www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, January 16, 2015 | 18 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. 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. (NC) Winter is the season when our bodies typically accumulate weight, as well as the toxins that come with unbalanced diets. Don't wait for spring to get back to a healthier routine. Now is the time to kick start a simple and safe program to help your body get rid of unwanted contaminants. Unwanted substances can enter our bodies through what we ingest and even the products we put on our skin. While the liver metabolizes these substances, it is always a good idea to support its function by making small changes to your lifestyle. Remember to always consult with your health care practitioner when you are making changes to your diet or supplement regime. The Canadian Health Food Association (CHFA) has a few suggestions to help your body stay clear from toxins present in the environment: Help your digestion: In order to promote a healthy digestive tract and healthy liver function, remember to Heavier workloads have left many workers dealing with elevated levels of 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. Out with the old foods, in with the new · 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) 17 · Thursday, October 20, 2011 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com Advertising Section Stay in the home you love get enough fibre and drink at least eight cups of water throughout the day. Also consider taking probiotics to maintain digestive health. Staying regular and clearing your body of waste makes room for the healthy foods and nutrients you want. Eat clean: You don't have to starve yourself or force yourself to only eat one type of food. Organic parsley, fennel, ginger, basil, beets, sesame seeds, onions, garlic, goji berries, citrus fruits, cinnamon and Brazil nuts are all foods with detoxifying properties you can add to your diet. Complement your diet: There are many natural supplements that can help you get back on track with your health goals. Milk thistle contains the unique flavonoid silymarin, which is an antioxidant that can help increase glutathione (an important liver detoxifier) levels in the liver cells. Other antioxidants, such as vitamin C and vitamin E, play a vital role in the detoxification process at the cellular level. Additional tips are available online at chfa.ca. 20 010 Gold Aw ward Winne er Oa akv kville e Be Beaver eaver Oakville Dental Arts Most people want to remain in their homes as long as possible as they age. After all, home is where memories were built. However stairs, bathtubs and porches can easily become challenges. 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