Content on this page requires a newer version of Adobe Flash Player.

Get Adobe Flash player

Archive for the ‘Stress’ Category

Calling All Workaholics: Work-Life Balance Redefined

Friday, May 3rd, 2013

By Guest Blogger Erin Schwartz

If you love your job, then you’re never really working, right? As much as we’d like to believe that, even the most rewarding of professions can start to be a drag when we’re pushing beyond 50, 60, or 70 hours each week.

workaholic_name_badge

We’re a nation of workaholics, and it’s that collective drive to succeed that’s helped lead the U.S. to prominence in the world market. As a nation, we’ve increased our productivity levels by 400 percent since 1950.

On an individual level, however, many people take their career motivations too far. Overall, priorities should be balanced between work, family and fulfillment, from hobbies to travel to volunteer opportunities.

(more…)

Blue Monday: Today Considered ‘The Most Depressing Day of the Year’ and 10 Tips Out of a Rut

Monday, January 21st, 2013

“Christmas is over, you’ve put on weight, it’s cold out, it’s dark out, your credit card bills are in, you’re not going to get another day off until March, and you’re tired.

You might even be depressed.

If so, you are not alone, especially not today. For today, according to one measure, is Blue Monday, the most depressing day of the year.” (Montreal Gazette)

(more…)

Do You Have A Social Media Addiction?

Thursday, December 6th, 2012

OMG, NOW THIS MAY BE A SLIGHT OVEREXAGGERATION, BUT IS THIS YOU? Is your cell phone always glued to you? Do you constantly check Twitter and Facebook on your free time… like when you’re family is home at night and instead of playing with your kids or bonding with your partner, you’re futsing around on BBM (Blackberry Messenger), or iMessage, or other social media sites? Or better, do you bring your smartphone into the bathroom? Is your Facebook account or emails the first thing you check when you wake up? Are you exhausted from staying up too late reading about all of your “friends’ ” status updates, whereabouts and pictures? Has your family asked you if you love your computer more than you love them?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, it’s time to admit, you may be a social media addict. And you don’t want to overdose, trust me. A recent German study released these findings: “Social media is more addictive than cigarettes or alcohol.” Scary stuff.

(more…)

The New Research on Stress and 6 Tips To Reduce It

Monday, December 3rd, 2012

Welcome to December! DECEMBER. I can’t even believe I am writing this word. 2013 is almost upon us. When did THAT happen?!

For many, December is a stressful time of year. The approach of the holidays signals time spent with family, which for many is wonderful, and for others, a nightmare. Christmastime is also a time of increased spending, which in itself can cause great anxiety and stress.

But here is what the latest research is saying:

While the widespread perception has always been that stress induces a vast array of health problems — everything from anxiety to fatigue – researchers from Penn State University say that it’s actually the way people react to potentially stressful situations that determines whether they will suffer adverse health effects in the future.

(more…)

Warning Signs of Burnout and How To Avoid It – Erica Diamond on Canada AM

Monday, November 12th, 2012

I just returned from my morning segment on Canada’s national morning show, Canada AM. In 2001 I was close to burnout, and today I shared the warning signs of burnout, and how to avoid it. Many people are walking around burned out, and don’t even know it. I hope that you will LISTEN to your body, and RESPOND promptly.

To view the segment click on this link: http://www.ctvnews.ca/health/work-life-balance-key-to-beating-job-burnout-experts-1.1036410

Or to watch on YouTube, click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4S5XwG8Kwqw&feature=share&list=UULqdySZd9Era8HYsGEb6JCg

(more…)

The Other Side of Victim

Friday, November 9th, 2012

By Guest Blogger Christine Macdonald

Just before my alarm went off, I opened my eyes and rushed to the bathroom mirror. They were even darker and more pronounced than last night.

This wasn’t a dream.

I ignored my mother’s voice coming from downstairs and stayed with my reflection. Standing frozen, as witness to the aftermath, I stepped outside myself, in awe.

“Okay!” I shouted from behind the closed door, turning on the shower to appease my mom. But I couldn’t move. Getting ready for school would have to wait.

Seconds morphed into minutes and all I could do was stare. Stretching my neck to one side, I slowly traced each marking, gently pressing them with the tips of my fingers.

(more…)

Burned Out

Monday, November 5th, 2012

The year was 2001. I was 26. Newly and happily married. I had managed to turn my passion into my paycheck. My business was flourishing. I had just been featured on the cover of the Business section, and numerous other publications and tv shows. Life was rockin’.  I had the world by the balls.

Except, one little thing. I wasn’t sleeping. I was anxious. I was consumed by obsessive thoughts. I was crashing. I was on the brink of a burnout.

I have never blogged about this dark period, I have only loosely touched on it. I have blogged many times about the incredible birth of WomenOnTheFence.com but never about this time in my life.

(more…)