Staying Safe and Healthy in The Workplace

Staying Safe and Healthy in The Workplace

No matter what you do for a living, you have a right to feel as though you are perfectly safe in the workplace at all times. That is a feeling that can sometimes be hard to come by. If you are starting to feel that this is not really happening in your workplace, then you’ll want to look into what you can do to stay healthy and safe at work no matter what. In this post, we are going to take a look through some of the major issues that you need to think about here, in order to make that a reality.

Keeping Stress Under Control

No matter what might happen in the workplace, the single biggest health problem that you need to focus on is stress. This is a killer if you leave it unchecked. So it’s something you should be taking as seriously as possible. The best way to keep stress at bay is not to overwork, and to make sure that you are regularly taking breaks up to the maximum that you are legally allowed. That will ensure that stress is not going to run amok with your body and mind.

Building Issues

Sometimes there will be issues in the office building in which you work that are causing health problems in various ways. For instance, there might be asbestos discovered somewhere. If your employer does not get rid of it straight away, you’re going to find that it causes people some serious health problems, including mesothelioma. If you have any trouble with this, be sure to find the right mesothelioma attorney for you so you can take whatever action necessary. Other building issues might include things like mold and damp, which can be harmful to your health too. Or carbon monoxide poisoning in extreme cases.

Avoiding Injuries

The workplace is a common place in which you might sustain injuries, and you obviously want to make sure you’re avoiding this as well as you can. That means taking care as you move around, including not running around or making sudden dangerous moves. You should also be sure to follow any health and safety rules in place, and help others in keeping the floor clear of any debris that you might run into. If you can do all that, you should find that you are going to avoid injuries much more easily.

Screen Use

The overuse of screens can be a real problem if you are not careful. For one thing, you might find that you have eye strain, which can turn into more serious vision problems further down the line. Or you might want to think about the possible headaches that they can cause. Try to look away from the screen every twenty minutes for around two minutes or so, and that should help to work against some of these issues that you might otherwise have.

4 Health Tips to Follow as You Age

4 Health Tips to Follow as You Age

As you get older, it’s inevitable that you’re going to see your body change more and more. We’re all deteriorating as we age, and that means bones get weaker, skin loses its elasticity, and we can feel more aches and pains. Here are four health tips to follow as you get older so that you can enjoy your later years, feeling youthful.

Go For Regular Health Checks

Regular health checks are a must because even though we’re more than likely to get any type of illness or condition as adults and children, we can be at more risk when we’re older. Regular checks like your eyesight and hearing are two things that we can often dismiss or put off getting done. However, any type of health check when it comes to the body is worth getting done. Treat it as an annual MOT but for your body. Get everything booked in around the same time, and that means you’ll get everything checked at once. It’s something you shouldn’t ignore because your health is always important. You can learn more about hearing loss online as well as what you can expect to get a little worse as you get older. It’s also worth knowing how to prevent your hearing, as an example, from getting worse.

Push Yourself Into An Exercise Routine

Exercise is something that all our bodies need in order to thrive and feel strong. It’s also a thing that you might not keep up in your adult years for being too busy with other things or simply not having the energy to do so. However, there are so many health benefits from exercising and doing it on a weekly or even daily basis. Try to push yourself into an exercise routine so that it becomes more of a normality than a chore. You also need to find things that you enjoy doing when it comes to exercise. There will be things you don’t enjoy but plenty out there that you will consider more fun!

Keep Up With A Skincare Routine

Your skincare is definitely important as you get older. Skin, as it’s already been mentioned above, gets looser because of the lack of collagen production. That means that you’re going to get wrinkles and saggy skin, regardless. So with that being said, it’s good to keep up with any skincare routine you have and even up the number of products you use if you only use one or two. There is plenty of skincare options out there to take advantage of!

Manage Your Stress

Stress is something we all endure, whether it’s a work stress or a personal one. However, it’s important to try and manage your stress so that you’re in control. No one wants to get health problems due to stress, so it’s good to look at ways to reduce it in your life. The more you can do, the better you’ll feel in general.

Your health is always going to be important, so try to help yourself in the ways mentioned above.

Fun Ways to Look After Your Health

Fun Ways to Look After Your Health

If you think that looking after your health is boring or a chore, you’re not alone. Many people avoid taking the steps they know they need to take to look after themselves because they just can’t find the excitement and fun in it. That doesn’t mean it’s not there, though. There are some seriously fun ways you can look after your health – just take a look at the inspiration below and see for yourself.

