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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, April 18, 2013 | 22 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. · 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) Ensure proper toothbrush maintenance oughly clean your toothbrush to prevent illness. Tips to prevent contamination of bacteria: · Wash your hands before and after brushing. · Rinse your toothbrush thoroughly with tap water to ensure the removal of toothpaste and debris, allow it to air-dry, and keep upright. If multiple brushes are stored in the same holder, don't allow them to touch. · Don't soak toothbrushes in disinfecting solutions or mouthwash. This may lead to cross-contamination of toothbrushes if the same solution is used over a period of time or by multiple users. · It is also unnecessary to use dishwashers, microwaves, or ultraviolet devices to disinfect toothbrushes. · The CDC advises that using products for toothbrush disinfection requires careful consideration, as the scientific literature does not support this practice. · Do not cover toothbrushes or store in closed containers. A humid environment is more conducive to bacterial growth. · Replace your toothbrush every two to four months or sooner if the bristles appear worn. This recommendation of the Canadian Dental Association is based on the expected wear of the toothbrush and its loss of mechanical effectiveness. · If you use an electric toothbrush, the heads are replaceable and can be cleaned and disinfected in the same way. · Replace your toothbrush when sick The mouth is home to millions of microorganisms. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), in removing plaque and soft debris, toothbrushes become contaminated with bacteria, blood, saliva, oral debris, and toothpaste. Because of this contamination, it makes sense to thorGood 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. 17 · Thursday, October 20, 2011 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com Advertising Section * 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. Heavier workloads have left many workers dealing with elevated levels of stress. 20 010 Gold Aw ward Winne er Oa akv kville e Be Beaver eaver ONE PERSON, ONE FACE, ONE SMILE Specializing in classic braces, invisalign and other invisible orthodontic solutions. Call to schedule your Complimentary Consultation (905) 849-7067 2-2983 Westoak Trails Blvd., Oakville Dr. Brian Hurd and Dr. Maryam Fathimani www.villageortho.ca and after you're better. If you regularly use an electric toothbrush, you may want to consider using regular toothbrushes for the time you are sick. For more information, visit Dr. Arun Narang at Oakville Dental Arts, located at 1344 Cornwall Rd., suite 400, or call 905337-3511. S K N A B X I S S D E B SIX 2013 B I R M I N G H A M BA N K B E D C H A L L E N G E From April 1 to May 5, 2013, over 40 banks across Oakville are helping raise funds for the at Oakville Hospital. T A E R G E ON E S U CA W E' RE BA NK IN G ON $1 M IL LI ON ! your bank. Ask your branch how you can help! www.bankbedchallenge.com Come out and join us on Sunday, May 5 at 10:00 a.m. at Oakville Place