Post Holidays

Starting in 2005, a British Psychologist, Cliff Arnall, believed that he calculated the most depressing day of the year. He calls this Blue Monday and it occurs in mid to late January each year.  http://www.nydailynews.com/news/blue-monday-saddest-day-year-find-silver-lining-article-1.1007082 Arnall calculates this date on weather conditions, debt level (the difference between debt accumulated and our ability to pay), time since Christmas, time since failing our new year’s resolutions, low motivational levels and feeling of a need to take action There is debate about the legitimacy of Blue Monday and it is more likely to have a 30 second spot on the morning news as…
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Work and Leisure?

Weisure is the term.  It refers to the mix of work and leisure.  Since virtually everyone is connected, it is so difficult to leave work at work.  Is it a bad thing? Many say that work has become fun and is a huge joy in life.  Why not mix work and leisure? It could be more productive and satisfying. I enjoy technology and am guilty of weisure on a regular basis.  However, balance is the key. If one obsesses over his or her work, this lack of relaxation is destructive.  It is important to be able to find a way…
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Rise of Opiate Use Is Not the Answer to Relive Stress

/ Guest Post / By Eve Pearce According to figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2010 12 million people in the US used opiate drugs for purposes other than pain relief. Abuse of prescription drugs such as morphine, oxycodone and codeine is a far bigger problem than use of heroin and many people are turning to opiates as a way to help them deal with stress. Prescription opiates are able to do this, as although they take longer to reach the brain than injected heroin, once there they exert similar effects. In the central nervous system these drugs…
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Creating a Peaceful Holiday for your Family

Aren’t holidays great?  There are presents, food, time off work (for those fortunate enough), and time with family.  However, the time with family can quickly turn into disagreements, which then lead to out right fighting. Its all too often the times we all think should be enjoyed turn into episodes of family drama. Before getting together with family this holiday season, think about the triggers that cause these family problems.  Maybe Uncle Bobby is the one who starts problems by drinking too much.  Possibly it is Aunt Mildred who starts on a rant because Uncle Bobby is drinking too much,…
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Living Within Your Means

Keeping up with the Joneses, go big or go home, and livin’ large are all mantras of our society.  These mantras may very well sound appealing.  However, they seem to cause a great deal of pain for many. In my office, I see people who are spending much more money than they are earning.  After the credit cards are maxed and the second or third mortgage has been taken out, people often find there is no place to turn and they are quite unhappy. What you own is now owning you, as the old saying goes.  It is unfortunate how…
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Stress Management

Here are a couple of quick quips for managing stress: If you allow others to make you stressed, you are allowing them to control you. Do you really want others pulling your strings? Look at stress as a test. The only person responsible for your stress is you. Stress is energy. Are you going to use this energy for something productive or destructive? Will it matter tomorrow? Next week? Next Month?
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