by California Casualty | Health |
Fall is around the corner and with the changing of the seasons comes changing of mindset. September is Self Improvement Month, aka time to get back to the basics, set goals for yourself, and really focus on your well-being.
Whether you are caught up in your day-to-day work-home-sleep schedule and you want to make a major change, or you would simply like to drink more water throughout the day, we have a simple list of things that you can do during September to help you improve your mind and body.
1. Get Organized. Clean out all of the clutter, whether it be physical clutter that is piling up and causing you stress at home or work. Or, emotional clutter- negative thoughts that keep you from achieving your goals. A stress-free space promotes positivity and will make it easier for you to reach your mental and physical goals.
2. Be More Healthy. Create a meal plan that you will actually stick to. Only eat out once a week, cut down on the fried food, drink enough water, eat more fruits and vegetables, monitor your caffeine/sugar intake. All of these are easy goals that you can implement into your diet to help your body feel stronger and less sluggish.
3. Change Your Habits. Yup, way easier said than done. Current habits that make you feel less than your best didn’t become habits overnight. Start with one thing you can do differently that would make you feel better mentally or physically. If you tend to feel rushed or stressed in the mornings, spend 10-15 minutes prepping the night before. Find yourself plopping down on the couch immediately after work? Take a walk around your building or parking lot before getting in the car to head home. Always reaching for that soda or sugary snack at a certain time of day and feeling guilty afterward? Replace it one or two days a week with an alternative that doesn’t make you feel bad about yourself. Regardless of what habits you want to change, focus on how you feel when you make an adjustment. Harness the positive feelings from the changes you make to keep yourself on track.
4. Get Out and Go. Plan a vacation or stay-cation. You could go take a trip across the world or build a fort in the living room. Just unplug yourself for a weekend (or longer) and don’t do anything work-related. It will give your mind the time it needs to rest and recoup.
5. Start Saving. It’s simple; pay your bills/loans, set a budget, and check your financial accounts daily. You could even set up an additional account and set a goal amount to put in each month. Having financial freedom, or at least some financial wiggle room, will take a giant weight off of your shoulders.
6. Don’t Be Complacent. If you aren’t happy in your career or relationship, leave. It may be complicated and seem scary, but your happiness is suffering because you are doing or are with someone that is bringing you down physically and emotionally. Do something for yourself and get the courage to get out, there will always be another partner or career, you just have to go find them.
7. Relax. It may seem impossible to find free time in your hectic day/week. This is why you need to make time to do something that relaxes you. It doesn’t have to be for a long period of time (but it certainly can be). Take ten minutes to do something that will put your mind in a positive place and get you ready to take the rest of the day or night. Some easy examples include taking breathing exercises, meditating, taking a short walk, listening to music or podcasts, getting a massage, or even just sitting with your eyes closed for a few minutes.
8. Challenge Yourself. Set attainable goals and create step-by-step plans to accomplish them. What do you want to do but always seem to find a reason not to? but you have yet to accomplish it make a goal for yourself to get it done within a certain time frame. The best way to keep the motivation to accomplish goals is to write them down physically and place them somewhere that you will see them often like the mirror or on the fridge. Write the end date on the bottom in big letters as a reminder of when you want them accomplished. Try and tell as many people as you can about your goals, so they can help hold you accountable.
It is important to remember that making changes to improve yourself may not happen overnight. There will be times you stumble. Eat ice cream three nights in a row and pass out watching Netflix? Spend a little too frivolously since last pay day? Don’t be too hard on yourself. Try to be more conscious of your decisions. Self-improvement is an investment in yourself! Take it one day at a time, keep your goals in mind, and never give up.
This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.
by California Casualty | Educators, Health |
Summertime for teachers doesn’t necessarily mean “vacation”. There are, lesson plans to develop, hours of PD sessions, and classrooms to prepare. Many teachers have summer jobs or teach summer school, so accomplishing goals and tasks that get put off during the school year is easier said than done.
We’ve put together a game plan to help you accomplish the top five realistic goals that teachers tend put on the back-burner during the school year. Even if what you want or need to do varies from the list below, writing down your goals is a solid first step to achieving them – especially if you are a teacher who is short on time. So open up your planner, grab your Flair pens and get ready to amaze yourself.
Goal #1: De-clutter
Less clutter = less stress = happiness 🙂
How to Accomplish: It’s time to channel your inner Marie Kondo. Getting rid of all of the clutter you’ve put aside planning to get to later needs to be the first thing you do this summer. The first thing?! We know. Bear with us. The sooner you put away all the stuff you carted home from your classroom, address the mountain of laundry in the corner, and tackle the layers of memories of years past- barely hanging on- beneath the magnets covering the fridge; the quicker you can start enjoying your summer. Clutter causes stress. To avoid stress, we avoid cluttered areas or try to pretend it isn’t there. Identify the area or room that gives you the most anxiety and start there. The quicker the clutter is gone, the quicker you can focus on more important things-like a cold drink by the pool.
