Attention HR Managers!

Ministry of Labor's Pains and Strains Campaign Awareness Seminar

Are You Ready?

Purpose of the Seminar

To provide information to you on the MOL blitz
To discuss the top 5 hazards in companies that inspectors will be looking for and specifically the ways you identify,validate and address ergonomic concerns in your facility

Discuss how cognitive ergonomics can play an important role in improving your employees overall performance.
Date: October 20, 2010

Time: 9-11
Cost: 25.00
Location: Casablanca Winery Inn


4 Windward Dr., Grimsby, ON

Join Nancy Hume-Meletti, MSC.Erg., CCPE and Heidi Cowie RSW

To sign up please visit: http://www.ergonomicstrategies.com

or

http://www.mystresschat.ca

Assumptions

Everything is a story we tell ourselves and every story is based on hidden assumptions. Once these assumptions are uncovered, we enter into a kingdom of possibilities.
How do we change our stories and assumptions?
1.If we are clinging to thoughts that make us feel bad, ask yourself if you are carrying around other people's expectations and rules.Who made up that rule?
2.Change the rule. Think a new thought often
3.If you really want to do something you will find a way. If you don't, you will find an excuse!

Burlington Chamber of Commerce Event

Join me for a networking breakfast and seminar.

Stress Reduction 101

Being an entrepreneur can be stressful. Are you concerned about your next sale, your employees, dealing with clientele, and the home issues? Then attending Stress Reduction 101 will help give you insight into the “whys?” along with some practical “how to” answers. Stress is here to stay but how we handle it can make all the difference in the world. Stress Reduction 101 is an entrepreneurial customized workshop . . . practical, interactive and fun! Learning useful tips to help manage and feel less stress at work, develop skills, create a stronger team helping you to build a successful business. Learn from two experts with over 20 years of experience in stress management and emotional health.



Topics for Stress Reduction 101:

Coping in crazy times - being aware of your personal stress “temperature” and learning ways to bring it down


Creative thinking and problem solving to manage our own emotions and the emotions of others


Improving personal and sales skills by learning techniques to remain calm and in control


Learning the links between stress and illness and how this can be avoided.

The Link Between Stress and Absenteeism

According to Statistics Canada, December 19, 2007, high self-perceived work stress was strongly related to taking disability days. Almost one in five men and women who perceived their regular work days to be stressful took at least one disability day in the last two weeks.

In a representative study by Angus Reid of 1000 employees across Canada, 55%
of workers felt they were stressed and had too much to do in too little time.
According to Northwestern National Life, one-fourth of employees view their
jobs as the number one stressor in their lives.

According to Canada Safety Council report dated April 2008; mental health
claims are the fastest growing category of disability costs in Canada. They account for an estimated 30 to 40 percent of the disability claims recorded by Canada’s major insurers and employers. Three-quarters of employers say mental health issues are the leading cause of short and long term disability claims in their organization.

According to the Institute for the Study of Labour, people who report some
stress in their jobs are 10-14% more likely to be absent from work.

“Do I Stay or Do I Go?”-An uncomplicated way to improve morale and increase retention

You have just laid off three employees and the remaining staff are stressed and fearful that they may be next or; they are stressing over how they will manage the increased workload. How do you keep morale up, retain your talent and maintain or improve productivity? Improve your communication. No human relationship, whether it’s a marriage or a corporation, will thrive if the communication breaks down.
I had worked for a pharmaceutical company for five years and we were able to retain our talent and keep morale high.
What was our secret? Why did people stay with our company? The communication was open and encouraged from the President through to the sales reps. Consistent communication diminishes the fear and stress in the work environment and diminishing or reducing stress is key to morale, productivity, and retention.
Quick Tips
1. Learn to communicate effectively. If communication is not your strength, hire an executive coach. Good communicators are taught not born.
2. Listen. Listening is active not passive. Give people the opportunity to share their success stories and their problems.
3. Lead by being positive. Positive leaders instill trust, hope, a sense of worth and competency in their people.
According to Saratoga research Institute, 89% of managers believe employees leave for more money and 88% of employees leave for reasons other than money.

