Get Happier And Healthier At Work
PREVENTING SLIPS AND FALLS: BEYOND
Want to be happier and healthier at work?
THE "WET FLOOR" SIGN
Here’s some advice.
To start, go grab a fresh cup of coffee.
There’s a reason you’ve never heard people
say, “time flies when you’re at work!” But coffee can help. According to neurobiologist Dr. Alan Hirsch, just inhaling the
scent of coffee can make time seem like it’s zipping by 14%
faster. That’s because coffee is stimulant. It’s also associated
with alertness and productivity. So it can help you focus on
your tasks and not the clock.
Another way to be happier at work? Eat lunch outside. Find
a tree-lined street or go to a nearby park. A professor at the
Nippon Medical School in Tokyo calls it “forest bathing.” Basically, going to a park to take a break has been shown to
increase immune function by reducing stress and increasing
levels of your body’s natural killer cells that defend against
viruses.
And you know that a desk job is literally a killer, right? Too
Most workplaces realize that slips, trips and falls are serious
issues that need special attention. And while engineering solutions – like mats, lighting and footwear – are important, some
preventive measures are as simple as communicating with
your team.
Here are things you should do to make sure employees are
avoiding slips and falls:
Train them. They should know how to recognize the hazards
and how to avoid them.
Encourage conversation. Make sure employees know it’s
their job to speak up when they spot hazards.
much sitting has been linked to diabetes, heart disease and
obesity. The antidote? Sign up for alerts like Work Rave,
which is a program you can install to remind you to take a
Look at the jobs. Try to find out which jobs put workers most
at risk of slips, trips and falls (such as pushing or pulling
objects), then work with them to find ways to make it safer.
break every once in a while. It’ll prompt you to get up and
move around at least once every hour. And regular movement
boosts your metabolism and increases your good cholesterol.
Finally, make
plans
after
work
and
don’t
cancel
them. Regularly working 11 hours a day doubles your chances of depression. So make plans for dinner or a movie with
friends – and stick to it. Tell your boss it’s doctor’s orders.
Keep equipment handy. Mops, brooms, trash cans and wet
floor signs should all be readily available so hazards can
be cleaned or removed promptly.
Make it your culture. React quickly to any temporary slip or
trip hazards. Doing so shows workers you’re serious
about the dangers and will encourage them to speak up
in the future.
Does Your Kid Have A Drug Addiction?
According to CNN, every day more than 2,500 kids try prescription drugs to get high for the very first time. And they don’t even need
to find a drug dealer, all they have to do is open up the family medicine cabinet. So, here are the signs that indicate your kid may be
in trouble according to the Partnership For A Drug-Free America.

The first sign: Their wardrobe changes faster than their mood swings! Teens try out new identities all the
time so if one day they dress preppy and the next day grungy, don’t be alarmed. But if they change styles and
start hanging out with a new group of friends, and they don’t want you to meet them, something’s up.

Another warning sign your kid could be on drugs: They sound like they’re speaking a different language.
Words like “Dex” and “tussing” aren’t harmless made up words, they’re slang drug terms. So, kids can boldly
talk about drugs in front of you, and you won’t suspect a thing! The smart move: Get familiar with the current slang terms for drugs.
You’ll find a list on the website DrugFree.org.

And, watch out for disappearing bottles from the family medicine cabinet, including over-the-counter meds like cough syrup. It
may not seem dangerous, but if teens use enough cough syrup to get high, they’re at risk for seizures, a coma, and even death.
Another warning sign your kid is using drugs: their sibling is using. Kids idolize their older brothers and sisters and often use drugs
just to follow in their footsteps.
Bottom line: Schedule a precautionary appointment with a counselor. The sooner you deal with the issue, the less likely your kid will
end up behind bars or dead.
ENCOURAGE STRETCH BREAKS TO PREVENT INJURIES
Most workers are pretty focused on their jobs. But too much focus can lead to problems.
Fewer and fewer workers are smokers these days. And while that’s obviously a good thing, there’s one habit the workforce
might be losing as it moves away from cigarettes – the concept of taking regular breaks from work.
Now days, many workers plunk themselves down to get to work and stay there until it’s time for lunch or another designated
break.
Instead of waiting for designated breaks, encourage workers to take regular stretch breaks. If you notice they’ve been sitting
or standing at a station for a while, tell them to take five minutes to stretch out. This could be formal exercise stretches or just
getting up, walking around a little and returning to work refreshed.
That improves mobility, flexibility and focus – all keys for preventing on-the-job injuries.
Could TV Watching Turn Your Kid Into A Bully?
Find out why experts warn that watching too many kids’ TV shows could turn your child into a real life bully.
Would you believe that simply watching TV could turn kids into bullies?
A new study found that almost all of the most popular kids’ TV shows feature shockingly high levels of “social aggression,” or
social bullying. Characters are gossiping, or shooting each other dirty looks and insults. And experts warn that these fictional
TV shows can motivate kids to become real life bullies.
Indiana University researchers watched 150 episodes of the most popular kids’ shows like “American Idol,” and “Family Guy.”
Then, they recorded each socially aggressive moment. The result? 92% of the shows contained verbal and non-verbal social
aggression, ranging from insults to eye rolling.
In fact, a social aggression incident happened an average of once every four minutes. Researchers also found that social
bullies were often played by attractive actors and presented in a funny context. Like the “Rugrats” cartoon character Angelica
sarcastically insulting and bullying other characters to obey her commands.
Lead researcher Dr. Nicole Martins says that when social aggression is shown in a humorous situation, kids are much less
likely to recognize that it’s hurtful behavior. And so they usually think it’s OK to copy what the cool kids on TV are doing –
bullying included!
So, parents, experts suggest watching TV with your kids – and be on the lookout for social bullying. Like
dirty looks, snide remarks, and gossiping. Then, explain how a dirty look can be just as destructive as a
punch or kick, since it crushes self-esteem.