Eat A Balanced Diet

‘How is this fun’ I hear you cry – just wait a minute before you stop reading. What’s fun about constantly stuffing your face with sugary foods that make you feel lethargic and give you highs and lows like a yo-yo? What’s fun about only eating salad and being sad and hungry for eternity? There’s nothing fun about either of those things alone, but when you can combine them and begin to eat balanced every day of the week, you’ll find life so much more enjoyable. You don’t have to be all one way or the other. Many people make the mistake of trying to be too strict and struggling to implement any kind of healthy diet as they begin to binge and crave foods. Instead, don’t take it to extremes. Try to eat foods both for your health and enjoyment.

Walk With Friends

Getting out for a walk is great. You get vitamin D and fresh air, and that wonderful hit of endorphins our body treats us to after a decent work out. However, it’s not always fun to walk alone. See if your friends want to get into the walking habit with you and you can combine catch ups and exercise in one fun session. Of course if you can’t enlist your friends to go walking with you, you could always take a podcast or an audiobook for company.

Dance More

Dancing is a different kind of fun. Not only do you get to up your step count and your heart rate, you can forget yourself for a minute. It’s rare we put ourselves in situations that allow us to just be in the moment and dance like nobody’s watching – so practice at home! Set yourself 5 minute dance breaks where you pull out the most ridiculous dance moves. Not only will this keep you healthy, it’ll keep you laughing and having fun. Don’t take yourself so seriously – you’re not being judged!

Sit Outside

For many of the things we do each day, we could probably do them outside. Get outside with a book, with your breakfast, and even when you’re on the phone. This may not always be possible if the weather is treacherous, but we all need fresh air and sunlight, even if it’s just for a short amount of time each day.

Experiment With More Recipes

Cooking is therapeutic, and the best thing about it is you get to enjoy what you make. Experiment with more recipes and have fun. Include healthy ingredients but don’t be afraid to mix things up. You could make some delicious puddings with your favorite fruit, so you’re adding to your 5 a day while also enjoying a delicious after-dinner treat. Take a look at black elderberry benefits and you’ll probably want to make a fruit cheesecake!

Create The Right Atmosphere in Your Bedroom

The bedroom is the best place to wind down and relax. That being said, it might not be the case for you if you haven’t actually taken the time to create the right atmosphere. Your bedroom should be as dark as possible when you’re sleeping, but to create the perfect atmosphere to wind down you should consider things like LED lighting and even a sunrise simulator alarm clock. There are some truly great gadgets you can add to the bedroom. Here are a few more ideas:

  • Black out blinds or curtains.
  • Fairy lights to improve the atmosphere.
  • Remove your electronics. Take away the TV and sleep with your phone in another room.
  • Try a body pillow to align your spine and ensure you’re sleeping in the correct position.
  • Make sure you have a suitable mattress, duvet, and pillows.

Find Your Form Of Therapy

Everyone has something that makes them feel relaxed and at peace. This may be a comfort activity for you, such as knitting or reading. However, it’s important to note that activities like this also help us to get into something called ‘the flow’ state. This state has been closely linked with better mental health and happiness.

Spend Time On Self Care Each Day

You have to get through your to do list, but you should also be prioritizing self care. Make sure you’re caring for yourself each day, whether you’re taking a hot bath or unplugging from social media.

Pay It Forward

Doing nice things for others can make us happier than when we do things for ourselves, according to studies. Find ways you can use what you have to help others. Could you help out at a homeless shelter or a pet shelter? Could you buy somebody their coffee? There are plenty of ways you can pay it forward if you look for them. You’ll make another person happy and experience benefits yourself, too!

Utilize Scent Therapy

Scent therapy relates to what we breathe. How we breathe is important – deep breaths can help us to calm down when we’re feeling overwhelmed. However, what we breathe can also make a huge difference. Aromatherapy oils in a diffuser could have a profound effect on your mental health. Citrus scents are linked to reduced feelings of anxiety, so try those if you’re struggling with your mental health.

Create Your Own Rituals

Having your own rituals can help you to prepare for the day and wind down when it’s time for bed. Your rituals can look anyway you like, whether that means having some time to yourself with a hot drink in the morning, or having an hour long bath before bed at night. What do you want your morning/evening routines to look like, and what do you think would benefit you most? Doing this will help tremendously with your mental health. When you have these things under control, you’ll be more likely to take care of your physical health, too.

Sleep More

Who needs an excuse to sleep more? Try monitoring your sleep and make sure you’re aiming for 8 hours of high quality sleep each night. If you take the steps to improve your bedroom like we mentioned earlier, then you shouldn’t have any issue with this. If you’re experiencing sleep problems, it could be down to a deeper mental or physical issue, so get help. Try not to get any less than 6 hours a night. If your sleep schedule is inconsistent, then you will likely need to catch up at some point during the week, and you could struggle to focus on important tasks.

