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Archive for category: O-Tip of the Week

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Holiday Survival O-Tip of the Week: Make a list and check it twice!

Our O-Tip of the week series delivers valuable “OT-Approved Life Hacks” to provide you with simple and helpful solutions for living. 

For the month of December, one of the busiest months of the year, our O-Tip series will provide you with OT-approved ways to not just “survive the holidays,” but actually enjoy them!  In this week’s O-Tip of the week we take a page from Santa Claus himself.

December is a stressful time of year so organization is key.  Make a list.  Make multiple lists!  Plan it, buy it, store it, and then cross it off your list.  Make separate lists for separate tasks:  cards to send, presents to buy, food to coordinate, functions to attend, decorating to do – then set it and forget it.  Pull out one list a week, tackle it, and then discard.  Repeat.

Try using our printable Holiday Gift Planner to help you stay on track and stress less this Holiday Season.

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“MO”-Tip of the Week: Prevent the ‘Man Cold’ (It’s a Real Thing!)

Our O-Tip of the week series delivers valuable “OT-Approved Life Hacks” to provide you with simple and helpful solutions for living.

For the month of Movember, a month dedicated to Men’s Health, our “MO”-Tip series will provide you with OT-approved ways to take care of the men in your life.  

Studies show that men have harsher cold and flu symptoms than women, therefore, men may not be simply exaggerating symptoms as many women claim.  That’s right… the ‘man cold’ is real!  So men, to avoid getting the dreaded ‘man cold’ or flu this season, follow these great tips care of the Center for Disease Control.

CDC:  Preventing the Flu: Good Health Habits Can Help Stop Germs

Learn more about the scientific evidence of the ‘man cold’ care of CBC News.

CBC News:  Canadian doctor says there’s evidence the ‘man flu’ is actually real

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“Mo”-Tip of the Week: Learn the Signs and Symptoms of Prostate Cancer

Our O-Tip of the week series delivers valuable “OT-Approved Life Hacks” to provide you with simple and helpful solutions for living.

For the month of Movember, a month dedicated to Men’s Health, our “MO”-Tip series will provide you with OT-approved ways to take care of the men in your life.  

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men and, according to Prostate Cancer Canada, 1 in 7 Canadian men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime.  The rate of survival is highly increased the earlier the cancer is diagnosed, therefore, knowing the symptoms could save your life.  Learn about the symptoms and when to see your Doctor in the following care of the Canadian Cancer Society.

Canadian Cancer Society:  Prostate Cancer

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“MO”-Tip of the Week: Get to Know Your Nuts…

Our O-Tip of the week series delivers valuable “OT-Approved Life Hacks” to provide you with simple and helpful solutions for living.

For the month of Movember, a month dedicated to Men’s Health, our “MO”-Tip series will provide you with OT-approved ways to take care of the men in your life.  

Testicular cancer is most prominent in young men aged 15 to 29.  This type of cancer responds well to treatment if it is caught early, however, due to embarrassment, many don’t check themselves regularly and/or don’t seek medical treatment for irregularities.  It is recommended that men check themselves monthly.  To learn how to do this monthly check and to learn more about testicular cancer check out the following care of Movember.

Movember:  Testicular Cancer

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O-Tip of the Week: Take a Break!

Our O-Tip of the week series delivers valuable “OT-Approved Life Hacks” to provide you with simple and helpful solutions for living. 

For the month of September, a month of back to school and back to reality, our O-Tip series will provide you with OT-approved ways to put the focus back on you.  This week’s O-Tip can help to improve your mental health in a matter of a few minutes each day.

Though working through lunch or breaks sometimes seems like it could help you get more done, it actually is counterintuitive.  Breaks are necessary and can help to boost mental health and productivity, especially in the workplace.  However, breaks aren’t just for the office, but for household activities as well.  Some great ways to make the most of this break to boost your mood include:

  • Taking a walk
  • Heading outside for a breath of fresh air
  • Conversing with co-workers (non-work related)
  • Reading a book
  • Meditating
  • Stretching
  • Desk-ercising (try these fun ideas to work out at work)
  • Doing something artistic or creative (try bringing a relaxation colouring book and some pencil crayons in your work bag)

Remember it’s important that we take frequent breaks to reduce stress, improve focus and to take care of ourselves.

