Living Well

Tea Party

By in Living Well Tags: ,

Tea

Coffee. It’s delicious, has many flavors, and gives us much needed energy for those groggy mornings, but is it the best choice? Coffee can increase stress, cause an addiction that makes it hard to rely on the body’s natural sources of energy, and limit the detoxification of the liver.

But what about a new alternative? What about tea? Try something new for a change. Skip the coffee and brew some hot tea instead.

Some perks of drinking tea include: an immune system boost, lower risk of heart disease, and lower blood pressure. Tea is also a source of antioxidants and has anti-aging properties.

Want to make some, but not sure what to choose? Well, I can help you out with that too. There are five basic styles of tea.

  1. Oolong tea increases mental performance and alertness, and strengthens the bone to prevent decay.
  2. Black tea improves your cardiovascular health and reduces the formation of cavities or tooth decay.
  3. Green tea has a bunch of antioxidants and nutrients that can improve brain function and enhance weight loss.
  4. Pu-Erh tea cleanses the body’s blood and digestion, and prevents multiple diseases through its antioxidant properties.
  5. White tea fights cancer and maintains healthy skin by protecting it from ultraviolet rays. White tea also happens to be naturally sweet!

I’ve honestly always preferred tea over coffee, so forgive me if I sound biased. But really, replace coffee with tea for a week if you haven’t done so already. It’d be a new, refreshing experience, and you might even find yourself liking tea a bit more.

 

Positive Drinking!

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Water_Drop

Water. It’s something we all come across in our daily lives, hopefully more than once. But did you know that just like humans, water can be affected positively or negatively by word choice?

 Japanese scientist Masaru Emoto conducted experiments throughout the 1990s to show that water would form “beautiful crystals after giving good words, playing good music, and showing, playing, or offering pure prayer to water.” But with negative feedback, the structure of water would become “disfigured,” clumping up into blobs of molecules instead of crystalline shapes.

Amazing, right? Well, it doesn’t stop there. There happens to be more to this discovery.

Our bodies are made up of about 65% of water. And you know what that means? Our own molecular structure is actually influenced by what we hear in our everyday lives.

This just goes to show how much our own positivity can influence others greatly. And everyone always needs a little happiness during their day. So don’t be afraid to compliment someone’s outfit, or even smile and wave to the security guard at the desk on your way to work.

A little positivity can change a person’s day, and there’s nothing wrong with spreading a little love!

 

 

Toozhy, M. (2016, April 22). The effects of your positive words. The Huffington Post. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mehdi-toozhy/the-effects-of-your-posit_b_9557912.html

Relaxing With Your Kids?

By in Communication, Living Well, Relationship Awareness Tags: , , ,

Relaxing_With_Kids

It’s the middle of summer and you have a bit of time for yourself. However, it looks like you won’t have that break after all. Summer means no school, and no school means the kids are home. There they are running around and– oh gosh, there goes your mother’s favorite vase.

But don’t let those kids stop you from having your fun! Here are some relaxation techniques you can do, even with the extra presence of a few little rascals. And if you don’t have any kids, that’s fine! Take some time to try these activities on your own or with a few friends.

Step outside and get some fresh air. Studies show that fresh air can reduce stress significantly and increase productivity. Let your kids run around and burn off some energy while you sit back and relax with a new book.

It’s time to blow off steam. Scream your heart out on roller coasters, overcome your fears, and burn a few calories while you’re at it. Waiting in line is worth it if it boosts your mood or gives you some extra bonding moments.

All that beneficial fresh air (and finally putting down your phone for a couple of days) will allow you to relax and socialize with others, and you’ll get some extra hours of sleep in. Plus, it will appeal to your sense of adventure.

Just like you, kids get stressed as well. Take some time to stretch and embrace your tranquility with your little ones. Studies show that meditation with your kids will improve test scores and good habits, teaching kids to be more compassionate.

Ever hear of baking therapy? It might be messy, but it’s a good way to take your mind off things for a while. Small projects increase relaxation and happiness, and having a creative outlook will improve your sense of well-being and control over your life.