Hands On Tips for Coping with Stress at Work

1. Communication- keep people in the know as much as possible.Provide them with relevant and timely information.

2. Prioritize- everyone feels the stress and it worsens when you get twice the workload because your buddy called in a sick day. Look at the work, create a list of action items, prioritize,move forward.

3. Remain focused on the present. Stop getting anxious or fearful about what might happen 3 days from now. Ask yourself, "what are three things I can move forward today?". This will help you to remain on target.

4. Take your breaks.A quick 5 minute walk will restore some balance.

Work Related Stress

Stress has 3 components
1)The event- can be physical or emotional-perceived as a threat
2)The brain- how is the threat being processed by the brain
3)Stres response- how we adjust our behaviour to the threat

How we define the stressor depends on the meaning we attach or give it.Meaning comes from our own unique experiences in life. If we lived with a physically abusive parent, then conflict on the job would cause significant stress.

In stressful times, our bodies physically react before we "think things through".
Your mother was right, count to 10 and take deep breaths before you react.

Are You Stressed?

Depend on 20 years of reputable counselling and coaching experience
Get the techniques you need to safely and carefully reduce stress
Our counsellors and coaches are here to provide you with prudent and trusted advice

Imagine. Counselling and coaching you trust from your home, your office, or virtually anywhere. Now you can have fast, friendly, professional, and secure counselling on-line.

Visit us at http://www,mystresschat.ca

Welcome to The Company of Women

Every day thousands of business owners, employees, managers, customer service representatives, health care workers and emergency response professionals are faced with work-related stress that over time creates mental and physical illnesses.

For many people, seeking counseling is shameful or embarrassing. Stresschat’s unique one-on-one instant chat puts you in direct contact with a counsellor without going to an office. You get total anonymity with the expertise of a professional.

We are pleased to have partnered with Company of Women to offer an exclusive offer to members. Considering the health impact of unmanaged stress, this web-based service can prove to be invaluable to you and your work place. It is available when needed, offers help and is anonymous.

Company of Women members receive a 10% saving off the regular fees.
See what the Company or Women can offer you.http://www.companyofwomen.ca

Effects of Chronic Stress

Short-lived or infrequent episodes of stress pose little risk. But when stressful situations go unresolved, the body is kept in a constant state of activation, which increases the rate of wear and tear to biological systems. Ultimately, fatigue or damage results, and the ability of the body to repair and defend itself can become seriously compromised. As a result, the risk of injury or disease escalates.
In the past 20 years, many studies have looked at the relationship between job stress and a variety of ailments. Mood and sleep disturbances, upset stomach and headache, and disturbed relationships with family and friends are examples of stress-related problems that are quick to develop and are commonly seen in these studies. These early signs of job stress are usually easy to recognize. But the effects of job stress on chronic diseases are more difficult to see because chronic diseases take a long time to develop
and can be influenced by many factors other than stress. Nonetheless, evidence is rapidly accumulating to suggest that stress plays an important role in several types of chronic health problems-especially cardiovascular disease, musculoskeletal disorders, and psychological disorders.

Cardiovascular Disease
Many studies suggest that psychologically demanding jobs that allow employees little control over the work process increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Musculoskeletal Disorders
On the basis of research by NIOSH and many other organizations, it is widely believed that job stress increases the risk for development of back and upper- extremity musculoskeletal disorders.
As previously mentioned, chronic stress has been linked to an increase in viral and bacterial infections. "Even if better coping with job stress produces only small reductions in the incidence, duration, or severity of such illnesses, a much reduced problem
of infectious disease contagion may be achieved." (Journal of Applied
Psychology)
The research has proven that chronic stress can lead to depression. According to the Unheralded Business Crises in Canada, wrong or partial treatment of depressed personnel invades the workplace. The depressed employees may be half-functional. “This is truly a case of the walking-wounded whose capacity can undermine the spirit and effectiveness of co-workers who are forced to pick up the slack for reasons they attribute naturally, but wrongly, to “attitude or behavior” on the part of the partly-disabled. Effects on work can include: problems with decision-making and concentration, lower productivity, more errors and accidents, and an increase in absenteeism.”

