by Grace | Nov 30, 2021 | Workplace Education
For many of us, the end of year can produce more stress at work than all other months combined. With usually everybody wanting everything “done by Christmas”, there are more deadlines and a huge rush to complete end of year reports and make plans for the coming year.
On top of this, our non-work hours are filled with Christmas parties, social commitments and Christmas shopping to name a few, and therefore it is especially important to take steps to avoid burn-out around this time of year.
With all this in mind, here’s some tips on managing your end of year stress:
- Prioritise: Be kind to yourself and determine what can wait until the new year. It is near impossible to finish all tasks by Christmas, whilst enjoying time with your family and friends, therefore prioritise what needs to be done and what can be postponed.
- Identify stress/pressure points: What overwhelms you at work? Feeling out of control and under pressure is a form of emotional overloading and can trigger stress. Once you understand what triggers your stress, you can establish strategies to avoid and overcome these triggers.
- Plan daily activities or hobbies to look forward to: Whether it’s a walk, coffee break or cook your favourite meal, we all need small things in life to look forward to so make time for these on your busy schedule.
- Try not to take things personally: Remember that everybody is busy and accepting that your work colleagues or clients are extra stressed this time of the year, try your best not to jump into defensive mode if somebody lashes out.
- Deep breathe: Incorporate regular deep breathing into your daily routine – we love the app ‘Insight Timer’, a free meditation app with sessions starting from 1 minute long.
- Be organised: When things get overwhelming, make a list of all the tasks you need to complete, prioritise and complete them, one at a time.
by Grace | Nov 30, 2021 | Skin Checks, Workplace Education
It’s officially Summer and the silly season is upon us! From family BBQ’s and beach days, to working outside in the heat – we all have to be sun smart to protect our skin from UV radiation.
According to SunSmart (2021), the sun’s UV radiation is a serious health and safety hazard – especially for people who work outdoors. Australia has some of the highest levels of UV radiation in the world and daily UV exposure adds to increased risk of cancer.
It is estimated that approximately 200 melanomas and 34,000 other skin cancers diagnosed each year in Australia are the result of UV exposure in the workplace (SunSmart, 2021).
However, most skin cancers can be avoided – here’s some tips on how to care for your skin with the slip, slop, slap, seek and slide approach!
- Slip on clothing – Clothing can be a great barrier between the sun’s UV and your skin.
- Slop on sunscreen – Sunscreen should be considered the last line of defence. No sunscreen blocks 100% of UV radiation.
- Slap on a hat – look for a hat with a tight weave and broad brim that provides good shade to your face, head, neck and ears.
- Seek shade – Shade can be natural, built or portable.
- Slide on sunglasses – Choose a close fitting, wrap-around style of sunglasses.
Workplace Skin Checks:
Skin checks are vital for early detection of skin cancer and are an essential inclusion in any workplace wellness program. To enhance your employee health and wellness benefits, our trained skin doctors can provide a workplace skin check to your employees in 15 minutes – this involves the use of special lighting and tools to assess the whole body for spots or any areas of concern.
Please email [email protected] or call 0456 387 569 to discuss options for your workplace.
by Grace | Oct 5, 2021 | Workplace Education
This years’ theme is ‘love your eyes’.
According to All About Vision (2021), vision is the ability to use your eyes to see and interpret the world around you. Vision is a two-part process. The eyes focus on and capture an image, but the image needs to be interpreted by the brain before you can make sense of what you’re seeing.
Our sense of sight is responsible for most of the information we absorb from our five combined senses. Many of the movements we perform, tasks we complete and personal interactions we make rely on vision in some way.
So how to we look after or love our eyes? The 4 P’s is a good place to start..
According to the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (2021).
- Prevent – Many eye diseases are prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle which includes eating a healthy diet, cutting down on smoking & drinking, maintaining a healthy weight, and maintaining normal blood sugar levels, blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
- Protect – Wear protecting eyewear in the workplace where necessary, as well as good quality sunglasses to protect your eyes from UV, replace your cosmetics (eye cream, mascara , etc) at the recommended time frame and cut down on your screen time at work and take regular breaks to avoid eye strain, headaches and dryness of eyes.
