Exists.
Strategic Hope forces me to take action and that action is based on problem solving what I can control. And when I have a sense of control, I don’t feel so sucky.
The circle of life.
Hold on…it’s going to be okay.
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.
Tuesday Apr 14, 2020
EP 570 - Make A Friend Not Foe
Tuesday Apr 14, 2020
Tuesday Apr 14, 2020
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.
Monday Apr 13, 2020
EP 569 - National Women’s Nutrition Week
Monday Apr 13, 2020
Monday Apr 13, 2020
It’s 3 o’clock in the afternoon, you are irritated, your head is fuzzy and your eyes are having trouble focusing. You would love to find a corner and go to sleep, but there is no time. How about a coffee or a chocolate bar?
Most of us instinctively reach for sweets or caffeine to give relief from the morning sluggishness or afternoon slump. We use sweets as a way of helping ourselves through stressful times. Those strategies might help, temporarily, but there is a downside to these methods. Poor eating strategies affect our brain chemistry and cause fatigue, apathy, apprehension, edginess and the blues.
So Here are today’s Hot Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Women’s Nutrition Month:
Avoid The Sugar Blues.
Eat breakfast, lunch and dinner. Smaller balance meals are preferable to large meals.
Use exercise or stretching to increase energy and lift the ‘fog’.
Include fish in your weekly diet as the essential fatty acids they contain increase energy and improve mood.
Don’t confuse thirst with hunger. Drinking a cool glass of water can boost energy in the middle of the afternoon slump.
Have healthy snacks readily available. Plan ahead and keep them in desk drawers, lockers or even in the glove box of your car
We have all heard the saying ‘We are what we eat’, but most of us connect this with the body’s physical reactions. Our brain is just as dependent on the food that we consume.
Healthy food choices help us avoid the erratic blood sugar levels and associated mood swings. Plan your snacks ahead of time and avoid the sugar blues.
Looking for more tips to build your resiliency? Look for my book on Amazon called Stress Out. 52 Weeks To Letting More Life In
Sunday Apr 12, 2020
EP 568 – Walk On Your Wild Side
Sunday Apr 12, 2020
Sunday Apr 12, 2020
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
Saturday Apr 11, 2020
EP 567– Mental Health Boosting Power Of Pets
Saturday Apr 11, 2020
Saturday Apr 11, 2020
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.
Friday Apr 10, 2020
EP 566 – Celebrating Siblings
Friday Apr 10, 2020
Friday Apr 10, 2020
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
Thursday Apr 09, 2020
EP 565 – Express Yourself Through Poetry
Thursday Apr 09, 2020
Thursday Apr 09, 2020
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
Wednesday Apr 08, 2020
EP 564– Sleep Tight and Don’t Let The Bad Energy Bite
Wednesday Apr 08, 2020
Wednesday Apr 08, 2020
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
Tuesday Apr 07, 2020
EP 563– Motivation and Wellness
Tuesday Apr 07, 2020
Tuesday Apr 07, 2020
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
Monday Apr 06, 2020
EP 562 – Controlling Conflict
Monday Apr 06, 2020
Monday Apr 06, 2020
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
Sunday Apr 05, 2020
EP 561 – Remembering Date Night
Sunday Apr 05, 2020
Sunday Apr 05, 2020
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
Saturday Apr 04, 2020
EP 560 – Early Detection Is Key
Saturday Apr 04, 2020
Saturday Apr 04, 2020
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
Friday Apr 03, 2020
EP 559 - How Not To Let Social Phobias Derail You
Friday Apr 03, 2020
Friday Apr 03, 2020
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
Thursday Apr 02, 2020
EP 558 - Make Sure You Stay Safe
Thursday Apr 02, 2020
Thursday Apr 02, 2020
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