Listen To Music

Music has the power to change your mood tremendously. If you’re struggling to work out, a playlist that helps you get pumped could inspire you. If you just need a mental boost, then a good song could do the trick. Don’t underestimate the power of music!

Let It Out – Swear

Some people don’t like swearing, but letting it all out like this could have an amazing affect on your mental health. Swearing has been linked to blowing off steam, and some say it can even reduce physical pain. Just make sure you pick your moments!

Treat Yourself

You might feel apprehensive about treating yourself, but it’s no secret that treating yourself can lift your mood. Buy yourself something shiny and new once in a while. It doesn’t have to be pricey for it to be a huge boost to your mental health and happiness. Just don’t get in the habit of buying things to lift your mood, as you could end up in debt and some bigger problems on your hands. If you want the best of both worlds, you’ll likely feel even more satisfied if you set aside some savings for this very reason. Having multiple savings accounts is a great idea for those who want to hone in on their money management skills, and giving yourself a pot for treats can only be fun!

Laugh

Everybody loves laughing, but we grow up and don’t tend to do it enough. It really is the best medicine! Spend time with people who make you howl with laughter, and watch films and programs that make you laugh. Try not to take things so seriously and you’ll have an easier time of this. Not only is laughing great for your mental health, it can help you to bond with others when you laugh with them, and has benefits on your physical health, too.

Are you ready to tackle your health with a little more fun and excitement? It doesn’t have to be boring, and you’ll be glad you did it later on. Leave your own ideas below!

How to Avoid Inaccurate Self-Assessments

How to Avoid Inaccurate Self-Assessments

It’s very easy to feel ourselves into a state of being weak or vulnerable. In fact, this might be the default state of a human. On the other hand, to feel strong, noble and full of integrity is not as easy as a feeling. It is something you have to work towards. Of course, we’re all shaped differently, and have different life experiences. An elderly woman suffering from agoraphobic symptoms may find that heading to the local supermarket takes the same amount of courage a seasoned athlete uses to climb Mount Everest. Is one braver than the other? Well, it depends on your level of analysis. We discount those small bouts of courage at our peril.

Yet in order to know you can do something, or, shudder, that you’ll even try it, you need to have an accurate self-assessment. Sometimes, you need to use that self-assessment to propel you forward, even if uncertain. Sure, you’re someone who might find it hard to complete that tough task now. But who would you be if you could do that? Would life open up a little more, and become a little brighter to you?

Here’s how to embody ‘yes, I can do it,’ in everything you do:

Consider Your Victories

Consider the victories that you’ve had in the past. More often than not, there will be at least a few points in your life where you’ve acted heroically in a noble manner, or at least in an honest context. This can help you realize that you have the capacity for good and admirability, which helps you feel better about yourself.

There’s no reason why you have to be defined by your last action. This isn’t a ‘get out of jail free card.’ It helps you move forward and become a better person. You just have to learn the lesson, make amends to the extent you can, and move on. Forgiving yourself is a big part of this, as is understanding the possibility and potential you have to uncover. Even criminals that spend time in prison can come out and make something of themselves through a work release program. It happens all the time. So don’t condemn yourself to the point of immobility. Because what do you know about who you are? A little, most likely, but it’s even rarer that you know how you could be. So why not find it out?

Consider How You Survived Difficulties

Just as we have all had victories in our past, we have all survived our worst days. This means that we are stronger than those days, and that should give you some pause for thought. People with strict eating disorders have managed to get over that mental illness, reached their healthy weight, and have started families they grant proper nutrition, all-too-aware of how important that is.

Gaining weight for skinny guys can seem like a difficult approach, for example, but there are excellent methods to grow (quite literally), and become the person you aim to be. Just remember, you can survive the difficulties, because you have in the past. This will shape you for the better, and it should show you that given the chance, you’ll surprise yourself

Use The ‘What-If’ Mindset

The ‘what if’ mindset is an amazing attitude you can take to help you move past your own doubts and actually achieve something. It works, because it’s tantamount to a self-care. And we all know just how effective calling yourself out can be, because it works when others do it. For instance, let’s say you’re trying to lose weight. It’s a tough ask, because it means giving up your regular eating habits and conforming to a tighter schedule.

But ‘what if’ you did do that? Just for today. What if you ate enough broccoli and kept your caloric intake under a certain amount? Surely you’d feel much better for the effort, right? Absolutely. So why not continue using that what-if mindset to think that among the hurricane of self-doubt and worry, you can always use your natural curiosity as leverage going forward. That’s a brilliant approach to take, and it’ll no doubt provide you with a sense of confidence and motivation.

