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No need to get dressed up for work today. You can ditch the shoes too. Today is wear your pjs to work day, along with a pair of fuzzy bunny slippers.

For me, I regularly wear my pjs to work. 15 steps down from my bedroom and 15 steps into my office and I am at work. And since I am the boss, there is not a dress code. Unless, I am going out to speak somewhere, then, I shower up, beautify and dress in my best.

Whether or not you want to wear your pjs to work, today is a day to ditch the stress. Focus on self-care and let loose.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency Here are today’s Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Wear Your PJs To Work Day:

Have fun with this day. Many celebrities, radio stations and tv shows are celebrating, so why not you? Have your own pajama party – even if it is on-line. You may want to ensure a few rules, such as ensuring appropriate body coverage. Give prizes for the loudest pajamas or the craziest designs.

If the day has passed and you didn’t wear your pjs to work in, put them on as soon as you are done. For me, there is nothing as relaxing as a cozy, comfy pair of pjs. My kids know exactly what to get me for my birthday and I love all of them. In pajamas you can be yourself.

Pjs are also great on Saturdays and Sundays that are lounge all-day days. How about Pjs, a movie and hot chocolate or ice cream or other wonderful treats.

If you like today’s wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app.

Discover how to take small steps towards a healthier, happier, less-stressed you by visiting my website at worksmartlivesmart.com

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Life as we know it has changed. And for many who are isolated from their school mates, friends, family and colleagues, or who have lost their job, or who have gotten sick, life may be pretty crappy right now.

Life isn’t fair. Life sucks. Then it gets better. Then it can suck again.

All we are required to do, is to take one day, or one moment at a time. To keep moving ourselves forward.

Like is a journey of a million steps and hopefully we don’t stop too often and want to turn back.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are today’s Tips For Building Your Resiliency and Celebrating Life Sucks Day:

It is OK to be sad, or mad, to cry, to be frustrated, to feel angry, jealous, anxious and scared.

It is okay to feel.

Set you intentions on those things that you can control and use that sense of control to show you that 100% of your life, right now, does not suck. Some of it may, but not 100%

Focus in on the things that you can be grateful for. However small that may be.

Finally, hold on to HOPE.

HOPE for me stands for Hold On. Possibility Exists.

Strategic Hope forces me to take action and that action is based on problem solving what I can control. And when I have a sense of control, I don’t feel so sucky.

The circle of life.

Hold on…it’s going to be okay.

If you like today’s wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app.

For more information on coping with mental health issues, sign up for one of my on-line courses at worksmartlivesmart.com under the resources and courses tab.

#mentalhealth #hr

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The most rewarding experiences that I have had have come from volunteering. Especially my time developing youth groups, being on boards for various charities and associations, and fundraising for my children’s sport programs. In fact, I would guestimate that about ¼ of my time is given to volunteering.

Over a quarter of Canadians aged 15 and over volunteered for a charitable or non-profit organization last year. And though we think of women volunteering more than men, men contributed more volunteer hours on average than women.

Volunteering is a way of connecting yourself to the larger society and connection is critical when it comes to dealing with the sources of stress that we face.

By far the most commonly cited barriers were those related to time.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! So Here are today’s Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Volunteer Week:

If you are a volunteer, talk about your experiences to others. Positive role models are needed, especially by our younger generations.

If you are looking for volunteers for your organization, be clear about the expectations, make commitments short and ASK. Many have difficulty holding up their hand to volunteer, but would say yes if asked in person.

Discover how to take small steps towards a healthier, happier, less-stressed you by visiting my website at worksmartlivesmart.com

#mentalhealth #hr

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Have You Ever Had A Dog Bite You?

I was only two. In my mind, I vaguely remember being in our living room with my mom while she was crying and talking on the phone to the hospital. I remember being in the emergency room. And before all of this, I have a fleeting memory of being out at the barn and our dog. Somehow, our dog thought that I was going to steal his food, though I had been out there numerous times. On this particular occasion, he snapped at me and bit me, just missing my eye.

Even the calmest, most loving dog can get snappy when sat on, stepped on or when they feel fear for themselves or their family.

My experience could have left me scarred in many more ways than just the one that I carry on my face. Today, I am a dog lover. I don’t fear them, but I do have a very healthy respect for them.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are today’s Tips For Protecting Yourself And Celebrating Dog Bite Prevention Week:

The Canadian Safety Council estimates that in 70% of dog bite cases the victim knew the dog. Parents need to teach their children how to interact safely with Fido.

NEVER disturb a dog who is sleeping, eating, or caring for puppies.

NEVER pet a dog, even your own, without letting him see and sniff you first.

Dogs that haven’t been properly socialized, receive little attention or handling, or are left tied up for long periods of time frequently turn into biters. Be a responsible pet owner.

Properly train and socialize your dog, and teach it submissive behaviors like giving up food without growling.

