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She is known for portraying outgoing and expressive characters on-screen but actress Shraddha Kapoor said that in real life she is a reserved person.
The 26-year-old actress made lukewarm debut with Amitabh Bachchan’s Teen Patti in 2010 but she got fame two years back with her stint as a budding singer in Aashiqui 2, opposite rumoured boyfriend Aditya Roy Kapur.
Shraddha, however, feels that fame has not changed her reserved-self much and she becomes a bundle of nerves whenever she is in public eye.
“I am a shy person in real life. I am not very social person. The only people I open up to are my family and close friends. Over the years, I have become more vocal but at the core I am a reserved girl. Many a times I think that I should change myself and become more expressive. People keep telling me to be a certain way as I am an actor but if I don’t have anything to say I can’t. I come out as a shy, nervous person and a little out of place because I need time and my space to become comfortable with someone,” Shraddha told PTI.
The Ek Villain star said that feels lucky that all those people in the industry whom she wanted to go up to and speak to, recognised her because of her work.
The finest example of this was her recent meeting with Mr Bachchan. “I am much more comfortable around Mr Bachchan now. We met at Piku‘s success bash and he met me so warmly. It was amazing. Back when I did Teen Patti, I was so nervous to face him,” she said.
Living a healthy lifestyle requires you to make some conscious decisions. For people who are accustomed to living this way, it becomes second nature. If you are not health conscious, however, it will take some effort and retraining yourself. The following are five habits or practices that healthy people recognize and you should too.
This goes for both positive and negative habits. Many people rationalize unhealthy habits by saying something like “just one or two won’t kill me.” This might refer to cigarettes, alcoholic drinks or junk food. The problem is, if you do these type of things consistently, they have a cumulative effect on your body. That’s why healthy people recognize that it’s better to curb bad habits to a bare minimum.
Recent research shows that there is a connection between people’s dental health and their overall health. Cavities, oral infections and gum disease can not only cause problems for your mouth, but they can spread to other areas. That’s why people with gum disease are more likely to suffer from heart disease. That’s why healthy people take good care of their teeth, which includes brushing and flossing daily and scheduling regular appointments with the dentist.
Being connected to other people and even animals is beneficial to your health. Isolation, on the other hand, can lead to depression and poor health. Studies show that people who are socially isolated, such as many older retired people, are at greater risk for many illnesses than those who are more sociable. That’s why healthy people make an effort to stay connected with friends, family, neighbors and activity partners.
Lack of sleep not only makes you feel tired and drained, it takes a toll on your health. There is even evidence linking sleep deprivation to obesity. When you don’t get enough sleep, it can disrupt the balance of hormones that regulate your metabolism. Most people need at least seven hours of sleep per night. If you have difficulty getting enough sleep, you can try scheduling a nap in the afternoon or early evening.
People who are serious about their health are often talking about the last meal that they had. They normally use words like quinoa, kale and chicken. Eating right can reduce risk of several diseases like cancer, heart disease, and type-2 diabetes. A great option for a healthy meal would be a nice peanut butter and honey sandwich with some Klosterman Baking Company bread. Controlling you portions has a direct effect on your waistline. Make sure you continue making correct decisions and pick the carrot over the cake.
Stress is one of the most harmful factors when it comes to your health. When you are tense, angry or frustrated, your body releases adrenaline as though you were under attack. If you are frequently in this type of state, it takes its toll on the body. Healthy people understand the importance of relaxing and letting go of stress. Techniques such as yoga, meditation, aromatherapy and massage can help you reduce stress.
There are quite a few ways that health conscious people differ from their less healthy counterparts. The above guidelines are some of the most crucial areas to keep in mind if you want to enjoy better health and a better quality of life.
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Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut, who is receiving rave reviews for her performance in her latest film Tanu Weds Manu Returns, says people’s opinions don’t make a difference to her.
