How to mentally prepare for a crisis in the workplace

(BPT) - Recent events in the news have reminded us that unexpected, dangerous and stressful situations can happen anywhere: on the street corner, at the grocery store, and in the workplace. While these situations are often chaotic, there are steps you can take to mentally prepare yourself to handle them better, whether you are an employee, a business owner or manager, or a bystander.



David Levine, senior vice president of Optum's Employee Assistance Program and an expert in workplace crisis response, says that anyone can take steps ahead of time to prepare themselves and their workplace to better handle a tragic or emotionally disturbing event. He offers a few suggestions anyone can try, starting today:



* Evaluate your purpose - Those who feel they are a part of something bigger than themselves tend to exhibit higher levels of resiliency after a tragedy. Workplaces that encourage volunteerism and community involvement, promote work-life balance and encourage an individual's sense of family are positioned to nurture resiliency.



* Find ways to manage your stress - Stress can contribute to a host of health issues and can impact the way your brain works. During extreme situations, your brain moves away from abstract thinking, making even simple tasks - eating, sleeping, and solving basic math problems - difficult. If you're already in the habit of doing things to help you cope with everyday stress, such as exercise, relaxation techniques, or a hobby, that will put you at an advantage for dealing with a sudden crisis. It's also important that you don't turn to unhealthy habits as a way to cope, such as the use of nicotine, alcohol or drugs.



* Examine your relationships - Close relationships with family and friends can be invaluable at times of distress. Those with strong support networks tend to manage these challenges better and recover more quickly. By working to strengthen these relationships now, you'll have a strong support system in place to lean on in times of crisis.



For a business owner or manager, Levine says it's important to develop a crisis response plan and make sure you are familiar with its details so that in times of need, you can respond quickly and calmly.



"When developing your response plan, consult with crisis experts or your Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provider to help design a plan that fits your workplace, including a strategy for providing counseling services to employees after a crisis in order to reduce the long-term effects of mental or emotional trauma," he says. "When tragedy strikes in the workplace, the response of leadership is critical to ensuring that employees remain healthy and productive."



Levine says leaders should focus on remembering the "ACT" crisis communication process: "Acknowledge, Communicate and Transition." He says this process has been found to be helpful for individuals and organizations as they recover from a stressful situation.



* Acknowledge and name the incident - Be visible and available, and use real language that specifically describes what occurred. Acknowledge that the incident has impacted the team and you. This action can align leaders with their employees and reduce the likelihood of creating an atmosphere of blame and stagnation.



* Communicate with compassion and competence - Employees want to know that leadership cares about their safety and well-being, and is capable of leading effectively in the wake of a crisis. During these difficult times, employers and managers must "know their stuff" when it comes to the logistics of responding to a crisis, but also be able to communicate in a compassionate way. Other colleagues or a crisis expert could be helpful in providing guidance as leaders prepare to talk to their staff about what happened.



* Begin to transition - Convey an expectation of recovery to help those who are impacted make the transition to viewing themselves as a "survivor" rather than a "victim." Communicate flexible and reasonable accommodations as people progress back to "normal" life at work. Some employees will be able to immediately function at full productivity; for those who take longer to get back to normal, you can help hasten their recovery by assigning tasks that are familiar and short-term.



In business, the power of planning is a well-documented key to success - and Levine says it's no different when it comes to responding to a workplace crisis.



"While operating through a crisis will never be an easy task, taking these steps now will help make the situation - should it arise - more manageable in the future." He adds, "Whether you're an employee, manager, or bystander to a crisis, following these steps, along with knowing about your employer's critical incident policies, EAP and other support resources, will help you manage the unexpected."



For information on emotional health and dealing with crisis, visit www.liveandworkwell.com.



Courtesy of BPT

'Summer-ize' your home to look and smell wonderful in warmer weather

(BPT) - The three R's aren't just reading, 'riting and 'rithmatic. In the summer, they refer to "reorganizing," "restyling" and "reviving" your home. It's the perfect time to bring a summery, comfortable feeling to your home's interior. Luckily, you don't need to redo every room or throw out all your furniture to get a wonderful seasonal change. Spend a weekend giving your living spaces a lighter, fresher feel. At the end, you might even think you're on a summer vacation.



Home and lifestyle expert Evette Rios has some simple suggestions that can make powerful impressions throughout your house.



Reorganize



Boost the excitement and va-va-voom in your rooms by moving just a few things around. You'll be amazed at the new looks you can create. Something as simple as changing the angle of your couch and voila - new room! Try this scuff-proof method for moving heavy pieces: Fold two clean towels (dirty ones can scratch floors), place one under each end of the furniture piece, and then slide it across the floor. This might also be the time to incorporate a few white wicker pieces, which will add a summery touch.



