Check your stress level, develop an attractive attitude

Importance of stress level

I find this really a great little tool. Some people might not take the importance of stress level they’re facing seriously but we should.

It’s a tool for Managers, executives and anyone working out there, adapted from Ayala Pines, Ph.D. and Elliot Aronson, Ph.D., “Why Managers Burn Out,” Sales & marketing management 4 (February 1989)

Download the excel spreadsheet here

Eating Together

A Slice of Life – Produced and presented by Eugene Loh

You’ve heard that “the family that plays together, stays together”. But have you heard that “the family that eats together, stays together”? The hectic pace of modern life is pulling the family unit in many different directions, often at the same time. Just having a meal together these days can be a luxury for some families.

But if you value the cohesiveness of your family, then making sure members sit down for a meal together as often as possible is one of the smartest investments you’ll make. It will take some rearranging of schedules, patience and lots of commitment on everyone’s part, but if you make the effort, you’ll find the rewards outweigh the inconveniences.

One of the benefits is improved nutrition. Because of our frantic schedules, most of us have no choice but to have at least one meal out every day. Many of us have both lunch and dinner out. And “outside” food, as anyone will tell you, cannot compare with the wholesomeness that well-planned home-cooked food can have. Better nutrition also means family members also have a lower risk of many diseases and of being overweight or obese.

Studies also show that kids who eat with their families get better grades in school and have a more positive attitude about their future, and they also are less likely to get involved with negative behaviors like drinking alcohol, taking drugs or smoking.

Another great thing that comes from eating together is that it gives members a regular time to “check in” with one another; to find out what’s happening in one another’s lives, and find time to engage. It’s important that this happens in an environment of minimal distraction. Just sit down together and talk and laugh! This brings the family closer together. It builds emotional investment and consistent visions and objectives.

When it comes to family events, family dinners are also the most important one in contributing to children’s language development, according to a Harvard University study. Dr. Catherine Snow, the lead researcher says “When there is more than one adult at the table, it tends to make talk richer, topics are established by adult interest and can be extremely valuable opportunities for children to learn.”

But in order for all these benefits to manifest, the dinner must be enjoyable. Remember, no fault-finding, no boring career talks, no self-righteous advice, no talk of cleaning the room or curfews, just have fun! And, stay away from the “clean your plate” mentality. Allow kids to serve themselves and just take a little bit. Forcing a child to eat everything on his plate will teach him to ignore his body’s cues that he’s full.