Asked if people’s outlook towards her has changed ever since she charmed the audiences and critics with Queenand now Tanu Weds Manu Returns, she said, “Other people’s opinions do not matter to me, if they did matter, I wouldn’t have lasted till now.”
“If I would have got affected, I would be full of irrational doubts. I do have a strong sense of what can be achieved and what cannot.”
However, she minced no words when she spoke about the change in people’s perception after her role in Queen.
“People felt I was talented. I was surprised because I thought everyone knew from before that I was talented. With films like Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai, Woh Lamhe, Life in a… Metro, Tanu Weds Manu and Queen, I kept proving myself,” she said.
“I thought there was no doubt about my acting abilities. So, the reaction after Queen was a revelation to me,” she added.
Kangana, who had earlier bagged a National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress for Fashion, said she wasn’t expecting the Best Actress National Award for Queen.
The truth is that in order to be successful, productive and less stressed, you need positive, supportive relationships at work.
Written by Jenny Caton
For some people delegation comes easily but for others giving up control of certain tasks can be difficult. Whether you manage a large team or just one or two people, there will be times when you’re just too busy to do everything yourself. This is when you need to delegate tasks to other people.
Why delegate?
When you try to tackle an unrealistic workload on your own, it’s easy to feel frazzled and burnt out. But delegation isn’t just about reducing your own workload; sharing tasks with your team is a great way for others to learn new skills and feel valued in their role. It can provide fresh ideas and free you up to try new things too.
The fear of delegating
Delegating often takes a leap of faith. You need to put your trust in someone else and take a step back from certain tasks. For some, this can create a feeling of being out of control, particularly if you worry that other people won’t complete the job to your own high standards.
If you’re worried about delegating, here are some tips:
For more information about managing others, visit: http://www.mindtools.com/
With a billion Facebook users worldwide, over 250 million twitter members, and new social networks emerging every week; social media has never been so popular. But is social media actually making us anti-social?
Yes – Jamilia
So often I see groups of friends out together in a bar or restaurant but instead of chatting to one another, they are all tapping away on their phones. It seems such a shame that rather than enjoying one another’s company, they are talking to people that aren’t even there. I find it really rude if I’m out with a friend and they whip out their phone mid-conversation. I’ve even been out for a meal with friends and they insist on taking photos of the meal to put online – it’s ridiculous!
I think children in particular are losing important social skills because of so-called ‘social’ media. Instead of playing with friends, they all seem to prefer sitting in their bedrooms using their computers. Not only are they missing out on real-life friendships but they are missing out on fresh air and exercise too. In addition, it seems that social media is very competitive – it’s all about how many ‘likes’ or ‘re-tweets’ people can get. I don’t think this obsession with gaining approval from others is healthy and it would be much better to invest time in real-life friendships which are much more supportive.
It seems ironic that so many people are happy to spend hours typing messages to people they don’t even know over the internet but then say they don’t have the time to visit their relatives. Real-life relationships are being sacrificed at the expense of virtual friendships that simply are not fulfilling or built to last.
No – Jan
My granddaughter taught me how to use Facebook and quite honestly, my social life has never been so busy since I started catching up with my friends online. Thanks to Facebook, I’ve had invites to lots of different social occasions in real-life that might not have happened without social media. At the age of 62, it can be hard to track down old friends but social media has made it really easy. I can talk to people that I was at college with and even keep in touch with friends who have moved to the other side of the world. Without social media my circle of friends would be so much smaller.
Social media provides a great support network for people of all ages too. When I was going through a difficult time recently I was able to find people on the internet who had experienced similar challenges in life and they provided the help and support I needed. Without social media, I would have felt very alone. I’m sure there must be lots of young people going through difficult times who can find help through the internet too.
The best thing about social media is that it gives me a way to chat to friends and relatives on a weekly basis who I probably wouldn’t get chance to call or visit. It keeps the lines of communication open with people that I might otherwise drift away from. Social media has definitely made me more sociable – in the real world as well as the virtual world.