Take some time to sort through your linen closet and remove unwanted items. Put old or unused linens into a "giveaway" bag. Store bed linen sets inside one of the pillowcases, and you'll never have to hunt through piles looking for a match. All you'll have to do is grab and go. Want a closet full of freshness? Place a few Gain dryer sheets in with your folded sheets to keep them smelling great.



Restyle



Fresh new accessories can help to brighten up each room in your home. Turn plain lampshades into fabulous ones by adding bright or printed linings that come to life when you flip the switch. You might even want to swap out the art on your walls, adding more colorful pieces that are floral or botanical. If you're feeling really ambitious, consider painting a few walls to add a clean, fresh look to your rooms. Try bold colors you've never had before to really change up the look.



Want to get the kids involved? Turn some drab kitchen aprons into fun "cleaning armor." Give each child his or her own apron to decorate with markers or stickers to wear, and send the kids on their mission to dust, clean windows, organize, etc. They'll love wearing something they decorated themselves. Don't forget to ask their opinions on the changes you're making - you might be surprised at their great suggestions.



Revive



If you're packing away heavy clothes or quilts for the season, ensure they maintain a fresh scent by using new Gain Original Fireworks In-Wash Scent Booster in the wash before you store them. It's safe for use on all colors and fabrics and the freshness lasts up to 12 weeks in storage (just in time to take them out for the fall).



Make your laundry room a place you're not afraid to enter. De-clutter the room by installing a tension rod to hang spray bottles, cleaning supplies and more. You can also decorate the room with your kids' artwork to make it a fun space.



Your summer home makeover doesn't need to be expensive or time-consuming. Ambitious projects might take a little longer, but you'll be pleased at how simple it is to transform some of your rooms from drab to wonderfully fresh. Just don't wait too long - summer doesn't last forever! For more inspiration, visit ILoveGain.com or facebook.com/gain.



Courtesy of BPT

Celebrity chef Seamus Mullen encourages rheumatoid arthritis sufferers to rethink their approach to managing the disease

(BPT) - Seamus Mullen, cookbook author and owner of Tertulia restaurant in New York City, woke up with debilitating pain and couldn't move. He tried to stand and collapsed. Unable to reach his phone, he stayed on the floor for hours until a neighbor heard him call for help. After several days in the hospital, doctors determined that Mullen had rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an autoimmune disease that causes chronic pain, swelling, stiffness and loss of physical function. He had become one of the 1.6 million Americans living with RA.



The pain from RA can impact people's ability to do even the simplest of daily tasks like opening a jar or brushing their teeth. Mullen tried to cope with the disease, but his joint pain became so severe that it started affecting his career as a chef. After a couple of years of living with pain on a regular basis, Mullen knew he had to rethink his approach to managing his RA.



"When I was diagnosed with RA, I felt as if the rug had been pulled out from under me," says Mullen. "The RA pain was constantly in the background as I was working in my restaurant and I realized I had lowered my expectations for what it meant to feel OK. One day I realized it didn't have to be this way and I recommitted myself to better managing my disease."



For Mullen, that meant learning as much about RA as he could, including the clinical tests and measures his doctor used to evaluate his RA. He also started to closely monitor his symptoms and how RA was impacting his daily life - and he shared this information with his doctor.



"I've found it critical to have a very open, direct relationship with my doctor," says Mullen. "I've also found it important to share my goals with him to make sure we're on the same page with my RA management plan. I set short-term goals, which are great because they can be more quickly achieved and make me feel like I'm making progress - these include things like taking a yoga class twice a week. I also set long-term goals to keep me on track for the bigger things I want to accomplish, like growing my business, starting a family, being physically active and taking an even more active role in managing my RA."



Today, Mullen is reaching out to help other people suffering from RA pain in his role as spokesperson for Rethink RA, a campaign designed to help people with rheumatoid arthritis enhance their understanding of the disease and prepare them to have more meaningful conversations about RA symptom management with their doctor. The campaign offers information and tools in a free RethinKit available at www.RethinkRA.com/cooking. The website also offers Mullen's top 10 tips for simplifying cooking preparation and recipes that can be prepared in 10 steps or less to make cooking easier for people with RA.



"As a busy chef, I know it can be tough to live with a chronic disease like RA. That's why I encourage people with RA to check out the website and order the RethinKit - it provides some quick-start resources to help people gain more control over managing their RA," says Mullen.



While Mullen has achieved many of his professional goals, he knows the work isn't over. Living with a chronic disease means working hard at managing his RA on a daily basis. His hope for other people living with RA pain is that they, like him, rethink their approach to managing RA and recommit themselves to working with their doctor to better manage their disease.



For more information and to order a free RethinKit, please visit www.RethinkRA.com/cooking. This campaign is sponsored by Pfizer. Inc.