Goal #2: Sleep
This one is pretty self-explanatory…
How to Accomplish: Draw the blinds and turn off all of your alarms. zzZZZZzzzzZZZzzzZZZzzz
Goal #3: Exercise
It’s beneficial for your physical AND mental well-being.
How to Accomplish: You don’t have to go crazy, buy a gym membership or start training 24/7…unless you want to. Exercise can range from number of different activities like: taking a walk, swimming, riding your bike to the playground with your children, or an intense game of water balloons. Set aside 30 minutes, 3 or 4 times a week to move your muscles and de-stress. Start looking at exercise as positive, like playing with your kids, and you will be more likely to do it instead of sitting on the couch dreading getting on the treadmill.
Goal #4: Work On Yourself
Take some time for “me-time”.
How to Accomplish: Whether you want to get started on your MBA or have a Harry Potter marathon in your PJ’s; write down a few things down you want to do this summer, solely for YOU and YOUR happiness, and make sure to follow through. Here are a few examples that we have rounded up & linked to sources for you, just click on each word!
You give so much of yourself during the school year. Be sure to take a little time during the summer for yourself to do and discover things that YOU love.
Goal #5: Spend Time with Friends & Family
They miss you during the school year.
How to Accomplish: Make a point to do things together as a family, like eating meals at the table, taking a road trip, or having a picnic in the park. Soak up all of the family time you can. During the summer is also a great time to talk to the family that doesn’t get to see you every day, like your parents or grandparents. Schedule time to visit or talk to them on the phone. And don’t forget about friends! Friends play a key role in our happiness and mental health so, set aside some time to get together for a night out, a backyard BBQ, or your other favorite activities.
The key to accomplishing summer goals is to keep them realistic. So set aside some time, choose what goals would make you the most happy, and go get your highlighters because this summer you are going to accomplish ALL of your summer goals. One color-coded tab at a time.
This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters and nurses. Get a quote at 1.800.800.9410 or www.calcas.com.
by California Casualty | Health |
Summer is here and it is the perfect time to take a vacation. However, many people think they are either too busy for or simply don’t need to take time off during the year; but getting away is actually beneficial to both your physical and mental well-being.
So, stop making excuses and consider these five reasons why need to take a vacation this summer:
- Relax and Recharge- Sometimes you simply need to recharge your batteries. When you’re busy all the time, you can really wear yourself out; but taking a trip can increase your energy levels so you’re ready for a fresh start when you get back.
- Stimulates Your Brain- Giving your brain a break from daily life allows it a chance to reboot. Relaxing also helps your brain function. When it’s not focusing on all of your normal tasks at work, your brain can also discover and learn new things.
- Improves Physical Well-being- Skipping vacation and not taking time for yourself can increase stress levels and decrease energy levels, which leads to being mentally and physically burnt out. The effects of work-stress and fatigue can also weaken your immune system, making you more vulnerable to sickness.
- Boosts Your Mental Health-Taking a vacation and being on your own schedule is a great way to get out of a slump and find motivation again. The time off gives you change in perspective and can help get your mind back in the right place; and you’ll likely sleep better not thinking about work all of the time.
- Makes You More Productive-Working long hours and constantly busying yourself could cause a decline in work quality and performance. So, it’s no surprise that taking a few day break may help improve your performance and increase productivity.
Don’t sweat missing a few days of work, remember, it will always be there when you get back. Whether you decide travel cross-country or plan a stay-cation, you’ll feel rejuvenated and ready to take on anything when you return. So, load up the kids, pack on the sunscreen, turn on our “Kid-Friendly Summer Road Trip” playlist on Spotify, and hit the road.
Happy Travels!
by California Casualty | Health |
If getting out of bed early to get ready for work leaves you feeling groggy, we have a few tips to get you energized for the day and to help you get into the habit of a healthy a morning routine.
According to ABC News, a recent survey found that 20% of U.S. population is consistently late, especially when it comes to work. Being late isn’t just about time, but could be affecting your mental health. Studies show that procrastination is a link to anxiety, low self-control, and more. Plus, the stress of feeling rushed in the morning can lead to feeling like you are running behind for the rest of the day.
If you want to make a change and make your mornings more productive, follow these simple steps to establish a morning routine.
- Prepare the night before: Take 10 minutes to lay out clothing, lunch, and other things you may need throughout the day. This saves time in the morning for other tasks – especially the unexpected ones that tend to require time and attention.
- Set an alarm or reminder to go to bed: Whether you feel and do your best after 4 hours of sleep or 8 hours of sleep, setting a reminder when it’s time for you to hit the hay will help make sure you get the sleep you need at night to have a productive next day.