Work,Stress, and Health

The modern usage of the term “stress” originated in Canada just over 50 years ago. Dr. Hans Selye (1907-1982), the first director of the Université de Montréal’s Institute of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, first coined the term. He identified two kinds of stress: good stress, which contributes to wellness; and bad stress, which contributes to disease and sickness.
Since then, we have grown increasingly more knowledgeable in the study of acute and chronic stress and the effects on our physical, mental, and emotional health.
The right kind of stress energizes and motivates employees. The wrong kind leads to absenteeism, disability, staff turnover and low productivity. This destructive type of stress is of growing concern to employers. Studies suggest that work stress may increase a person's risk for cardiovascular disease, psychological disorders, workplace injury, and other health problems. Early warning signs may include headaches, sleep
disturbances, difficulty concentrating, job dissatisfaction, and low morale, but sometimes these clues are not apparent.
In occupational psychology, work-related stress has been linked to both the physical and mental health problems across a broad section of the working population. People under stress are reported to suffer adverse personal health, including ulcers, high blood pressure, heart attacks and even death. Studies in behavioural sciences have shown that poor employee performance, absenteeism, and high labour market turnover are all
linked to worker stress.
“The people who report being burned-out generally were describing a phenomenon of partial disengagement from their work, loss of motivation, winding down, and turning off which is probably related to a form of taking psychological flight.”
http://www.safety-council.org:80/info/OSH/mentalhealth.html

Leontaridi, R., Ward, M.Work. Related Stress, Quitting Intentions and Absenteeism. http://www.iza.org/

Changing Our Beliefs

Our belief system is at the core of who we are. Often, when we uncover a flawed premise or belief, we immediately think "this is going to be hard to change".
I recommend following the 3 "A Process"
Awareness- identify the belief that is not positive
Acceptance- accept and acknowledge that this is a belief that can be changed
Adjustment-now replace the negative thought with a positive thought.
A belief is just a thought you think a lot.If you start thinking a new thought a lot, you change your beliefs.

The Universal Triggers for Stress

Three factors that universally lead to stress are:
1.Uncertainty
2.lack of information
3.lack of control
In his book, Dr. Gabor Mate looks at the hidden cost of stress. It's one of the best books I have read on the effects of chronic stress.
In my practice, I am always suggesting various books, meditation CDs etc. so I discovered that I now can add a link directly to Amazon.I will be reviewing and recommending publications on a consistent basis.

One out of Ten Canadians Struggle with PTSD

Researchers at McMaster University in Hamilton have released the findings of a national survey that found the rate of lifetime Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among Canadians was estimated at 9.2 per cent. Altogether, 76.1 per cent of Canadians have been exposed to at least one traumatic event, such as the unexpected death of a loved one, sexual assault or seeing someone badly injured or killed.
PTSD can be accurately diagnosed and effectively treated. As with other health problems, PTSD is more effectively treated if identified early. Delay in treatment
can lead to aggravated symptoms and can also impede recovery (www.forces.gc.ca).
Most people do not go for counselling soon enough. They wonder whether their problems are ‘bad enough’ to warrant the need of a professional. Time and convenience are also an issue. People sometimes need instant help with little or no interruption to their routines or work commitments.
Stresschat™ is an immediate response tool allowing any subscriber quick, confidential and anonymous access to a qualified counsellor and stress specialist―right at their fingertips. Once you become a client, you are given a confidential email which allows you to log in to the instant messenger chat program. From there, you can begin talking to one of our counsellors right away. It’s that simple.
Don’t let the long-term effects of stress affect your life and the life of your family.
Click here to find the support you need.
www.mystresschat.ca

How to have a Lovely Day

How to Have a Lovely Day

…In ten easy steps

1. Smile at strangers

2. Slow down

3. Say thank you

4. Give lots of compliments

5. Dress Nicely

6. Wear perfume

7. Observe and listen

8. Be charming

9. Laugh

10. Wish people a lovely day

Process from www.everythingfab.com

Motherhood

To all the mothers in the world. To those women who dedicate their lives to raising healthy children. This is a beautiful poem.Enjoy!