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O-Tip of the Week: Track What you Eat

Our O-Tip of the week series delivers valuable “OT-Approved Life Hacks” to provide you with simple and helpful solutions for living. 

For the month of September, a month of back to school and back to reality, our O-Tip series will provide you with OT-approved ways to put the focus back on you.  This week’s O-Tip can help with physical self-improvement by helping you properly fuel your body.

How do you know if you are getting the essentials or getting too much of the things we shouldn’t have without tracking what you eat?  We challenge you to fully track what you eat and drink for one full week (or longer for lasting success) to help you find out if you are getting what your body needs.  From there you will be able to make appropriate changes to your diet.  Try the My Fitness Pal app which analyzes the foods you eat and shows you how much of each nutrient (ex. protein, iron, essential vitamins) you have consumed.  You can also use this free (with paid options) app to count calories, track hydration, exercise and more.

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O-Tip of the Week: Limit Distractions

Our O-Tip of the week series we will be providing valuable “OT-Approved Life Hacks” to provide you with simple and helpful solutions for living. 

Occupational Therapists are a vital part of a team of professionals that assist with the rehabilitation from brain injury.  For the month of June, Brain Injury Awareness Month, our series will be providing solutions to assist with some of the many symptoms of brain injury. 

When recovering from a brain injury distractions may be more significant than pre-injury.  Because of this, it can be difficult to get anything done. When attempting to complete a task try to minimize all distractions allowing your full concentration to be focused on the task at hand.  Turn off televisions, radios, your cell phone and attempt to focus fully on what you need to do.

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O-Tip of the Week: Break it Down

Our O-Tip of the week series we will be providing valuable “OT-Approved Life Hacks” to provide you with simple and helpful solutions for living. 

Occupational Therapists are a vital part of a team of professionals that assist with the rehabilitation from brain injury.  For the month of June, Brain Injury Awareness Month, our series will be providing solutions to assist with some of the many symptoms of brain injury. 

With a brain injury, many will have symptoms that include lack of focus, fatigue, poor concentration, forgetfulness and more.  These symptoms make it difficult for someone to complete daily tasks whether big or small.  It is often beneficial to have someone, like an OT, work with you to help break down tasks into smaller more manageable parts allowing for rest and providing multiple opportunities for accomplishment! 

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O-Tip of the Week: Try the ’10 Minute Rule’

Our O-Tip of the week series we will be providing valuable “OT-Approved Life Hacks” to provide you with simple and helpful solutions for living. 

Occupational Therapists are a vital part of a team of professionals that assist with the rehabilitation from brain injury.  For the month of June, Brain Injury Awareness Month, our series will be providing solutions to assist with some of the many symptoms of brain injury. 

Struggling to complete a daunting task?  Continuously pushing it to tomorrows to do list?  Try the 10 Minute Rule!  Instead of trying to complete this task all at once, set a timer and spend just 10 minutes a day on this task until you are able to finish it.

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O-Tip of the Week: Plan Your Weeks and Days

Our O-Tip of the week series we will be providing valuable “OT-Approved Life Hacks” to provide you with simple and helpful solutions for living. 

Occupational Therapists are a vital part of a team of professionals that assist with the rehabilitation from brain injury.  For the month of June, Brain Injury Awareness Month, our series will be providing solutions to assist with some of the many symptoms of brain injury. 

Brain injuries may result in cognitive deficits which can affect memory and concentration.  Additionally, a brain injury often affects energy levels, leaving many fatigued by completing daily tasks.  Spreading activities throughout the week and thoroughly planning each day will go a long way to help someone with a brain injury accomplish more and feel more in control.  An OT can help!