- Track your habits: Use an online app or keep a written sleep journal. Identify things that occur during the day/evening that may make it harder to fall asleep or cause a restless night. As you start to see patterns, make the adjustments you need to get a full night of sleep or that give you the time you need in the morning.
- Eat a healthy breakfast: Your metabolism slows while you are sleeping. Give it the morning boost it needs with a fast and easy meal with the proper balance of protein, carbohydrates and fat.
- Plan to be early: Tack on a 15-minute cushion at the beginning of your day. Whether this means setting your alarm early, giving up a tap or two of the snooze button or prepping breakfast the night before, you’ll feel less rushed or anxious throughout the day.
- Keep your morning routine going on your days off: Continuing to go to sleep and wake up at the same time each day will help keep your body on track physically and mentally.
You only get 25,000 mornings in your adult life. Even if some of your days have passed by in a sleepy fog, there is no better time than today to make a positive change. Be sure to make the most out of your mornings and days. Starting a morning routine will eliminate stress, and make you feel better as a whole, inside and out.
Sources:
ABC News
Buffer Social
Buffer Open
by California Casualty | Firefighters, Health, Peace Officers |
The men and women of public safety are tough, in control, and working to put others ahead of themselves. It takes a lot of “heart” to do the job. If you wear a uniform, be aware that your risk of heart disease might be higher than the general population.
February is Heart Month – a reminder that we all need to take care of our hearts so we will be around to celebrate many more Valentine’s Days with our loved ones.
The Risk
Being a first responder is one of the most stressful jobs in the U.S. Long shifts, life and death situations, and strenuous physical exertion can take a toll on the heart. A number of studies involving law enforcement officers found sudden cardiac deaths accounted for 10 percent of all on-duty police deaths in the U.S.
Cardiovascular disease was found to be the primary on-duty and lifetime mortality risk for firefighters.
The danger increased for first responders who were diabetic, overweight, smoked, used excessive alcohol and didn’t exercise.
Female officers, firefighters and EMTs also need to pay attention. Their rates of heart disease and heart attack have increased, and the Centers for Disease Control lists heart disease as the leading cause of death for women in the U.S.
Recommendations
While we may not be able to reduce the stress involved with public safety, there are clear steps that can cut your risk of heart disease:
- If you smoke, quit
- Improve and control cholesterol levels
- Reduce high blood pressure
- Exercise
- Eat a heart-healthy diet
- Get to a healthy weight
- Get adequate sleep
- Reduce alcohol intake
- Begin aspirin therapy
Police and fire organizations are now calling for mandatory medical exams, wellness and fitness requirements and annual physical fitness performance evaluations. They also recommend that individuals buddy-up and create workout groups, walking clubs and other physical challenges in for their departments.
Law enforcement officers can find heart-healthy tips at https://www.officer.com/command-hq/supplies-services/healthcare/article/20998653/heart-disease-and-law-enforcement.
Firefighters can go to https://healthy-firefighter.org/.
by California Casualty | Health |
With summer time comes rising temperatures, and for babies those temperatures can become deadly if they get trapped in a hot car. Even the most attentive and caring parents make mistakes – including accidentally leaving or locking a child in a car. Sometimes, children climb into unlocked, parked cars in the driveway without their parents realizing it, and when they do it is often too late. Regardless of how it happens, children left in hot vehicles are in grave danger within a matter of minutes.
Here are some tips for making double & triple sure that your child is safe this summer:
- Never leave your child in the car. No exceptions: No matter how brief your errand or how quick your stop, NEVER leave a child in the car. Under any circumstances, even with the windows cracked or completely rolled down, there is no safe amount of time to leave a child in the car.
- Get involved if you are a bystander: If you see a child alone in a hot vehicle, call 911 immediately. If they are in distress due to heat, the National Highway Safety Administration recommends getting them out as soon as possible.
- Remind Yourself: Oftentimes, children’s car seats are behind the parent’s seat, out of sight, and if your child is asleep it can be easy to forget they are even with you. Remind yourself out loud to remember the child; give yourself visual cues; place your purse or briefcase in back by the child- so when you exit the car, you are reminded; place the diaper bag in the seat next to you where you can see it. If you are changing up routine (for example, if Dad usually drives the child in the morning, but today Mom is doing so), it is easy to forget. New parents have a lot on their minds and accidents can happen.
- Prevent kids from wandering into the car: Don’t let children play in your car unattended. Lock your car doors and trunk, and keep keys out of any child’s reach. That way, you minimize the risk that they climb into your car without you knowing they have done so.
- Make it routine: Make it a habit to physically open the back car door and check for anyone left behind every single time you get out of the car.
- Have back up: Make arrangements with your child’s day care center or babysitter that you will always call if your child will not be there on a particular day as scheduled. That way if you forget and they are absent, they will alert you.
For more car safety tips, visit the National Highway Safety Administration.