Written by Jenny Catton
How well do you know your neighbours? Perhaps not as well as your grandparents would have known theirs. In the past people tended not to move house as often as they do now and people generally stayed in the town or city where they grew up. As a result most families knew their neighbours very well. Today however it’s a different picture. Families are busier – often with both partners working full-time and people move house on average eight times in their lifetime. As a result, it’s often difficult to form long-lasting results with our neighbours.
Everybody Needs Good Neighbours
Having a good relationship with your neighbours makes it easier to deal with issues if they arise and can help avoid the difficulties that some people experience with ‘problem neighbours’.
Getting to know your neighbours doesn’t have to be hard work. If you’ve recently moved into a new property, simply knock on your neighbour’s door and introduce yourself. Meanwhile, if new people have moved in next door, give them chance to unpack and then pop round. They will be very happy if you can share information with them – for example, by letting them know which days the rubbish is collected.
When it comes to maintaining a good relationship with your neighbours, communication is key. Warn your neighbours if anything out of the ordinary is coming up. Neighbours are usually tolerant of the occasional party or building work, provided they have been forewarned.
If you want to improve the wellbeing of your neighbourhood, you could consider setting up a neighbourhood watch scheme. You can find out more at: www.ourwatch.org.uk
The post Getting to Know your Neighbours appeared first on .
Written by Jenny Catton
How well do you know your neighbours? Perhaps not as well as your grandparents would have known theirs. In the past people tended not to move house as often as they do now and people generally stayed in the town or city where they grew up. As a result most families knew their neighbours very well. Today however it’s a different picture. Families are busier – often with both partners working full-time and people move house on average eight times in their lifetime. As a result, it’s often difficult to form long-lasting results with our neighbours.
Everybody Needs Good Neighbours
Having a good relationship with your neighbours makes it easier to deal with issues if they arise and can help avoid the difficulties that some people experience with ‘problem neighbours’.
Getting to know your neighbours doesn’t have to be hard work. If you’ve recently moved into a new property, simply knock on your neighbour’s door and introduce yourself. Meanwhile, if new people have moved in next door, give them chance to unpack and then pop round. They will be very happy if you can share information with them – for example, by letting them know which days the rubbish is collected.
When it comes to maintaining a good relationship with your neighbours, communication is key. Warn your neighbours if anything out of the ordinary is coming up. Neighbours are usually tolerant of the occasional party or building work, provided they have been forewarned.
If you want to improve the wellbeing of your neighbourhood, you could consider setting up a neighbourhood watch scheme. You can find out more at: www.ourwatch.org.uk
The post Getting to Know your Neighbours appeared first on .
Written by Jenny Catton
How well do you know your neighbours? Perhaps not as well as your grandparents would have known theirs. In the past people tended not to move house as often as they do now and people generally stayed in the town or city where they grew up. As a result most families knew their neighbours very well. Today however it’s a different picture. Families are busier – often with both partners working full-time and people move house on average eight times in their lifetime. As a result, it’s often difficult to form long-lasting results with our neighbours.
Everybody Needs Good Neighbours
Having a good relationship with your neighbours makes it easier to deal with issues if they arise and can help avoid the difficulties that some people experience with ‘problem neighbours’.
Getting to know your neighbours doesn’t have to be hard work. If you’ve recently moved into a new property, simply knock on your neighbour’s door and introduce yourself. Meanwhile, if new people have moved in next door, give them chance to unpack and then pop round. They will be very happy if you can share information with them – for example, by letting them know which days the rubbish is collected.
When it comes to maintaining a good relationship with your neighbours, communication is key. Warn your neighbours if anything out of the ordinary is coming up. Neighbours are usually tolerant of the occasional party or building work, provided they have been forewarned.
If you want to improve the wellbeing of your neighbourhood, you could consider setting up a neighbourhood watch scheme. You can find out more at: www.ourwatch.org.uk
The post Getting to Know your Neighbours appeared first on .
