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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Sunday December 24, 2006 - 35 PREGNANT & NEED HELP? Free Confidential Service What's your sick pseudonym? It's cold and flu season -- that time of the winter when the sickly sound of sniffling, sneezing and coughing overpowers the productive whirl of typing, faxing and photocopying around the office. A person's true colours are often magnified when they are feeling under the weather. Take this simple quiz to determine your sick pseudonym. 1. It's Monday morning. You've hit snooze for the third time. You've been up all night coughing and sneezing and could really use more rest. So, you: a. Have the office administrator email the company noting you are sick in bolded caps, in the subject line. b. Hit snooze again. If anyone notices you creeping in an hour late sick as a dog, maybe they'll take it easy on you today. c. WHAT? Snoozed three times? Hurry up and get going! d. Grab another wink then conference in to your meeting. You're technically working and therefore still taking one for the team in your awful state. 2. When a colleague comments that you look and sound terrible, you: a. Agree, and let him know that vicious workload is likely to blame. b. Moan that no one is letting you get any rest, at work or at home. Poor me. c. Retort, "Really? Never felt better," and quietly muffle your sneeze. d. Thank him for his concern and remind him that nothing stands in the way of your deadlines. 3. After a few days you admit you need some rest to kick this cold. Before you call in sick, you: a. Call a meeting to discuss how your absence will affect everyone and pass around your home, cell and pager numbers. b. Personally drop by everyone's desk so they can see just how sick you really are. Ask everyone for a tissue for added effect. c. Change your mind. You can tough it out until the weekend. d. E-mail your clients and colleagues about your absence, and then secretly check your e-mail and voicemail all day in between naps. 4. A colleague down the hall is clearly ill when you pass her in the hall you: a. Commend her on her obvious commitment to the team; what a great set of hands to have on deck. b. Cough really loudly. You were way more sick than her last week and (gasp) she didn't even ask how you felt. c. Who's ill? I didn't notice anyone coughing. Weird. d. Tell her to go home. Then fervently disinfect the photocopier and fax machine! Mostly A's: Sounds like a textbook martyr. The martyr can be found frequenting the water cooler, chatting up colleagues about how terrible they feel, absorbing faux sympathy quicker than they can fill their water glass. The Martyr mantra: "Yes, yes, it's true, I'm horribly sick but this place simply won't run without me for a day." Mostly B's: You might be a moaner. For reasons unknown to the medical community, for moaners a cold or flu also reveals symptoms of pouting, dragging of feet and a plummeting work drive. You just can't help it -- you're sick. The moaner mantra: "I'm so weak. Can you staple this for me?" (statement peppered with gratuitous sighs). Mostly C's: Refusing to publicly admit what your symptoms clearly indicate, you refuse to acknowledge you are sick. You, my friend, are the ominous oblivious. Not only is your unfailing cheeriness annoying to other people, you are guilty of spreading your illness everywhere you go. Stay home! The ominous oblivious mantra (in a sing-song voice) "Cold? I don't have a cold. I feel totally fine! Sniff, sniff. Mostly D's: The common, yet oft-dreaded workplace warrior refuses to stay home. While they don't expect the heroic sympathy of their counterpoint, the martyr, they simply plow through their work load, trying to trick themselves into believing they're at their peak performance. Take a sick day to renovate your bedroom, then you won't loath staying home resting in bed once in a while. The workplace warrior battle cry: "Really, I,m totally on top of my game, (sniff) -- where's my Blackbuuurry?" Oakville (905) 825-1216 Monday & Friday Tuesday & Thursday Wednesday Hotline 24 Hour Service 11am - 2pm 11am - 5pm 11am - 7:30pm 1-800-550-4900 HOPEDALE MALL SUITE 204 ck-up Dental Che ointment ontist app Orthod Hair cut ed Eyes Check But what about your spine? Don't forget how incredibly important your spine and nervous system are for your health! Call now, 905-845-2291, to schedule a health audit with Dr. Jenna Davis, Pediatric and Family Chiropractor. Dr. Jenna Davis Family Chiropractor/Acupuncturist Alliance Healthcare Professionals 905.845.2291 232 South Service Rd. E, Oakville, ON L6J 2X5 www.alliancehealthcare.ca Alliance Chiropody (Foot Care) Clinic Member of Alliance Healthcare Professionals Inc. "Providing quality foot care to meet all your foot health needs" Study shows holidays cause stress A recently released Canadian study of mental health consumers, family members and doctors, is providing statistics that shows the holidays stress people out. The numbers indicate that: · 79 per cent of respondents experienced heightened levels of stress and anxiety during the holiday season. · 78 per cent cited winter holidays as a trigger for heightened anxiety and depression. · 66 per cent of individuals polled said they sought professional help during the winter holiday season. · 77 per cent of people who have been diagnosed with anxiety or depression experience a return or exacerbation of their symptoms during the winter holiday season. · 67 per cent said that they coped with the winter holiday season by taking time for themselves -- in essence, taking a break from their holiday break. The comprehensive two-part study polled mental health consumers and family members as well as doctors from across the country and was conducted by MD Analytics, on behalf of the Canadian Mental Health Association, National (CMHA-NAT) and Desjardins Financial Security. To help people cope with the added demands and pressures during the winter holidays, the CMHA offers 10stress busting tips: 1. Set your priorities. 2. Ask for help. 3. Beware of overindulgence. 4. Relax. Breathe. Enjoy. 5. Stay within budget. 6. Remember what the holiday season means to you. 7. Learn about others. 8. Include others. 9. Put fun, humour, affection and break time into holidays. 10. Get into the light. SALIMA KASSAM REG. CHIROPODIST AMERICAN EXPRESS EXPRE Specializing in: · Foot/Arch Pain · General/Diabetic Care · Permanent Ingrown Toenail Removal · Custom Made Foot Orthotics P CALL 905-845-2291 232 SOUTH SERVICE ROAD E. 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