Courtesy of BPT

Weathering the storm: disaster preparedness tips for small business owners

(BPT) - As a nation, we learned several hard lessons following the recent natural disasters in Oklahoma and along the Hurricane Sandy-ravaged East Coast. While we often think of the devastation inflicted upon individual community members, we can't overlook the effects that natural disasters have on the backbones of our local economies: small businesses.



If a small business can't resume operations within 10 days following a natural disaster, the chances are it won't survive, according to Bolt Insurance Agency. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) estimates 40 percent of businesses do not reopen after a disaster, and of those that do reopen, 25 percent fail within one year. What's more, many small businesses do not have disaster preparedness plans in place, according to FEMA.



After a category five tornado hit Oklahoma in May, thousands of small businesses in the area struggled to recover. More than 6,000 companies in Moore, Okla. - a region heavily populated with small businesses - were affected, compromising sales of more than $1.4 billion according to a report by Dun & Bradstreet. Eight months after Hurricane Sandy hit, businesses in New Jersey and New York are still trying to get back on their feet. In New Jersey, nearly 19,000 businesses sustained damage of $250,000 or more, and total business losses neared $8.3 billion, according to findings from the National Hurricane Center report.



"Natural disasters pose serious threats to small businesses' sustainability and survival," says Tony Pica, senior vice president and Mid-Atlantic Business Banking Group executive market president, Northern Virginia at Capital One Bank. "We know that a single storm can produce billions of dollars in damage, which hurts local economies and causes too many small businesses to fail. Our recent-Small Business Barometer-survey shows that small businesses are feeling optimistic about their financial futures, which is great news. However, we don't want these businesses to undermine their chances for long-term success and growth by being unprepared. It is essential for local businesses to be ready when disaster strikes - whether it's a fire, hurricane or tornado."



Capital One offers these tips and guidelines designed to help small businesses prepare for and mitigate damage caused by natural disasters or other unexpected emergencies:



1. Identify an alternate location: For many business owners-the recovery process after a natural-disaster-can be lengthy. Consider moving employees to an alternate work site, such as a satellite office or hotel ballroom. Whatever location you have available, make sure to equip it with critical equipment, data files and supplies.



2. Customer preparation: Make sure your customers know what to expect from your company in the event of a prolonged-disaster-displacement. Publish backup business or store locations on your website, and make sure your customers know your company's emergency contact information for sales and service support, and alternative methods for placing orders and payments.



3. Document your property: Take pictures of your property before a-disaster-strikes. This can help insurance companies assess the damage from the storm, and ensure you get the help you need.



4. Be prepared to meet emergency cash-flow needs: Make sure your bank accounts include emergency funds, and keep enough cash on hand to handle immediate needs. Issue commercial credit cards to essential personnel to cover emergency business expenses. Use online banking services to monitor account activity; manage cash flow; initiate wires and pay bills; reduce dependency on paper checks and the postal service to send and receive payments; and make night depository drops as early as possible if a threat is imminent.



5. Identify tools needed for business to continue: Prioritize critical business functions and how quickly these must be recovered.



6. Employee preparation and communication:-Make sure that you not only have reliable methods of communicating with employees during a disaster, but that your employees are informed and knowledgeable about the company's emergency plan. Make sure that contact information for employees, key customers, important vendors and suppliers, and insurance companies are not just backed-up but accessible electronically for employees.



7. Recovery: Once your business is running again, compare what happened against your company's-disaster-preparedness-plan. Capital One offers a-Disaster Planning Checklist-to help small business owners assess their own plan, and minimize the impact of a-disaster-should one happen again.



For more helpful information on managing a small business, visit www.capitalonesmallbusiness.com.



Courtesy of BPT

Stress management tactics for an improved self, inside and out

(BPT) - There are moments when stress takes over all aspects of life, both personal and professional. The to-do list feels never ending; there are never enough hours in the day; and the challenges appear insurmountable. Feeling stressed is a normal response to demands encountered on emotional, intellectual and physical levels, and often manifests itself physically in many different ways - especially in the appearance of skin. Positively managing stress is essential to achieving a balanced lifestyle and naturally healthy-looking skin.



Helping women everywhere discover the benefits of a holistic approach to skincare, the Simple brand (a range of facial skincare products that is perfect even for sensitive skin) launched the Simple Advisory Board, which is a group of noted lifestyle and wellness experts who help women care for their skin from the inside out. By focusing on different lifestyle choices that can impact skin like diet, fitness and stress management, women can look beyond their typical skincare routine for ways to improve their skin's health and overall well-being. Women can embody the holistic approach to skincare in every way possible, which is why, when it comes to ingredients, Simple knows that what is left out is just as important as what is put in. This philosophy is the reason why none of the products contain dyes, artificial perfumes or harsh chemicals that can upset skin, just the purest possible ingredients for natural, healthy-looking skin.