Yoga is a highly beneficial activity that has many benefits and types. It can be used in order to tackle many challenges that can act as a physical and mental barrier to wellbeing and is very popular all around the world. However, a type of yoga that is gaining increasing recognition has the memorable name of, “laughing yoga”. Laughter is actually very good for the body as it aids deep breathing, opens up the diaphragm and lungs and is great exercise for the stomach, and when this is performed in a more controlled and systematic manner, as a yoga-inspired activity, its benefits can be even greater. Many yoga instructors claim that this approach can help reduce the on-set of respiratory illnesses such as colds and flu and of course, improve moods by stimulating the release of serotonins.
As laughter involves a robust physical-effort, it does not matter if it is simulated or produced by the consequence of genuinely finding something funny. There is no distinction between, “fake” and “real” laughter, and it can help people to de-stress from the strains of the day and to combat depression and anxiety.
The discipline is best experienced in a group, in which everyone can enjoy and experience the delights of a collection of people laughing at the same time. Group exercises are often designed with the intention of putting people in a jovial mood, which can generally not be avoided when engaging in eye-contact and witnessing the spectacle of other people laughing hysterically!
There’s no doubt that psoriasis is a challenging health concern, with many people under the misconception that you can catch it. Although psoriasis isn’t contagious, if you do have it, psoriasis does affect your wellbeing in number of ways. It can be tough to find the right treatments and cover ups to get through flare-ups, but if you follow our tips to help soothe and subdue symptoms, you can boost your confidence in your ability to cope.
1. Eat a Healthy Diet: According to Lawrence Green, MD, a dermatologist in the Washington, DC area, ‘It’s always good to have a healthy diet no matter what you’re up against. It’s going to help whatever you have. It’s one less thing your body needs to worry about.’
2. Reduce Stress: Gary Goldenberg, MD, assistant professor of dermatology and pathology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City, explains, ‘There’s really good evidence that shows that stress makes psoriasis worse.’ So try yoga, massage therapy, biofeedback, or just general relaxation to reduce flares.
3. Limit Your Alcohol Intake: ‘There’s a difference between consuming too much and consuming a healthy amount,’ says Dr. Goldenberg. ‘A patient with psoriasis who doesn’t have medical contraindications could have a glass of wine with dinner.’
4. Experiment with Make-Up: Doris Day, MD, a dermatologist with LenoxHillHospital, points out, ‘A primer creates a white background [making] everything even, so when you apply foundation it goes on smoothly. The pores are minimized and the skin is flawless.’
5. Get Down to a Healthy Weight: Dr. Goldenberg points out, ‘There’s some evidence that if you lose weight, the psoriasis actually gets better.’
6. Don’t Smoke: Dr. Green, who is also chair of the research committee at the National Psoriasis Foundation, warns that smoking ‘puts stress and strain on the body and makes it more difficult for the body to reduce inflammation.’
7. Find the Right Medications for You: Comedian Jon Lovitz has told the National Psoriasis Foundation he tried lots of medications before hitting gold. ‘A lot of people with psoriasis give up, but don’t,’ he urges. ‘Find out what works best for you.’
8. Cover Up Strategically: On the Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs spray website, Kim Kardashian wrote, ‘I love this stuff! It really covers up my psoriasis so well!’
9. Choose Colours Carefully: Dr. Day advises, ‘If you have psoriasis on the scalp, wearing a black turtleneck will be problematic because it will scale and be on the clothing. Lighter colours such as winter white or yellow will hide the scales. It takes away a level of self-consciousness.’
10. Focus on the Positive: ‘If you say, “I am psoriasis,” of course you’re going to be negative,’ asserts Dr. Day. ‘Psoriasis is a very common condition. You’re not alone. You don’t owe anybody an explanation and if you’re okay with it, other people will be okay with it. It’s not who you are, just something you have.’
