Don't Worry, Be Happy

Hello & Welcome! I hope everyone is having a wonderful week! I will be the first to say I don't know everything there is to know about blogging. While I enjoy sharing my expertise and posting weekly, I have a lot to learn. To learn more, I've been doing some digging and connecting with some great bloggers!

This week, I am sharing a blog post called "Ways for More Happiness at Work." It's from an awesome blog called the Six Simple Rules. I highly recommend checking it out.

Here are a few of the tips

• Make Stress a Game
• Create Work Fun and Events
• Plan Before and After Work
  

The entire article is wonderful and you can read it here.

As I continue to learn more about the blog  world, I wish each and every one of you happiness in all that you do.

Be sure to check back next week for a big announcement about our next blog series.

All the best,

Renee

The Four A's

Happy Wednesday my dear friends! Can you believe we are closing in on another month and another season? Soon, we'll say goodbye to winter and hello to green trees, vibrant plants and warm sunshine. I'm excited just thinking about it!

This week I'm going to share the four A's for dealing with stressful situations. The four A's come from helpguide.org, which is a non-profit resource with a lot of great articles on health challenges.

When it comes to stress, it may seem like there is not a lot you can do. You can't stop going to work, the bills won't stop piling up, you'll never get more hours in a day and your family will always rely on you. The way in which you manage and cope with your stress, however, is completely in your control.

Stress Management Strategy #1: Avoid unnecessary stress

Not all stress can be avoided, however, some can be eliminated:

• Learn to say no
• Avoid people who stress you out
• Take control of your environment
• Avoid hot-button topics
• Pare down your to-do list

Stress Management Strategy #2: Alter the situation

If you can't avoid a situation, try to alter it. Find ways you can make changes so the problem doesn't occur in the future.

• Express your feelings instead of bottling them up
• Be willing to compromise
• Be more assertive
• Manage your time better

Stress Management Strategy #3: Adapt to the stressor

If you can't change the stressor, regain your control by changing your expectations and attitude. 

• Reframe problems
• Look at the bigger picture
• Adjust your standards
• Focus on the positive

Stress Management Strategy #4: Accept the things you cannot change

Some stressors simply cannot be changed. Although acceptance is difficult and challenging, it's easier than rallying against a situation that is completely out of your hands.

• Don't try to control the uncontrollable
• Look for the upside
• Share your feelings
• Learn to forgive

I also encourage you to make time for fun and relaxation. Activities as simple as going for a walk, calling a friend or playing with a pet can help you relax and recharge. As we prepare to enter a new season, I challenge you to leave your stress behind and start utilizing these stress management strategies.

"You can't stop the future, you can't rewind the past. The only way to learn the secret...is to press play." - Jay Asher

All the best,

Renee

Short & Sweet

Welcome to another wonderful week! I have to admit, I greatly enjoyed the blog series on ADHD. I knew what I was going to write about every week for five weeks. So when today rolled around, I blanked! I had no idea what I was going to write about. Several topics crossed my mind but ultimately, I decided to keep it short and sweet.

This week I've decided to share some great quotes and peaceful pictures. My goal is that through this post, you can take a minute out to enjoy the short, sweet and simple things in life.

"The greatest ideas are the simplest."

William Golding

"Believe in yourself and all that you are. Know that there is something inside of you greater than any obstacle."

Christian D. Larson

"If you want to lift yourself up, lift someone else up."

Booker T. Washington

"Give yourself entirely to those around you. Be generous with your blessings. A kind gesture can reach a wound that only compassion can heal."

Steve Maraboli

And last but certainly not least, one of my favorite reminders:

All the best,

Renee

ADHD - Week 4

Welcome to the final week of our blog series on ADHD! I have enjoyed writing about this topic and providing tips for families and parents. I hope you all have learned from this as well and are implementing some of the suggested positive changes in your households.

In our final lesson today, we are going to discuss classroom environment and homework. A student with ADHD can present unique challenges in the classroom. Inattention, hyperactivity or impulsive behavior can be the source of frustration for both teachers and parents, but there are ways to improve the educational experience of students with ADHD.

A few suggestions when working in a classroom setting are:

• Work on the most difficult concepts early in the day
• Give directions to one assignment at a time instead of directions to multiple tasks all at once
• Vary the pace and type of activity to maximize the students attention
• Structure the student's environment to accommodate his or her special needs

Tailoring the environment can be as simple as seating the student away from potentially distracting areas (such as doors, windows, computers, etc.) or pairing them with another student who is working on a shared assignment.

When it comes to homework, it's important to set reasonable goals for student. It's also important to reward the student for their good behavior. Whether that is a trip to the treasure chest, a pretty sticker or a high-five, it's a recognition that they did what they were supposed to do. Set simple goals like these:

• Bring completed homework to class
• Write homework in assignment book with X or fewer reminders
• Return homework the next day signed by parent
• Have all needed materials for homework in backpack at the end of the day

Again, these are simple yet important tasks that reinforce the importance of structure within the classroom. For more information, check out helpguide.org. It's a non-profit resource with a lot of great tips on ADD/ADHD and School.

As always, thank you for reading. This blog series has been a lot of fun and I hope to do more in the future. Please feel free to leave comments and ask questions. Have a wonderful week!

All the best,

Renee