Understand Your Purposes & Principles

It’s very easy to inaccurately assess who you are and what your motivations may be. Perhaps you’re a pathetic weasel right now. That’s fine, there are many out there. It’s fine to be weak. It’s not fine to stay weak. But you don’t have to chastise yourself each day for it. You can just find your purpose and curate your principles and move forward. The more you prove yourself and keep your promise to yourself, the more you’ll realize that your own opinion of who you are is incredibly important, and also the most (rightfully) positive out there. That sounds like a promising result!

With this advice, we hope you can adopt the ‘yes, I can do it’ mentality, and curate accurate self-assessments that need not be so condemnatory.

Tips for Caring for an Aging Parent

Tips for Caring for an Aging Parent

Every year, many people choose to care for their elderly relative at home. As long as the situation is safe for everyone, keeping your elderly parents at home is a fantastic thing for you to do. At the same time though, you have to remember that senior care is easily one of the toughest and the most stressful jobs you will ever do. You may find that you end up experiencing burnout yourself or that you struggle to maintain your energy. Either way, there are a few things that you can do to try and make sure that you pace yourself and get the support you need at every stage in the process.

Understand How Much Care is Required

If you want to become the best caregiver you can be, the first step is to determine the level of care the older adult needs. Creating a list of weekly or even monthly tasks will help you to understand how much help is needed at all times. From there, you will then find out how much you can realistically provide. One easy way for you to do this would be for you to come up with a comprehensive list of notes every time they ask you to help them with something. If you do this for a week or even a month, then you will surely be able to find out what they need help with.

Be Realistic for the Sake of Your Own Health

Now that you have a good idea of what your loved one’s needs are, it’s now time for you to find out if that’s something you can help them with. You may discover that as you handle as much as possible, you still need help yourself with a variety of tasks. This is fine because you should never try and take care of everything yourself. If you do, then you may find that you end up harming your own mental health.  That is the last thing that you want. If you feel like you need some help, then why not look into at home elder care services?

Get Help if You Need It

Even though it may seem that finding someone to help you takes too much time and effort, you have to remember that it’s actually an investment. This investment will likely pay off in the future. Finding help does require a lot of patience, time and effort, but it’s well worth it if you are able to decrease your workload and reduce stress overall.  If you want to get some help, then you need to keep an open mind and be flexible. Be sure to write down a list of everything, as mentioned above, because this can be an invaluable resource if you do ever find that you need to seek help. Some people don’t like to seek help because it makes them feel as though they are failing their loved one. In reality, it’s the opposite. You’re helping your loved one to get the support they need. Remembering that can save all of you from feeling overwhelmed.

Helping a Loved One Through Cancer

Helping a Loved One Through Cancer

Cancer is a diagnosis that nobody wants to hear. The diagnosis alone can be overwhelming, never mind the process of treatment that may follow. So, if a loved one of yours is diagnosed with cancer, you may feel at a loss as to what you can do to help them. On a practical level, anyone besides professional medical staff will be rendered pretty helpless. But you can still support your loved one in a number of other ways that can help to make them more comfortable, lift their spirits, and generally improve their day-to-day experience. Here are some to take into consideration.

Ask Them How They’d Like to Be Treated

Sometimes, the easiest way to determine how someone wants you to treat them is to simply ask. This is a difficult situation and different people will cope with it in different ways. Some people will want to talk about it. Some won’t. Some people will want to be constantly surrounded by loved ones. Some will want their space. Some people will want a fuss made. Some would prefer everyone to act as usual. You can ask outright, or you can try different approaches and gauge which your loved one reacts best to.

Offer Your Services

If your friend or loved one can have treatment and wants treatment, there are different treatments they may be undergoing. These range from chemotherapy to proton therapy and more. Make sure to look into the therapy your friend is having so you know the ins and outs. Then you can see the process and the side effects and help your friend accordingly. Something as simple as offering them a lift to and from the hospital or a top proton therapy center can make all the difference to them, saving them from the task of finding alternative transport themselves. If they are going to be hospitalized, you could offer to look after their pets and water their plants until they’re back out. If you know your friend will be feeling drained, you could cook them a meal or offer to help with their household chores. Acts of service tend to be greatly appreciated.

Buy Thoughtful Gifts

You may want to offer a gift to show that you’re thinking of your friend. Gifts often lift spirits – especially if they’re well thought out or personal. Good generalized gifts for people include travel pillows for the hospital, port pillows for chemotherapy, loungewear, lip balms (many people experience chapped lips from the air conditioning units in healthcare facilities) and more. Avoid flowers in hospital, as some hospitals don’t accept them due to the potential presence of fungal spores which could slow recovery. You should also avoid gifts of perfumes or scents, as some chemotherapy treatments can cause an alteration in your loved one’s sense of smell, making certain scents cause nausea.

Hopefully, the above information can help you to provide your loved one with support and care through their diagnosis and treatment. This is bound to be a difficult time, but your support could make all the difference!