17 | Friday, January 16, 2015 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com 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. Caring hands for happy feet By: J. Richard Werkman, Chiropodist & Foot Care Specialist · 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) · 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. Heavier workloads have left many workers dealing with elevated levels of stress. 17 · Thursday, October 20, 2011 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com Advertising Section Your feet are the foundation for good health. If you're suffering or affected by: · Arthritis and joint pain · Corns, calluses, plantar warts · Diabetes · Foot ulcers and wounds · Ingrown toenails · Thick and fungal nails · Heel fissures · Heel, arch, knee or foot pain · Sports related foot problems · Athletes Foot · Hyperhidrosis/sweaty feet · Shin splints, sprains and strains · High arches or flat feet · Claw or hammer toes Talk to us. Taking care of your feet is important to your overall well-being. The J. Richard Werkman, Chiropodist qualified team of professionals offer comprehensive footcare that includes: * 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. 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. 20 010 Gold Aw ward Winne er Oa akv kville e Be Beaver eaver Oakville Dental Arts · Routine footcare - regular examinations, diabetic and high risk footcare and education · Nail Surgery - for ingrown nails · Orthotics - custom made for your feet using the best technology available · Noveon Nail Fungus Treatment - wave lengths to penetrate below the surface, while preserving healthy tissue · Magnetic Biostimulation - to stimulate circulation and increase oxygen partial pressure · SIGVARIS Compression Stockings and Socks - for medical, sports and well-being needs · KeryFlex - a safe, nonsystemic in-office application that restores the appearance of natural nails · Take home products and treatments J. Richard (Rick) Werkman has been a part of the chiropody/podiatry profession since 1991 and in private practice since June 2000. Rick is licensed in the areas of nail surgery, local anesthesia and successfully completed his B.Sc. Podiatric Medicine in Research Methods: Quantitative, Qualitative Statistics with electives focusing on the areas of Sports Medicine and injuries, Microbiology and Podopharmacology. The Werkman Chiropody team has earned a reputation for excellence and is recommended by physicians and others in the health care community. We provide exceptional foot care to everyone from the young to the elderly and from the professional athlete to the weekend warrior and the physically disabled. Learn more about Rick and the team at www.werkman.ca. We take pleasure in welcoming new patients. A doctor's referral is not necessary. Call today 905.845.4817 to book your appointment so you can experience caring hands for happy feet. Cure post-holiday stress with nutrition (NC) Holiday lights are down and the ornaments are packed away, but seasonal stress isn't so easily dispensed with. Anxiety disorders are more likely to peak during the winter months. There are practical causes, like the financial hangover, the treacherous weather, or juggling work when colds and flu strike. But winter stress has biological roots as well. We've long known that lack of sunlight affects mood. Our happy hormone, serotonin, declines in the darker months. For some, this means melancholy. For others, low-serotonin triggers tension, reactivity and frayed nerves. Feeling out of sorts can become a vicious cycle. When we're stressed, our vices have a firmer grip. We eat junk, drink too much coffee and alcohol, draining our bodies of the nutrients needed to battle stress. Magnesium is one anti-stress nutrient that's easily depleted. Sugar, caffeine and especially alcohol drain our magnesium stores. Magnesium regulates nerves, relaxes muscles and activates serotonin. It also downgrades our physical symptoms of stress - the `fight-or-flight' response we experience under pressure - and lets us get a good night's sleep, essential for coping with stress. Canadian actor Sitara Hewitt speaks openly about her battle with anxiety, and she lists magnesium as one of the tools in her arsenal. "I was juggling my career demands with being a new mom," says Sitara. "I really noticed that my anxiety peaked in the darker months. When I started to take magnesium on the advice of my naturopath there was a real difference. My mood levelled out and I felt more resilient." Sore Feet, Sports Injury, Painful Ingrown Toenails? Plantar Warts? We can help! Exceptional footcare for all ages. · Routine footcare · Corns & calluses · Plantar warts · Heel/arch/foot pain · Diabetic footcare and education · Thick or ingrown nails · Nail surgery · Sports related foot problems & injuries · Custom made orthotics · Sigvaris® compression stockings · Evenings and saturday appointments available · New patients welcome! J. Richard Werkman chiropodist Get ready for vacation season with our toenail fungus laser treatment! located on the north/west corner of maple grove dr. and cornwall rd. 1495 Cornwall Rd., Suite 33, Oakville T: 905-845-4817 www.werkman.ca n ow o f f e r i n g P h ys i ot h e r a P y o s t eo Pat h y at h l e t i c t h e r a P y oakvillesportsmedicinecentre.ca 905 337 8455