The Girl I Used To Be

She came tonight as I sat alone,
The girl I used to be.

She gazed at me with her earnest eye
And questioned reproachfully.

"Have you forgotten the many plans
And hopes that I had for you?"

"The great career, the splendid fame,
All the wonderful things to do?"

"Where is the mansion of stately height
With all its gardens rare?"

"The silken robes that I dreamed for you
And the jewels in your hair?"

And as she spoke, I was very sad
For I wanted her pleased with me...
This slender girl I used to be.

So gently rising, I took her hand,
And guided her up the stairs

Where peacefully sleeping, my babies lay
So innocent, sweet, and fair.

I told her that these are my only gems,
And Precious they are to me.

That silken robe is my Motherhood
Of costly simplicity.

And my mansion of stately height is love,
And the only career I know,

Is serving each day in these sheltered walls
For the dear ones who come and go.

And as I spoke to my shadowy guest,
She smiled through her tears at me

And I saw the woman I am now...
Pleased the girl I used to be.

Author: Rowena K.Lewis

Testimonials

What our clients are saying about Mystresschat.

I have known people with “anxiety” disorders. I truly did not understand their problems until I had to deal with my own anxiety. Knowing how to deal with anxiety and stress is something that must be learned. It does not come naturally. There are techniques.
C.P.-Hamilton

Heidi emphasized the “practice” of the techniques to relieve stress and anxiety. There is the “8 second rule”, the “grounding exercise”, the “say yes to less”, and much more. These strategies are not inherited but learned, and in order to learn, one must study, and in order to study, you must have a good teacher.

Heidi makes you feel special and important. She is non-judgmental and honest. She is easy to talk to, understanding, informative, friendly, compassionate, encouraging and optimistic. It’s refreshing to speak to a professional and get easy-to-learn strategies and honest criticism - learning ways for improvement. We are never too old to learn anything new.

I would recommend Heidi to anyone.

I felt an immediate sense of trust. I did not feel judged, or feel expectations as we sometimes feel with professionals in a field not our own. Heidi is compassionate as well as gifted in getting an individual to see what they need to develop without being told outright what it is. A "light" goes on, and it comes together. That way of dealing with personal issues allows trust as you do not question whether or not you are going in the right direction biased on the the professionals' own viewpoint, but from your own. Trust was also built in the way that Heidi makes herself available in several avenues; I could count on her. Through visits, email and phone conversations I got the support I needed when I needed it most. This is extremely rare.
J.S.-Oakville

The High Cost of Stress

We know the facts. We have been studying stress and its effect on physical health since the late 1880’s. So why do we still have such a problem in our work and personal lives.

People do not go for help in a timely fashion-which is normal. We all think we need to figure stuff out on our own without going to therapy.

Stress is part of our lives and at times, it can be good. Our bodies create the stress response when we have happy unexpected surprises. The problem is chronic stress. When we are exposed to constant stress our bodies have a hard time in balancing the increase in cortisol, sugar, amino acids etc. that are racing through our blood stream. As a therapist, I have seen clients who are not even aware that their level of stress is damaging to their bodies and their emotional health. It has been proven that chronic stress can lead to depression, anxiety, sleep deprivation, and physical illness. I often see people who have tolerated high levels of stress until they can no longer function at home or at work.

According to Canada Safety Council report dated April 2008; mental health claims are the fastest growing category of disability costs in Canada. They account for an estimated 30 to 40 percent of the disability claims recorded by Canada’s major insurers and employers. Three-quarters of employers say mental health issues are the leading cause of short and long term disability claims in their organization.

