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'IN EQUILIBRIUM'                                   
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CONTENTS
            THE REGULARS                   FEATURES                                                        
            Stress Tip of the Month        "The grass on the other side is always greener"
            Quote of the Month               Assertiveness skills: Being Specific         
            Monthly Book Review                          
THE REGULARS
STRESS TIP OF THE MONTH
   
One of the most enduring and successful stress management strategies, with enormous benefits, is Relaxation.

You probably agree but like many busy people you might feel that you are unable to find time to relax.

Let me ask you ... do you find time for morning or afternoon tea? If you answered "yes" then I want to
suggest that it might be more possible than you think to fit a 10 minute relaxation break into your day!
QUOTE OF THE MONTH
 
The greatest discovery of my generation is that human beings can alter their lives by altering their attitudes of mind."      William James (1842-1910)
BOOK REVIEW
 
Dr David Mason Brown reviews Reader's Digest "Guide to Vitamins, Minerals and Supplements."

This book is the best general guide to nutritional supplementation I have seen.  The pressures of modern life mean that our nutrition has to be good to help maintain our health and stamina.  This book is an excellent guide to vitamins, minerals and supplements.  It is extremely well laid out.  After the contents, the first thirty-six pages give advice about how to responsibly use supplements.  The first major section, pages 40 to 195, give double pages of information on everything from Aloe Vera to Zinc. 
 
As it says in the reader's Digest web-site (www.readersdigest.co.uk) "It tells you what works, why it works, and how to put it to work for you. Recommended dosages, side effects, treatments and symptoms are all clearly shown, along with listings of latest research and findings, and advice on when to call a doctor. In addition, features tell you about top food sources and give some fascinating case histories. All you need to know about taking vitamins, minerals and supplements is here in a single, easy-to-follow guide."

The last major section, pages 198 to 389 lists conditions from Acne to Warts and Verrucas.    Then there are a few pages giving Possible Drug and Supplement Interactions, Useful Addresses, a Glossary, and a twelve page Index.

This reference book is one of Reader's Digest's Top Sellers and quite rightly so.    The only thing it lacks is the most recent advice on certain amino-acids like glutamine.  Many participants on workshops have decided to buy it after seeing it.  I thoroughly recommend it.

In the next copy of "In Equilibrium" I will review what I think is the best book for physical fitness.
 
FEATURES

"THE GRASS ON THE OTHER SIDE IS ALWAYS GREENER"

A survey conducted by Mitel Networks, a business communications company has found that 2 out of 5 people who cannot work from home would seriously consider moving jobs to obtain the option. Over a quarter of them say they would accept a cut in salary to work from home.

Commuting stress, office politics and constant interruptions were found to be the most annoying aspects of the workplace. Many respondents said that they would ideally want to work 1-3 days a week at home.

Having worked from home for 5 years now I would offer a word of caution. Life is about managing your stressors effectively, regardless of the circumstances, and to pretend that working from home will be stress-free is to live in cloud–cuckoo land.

  • For most of us, our home is where we can switch-off, recover from work pressures and relax.  Combining the two can be disastrous for some people.
  • The workplace environment itself can also provide support through good colleagues who can help on both a professional and personal basis.
  • Homeworking can give the illusion of greater independence but can also be a lonely experience.
  • You cannot apply normal office rules to a home.  4 year-olds will not respect your need for privacy and quiet, in the same way that your colleagues at work would.
  • If possible, have your home-office outwith the main body of the home.  A converted garage without direct access to the home is ideal.

 ASSERTIVENESS SKILLS: BEING SPECIFIC

Decide what it is you want or feel, and say so specifically or directly. This skill will help you to be clear about what exactly it is you want to communicate. Avoid unnecessary padding and keep your statement simple and brief.

How not to do it:
"Sorry but, erm I am doing a presentation and I wondered if it would be OK for me to use the lap-top this afternoon, if that's OK with you?"
"We need that ASAP"
 
Good examples:
I would like to use the lap-top this afternoon.
"I need the proposal finished and on my desk by 8am Friday.  What do you need to accomplish that?"
Go to the Open Courses page on our web site for information on upcoming courses in Edinburgh and Aberdeen. 
Glasgow dates coming soon!
 
 
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