11. Get a Little Bit of Sun: If you get the right amount of exposure to ultraviolet light, you can improve your psoriasis. A study recently found that 60% of patients who were exposed to sunlight reported improvements in their psoriasis. However, even a mild sunburn can trigger an outbreak, so be careful.
12. Take Care of Your Scalp: About half of people with psoriasis have psoriasis on their scalp, but coal-tar shampoos can slow the rapid turnover of skin cells on your scalp and reduce irritation. This difficult area can also be treated with other medicated liquids, mousse, shampoos, sprays, gels, tar products, and soaps.
Written by Jenny Catton
Recent studies have shown that people in marriages or long-term relationships are happier and healthier than their single counterparts. But not everyone finds their life-long partner at a young age. And whether you’re recently divorced and looking to meet new people or are a single parent who’s ready for romance; looking for love later in life can be a daunting prospect. Luckily the Internet has made it easier than ever to meet likeminded people who are looking for a new relationship. And Internet dating no longer has the stigma it once had. In fact, in the USA, the leading dating website eHarmony claims to be responsible for nearly 5% of all marriages.
Getting to grips with Internet dating is pretty easy. There are hundreds of sites to choose from, so you can find one that is tailored to your age group, religion or interests. Once you’ve found a site you like the look of, you join and create a profile. You can then search for people you might like to make contact with and others can contact you.
When you start getting interest from people who have viewed your profile, it’s easy to feel excited but don’t rush in. Take the time to find people who you genuinely might get on with and then spend plenty time getting to know them online before you agree to meet them in the real world.
Once you’ve met a potential partner online and have spent time chatting, the next step is to arrange to meet. If you’re heading out on your first date for many years, it’s natural to feel a little nervous. Here are some of the things you might want to think about in advance:
Where to go
When it comes to a first date, location is very important. A drink in a busy town-centre bar or coffee shop is a good idea. This way if things don’t turn out well, you can make your excuses and leave much more quickly than if you’ve booked a meal in a restaurant.
What to talk about
If you’re worried about uncomfortable silences on the first date, think of some topics of conversation in advance that you can fall back on. Reliable topics include favourite films or holiday destinations.
Don’t expect to find love straightaway
It can take quite a few dates before you find the perfect match. So don’t embark on every date as though you are about to meet the love of your life. But keep an open mind, even if you don’t find love, you might make a good friend.
Be yourself
Of course, you want to present yourself in the best light possible on your date but it’s important to be yourself too. Don’t try too hard to be smart or funny, just relax and enjoy yourself. Wear clothes that you feel comfortable in, rather than trying to impress with a new outfit.
Be honest
If the first date goes well, it could lead to a second and a third so it’s best to be honest from the outset. Let the other person know whether you are looking for marriage or just a bit of fun. Equally, make sure you ask them any important questions that matter to you.
Stay safe
Even if you’ve been chatting online with a potential date for several weeks, remember that they are still a stranger. Choose a busy location and plan how you will get home in advance – particularly if you are meeting in an area that you’re not familiar with.Tell a friend where you are going and agree to ring them at a set time to let them know you are safe. Try not to drink too much on a first date – it may steady the nerves but it can also lead to lapses in judgement.
Have an escape route
Hopefully, your date will be a big success but if not, it’s good to have a plan so that you can leave quickly if you’re not enjoying yourself. You could arrange to ‘accidentally’ bump into a friend at a set time so that you can leave with them. Alternatively, set an alarm on your phone to ring at a certain time. Then if necessary you can pretend that it’s an urgent call from work or family, make your excuses and leave.
If your first date is a disaster – don’t feel disheartened. Treat it as an experience and take what you’ve learnt to improve your future dates. And if you’ve enjoyed the date, let them know and arrange to meet again soon.
The post Get Back Into Dating appeared first on .