Cynophobia is an irrational fear of dogs. If you find that your fear of dogs is excessive and you can’t easily avoid them, seek out the help of a professional counselor, psychologist or psychiatrist.

For more information on coping with mental health issues, sign up for one of my on-line courses at worksmartlivesmart.com under the resources and courses tab.

#mentalhealth #hr

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Do you walk on the wild side?

Or have you given in to the everyday routines of life?

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are today’s Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Walk On Your Wild Side Day:

Take the Walk On Your Wild Side Challenge.

Use this day to plan something out of the ordinary, unusual or even extraordinary.

Better yet, don’t plan something, just do it.

It doesn’t have to be something dangerous, just a bit quirky or different from the everyday.

What about spraying your hair with your favourite colour?

Or dressing up like a famous rock star or movie character?

Or maybe it is to get up on stage and belt out your favourite tune at a karaoke bar? How about the 1972 song, Walk On The Wild Side, by Lou Reed?

Let yourself be free and unencumbered.

Share the moment with #wildside and encourage others to add more joy to their life too!

PS My most recent wild side display was going to a big-hair 80’s band concert…dressed in authentic garb of the day.

Looking for more tips to build your resiliency? Look for my book on Amazon called Stress Out. 52 Weeks To Letting More Life In

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Research shows that pets can provide excellent social support, stress relief and numerous other mental health benefits.

Pets can be there for you in ways that people can’t. They can offer love and companionship, and can be the best antidote to loneliness.

Pets can increase your sense of purpose in life. Researchers found that elderly people who owned pets had better everyday well-being than those who didn’t own pets. When you have meaning and purpose, you are less likely to feel depressed, isolated, and lonely.

Pets connect to our nurturing side. Pets learn to sense emotions from humans. If the human is withdrawn the pet senses that something is wrong or different and attempts to change the human’s behaviour.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are today’s Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Pet Day:

If you have a pet, take the time to be focused while in their presence

Today is the day to create public awareness about the plight of many different kinds of animals awaiting a forever home

One simple thing that we can do is to assist an ill, elderly or financially struggling neighbour friend by purchasing pet food, hay or needed items for their pets.

No one should be separated from their pet family member when they need them the most.

Looking for more ways to build your resiliency? Take my free on-line vulnerability test at worksmartlivesmart.com under the resources and courses tab.

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It is usually the longest relationship in our life. If you have brothers or sisters, then you will know that rivalry and love can exist in the same relationship. Siblings are a part of who we are, and that shared history is what makes this relationship so valuable.

Did you know that research has shown that healthy sibling relationships can significantly benefit us later in life. The quality of sibling relationships is one of the most important predictors of mental health in old age, according to The American Journal of Psychiatry. Research shows that people who are emotionally close to their siblings have higher life satisfaction and lower rates of depression later in life.

An agreeable relationship between siblings isn’t always a given. It takes work.

Today is the day to let your siblings know how much you appreciate them. Sibling Day is a way of honouring that special bond that can exist between siblings.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are today’s Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Siblings Day:

Post a photo with your siblings using the hashtag #NationalSiblingsDay

Reach out and share a special memory of the two of you growing up together

Plan for connection time and share goals. Aging changes us into vastly different people, and it’s entirely possible your sibling might not even know who you truly have become as an adult. Open up, share, and learn about each other

Finally, just as you might regularly tell your spouse or partner you love them, siblings need those reassurances too.

Discover how to take small steps towards a healthier, happier, less stressed you by visiting my website at worksmartlivesmart.com

#mentalhealth #hr

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Part of spring cleaning is tackling your cupboards and drawers. Well how about that medicine cupboard? Do You Know About Medication Safety?

I know that mine had been neglected when I found a jar of Vicks medicated rub from when I was a kid. Yes, that was a long time ago and yes, it was about time that it was thrown out. I have no idea if that stuff ever goes bad, but I probably should have thrown it out years ago. I have carted it from my bedroom, to my residence room, to my first apartment, and then from one home to the next with my family.

Medication errors are said to affect at least 1.5 million Canadians per year according to the Canadian Institute for Health Information. And those mistakes can be disastrous.

Medication safety isn’t just about an expiry date. It’s about safe storage. Knowing what medications may interact with other medications, food and supplements. It’s about telling your doctor about any side effects you may have had from previous prescriptions and what supplements or over-the-counter medications you may be taking.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are today’s Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Medication Safety Week:

Check your prescriptions periodically for expiration dates

Don’t share medicines with friends or family

Dispose of medications properly. Most pharmacies will take your old drugs for proper disposal. Avoid putting them in trashcans or into the toilet

Remember that the term “natural” does not necessarily mean “safe”. Treat all supplements and herbal remedies with the same respect as you would any prescribed medications

Make Sure That Your Family Stays Safe And Healthy

Want to find more strategies to coping with stress? Check out my website at worksmartlivesmart.com

#mentalhealth #hr