Are you in deprivation?

Expedia.com has some shocking news for us… American’s are vacation deprived. Tonight we will look at some recent studies and investigate some statistics that are important as we move into 2017. 

Tell us a little about the differences in vacation patterns of American’s versus other nations

·      Asian workers take the least vacation days.  The Japanese are granted 13 days off, but typically take only 5 days off a year.  South Koreans take only 7 of their 10 vacation days

·      Americans are following suit. 
     o   In 2011 Americans had an average of 14 days vacation and took only 12 days off 
     o   In 2012 Americans had an average of 12 days off and only took 10 days off

·      Europeans see vacation as a duty and have between 25-30 days available to them in addition to state and national holidays

How does this relate to hours worked each week?

• ·      Americans work 40 hours a week
• ·      Asians average 44 hours a week
• ·      The Dutch only work 35 hours a week

   Why do so many people choose to not take vacation time?

• Inability to coordinate time off with family and friends tend to cause roll-overs of vacation times and lost days
•  Financial worries:  Many people can’t afford time off and need to work and gain overtime pay
• Fear of consequences:  Many workers fear that if they take time off they will risk their job due to performance issues.

What are suggestions for vacation deprived?

·      Remember that everyone needs time to replenish and renew.  If you don’t feel you can take all of your vacation days, make sure that the days you take are true vacation days

·      Disconnect when you are on vacation.  Focus on friends, family and relaxation and leave your ipad, iphones and computers in the hotel room.

·      If you can’t go for long vacations consider 3 or 4 day weekends to help you replenish and renew

New Year's Resolutions

- Resolutions: do you make one? Should you? 

It's time for those New Year's Resolutions, to look back and create a new beginning for 2017.

About.com names the ten most common resolutions, which are:

1. Spending more time with family and friends- 50 percent of Americans pick this resolution
2. Fitness- Health and wellness is a commonly defined goal for most Americans
3. Shed pounds- 66 percent of American's are considered overweight and this is one of American's most suggested resolution
4. Quit smoking- quit drinking. A common resolution to give up something that is bad for our health and well-being
5. Enjoy more of life. Whether it's creating a list of blessings, being grateful, or just creating a list of important values, this is the time that most of us look at what is important in our life.

But keeping our resolutions is difficult for many of us. Here are some tips for creating successful resolutions for 2017:

1. Focus on intentions. We are more successful when we look at an intention such as losing weight, or becoming fitter. We limit our success when we put limits, demands and musts into the equations, such as "I must lose 50 pounds, I must save $5000, or I must find a new job." Musts create expectations that can lead to failures.

2. Set goals that are consistent with your values. For instance, if you decide that you want to enjoy more of life it would be inconsistent to take on five new massive projects at work. Those goals and values are not consistent. If you decide you want to change something, make sure that you get out of your own way so you can accomplish your desires.

3. Dream big and hope for movement. Dreamers are optimists who move toward goals. The key to success is to see the possibilities and to acknowledge all the steps you make towards your dreams in 2013.

4. Forget deprivation. Depriving yourself of anything creates more desire to move toward that item. Restrictions and punishment are not successful means for creating change and resolution. Instead of looking at restrictive diets or budgets, find ways to set goals that are realistic and attainable.

The most important key to successful resolutions is to break down the goal into little steps and reward your accomplishments along the way. If you do this, 2013 will be a healthier and happier year for you.

Resolutions that stick...

It’s our number one choice for the new year, and one of the hardest goals to achieve… losing weight.   

So what are 45 million people trying to accomplish this January?

·      They want to lose weight

·      We spend upwards of $33 billion on weight loss and related goods according to Boston Medical Center

·      But studies show that only a small minority of us succeed with our goal.

In the past you’ve talked to us about goals and you’ve always stressed creation of “reasonable goals.”  Are there things we should also consider?

·      New research shows that our brains actually overestimate our power of success and that we filter our negative options in many cases

·      This optimistic outlook is useful for humans, but it can also set us up for failure if we do not take in account new information and re-evaluate or ignore reality

·      For instance, we may perceive that we should lose 5 pounds a week, and while working hard on a healthy eating plan we lose 1-2 pounds per week.  What happens for many Americans is our brain doesn’t re-evaluate the success of losing the 1-2 pounds and senses failure and we tend to give up.

So what are some tips for creating a healthier lifestyle and the ability to stick with the weight loss program in 2013.

·      Be prepared with reasonable goals.  This is always my number one concept.  You need to be realistic about what is possible and probable.

·      Have a plan of intention vs. end point.  It is just like looking at the journey vs. the destination—look at the progress you are making vs. focusing on the end line

·      Have a plan to distract.  When a smoker is trying to stop many people chew gum, or chew on a straw… dieters need to have a plan—carry an apple to chomp on when you have an urge to eat.  Carry a bag of almonds or cashews to interrupt the habitual response

·      Look for natural alternatives.  Take a walk when you are a little bit hungry, drink some water, which will be filling, or sip on some hot tea.  Be prepared to care for yourself in a healthy way and 2013 will be a happier and healthier year for all of us.