Written by Jenny Catton
Recent studies have shown that people in marriages or long-term relationships are happier and healthier than their single counterparts. But not everyone finds their life-long partner at a young age. And whether you’re recently divorced and looking to meet new people or are a single parent who’s ready for romance; looking for love later in life can be a daunting prospect. Luckily the Internet has made it easier than ever to meet likeminded people who are looking for a new relationship. And Internet dating no longer has the stigma it once had. In fact, in the USA, the leading dating website eHarmony claims to be responsible for nearly 5% of all marriages.
Getting to grips with Internet dating is pretty easy. There are hundreds of sites to choose from, so you can find one that is tailored to your age group, religion or interests. Once you’ve found a site you like the look of, you join and create a profile. You can then search for people you might like to make contact with and others can contact you.
When you start getting interest from people who have viewed your profile, it’s easy to feel excited but don’t rush in. Take the time to find people who you genuinely might get on with and then spend plenty time getting to know them online before you agree to meet them in the real world.
Once you’ve met a potential partner online and have spent time chatting, the next step is to arrange to meet. If you’re heading out on your first date for many years, it’s natural to feel a little nervous. Here are some of the things you might want to think about in advance:
Where to go
When it comes to a first date, location is very important. A drink in a busy town-centre bar or coffee shop is a good idea. This way if things don’t turn out well, you can make your excuses and leave much more quickly than if you’ve booked a meal in a restaurant.
What to talk about
If you’re worried about uncomfortable silences on the first date, think of some topics of conversation in advance that you can fall back on. Reliable topics include favourite films or holiday destinations.
Don’t expect to find love straightaway
It can take quite a few dates before you find the perfect match. So don’t embark on every date as though you are about to meet the love of your life. But keep an open mind, even if you don’t find love, you might make a good friend.
Be yourself
Of course, you want to present yourself in the best light possible on your date but it’s important to be yourself too. Don’t try too hard to be smart or funny, just relax and enjoy yourself. Wear clothes that you feel comfortable in, rather than trying to impress with a new outfit.
Be honest
If the first date goes well, it could lead to a second and a third so it’s best to be honest from the outset. Let the other person know whether you are looking for marriage or just a bit of fun. Equally, make sure you ask them any important questions that matter to you.
Stay safe
Even if you’ve been chatting online with a potential date for several weeks, remember that they are still a stranger. Choose a busy location and plan how you will get home in advance – particularly if you are meeting in an area that you’re not familiar with.Tell a friend where you are going and agree to ring them at a set time to let them know you are safe. Try not to drink too much on a first date – it may steady the nerves but it can also lead to lapses in judgement.
Have an escape route
Hopefully, your date will be a big success but if not, it’s good to have a plan so that you can leave quickly if you’re not enjoying yourself. You could arrange to ‘accidentally’ bump into a friend at a set time so that you can leave with them. Alternatively, set an alarm on your phone to ring at a certain time. Then if necessary you can pretend that it’s an urgent call from work or family, make your excuses and leave.
If your first date is a disaster – don’t feel disheartened. Treat it as an experience and take what you’ve learnt to improve your future dates. And if you’ve enjoyed the date, let them know and arrange to meet again soon.
The post Get Back Into Dating appeared first on .
Written by Jenny Catton
Do you feel like you’re constantly striving to be perfect? Are you setting exceptionally high standards in every area of your life? Do you long for the perfect body, house or relationship? If so, you could find that trying to be perfect is harming your emotional and physical wellbeing.
Whilst it’s healthy to have goals and aim high, it seems that in recent years society’s lust for perfection has got out of hand. Every day, we see images of celebrities who look flawless and seem to live ‘perfect’ lives. We know it’s just an illusion and yet we still strive for perfection in our own lives, even though we don’t have a millionaire budget. We aim to be the best at work, try to be a perfect husband or wife, want to raise perfect children and try to create a perfect, spotless home.
