During stressful times, effective leaders who display vulnerability, empathy, and compassion can make a tremendous difference in the emotional wellbeing and performance of their colleagues. Often, the most meaningful messages we can share with one another go beyond words.
We’ve all heard the colloquial advice: Laughter is the best medicine. But did you know there is scientific evidence to back this up?
I’m sure I don’t need to remind you of the restorative value of taking a break. But sometimes the stress we experience before and after a vacation can leave us wondering if the vacation was even worth it. To help you head into the holidays feeling calm and in control, I have a fresh approach to this challenge. The Simplify Filter is designed to help you scale back, streamline, or seek help. I tested this approach before our family vacation earlier this year and here’s how it worked.
With many organizations calling for a bigger in-office presence, those trips into the office are ramping up. Why does this shift seem so difficult now? And how can we minimize the upheaval associated with yet another change in how we work? I’ve got three strategies to share.
Painful commutes. Sitting on back-to-back video calls while in the office. Complicated childcare. Having to put on pants with zippers. It’s a list that leaves leaders struggling to entice people to come back into the office. Over the last two years, we have proven we can be quite productive remotely, thank you very much. Yet there is magic that comes with spending time together, in person. We don’t need to do this every day, but here are 5 solid reasons why being on-site helps us do our best work.
Reading does so much more than expand our knowledge. Research has shown reading can make us more confident, empathetic, and better decision makers. Reading even helps to fight depression and prevent stress and dementia, while improving overall life satisfaction. Still, it can be a challenge to make time in our busy lives for reading, so here are some strategies to help you with this - and an invite to join me on my summer reading challenge!
Burnout was already a problem before the pandemic and it continues to have critical implications for the workplace. Now, 87 percent of US employers say enhancing their mental health benefits over the next two years is a top priority. This is a step in the right direction. How can we help within our own organizations? Here are 4 strategies leaders can use to mitigate the effects of burnout, empower our teams to work sustainably – and thrive.
On March 3, 2022, I completed the 360°Experience in support of 360°kids, an organization providing essential housing, food, education, and employment assistance, to our most vulnerable youth across the York Region. The 360°Experience shows us firsthand the harsh reality of spending a cold night on the street when home is no longer a safe place to be. I’m grateful for this organization and the incredible work they do to help youth in crisis. This year’s 360°Experience raised over $360,000. Many of you have been asking what this experience was like, so I wanted to share this recap with you here.
Taking care of our relationships is an essential form of self-care and wellbeing. Even though life is busy, and the pandemic has made it more difficult to connect in meaningful ways, our friendships and social connections cannot be taken for granted. Our relationships have a powerful influence on our health. Here are four strategies to help you invest more time and energy into nourishing your relationships - and your health.
If we do not prioritize our wellbeing and mental health, we become vulnerable to stress and burnout, our physical health suffers, and we undermine the recovery efforts we so desperately need at this time. If you are noticing symptoms of stress and burnout in yourself and others, including exhaustion, irritability, and anxiety, here are six ways you can mitigate these feelings and prepare yourself for recovery.