Simple Advisory Board member, Dr. Josie Howard, is a board-certified psychiatrist who specializes in psychodermatology, an area of medicine that focuses on the relationship between stress, emotional well-being and skin health. Below are Dr. Howard's top tips for effectively and constructively managing stress to help minimize the effects it can have on your skin.



* Take a breather: Resting your body and mind is crucial to regulating blood flow and circulation, both of which are essential in achieving naturally healthy-looking skin. When you feel unusually anxious and stressed out, it may be a sign of exhaustion or fatigue. Find a calm and quiet space and take a few moments to "take a breather," by meditating, napping or even just pausing from the busy day. Allowing both body and mind to take a break will keep your body feeling more regulated and your skin looking beautiful. Closing your eyes and focusing on the sounds and smells that surround you in that moment is a great way to center yourself in the present; a scented candle and soft music can be of great assistance with this exercise.



* Create a relaxation routine: Stress has a big influence on the health and appearance of skin and can show itself in many ways. When you are stressed, hormones in the body become thrown off balance. As a result, your skin's ability to protect itself against environmental pollutants and irritants becomes compromised, leaving the skin more prone to breakouts, irritation and dehydration. There are many ways to create a sense of calm when things become stressful - listening to music, writing in a journal, or practicing yoga are great ways to constructively unwind. The trick is to pick an activity that works best for you and be sure to proactively make that practice a priority every day to effectively combat stress and improve your overall skin health.



Say it with a smile: Any level of emotional stress we experience can readily be detected on our face, whether it is seen through breakouts, irritation and even blushing. When we smile, we not only look better, less tired and more refreshed, but our brains also interpret this as a signal that we actually are feeling happy and content. Moreover, smiling can help others react to us in a more positive way, which can lead to less stressful experiences overall.



Take adequate rest: The notion of "beauty sleep" is not a myth: deep, restorative sleep is essential for growth hormone release, which is necessary for effective tissue repair in the skin. Stress can impair sleep quality, leading to a cascade of hormonal consequences that result in unwanted physical results - unhealthy food choices, weight gain and puffy skin. Over time, chronic sleep deprivation can leave skin looking pale and haggard, reducing its natural protective qualities. Dr. Howard advises removing electronics (even smartphones!) from the bedroom to keep stress triggers at bay and to step away from the computer and other electronic devices at least one hour before bedtime.



For more information about Simple Skincare and tips from Dr. Howard and the other Simple Advisory Board experts visit www.simpleskincare.com. While there, take the Simple Sense quiz to receive customized information and advice regarding skincare and holistic living.



Courtesy of BPT

Revive your bathroom quickly, easily and affordably

Remodeling projects have increased in popularity over the past few years as homeowners have decided to improve on what they have, rather than take a risk in the real estate market. Whether you're hoping to sell your home or create a more enjoyable living space, tackle home improvement projects that make a big impact and add value.

One of the top return-on-investment remodeling projects is updating a bathroom. Bathroom updates even outweigh kitchen projects in terms of getting back what you spend, according to CNN Money. And, if you take a cost-conscious approach and do the project yourself, your investment return will be even better. Renting tools is a key way you can cut costs and bring new life into your bathroom.

There are plenty of remodeling tasks that are easily accomplished by renting tools, versus the cost of buying expensive tools or hiring someone else to do the work. Visit www.rentalhq.com to find an American Rental Association member rental store in your area.

Bring new life to your bath with these tips:

* Replace old tile. Outdated tile is a common problem that makes bathrooms look old. Replacing it with fresh new tile that is in style will instantly give the room a modern look. Tiling is a DIY project that anyone can tackle, with the right tools. Rent the necessary items like a tile stripper, a tile saw and a mortar mixer to keep your project costs down.

* Refresh the ceiling. Ceilings can become dingy over time, and you might not suspect them as the culprit that's making your room feel dull. You'll notice a dramatic change if you liven it up with fresh new texture and paint. Texture sprayers are an unusual tool for most DIY warriors to own, but you can easily rent one to make the job quick and inexpensive.

* Add personality with paint. Another simple fix that can be done is adding a new paint color. It's an easy, quick and cheap project and can totally change the look and feel of the room. Opt for one of your favorite colors or scour interior design websites and magazines to find a trendy color that gets your attention.

* Change hardware. Some faucets and cabinet hardware clearly show their decade of origin. Switching out old hardware is relatively simple and a great way to make a dramatic change in the look of your room.

These projects set the stage for creating a new feel for your bathroom. Make the revived space a reality by choosing a decorating theme and accessories that complement it. Items like window treatments, throw rugs and wall art make the room feel more complete and stylish. To get your project started, visit www.rentalhq.com.

Courtesy of BPT