                                                             

 What can a drawing tell you about your personality?                                      

Everyone loves tests and quizzes and many times, the responses do tell us a little about our personality. Remember, this is just a fun little test and it's results are not guaranteed, except to bring a smile to your face.

Here's what I'd like everyone to do: draw a cruise ship on a piece of paper.

Let's first look at the location on the paper.

1. If the ship is drawn near the top of the page, you are an Optimist. You say things like, "There is no sense in crying over spilt milk."
2. If the ship is drawn near the middle of the page, you are a Realist. You see things as they are without illusion or delusion
3. If the ship is drawn near the bottom of the page, you are a Naysayer. You tend to be a pessimist and see things in a negative viewpoint.

Now, let's look at the details you put in your drawing.
1. If your ship is drawn with few details you are a Risk taker. You can be carefree and freewheeling. Sometimes this gets you into trouble.
2. If you used many details in your drawing you are an Inspector. You prefer to look at ideas carefully and thoroughly before they gain your approval.

Thirdly, let's look at the direction your ship is facing.
1. If your ship is facing right, you are a Wordsmith. You enjoy transmitting your ideas through words verbally or in writing.
2. If your ship is head on, you are a Gatekeeper. You like standing guard and keeping an eye on people who are coming and going.
3. If the ship is facing left, you are a Worldly Person. Your interests are in buying and selling or science. You have very little interest in working with words.

If your ship has smoke stacks... 
1. If you drew your ship without a smokestack you are a Hipster. You have a knack for knowing where the action is. You can be creative and innovative.
2. If your ship has a smokestack, you are an Artist. You excel or enjoy the fine arts.

And the size indicates how good of a listener you are.

So how close were we to analyzing your personality?

10 tips to survive the holidays

1. Meaning: Find the meaning in the season and focus on the “real meaning of the holiday vs. the gifts, pressures and expectations

2. Give: The true meaning of the holidays is about giving—but not necessarily about giving of monetary worth or gifts, but about giving of yourself and your love to others

3.Forget perfection: Focus on the human side of the holiday vs. trying to be perfect and becoming overwhelmed and stressed

4. Become what you desire: If you want the holiday to be happy and joyful, then concentrate on the things that make you happy, the people who bring joy to your life, and avoid negatives and inner expectations

5. Be in the now: Focus on the moment…take time to be with those you love and focus on the moments you have with loved ones and times that are meaningful to you

What are 5 more tips to help us survive and thrive during the holiday season?

6.Connect: Reach out to those you love, and include connections with those who are in your thoughts but who might be far away

7. Be mindful of your limits. Be mindful of overspending, overdoing it, and overcommitting during the season

8. To things in moderation. Set limits and stick with them, but also remember that things don’t have to be black or white, and you can allow yourself the gift of not going to extremes

9. Be grateful. Focus on what you have versus what is missing in your life. The happiest people are those who focus on their blessings

10. Comfort yourself. The holiday season can be stressful, so don’t forget to make time for yourself to eat well, exercise, and do things that help you feel good about yourself.

Are you addicted to your phone?

Are you a habitual smartphone user? Tonight we will look at the new phenomenon that is taking hold of millions of phone users and you can decide if you are addicted and some steps to crush the behavior.

You say that many people have become habitual users of their smartphones. I understand you have a quick checklist to see if someone fits the criteria.

· Do you check your email more than is necessary. Be honest with yourself, are you checking a need or a want?

· Are you annoying people with always being on your smartphone? Have people made comments about your usage?

· Does the thought of not checking your smartphone create anxiety? Once again, be honest with yourself. Try to put your phone away for an hour and see what happens.

What creates our habitual need to always be checking our phone?

· Researchers suggest that we feel important when we get a text, email or other notifications. It builds our self esteem

· Researchers also suggest that our connection triggers something in our brain when we get email or a text and many times those things have a positive impact and make us feel wanted or needed

· Many people feel alone, isolated and checking emails, Facebook, twitter, makes them feel connected with the world and others.

· Checking has also become a fashionable way to isolate, avoid interacting and avoiding things we don’t want to do… it has become an insulator

· The brain connects with the positive feeling and then a pattern arises and we want to feel that positive rush again, and so we check habitually

What are some tips for those of us who just discovered we may be habitually in love with our smartphone?

· Acknowledge: The first step is always awareness so you can address the issue. Denial only further charges the habitual behaviors.

· Make free-zone times: Set times when you agree to not look at your smartphone. Perhaps that time will be during dinners or meal times with others, or perhaps after a certain time of the night.

· Establish free-zone places: Maybe that location will be the bedroom, the kitchen or perhaps on a vacation

· Evaluate: Be honest and determine what “purpose” the smartphone has for you and take small steps to minimize the behaviors and interact more face to face vs. through the phone