- Preserve – Get regular comprehensive eye tests. It is recommended that you book an eye test every 2 years, if not more frequently if recommended by your GP or optometrist;
- Prioritise – Prioritise your eye health and consider “love your eyes” as a life’s mission and also educate your family. Ensure that eye examinations are part of your routine medical examination.
by Grace | Oct 5, 2021 | Workplace Education
‘Run, walk or roll’ – this year Run 4 Geelong is happening with a twist! The event will be held virtually with your chosen distance of 10km, 5km or 1km. This year you can also bring along your 4-legged friend for the first ever ‘Run Paw Geelong’!
Now more than ever is the time to support Barwon Health, who have been not only there for our community always, but especially this year with covid-19 contract tracing in the case of a local outbreak, providing vaccinations and ready for any persons in our community who may need medical assistance for a covid infection.
Sign up to participate here with your work colleagues – https://run4geelong.com.au/
We’ve done the hard work for you and sourced a running training guide for 5km & 10km.
5km – https://runnersworldonline.com.au/5k-beginner-training-plan-6-week/
10km – https://www.runnersworld.com/uk/training/a760084/the-perfect-10k/
by Grace | Oct 5, 2021 | Workplace Education
According to the World Health Organisation (2021), the Covid-19 pandemic has had a major impact on people’s mental health. Some groups, including health and frontline workers, students, people living alone and those with pre-existing mental health conditions, have been particularly affected. On top of this, services for mental, neurological and substance use disorders have been significantly affected.
For anybody struggling with mental health during these tough times, the WHO have put together a range of materials to help anybody struggling (you can always circulate this link around your workplace) – https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-mental-health-day/2021/campaign-materials
According to Think Mental Health (2017), ways to look after your mental health include:
- Do something creative: Activities or hobbies can keep you distracted and have a positive impact on your mental health. This could include building something, playing an instrument, gardening, art, doing a puzzle, painting, cooking, writing, etc;
- Keep active: Being physically active can improve your mood and reduces stress.
- Focus on your strengths: Having positive thoughts can help you feel better. Try these support tools – https://www.thinkmentalhealthwa.com.au/about-mental-health-wellbeing/ways-to-look-after-your-mental-health/support-tools/
- Take time out – When you relax, you give yourself permission to let go of your worries for a while. Relaxing helps your mind recover from the stressors of every day.
- Sleep well: Try going to bed at the same time every night and getting up at the same time to create good sleeping habits. A good night’s sleep helps repair and restore our bodies and minds.
- Eat a balanced healthy diet: A well balanced diet includes plenty of fruit, vegetables, proteins and carbs and limits ‘treats’ and alcohol.
- Mindfulness: A great way to reduce stress and anxiety – there are lots of apps you can download to assist.
- Invest time into relationships: Set up a zoom call with your friends and family or call someone you care about on the phone! Connecting with people and investing in good relationships are important for your mental health.
Additionally, Beyond Blue have tips on dealing with mental health whilst working from home – https://coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au/impacts-on-my-work/working-from-home/how-to-look-after-your-mental-health-when-working-from-home?gclid=CjwKCAjwqeWKBhBFEiwABo_XBhaCq8vggVYW7DpXGd8TLNEjPxtTUClRbTK4AnGKyuyIh0mCJDLpPhoCssUQAvD_BwE.
by Grace | Oct 5, 2021 | Workplace Education
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an annual campaign to raise awareness about the impact of breast cancer.
’55 Australians are diagnosed with breast cancer each day’. – The National Breast Cancer Foundation, 2021.
The great news is that survival rates have risen from 76% to 91% (and rising) since 1994 thanks to research.
As a workplace, you can (most likely virtually) organise a pink ribbon breakfast to raise funds and awareness for breast cancer – https://fundraise.nbcf.org.au/event/pink-ribbon-breakfast/home?_ga=2.130779597.390728601.1633308851-1605649163.1633308851
As well as doing a self-examination of your breasts once a month, it is recommended that all women over 50 book in for a free mammogram for early detection of breast cancer (earlier check if there is a family history of breast cancer) every 2 years (Cancer Council, 2021).
Whilst in some cases, people may not experience any symptoms at all (which is why the above is highly recommended), according to Healthline (2021) some signs of breast cancer may include:
- Retracted or inverted nipple;
- Breast or nipple pain;
- Lumps;
- Nipple discharge;
- Swelling;
- Redness/rash;
- Changes to skin texture;
- Lump around collar bone or under arm.