But obtaining perfection in every area of life is impossible. And people who try to achievethese unrealistic goals can end up anxious and depressed when they fail to meet the high expectations they’ve set themselves. They may find that their relationships suffer as they try control the people around them and they can feel like a failure or out of control when things don’t turn out as they hoped.
If you find yourself constantly striving for perfection, it might be time to give yourself a break. Remember that things don’t have to be perfect all the time. For instance, it’s better to ignore the housework if it means you have more time to spend with your family. Don’t beat yourself up when you don’t achieve perfection; instead congratulate yourself on what you have achieved. Don’t be afraid to ask for help around the house or at work if you feel you’ve got too much on your plate. And remember that even those people that seem perfect on the outside, have the same insecurities as everybody else on the inside.
In some extreme cases, a desire to be perfect can lead to more serious health issues such as panic attacks, depression, eating disorders or obsessive compulsive disorders. For more information about these kinds of mental health issues, visit: www.mind.org.uk
Written by Jenny Catton
When it comes to the workplace, how popular do you think you are? Perhaps you’re the first person people turn to for advice. Or maybe you’re the one everyone relies on for the latest gossip. Or perhaps, you believe that being successful at work sometimes means being unpopular – particularly if you have to put yourself first in order to get ahead. But the truth is that if you can make good friendships in the workplace, work instantly becomes more enjoyable. And often the people who are well-liked and popular go on to be those who are promoted.
If you’d like to be more popular at work, where do you start? If you work for a large organisation, it can be particularly difficult to make friends. And if you’re relatively new, it can take time to build your popularity. However there are some things you can try to boost your popularity at work and form strong relationships with your colleagues. Here are some ideas:
Ask Questions
A great way to get to know people is by asking questions. If your workmates mention a particular hobby that they enjoy you can make a mental note to ask them how it’s going at a later date.
Avoid Gossip
It’s all too easy to get drawn into office gossip but not only is talking about your workmates behind their back unprofessional but being known as a gossip makes it difficult for your workmates to trust you. If you find office chats often turn to gossip, either try to change the subject or make an excuse to leave the conversation.
Offer Help
If you see a colleague is struggling with a particular task or is simply overwhelmed by their workload, offer to help. People will remember your kindness and will often return the favour in the future.
Bring Treats
If you’re looking for a speedy way to boost your popularity at work, bring goodies for your colleagues to share. It may sound superficial but sharing food has always been a way of showing people that you care and food really does bring people together. This is a great trick to try if you are shy as it doesn’t rely on you having to initiate conversations with all of your workmates. Simply bring in a homemade cake or shop-bought cookies for everyone to share and it provides a great reason for your colleagues to chat to you.
Stay Cheerful
Even if you’re busy or having a bad day, take the time to say good morning to your colleagues. And if you’re feeling stressed, don’t take it out on your workmates – chances are they are under pressure too so always greet people with a smile.
Be Sociable
Spending time with your colleagues outside of work hours is a great way to increase your popularity – particularly if work pressures mean you don’t always get the chance to chat in the office. Regularly accept invitations for after-work drinks or parties – or suggest your own after-hours activities. And if people invite you to join them for lunch, take them up on the offer. It’s a great opportunity to let your workmates get to know you better.
For advice on how to build your confidence at work, visit: www.skillsyouneed.com/
Written by Jenny Catton
Ever feel like meetings are taking over your entire day? Well, you’re not alone. In his book How to Manage Meetings, Alan Barker says that most people, working in organisations, spend 60 per cent of their time in meetings. And love them or loathe them, meetings are an essential part of most businesses. They are crucial for getting things done, provide structure within a company and offer an environment in which to discuss problems or ideas. But when meetings aren’t managed properly, they take up valuable time without achieving any worthwhile results. So how can you make sure the meetings in your organisation are effective?
Before you hold your next meeting, think about the following:
Who needs to be there?
