2019 is upon us....
Summer is a beautiful time, sand, sun and salty hair. Many workplaces will be starting back with renewed energy ready for a great year ahead. As we all return to work, it is good to remember to maintain a work-life balance and embrace and enjoy the challenges that a new year brings along with the adventures and growth your company will face. But do also ensure you have time for your family and friends and enjoying the beautiful natural spaces around you.
Remember to enjoy the long lazy evenings or warm mornings by knowing when to switch on and off. Jump into your work and switch on with excitement for what this year may bring, and then switch off when its time to finish up for the day and have your you-time at the beach, or a BBQ with friends and family.
The great thing about summer is there's lots of daylight to do things after work during the week day and the weekends - whether it be a spontaneous picnic dinner or bush walk! A lazy afternoon at a vineyard or sunset swim - enjoy!
Explore for Free!
Check out your town's/city's free local summer events, from music or movies in the local parks to art exhibitions. This helps reduce expenditure after Christmas and it gets friends and family out enjoying the sun or balmy evenings. Here are some links to events in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch:
http://ourauckland.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/news/mysummer/
https://www.aucklandforkids.co.nz/
https://wellington.govt.nz/events/event-calendar
https://www.ccc.govt.nz/news-and-events/whats-on/
A Healthy tip - Stay Hydrated
Keep cool, healthy and hydrated this summer. Try this easy refreshing drink with no added sugar, colours or flavours:
Slice and peel cucumber, grab a handful of mint and pop in a jug with water - leave to infuse and chill. Modify amounts as it suits your tastes.
It's getting hotter..... which could mean Heat Stroke for some people - here's some handy first aid, signs and symptoms:
Symptoms:
- Throbbing Headache
- Dizziness and light-headedness
- Lack of sweating despite the heat
- Red, hot, and dry skin
- Muscle weakness or cramps
- Nausea or Vomiting
- Rapid heartbeat, which may be either strong or weak
- Rapid, shallow breathing
- Behavioural changes such as confusion, disorientation, or staggering
- Seizures
- Unconsciousness
Treatment:
- Call an ambulance
- Fan air over the patient while their skin with water from a sponge or garden hose.
- Immerse the patient in a shower or tub of cool water.
- If the person is young and heathy and suffered heat stroke while exercising vigorously -- what’s known as exertional heat stroke -- you can use an ice bath to help cool the body.
Prevention:
- Wear lightweight, light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing, and a wide-brimmed hat.
- Use a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or more.
- Drink extra fluids. To prevent dehydration, it's generally recommended to drink at least eight glasses of water, fruit juice, or vegetable juice per day.
Reflect on 2018:
Some Advice from from Dr Suzanne Henwood (Director and Lead Coach and Trainer Braining4Success CEO, The Healthy Workplace):
"Year end is a great time to reflect.
Take a moment to breath evenly . Ask yourself:
For what and for whom are you truly grateful?
With the ups and downs of the year ... what is truly important to you as you move into the new year?
How are you feeling? What feelings do you want to acknowledge, then leave behind? And how do you want to feel moving forward?
Moving your attention to your head:
What story have you told yourself about 2018? What aspects of that story now need to be closed?
What do you know moving forward and what opportunities have you not yet seen … and now you can?
Spend a few minutes allowing your head to create some exciting plans to begin to see a vision of what you want to create in 2019.
And as you breathe deeply into your gut?
Who were you in 2018? And who do you want to be in 2019?
Remind yourself of times when you found courage when you needed it.
What did you take action on?
What did you stop doing?
What do you want to take action on in the future?
And what do you deeply need to be the best you moving forward?
Take a moment to truly appreciate yourself. You made it. Whatever the year had in store, you survived. Acknowledge yourself ...
Bless you for all that you do and all of who you are...."
Have a wonderful summer and remember to be kind to yourself!
Made a New Year's Resolution?
Here's some tips to make it happen:
RESOLVE
R — Recognise a yearning for change
So, you want to turn in a new direction? Then you’ve already got what you need to start making changes. Once you can see that you want more freshness in your life, you can kick your resolve into gear and make it happen.
E — Engage all your resources
As we learn to tune into the body, watch our thoughts, and become friendly with our emotions, we develop inner “resources” that we can call on to help us create a feeling of stability. Engaging your resources can include forming an allegiance with someone who is also seeking to strengthen their resolve. Anything that helps support you in your cause is a resource.
Engaging your resources can include forming an allegiance with someone who is also seeking to strengthen their resolve. Anything that helps support you in your cause is a resource.
S — Soften your need for speed
Instead, make headway slowly. Impatience can be a tremendous drain on your motivation. You learn as you go, so adopt a more relaxed pace that allows you time to investigate and learn from what you are experiencing.
O — Open up to why this matters to you
Let yourself feel why this is worth the effort. Recall that you chose this route because you were determined to grow your resolve. Return to this initial inspiration whenever you need a boost of motivation.
L — Learn to make allies of your obstacles
If you take the time to stop, breathe, and examine your obstacles you might discover that some dissolve under inspection. We often fear taking a stand. We may use catastrophic thinking or overly exaggerate a negative result. Sometimes the greatest obstacle is the fear of change itself. We can gently notice this too. Awareness will feed our resolve.
V — Value your own efforts
It takes determination, energy, and powerful intention to connect with our heart’s desires. No effort is wasted. All will serve to strengthen your ability to trust yourself and your ability to stand up for what you want.
E — Enjoy the twists and turns
Plans have a nasty habit of changing or veering off course. Learn to adapt your route as your resolve propels you forward. The curve balls and surprises are what make life such a titillating adventure.
The EAPworks' Team would like to wish you all a Happy New Year and we look forward to being of support to you and your workplace this year!
Remember EAPworks is available on
0800 SELFHELP 0800 735 343
