Having balance in life is something that most strive for, but also struggle to achieve and maintain. By starting simple at a household level you build a foundation to set yourself on a path to achieve it throughout other aspects of your life as well.
Talk counselling & coaching are part of the puzzle, but it's important to utilize methods like neurofeedback and hypnosis that reprogram your subconscious
What do you mean when you talk about boosting your immune system? Let’s take an educated guess at some of the answers: Make changes to your eating habits Exercise daily and stay active Maintain regular sleep patterns Wash your hands often Perhaps you even include answers pertaining to supplements, alternative treatments like acupuncture, and fasting How many of you would focus on your emotions and your psychological well-being? Some of the big emotional stressors that impact our emotional health: Loss of job/switching careers Going to University or career training Financial hardship Moving/relocation Marriage/moving in together Starting a family Starting a new relationship Relationship stresses or abuse Workplace stresses or abuse Separation or divorce Death of a loved one Change of any kind contributes to some level of stress, even good changes Or just dashed expectations of self and what you had hoped was possible Any or all of these usually cause anxiety and stress. In turn, our body responds and reacts. How extreme that reaction varies widely but it is not something to ever take likely. At the very least, when life upsets us, we lose some psychological balance. But there doesn’t have to be a clear and present danger to throw off our balance. If anxiety causes us to perceive a threat, our bodies cannot tell the difference. If there’s a chance of danger—real or not—our “fight or flight” response kicks in. Among other things, this means: Our brain diverts more blood to our muscles to facilitate a physical response In order to gain more energy, we experience an increase in heart rate, fats, blood pressure, and blood sugars Our muscles tense up, thus providing more speed and strength Even our blood clotting [...]
No, this isn’t a tech comparison between texts, tweets, and PMs. Sure, that’s one way to assess communication preferences. Some like the phone. Others only text. Many choose e-mail. But those are more about delivery than style. Communication styles say a lot about how each of us choose to share information. Of course, these styles can sometimes blur into each other. However, there are some clear lines to be discussed and well communicated. What types of communication styles are there? Here are some broad but common categories: Affiliative/Indirect Think of this style as collaborative. The affiliative communicator is comfortable sharing power. In the case of couples, they will almost always get their partner’s input before making a decision. Some characteristics of an affiliative/indirect communicator include: A desire to work out problems collectively Does not want or appreciate direct challenges A bluntly stated disagreement may be perceived as hostile May take disagreements personally Will remain quiet until all sides have presented their case When interacting with an affiliative/indirect communicator, you may have to do some work to fully grasp their intentions. In their quest to avoid tension or confrontation, they’ll start with “maybe” before stating a clear “no.” Competitive/Direct This communication style is the flip side of the affiliative communicator. A competitive communicator isn’t necessarily “competing” but they’re unafraid to challenge those around them and/or make decisions on their own. The competitive/direct communicator is: Willing to dominate discussions Ready to get right to the point Comfortable with immediately speaking up when faced with disagreeable topic A direction giver and decision maker At their best when working within a clear power structure Appreciative of bluntness, honesty, and short answers As you might imagine, the competitive/direct communicator uses [...]
What passes for effective communication skills has changed dramatically. Or has it? Sure, the methods have become increasingly high tech. This means more than a few communication tweaks. But the basic guidelines remain the same. However, the basic guidelines remain the same. The Basics of Effective Communication Skills 1. Active listening Listening is more than waiting for your turn to speak. To listen actively is to incorporate the following practices: Concentration Focus Your full attention An intention to respond with understanding 2. Body language This is one of the most underrated aspects of communication. It can be as simple as sustaining eye contact or making interest noises. The idea is to show the speaker you’re listening. Also, a welcoming and open posture makes the speaker feel more comfortable. 3. Asking questions (without interrupting) It’s very important to connect to those with whom you’re communicating. But don’t forget- timing matters. 4. Desire Effective communication skills start with desire. We have to want them and want to do what it takes to improve them. Like anything else, that means commitment and practice. The Benefits of Effective Communication Skills 1. Less misunderstanding Yes, this sounds obvious but it bears discussion. How many disagreements and arguments are caused by poor communication? To say “most” would be an understatement. 2. Deeper and closer relationships Communication is a process. A relationship is a process. When they develop together, the results can be very enriching. 3. Less anxiety How often have you wondered and worried about being misunderstood? Do you blame yourself when conflicts happen? Give it your all while listening and speaking. This won’t guarantee agreement. But it can ease your mind and help you develop your skills further. 4. Financial [...]
It used to be a simple cliché to point out how quickly things are changing. Now, by the time those words leave your mouth, things have already changed again! Even those with lots of vision can fear being left behind. Fortunately, you’re not alone. Working with a career coach makes you part of a super team. What does a career coach do? Combine your favorite teacher with a dedicated coach and an understanding therapist and you have an idea. Working with a career coach involves learning new information. Together, you will seek and find solutions. You will also respect the process. We’re talking self-improvement as a journey, not a destination. Why do you need a career coach? To list all the possible reasons would take a book (or more). Most simply, it’s a matter of appreciating the challenges. You’re amazing. You’re a go-getter and do-it-yourself type. Everyone admires your ability to think on your feet. Yet, all this doesn’t mean you don’t need help. A career coach has chosen to specialize. They study the field and the market. No new trend slips past them unexamined. You cannot reasonably be expected to have a full grasp on all this. Working with an expert allows you to benefit from their knowledge and experience. 6 Ways a Career Coach Can Help You Get Ahead in the Game! Kickstart your motivation Not everyone is self-motivated. This isn’t automatically good or bad but, it can help when it comes to your career. Like any good mentor, a career coach wants lessons to carry over to all the times when you’re not in touch. Learn more about yourself, your strengths, and where you need improvement This is where the “counseling” [...]