Having too many people at a meeting can cause discussions to ramble on for too long and it becomes difficult to make decisions. Limit the number of people at the meeting to only those that really need to be there.
Who’s in charge?
Even if there is no formal hierarchy between the people attending the meeting, it’s important that one person is in charge of running the meeting to keep it progressing efficiently.
What’s on the agenda?
Make sure you have an agenda of points to cover so that the meeting achieves its objectives and doesn’t wander off course.
Action points
It’s what happens after the meeting that’s often the important thing. Make sure someone keeps a note of all the action points that are agreed in the meeting so that they can be followed up afterwards.
Limit the time
Let everyone know what time the meeting will end and stick to it.
It’s common knowledge that brushing your teeth daily is an essential part of proper oral hygiene. However, some people don’t realize that the techniques they use while brushing are just as important as the frequency of their brushing.
Harder Isn’t Better
Many people make the mistake of brushing their teeth abrasively, feeling that this will provide better cleaning. However, roughly running bristles over your teeth and gums can actually be quite damaging. Brushing over-zealously can wear on enamel and irritate the tissue of the gums, leading to recession. When gum recession and wearing of enamel occurs, this leaves your mouth more vulnerable to diseases like gingivitis.
Brush in the Right Direction
Many people fall into the habit of brushing teeth side-to-side, horizontally. However, this is actually not the healthiest or most effective way to brush. Brushing in small, gentle circles is the best way to get a complete cleaning.
Take Your Time
Does your dentist rush through a cleaning? No—so neither should you. Experts recommend brushing for at least two minutes during each session to maintain oral health. Colgate notes that while some people worry they may be “over brushing” if spending too much time with their bristles, the truth is that timing is not an issue in regard to erosion. Rather, applying too much pressure while brushing is what can cause detrimental issues.
Brush At Least Twice a Day
People are encouraged to brush their teeth at least twice a day, every day. Ideally, people can brush three times a day to rid their mouth of food and particles after each meal. A Glendale Heights dentist suggests carrying a travel toothbrush when you’re away from home so you can brush whenever and wherever you need to.
Choose the Right Brush
Just as the techniques you use to clean your teeth are important, so is the brush itself. Despite being a bit pricier, electric toothbrushes are a great investment. Electric toothbrushes are set at a pace that is optimal for oral health and also works in circular motions, which offers a massage to the gums and encourages healthy tissue. Don’t forget to clean your brush with hot water after use. Remember that once the tool you use ends up housing the germs you just eliminated, without proper cleaning, the brush’s effectiveness can become null.
Alongside these techniques, it is integral to practice other oral hygiene techniques to keep your mouth healthy. Don’t forget to floss during each session, to brush the surface of your tongue as well as your teeth, and also to rinse with an antiseptic mouthwash as a final step in the process.
Written by Jenny Catton
If you’re in charge of a team, one of the most important skills you can learn is how to motivate others. With the right motivation, your team will be happier and more effective. Motivation can also help increase productivity and improve staff retention.
The first step to motivating your team is to remember that not everyone is driven by the same things. Quite often, when we hear the word ‘motivation’, we think of monetary reward but not all people are inspired purely by money.
Many people feel rewarded simply by having their hard work recognised. For others, the opportunity to learn new skills and develop themselves professionally may be a great source of motivation. So the key to successfully motivating your team is to consider the different personalities and find small ways to boost the team’s morale regularly. It’s often more effective to use quick and simple motivational techniques on a daily basis rather than promising a single reward sometime in the future.
Some companies prefer to implement a more structured rewards programme where staff are rewarded for hitting specific targets. Depending on the culture of the company, this can be incredibly effective but it’s important to ensure that the targets are achievable. It can be very demotivating to be set unrealistic goals. It’s also important not to create rivalry between staff members if you need them to work as a team. Rather than promising individual rewards, you might prefer to offer a team prize – such as a staff day out to help encourage teamwork.
Here are some simple ways to motivate your team:
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