 

Keep Talking, You’re Just My Type

By in Communication, Living Well Tags: , , , ,

Texting_Not_Talking

Sorry, everyone. This is not relationship advice on how to flirt with that one guy you always see at the coffee shop before you leave.

Well, maybe it could be. It depends on how you use the information I’m about to tell you.

Six billion people have access to phones, and phones help us communicate. The entire world is right at our fingertips! But where is the line drawn? When does using our devices become too much?

In many conversations I’ve encountered, I have constantly seen people looking down to use their phones. Whether it’s another Snap they need to take, or a text they need to answer, it just doesn’t stop. And I’m not going to lie, it’s pretty annoying. What is so important that you don’t even have the common decency to pay attention?

Face-to-face conversations are important to human interaction.

The thing about online communication is it provides only a fraction of verbal communication and almost no non-verbal communication. When trying to relate to a person or trying to get to know someone better, both verbal and non-verbal communication is key. Both indicate different thoughts and feelings to the listener, but it’s something we lose when using online communication.

This isn’t the fault of our phones though.  It’s due to the human desire to not want to be alone or awkward. Nobody wants to be bored during a conversation, so we turn to our phones as a safe haven.

But the truth is, we need that moment of blunderingly fidgeting around to build better human relations with the people around us.

Sherry Tuckle wrote a book called Reclaiming Conversation. In this book, Tuckle came up with a way to alleviate this miscommunication and phone addiction: the seven-minute rule.

The seven-minute rule states that if you ever find yourself in a lull during a face-to-face conversation, give it seven minutes before you take your phone out.

The moment of boredom you so humanly dislike actually allows your brain to run through thoughts and come up with new ideas to talk about. You’re in a situation in which you have to come up with something to say, and you can use that to further the conversation with the people you’re talking to.

So the next time you ever feel awkward in a conversation, just wait around for a little while until you make the decision to take your phone out. Maybe you’ll gain a new friend. Or even that guy at the coffee shop.

 

 

Suttie, J. (2015, Dec. 7). How smartphones are killing conversation. The Greater Good Science Center. Retrieved from https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_smartphones_are_killing_conversation

Did a Coworker Insult You? Here’s What You Should Do.

By in Learning, Living Well Tags: ,

Insulted_Employee

Have you ever been insulted by a coworker? It’s not uncommon – even in the nicest, most harmonious workplace. For instance, you may have experienced one or more of the following:

  • You’re leading a meeting and one of the attendees won’t stop messing with her phone.
  • You’re making an important point when your coworker interrupts you and then dominates the conversation.
  • Your coworker keeps cancelling and rescheduling a meeting without giving a lot of thought to your schedule or time.
  • One of your coworkers arranges a get-together but forgets to invite you. (Or maybe he purposely didn’t invite you? Even worse!)

These slights and snubs can be really hurtful, and you might not know how to react. So what should you do if you’re insulted at work? Here are a few good options.

If the insult was fairly minor and it’s not a common occurrence:

  • Do nothing – If your coworker doesn’t usually insult you, or if the insult was pretty innocuous, it’s probably best to just let it go.
  • Try to view the event from the other person’s perspective – Maybe your insulting coworker was having a bad day or is really stressed out? It’s not really an excuse for bad behavior, but it might help to explain it. And it’s even more reason why you shouldn’t take it personally.
  • Talk to a friend – If you’re still feeling upset, talk to a friend about it and ask for feedback. Getting a friend’s perspective might help you to view the event in a new way. At the very least, it will probably help to alleviate your stress.

If the insult was significant and very upsetting:

  • Talk to the person CALMLY – Have a one-on-one conversation with the person who insulted you, but don’t get angry. Be calm and reasonable. Talk to the person about what happened and how you felt about it.
  • Listen – Allow the other person to respond and listen to what he or she has to say. There are two sides to every story. So try to be open to the other person’s perspective.
  • Talk, don’t type – Have this conversation face-to-face or over the phone. Don’t do it over email or via texts. With emails and texts, the risk of miscommunication is too great.

