The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, January 16, 2014 | 18 17 · Thursday, October 20, 2011 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com Advertising Section Tips to help you cope with stress at work Extra work k load l d takes k its toll ll on the h mental l health h l h of f employees l The workers of the world are working more. So says an annual study of employee benefit trends from MetLife. In 2010, 40 percent of employees admitted their workload had increased compared with the previous year. While there are many reasons that can account for a heavier workload at the office, heavy layoffs in countries across the globe has, in many instances, left those who weren't laid off with extra work. And companies might be surprised to know just how much this approach isn't working. TheMetLife study also found that 68 percent of employees surveyed reported that the quality of their work had suffered and that fear of losing their jobs played a significant role in how well they did their jobs. Good stress and bad stress While employees might not be able to quell their fears of one day being laid off, there are things they can do to reduce the stress that often accompanies such fears. Stress is a part of most professions and can even be a good motivator. However, when stress is prolonged or excessive, the results can be very unhealthy. Men and women with high stress levels are more likely to suffer from depression, anxiety and cardiovascular disease. When faced with prolonged or excessive stress at the office, men and women can take the following approaches to avoid succumbing to stress. · Manage time effectively. One of the problems with an increased workload is the time in the day to complete that work does not simultaneously increase. This reality makes it easy to become overwhelmed with stress. But a few time management techniques can help. Prioritize certain tasks, ensuring projects that are time-sensitive get done ahead of f those that aren't. When setting a schedule for work, be realistic. If a schedule isn't realistic, that will only cause more stress. · Maintain a personal life. Effectively managing stress at work involves having a personal life away from the office. All work and no play is a recipe for stress. No matter how big a workload awaits you at the office, be sure to make time for enjoyable activities away from work. Spend time with friends and family, plan a weekend getaway or simply relax at home. Such time, even if it's not as often as you might like, makes dealing with stress at the office that much easier to handle. · Remain physically active. Exercise is a great remedy for stress. In fact, the American Psychological Association notes that studies have suggested physically active people have lower rates of anxiety and depression than sedentary people. While research is ongoing, some researchers feel exercise enhances the body's ability to respond to stress. In addition, exercise seems to give the body practice at dealing with stress. While exercising, the body's physiological systems are forced to communicate with one another. These same systems must also communicate with one another when responding to stress. Regular exercise helps the body communicate more efficiently, something that helps when the time comes to respond to stress. Stress at the office is likely always going to be a concern for working men and women. However, there are ways to effectively cope with stress no matter how daunting a workload might be. (MNS) Know signs of eating disorder (NC) Along with low energy and moodiness, the fear of looking fat and feelings of inadequacy are common among youth--and this puts them at risk for developing eating disorders. It is reported today that one in three girls aged 14 to 18 uses dangerous weight-management practices. As a result, eating disorders have become the third most chronic illness among adolescent girls. "Every day can be different with a pre-teen or teenager, and recognizing changing behaviour patterns can be a challenge," says Merryl Bear, director of the National Eating Disorder Information Centre (NEDIC). It isn't always obvious who is battling an eating disorder, says Karin Jasper, a clinical mental health specialist at the Southlake Hospital's Eating Disorder Program and one of the panelists. "It may be a 10-year-old boy, that teenager on the bus, or a girl new to Canada struggling to find her way who turns to managing food and weight to feel a sense of control," Jasper says. One of the best ways to learn about the warning signs of an eating disorder is online at www.nedic. ca. "By knowing the signs of trouble, a parent or teacher can be a lifesaver for these children," says Jasper. The website offers a wealth of information on the signs and symptoms of an eating disorder, plus the treatments available, and how to get help. Or, on the toll-free helpline at 1-866-633-4220, qualified staff and volunteers will help individuals who prefer to discuss their concerns. The line is open Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. * Determine what is causing the stress. Stress triggers vary depending on the individual, so men and women who are coping with excessive stress should write down anything that causes them a negative response, whether that response is physical, emotional or mental. After a week, sit down and look at the various things that triggered these negative responses. Choose one and work to resolve it. Determine if there is a way this trigger can be avoided. Do this with each trigger one by one. It might not be possible to successfully address each trigger, but it's worth the try and it is likely that certain triggers can be successfully avoided. Heavier workloads have left many workers dealing with elevated levels of stress. 20 010 Gold Aw ward Winne er Oa akv kville e Be Beaver eaver Computer classes for beginners If you avoid computers and know it's time to take the leap, Oakville Literacy Council is offering a basic 10-week computer course just for you. The goal of the program is to help participants feel comfortable using a computer to meet their needs. If you have never turned one on, or have very little skill, this class will give you the confidence to use a computer without fear. Starting with the basics, the two-hour weekly sessions will take participants from turning on the machine to setting up an email account, surfing the web, creating documents and managing files. With these skills, participants will be able to take advantage of this essential tool to help improve their lives. If you are looking for work, or going back to school you need to be able to search the internet and use email. If you are interested in finding community information, or need to access health related services, computer confidence is key. Without basic computer skills, most individuals find it difficult to participate fully in the community. The Oakville Literacy Council is partnering with Oakville Public Library to offer the new computer program at the Iroquois Ridge and Central branch libraries. A daytime and evening option is available. Classes are small and led by trained OLC volunteers. The course is $100 and includes a student handbook. Classes start January 28. Space is limited, contact the Oakville Literacy Council at 905-469-8528 to register. TODAY! JOIN