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17 · Thursday, October 20, 2011 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com 17 · Thursday, January 17, 2013 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. · 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. Hearing aids smaller, more powerful · 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) Heavier workloads have left many workers dealing with elevated levels of stress. There has always been a certain stigma attached to hearing loss and hearing aids that is difficult for some people to overcome. As technology progresses, however, many hearing aid wearers are realizing that wearing hearing aids may not be as cumbersome or noticeable as it once was. According to Tracy Saunders, Audiology Trainer at Hearing Solutions, a hearing clinic offering both hearing tests and related products, hearing aids are not only more intelligent and powerful than ever before, but also smaller. "We're experiencing bigger and better things from hearing aids that are becoming remarkably small in size," she says, "allowing us to give customers a hearing aid that no one knows they're wearing and sounds great. There's no excuse not to wear one anymore!" The concept of wanting a hearing aid that no one can see isn't new. But the products they're bringing home certainly are. Saunders says that many people are so impressed with their new hearing aids they end up bragging about them, letting everyone know they are in fact wearing hearing aids. "No one can believe how well they're hearing," she exclaims. Not only are hearing aids smaller and more intelligent, they also offer more features than ever. People who sweat in hot climates or worry about getting caught in rainstorms will appreciate waterproof hearing aids. Those who work in dusty environments can benefit from dustproof devices and anyone who is frequently in complicated listening environments will enjoy the superior sound quality offered by wireless technology. 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. * 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. 20 010 Gold Aw ward Winne er Oa akv kville e Be Beaver eaver "The way that digital hearing aids are successfully separating speech from noise is better than ever before," Saunders admits, explaining that wireless technology allows hearing aids to communicate with each other. This is just one of the many reasons it's so important to wear two hearing aids rather than just one. This communication from one hearing aid to the other provides a wonderful summative effect that blends sound for a more natural sound quality. For example, Saunders says that when you're talking on the phone and holding the receiver to your right ear, that hearing aid communicates with the left ear's hearing aid, allowing you to hear the conversation in both ears. Digital hearing aids also offer Bluetooth technology, allowing users to use their cell phone hands-free. In fact, the sound quality is so good, Saunders, who isn't a hearing aid wearer, admits to using them strictly for hands-free calls while driving. The same wireless technology also allows hearing aids to be used to listen to the television and computer. In contrast to what some think, hearing aids are not a nuisance. They make life easier. Of course, the hearing aids that are right for you will depend on many factors, including your lifestyle, budget and severity of hearing loss. Hearing Solutions can help find the right product to meet your needs and offers a three month trial period to ensure your satisfaction. For more information visit Hearing Solutions at Oakville Place, www.hearingsolutions.ca or call the clinic at 905-849-3874 for your free hearing test and consultation. Diabetes PROGRAM · Recently diagnosed with prediabetes or diabetes? · Having problems controlling your blood sugar? · Our nurses & dietitians can help you. HALTON We're here for you. Call us: BURLINGTON SITE Joseph Brant Community Health Centre 1182 North Shore Blvd. East Burlington, ON L7S 1C5 Tel: 905-633-7070 MILTON SITE Halton Healthcare Services 7030 Derry Rd. Milton, ON L9T 7H6 Tel: 905-878-2383 ext. 7410 OAKVILLE SITE Halton Healthcare Services c/o Oakville Corporate Centre 700 Dorval Dr., Suite 609 Oakville, ON L6K 3V3 Tel: 905-338-4437 GEORGETOWN SITE Halton Healthcare Services 1 Princess Anne Drive Georgetown, ON L7G 2B8 Tel: 905-873-0111 ext. 8502 Halton Diabetes Program has been granted recognition by the Canadian Diabetes Association.