 

Malugani, M. (n.d.). Seven tips for dealing with office insults. Monster. Retrieved from https://www.monster.com/career-advice/article/workplace-behavior-snubs-insults

 

Stop Viewing Time as Money

By in Living Well Tags: ,

Time_Money

Many people believe that time is money. They know exactly how much they earn from each hour of work that they do. And it’s often believed that this type of attitude helps people to work harder and better.

But does the belief that time is money actually make people more motivated and productive? Research indicates that it doesn’t. Not at all. In fact, it actually seems to have a negative effect. It makes people more anxious, stressed, and unhappy.

In a recent study by Pfeffer and Carney at the University of California, two groups of people were given the same task to do. People in both groups were paid the same amount for doing this task. People in both groups knew that they would be earning the prescribed amount. The only difference is that people in one of the groups were asked to calculate how much they would be earning per minute.

That small difference ended up having a big effect on the people in the study. Those who knew how much they were earning per minute had a much higher level of cortisol (a stress hormone) in their systems. They also got much less pleasure from the fun activities that they participated in.

Researchers concluded that thinking of time as money makes you feel more stressed, without actually making you more productive. It can also cause you to feel more inpatient and unhappy when you’re not at work. If you’re playing a board game or watching a movie, and you’re thinking about how much money you could be making if you were working instead, you’re going to get a lot less pleasure from those activities.

So if you believe time is money, you might want to try viewing time (and money) in a different light. Try to pay a little less attention to the clock and avoid over-scheduling yourself. You’ll feel better, both mentally and physically.

 

Smith, M. J., (2017, April 18). How the ticking clock kills. Stanford Business. Retrieved from https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/insights/how-ticking-clock-kills

The Benefits of Having Fun at Work

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Having_Fun_at_Work

Do you ever feel guilty about taking time away from your desk to joke around with your coworkers, take a walk outside in the fresh air, or enjoy a non-work-related activity? Well, if you do, you should stop. Because having fun at work is a good thing! Not only does it generally make you feel happier, it can also help you to be more innovative, collaborative, and productive.

Here are just a few of the benefits of having fun at work:

  • Enhanced creativity – People often get some of their most innovative ideas while they’re playing around and letting their minds wander. It gives their brains a chance to make new connections and see problems in a new light.
  • Stronger bonds with coworkers – Playing around at the office helps people to form closer, stronger relationships with their coworkers. And that makes teamwork easier and more productive.
  • Improved health – Being happy is good for people’s physical and mental health. Happy employees get more done, and are less likely to get sick and miss work.

Overall, employees who goof around and have fun at the office are more likely to feel satisfied in their jobs and do better work. That’s probably one of the reasons why big tech companies install Ping-Pong and foosball tables in their offices. But there’s no need for a department to spend a lot of money on things like that. Just taking a walk together in the middle of the day, having an impromptu office party, or enjoying a sweet treat together can be enough to bring coworkers together and make the workday more fun.

 

Wagner, V. (2013, December 18). 3 reasons why goofing off at work is a good thing. Open Forum. Retrieved from https://www.americanexpress.com/us/small-business/openforum/articles/3-reasons-why-goofing-off-at-work-is-a-good-thing/

Burnout at Work and How to Recover

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Burnout

Burnout is a serious problem for a lot of people with demanding jobs. Stress and overwork can cause people to become exhausted and unhappy. They worry non-stop, lose interest in other activities, stop taking care of themselves outside of work, and feel pessimistic, frustrated, and disillusioned.

And ultimately, people suffering from burnout often experience difficulties at work. Even though they’re putting in a tremendous amount of effort, it’s not something that can be sustained. So eventually, burnout often results in reduced productivity, a drop in motivation, and more frequent conflicts with coworkers.

So what should you do if you’re experiencing burnout or you feel like you’re starting to head in that direction? Here are a few suggestions:

  • Take breaks during the workday – Allow yourself time to step away from your desk and clear your head. Even short breaks can be very restorative.
  • Make time for relaxation – Once you leave the office, stop working. Use that time to engage in some sort of relaxing activity – whatever you enjoy! Read a book, take a walk, watch a movie, or go out to eat with a friend. And during this time, don’t read or answer work emails. You need to separate yourself from work, and take time to relax and unwind.
  • Take up a hobby – Find something outside of work that you’re passionate about, and start devoting some of your time to that endeavor. It will help you feel more energized and engaged.
  • Know when to say “when” – If your workload is simply too heavy to manage, you need to lighten the load. Delegate work to others if possible. Talk to your manager about prioritizing your work, and then focus on the most important items. And don’t take on new projects without giving them careful consideration first.
  • Get some sleep – Try to get at least six hours of sleep each night. Getting the right amount of sleep will help you feel more productive, positive, and effective.