· Lost work time due to depression costs companies $31 billion to 441 billion per year in lost productivity

· 79% of employers think they take care of their employees, yet only 44% of employees agree

· Health care expenditures are nearly 50% greater for workers who report high levels of stress

I have always found it odd that people see a dentist for a sore tooth, a lawyer for a sore legal problem, a doctor for a sore body part yet when our hearts are sore, we are expected to” tough it out”.

A therapist will give you the skills and education you need to cope with stresses in a positive and constructive manner. Today’s technology makes it easy to get professional advice from home, your mobile device-virtually anywhere.

Don’t wait until you crash and burn. Be proactive and get the advice you need now.

The Launch of Mystresschat

WOW!!!! A New and Innovative Service!

Imagine. Counselling and coaching you trust from your home, your office, or virtually anywhere. Now you can have fast, professional, friendly,and secure counselling and coaching on line.Mystresschat is an on line messaging service.

We give you fast access to completely confidential and anonymous coaching. It's as easy as chatting with your friends and you are getting expert advice from professionals with over 20 years of experience.
When you become a member, you get the first 15 minutes of chat time FREE.

Log on to http://www.mystresschat.ca and find comfort and solutions now. First time or a returning client, it doesn't matter. It's O.K.. That's why we are here.

Convenient,fast, trusted counselling and coaching
Anonymous, confidential, secure
Safe, sensitive, and personal

We use today's technology to improve our everyday lives.

International Women's Day

Let's chat about public speaking. Next to death, it's what people fear the most. I admit, each time I step up to the podium, I get a bit nervous. I was asked to give a presentation for the Halton Women's shelter who were celebrating international women's day with their own event.
The event was terrific. There were aboriginal drummers, singers, guest speakers and we all focused on celebration, achievement, and empowerment.
Now for the sadness. Last year the 2 shelters housed 800 women and 1000 children. It runs at capacity constantly. Adult family violence crosses all economic, social, and religious boundaries a and is often the dreaded silent secret.
People "don't want to interfere"and so it often remains a silent violence. Except for the effect on the children.
Abuse is all about power and control- not love.

http://www.youtube.com/user/mystresschat?feature=mhw5

Welcome to Youtube!

Let's chat about technology. In some respects, I am behind the eight ball when it comes to Youtube, and other forms of social media-but I am learning. The videos that will be uploaded will be full of hints and strategies to manage and cope with the stresses in life.
Here's the first one. A bit rough around the edges!

http://www.youtube.com/user/mystresschat

Decluttering

Let's chat about clutter. You know what I'm talking about-the linen closets, drawers,the office desk,the dreaded locker room! I will often advise people that when they are feeling cluttered in the mind, physically decluttering a space is very therapeutic. Sort out the closets and sort out the mind
For those of you who can't bear the thought of even unlocking the lock on the locker room door, call my good friend Steve. He specializes in decluttering with ruthless compassion.
http://www.decluttering.ca

Good Advice Canada Wide

Let's chat about being famous.

In one of my previous blogs I wrote about the importance of employees getting prudent, safe, swift, confidential, and trusted advice. Heidi's advice has gone Canada wide! Here are the links to an article entitled, "The Approval Addict" written by Joanne Richard.

Social Responsibility Starts With Caring for Our Employees

Let's chat about why mental health in the workplace matters. No one likes to talk about it but the most proactive and forward thinking companies are seriously addressing mental health.
Here are some stats:

Depression will rank second only to heart disease as the leading cause of disability worldwide by 2020.

In response to "what would people think" people often conceal their symptoms and fail to seek treatment.

57% of graduating business students around the world claim their primary choice of employer will be one that creates and values a work/life balance

Number of days lost for short-term disability:mental health-72,heart disease-37
The direct cost for absenteeism in Canada accounts for 7.1% but when you factor in the indirect costs, you are looking at 17% of the total wage bill.

When we are faced with severe stress, our bodies respond by dumping an increased amount of cortisol and insulin in the bloodstream. Heart rate increases and our ability to problem solve decreases. It has been scientifically proven that if someone gets help immediately, the body responds immediately by calming down.
People need access to swift, trusted, confidential,anonymous, and safe counselling and coaching.