www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, April 11, 2014 | 22 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. · 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. Once opened, Diversicare's Palermo Village Retirement Residence in Oakville will operate an innovative new seniors program, implemented in all seniors' residences overseen by the health management company. Research studies have found that using Brain Gym and other sensory modalities slows down or reverses some of the effects of aging such as a lack of concentration, poor recall, limited thinking patterns, balance to reduce falls and seeming inability to learn new material, even in those who have shown some signs of deterioration. Brain Gym is a system of quick and enjoyable physical activities that directly enhance brain function. It is based on the hypothesis that moving your body maximizes your brain power. The Brain Gym movements are designed to switch on the brain and body and relax the system to improve the quality of life including cognitive functioning, mental fitness levels, memory, concentration, balance, independence and communication skills. Improving older adults' cognitive functioning not only helps maintain mental health and well-being but has a significant * 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. 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) Heavier workloads have left many workers dealing with elevated levels of stress. 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. Palermo Village will offer Brain Gym program · 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. 17 · Thursday, October 20, 2011 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com Advertising Section 20 010 Gold Aw ward Winne er Oa akv kville e Be Beaver eaver role in the prevention and/or management of confusion, depression, lethargy, lack of motivation, and low self esteem in the aged. Currently all retirement and longterm care homes managed or owned by Diversicare have implemented Brain Gym into the recreational programming including during exercise and fitness and before other fun activities such as crossword puzzles or playing on the Wii system. Each home is also given a Toy Kit designed to improve the brain's functionality, with a multi sensory approach focused on stimulating tactile, kinesthetic, visual, auditory, and vestibular systems. The residents are very excited and willing to attend the Brain Gym & More sessions and find that they are a lot of fun to do. Located at the corner of Dundas Street and Bronte Road, Palermo Village is expected to open in the winter of 2014/15 and will feature 116 suites, plus amenities such as a library, computer lounge, bistrobar, fitness centre and hair salon. For more information on this exciting new program, or Palermo Village, visit www.diversicare.ca Palermo Village Retirement Residence, located at the corner of Bronte Road and Dundas, will feature Diversicare's innovative new seniors program to improve cognitive function and slow down or reverse some of the effects of aging. N O O S G N I M O C Retirement Living offering Independent & Full Service Lifestyles Beautiful Private Accommodations Dining Room featuring meals prepared by our chef Social and Recreational activities daily Fitness and Wellness Centre Care Services available Located by St. Luke Anglican Church as Dundas and Bronte Rd, Oakville 1-866-821-1181