 

Gerry, L. M. (2013, April 1). 10 signs you’re burning out – and what to do about it. Forbes. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/learnvest/2013/04/01/10-signs-youre-burning-out-and-what-to-do-about-it/#71d0a35e625b

How to Write a Really Great To-Do List

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Making_ToDo_List

I kind of love to-do lists. They’re so helpful and gratifying. I use them to keep track of everything I want to accomplish at work. And then, as I get things done, I can cross things off the list (which is extremely satisfying).

But to-do lists can also cause problems, if used incorrectly. For instance, if you load up your to-do list with more things than you can possibly accomplish in a day or a week, you might be left feeling guilty and stressed. Or, if you’re addicted to crossing things off your list, you might focus on tasks that are easy and quickly accomplished, while putting off important tasks that might take longer.

So if you’d like to avoid these issues and make a really effective to-do list, follow these guidelines:

  1. Make your to-do list the night before – It will help you to start your day with purpose and direction! You’ll know exactly what you need to do when you wake up in the morning.
  2. Don’t put more than three things on your list – This will ensure that you focus on the truly important things that you need to get done. If this is difficult for you (because you feel like you have a lot of things swirling around in your head that you need to try to remember), make a second “brain dump” list on which you include everything that you need to do. Spend five minutes making this list, and then put it away. Then switch your focus back to your short, simple to-do list.
  3. Put the most important task at the top of your list – Prioritize the items on your list and put the most important task first. Then work through your items from top to bottom.
  4. Don’t discount the small things – Occasionally, you’ll have a task that seems small (like getting your carpets cleaned) but has been nagging at you for a while. If this is the case, make it a priority and put it on your list! Small things can sometimes become stressful and draining if you put them off for too long.

And that’s it! Try to keep things simple and prioritize. Now go forth and start making those lists!

 

Loder, V. (2014, June 2). Five best to-do list tips. Forbes. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/vanessaloder/2014/06/02/five-best-to-do-list-tips/#4c885aef651b

Take a Minute to Relax

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Relaxed_At_Work

Feeling stressed? Here’s an easy fix! Listed below are a few relaxation exercises that you can do right now, without even getting up from your desk.

  • If you have one minute to spare: Put your hand on your stomach so you can feel the rise and fall of your breathing. Breathe in deeply and hold your breath for three seconds. Then breathe out and hold for three seconds. Repeat this process for one minute. OR, if that’s too structured for you, simply breathe slowly and deeply several times while repeating a calming mantra. (The article that I read suggested that you use “I am… at peace,” but I think you could probably go with whatever works for you.) Then relax completely into your chair.
  • If you have two minutes to spare: Count down from ten to zero while breathing deeply. Start by breathing in deeply and saying “ten.” Then breathe out slowly. Then breathe in deeply again and say “nine.” Breathe out slowly. Repeat this process until you get to zero. If you start to feel faint, take it a little more slowly. And if you’re still feeling anxious by the time you get to zero, try doing the countdown again.
  • If you have three minutes to spare: Relax your muscles, starting with your head and ending with your feet. Relax your facial muscles. Let your jaw go slack just a bit. Relax your shoulders. Let your arms drop to your sides. Relax your hands and fingers. Uncross your legs. Imagine that your body is sinking into your chair and your feet are heavy on the floor. Breathe slowly and deeply.

I don’t know about you, but just writing this article has made me feel more relaxed. I hope you find it similarly helpful!

 

Harvard Health Publications. (2012, November). Mini-relaxation exercises: A quick fix in stressful moments. Retrieved from: http://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/mini-relaxation-exercises-a-quick-fix-in-stressful-moments

 

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