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The Work-Life Balance Myth

What is your impression of work-life balance? A lot of people find it a completely unrealistic goal that is impossible to achieve. Many people find life demands are simply keeping them too busy to take time to relax. As we talked about in a previous episode, stress can cause heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, and immunity issues. Statistics Canada says that 1 in 4 adults reported high stress in 2013, and high stress means that your mental and physical health are declining.

The good news is that this is preventable. For a lot of people, their expectation of work-life balance is NOT realistic. You can’t expect to go to the gym 7 days a week, get 8 hours of sleep every night, meet every work deadline, and have the time to home-cook every meal. A common misconception of work-life balance is that it needs to happen every day, and that simply isn’t realistic. A more realistic goal may be to try to have a balanced week or month of work and leisure; it doesn’t need to happen all in one day.

We also need to change the way we think about work; instead of work-life balance we’ll be using the term stress-life balance. People that are unemployed by choice, students, and caregivers still experience stress-life balance, so we can’t attribute all stress to work even though it’s a common stressor for many.

One of the strategies OT’s use to make stress-life balance possible is to set SMART goals. A good goal should be:

  • Specific
  • Measureable
  • Achievable
  • Realistic
  • Time-bound

First, figure out what stresses you. This may seem simple, but get really specific. Does your job stress you out? What ABOUT your job stresses you out? When do your kids stress you out most? Make a list of what can be changed, and what can’t. Don’t say that nothing can be changed!

Next, understand what helps you de-stress. This is different for everyone. Some people need passive or relaxing leisure where they can shut their brains off; common examples of passive leisure are watching television, yoga, or going to the theatre. Some people need active leisure to de-stress, like going for a run, socializing with friends, or reading a favourite book.

Lastly, make a plan for how you can integrate more of those de-stressors into your life on a weekly or monthly basis. Also make a plan for how to reduce your stressors. Make sure this plan is a SMART plan, and you should be on your way to improving your mental and physical health. Occupational therapists know the evidence behind de-stressing, and which activities give you the most bang for your buck when you’re low on time.

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Concussion Blood Test

A concussion is a serious injury that needs treatment in order to allow the brain to heal properly and to prevent further damage.  However, symptoms vary and can be delayed, often making concussions difficult to diagnose.  New research suggests that a simple blood test may be able to detect evidence of a concussion up to one-week post injury.  Learn more about this new discovery in the following from Science Daily.

Science Daily:  Simple blood test can detect evidence of concussions up to a week after injury

To learn more about concussions, brain injuries and prevention check out our Brain Health page.

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Hurting Hands? OT Can Help!

Arthritis is a painful and often debilitating condition that, according to The Arthritis Society, affects over 4.6 million Canadian Adults.  Pain, inflammation, stiffness, and reduced range of motion can affect your ability to function at work, at home and at play.  Occupational Therapy can help with many types of arthritis by providing education, adaptations, exercises, pain management techniques and more.  The following from the Advance Healthcare Network discusses some of the ways OT can help when dealing with arthritis in the hands.

Advance Healthcare Network:  Occupational Therapy for Arthritic Hand Pain

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Organic or Non-Organic? That is the Question…

This Friday is Earth Day.  Eating local, in season foods is one of the best ways to benefit your health, help the earth and reduce your carbon footprint.  But what about organic vs. non-organic?  Is one healthier than the other?   With so much debate over whether buying organic food is in fact the best option, decisions about food choices can become confusing. Especially when we consider other factors such as food availability and budget. The dirty dozen and clean 15 help to illustrate which fruits and vegetables have the most and least pesticide contamination which can help you make more informed choices when selecting your produce.  Check out the following from The David Suzuki Foundation to get the dirty dozen and clean 15 lists and to learn more about the organic food debate.

The David Suzuki Foundation:  What are the dirty dozen and the clean fifteen

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New Ontario Autism Program – Did the Government Get it Wrong?

According to Autism Speaks, Autism now affects 1 in 88 children and 1 in 54 boys. The 2012 numbers reflect a 78% increase in reported prevalence in the last 6 years.  This is a growing problem, impacting more and more families each year.

With growing numbers of affected children, wait times in Ontario for assessment and treatment have increased to an unacceptable level.  Recently, the Ontario Government made changes to its policy on Autism care in hopes to reduce wait times for those families seeking assistance.  While these changes may be beneficial for children aged 2-4 seeking diagnosis and treatment, those 5 and older will no longer be eligible for government funded Intensive Behavioural Intervention services, even if they have been on a wait list for years.

Intensive Behavioural Intervention (IBI) is the application of the principles of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) in an intensive, highly structured format. It is a comprehensive approach that is used to teach a broad range of skills, such as communication, socialization, self-help, pre-academics, and play.   All IBI programs are individualized to the strengths and needs of each child and therapy decisions are based on a comprehensive review of program data. The goal of IBI is to help young children with Autism catch up developmentally to their peers. This means that IBI aims to increase the rate of a child’s learning, to bring their skills closer to those of typically-developing children, to decrease their symptoms, and to prepare them for an appropriate school setting.

The government will be providing a one-time payment of $8000 to families with children 5 and over, however, it is only a drop in the bucket for the amount of money required for this type of vital treatment.

The following from CTV News shows the frustration and abandonment families with Autistic children 5 and over are feeling:

How can you stand up for the rights of the affected families?  Let the Ontario Government know that they have gotten it wrong by signing the petition to Oppose the new Ontario Autism Program’s elimination of IBI eligibility for Children over 5.

To learn more about the changes and how you may be affected please visit the Ontario Autism Program website.

And please, tell us what you think:  did the government get it wrong?

 

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The Benefits of OT For Parkinson’s Disease

April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month.  Occupational Therapists help to provide creative and proactive strategies for managing well at home and in the community for a variety of illnesses and disabilities, including Parkinson’s Disease.  The following from The Parkinson’s Disease Foundation discusses some of the many benefits Occupational Therapy provides for those living with Parkinson’s Disease.

The Parkinson’s Disease Foundation:  Occupational Therapy Can Benefit People with Parkinson’s Disease

To learn more about Occupational Thearpy and Parkinson’s Disease check out our blog:  My Grandma Versus Parkinson’s Disease

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Tax Time: Is OT An Eligible Expense?

April means tax time in Canada!  Many, especially those with disability, chronic illness or advancing age, often pay a great deal in out-of-pocket medical expenses each year.  While these expenses can add up, the good news is that many can give you a break on your income tax.  The following from The Globe and Mail provides a list of 10 medical expenses you may not have realized are deductible.  And YES, Occupational Therapy is one of them!  

The Globe and Mail:  These ten medical expenses could give you a tax break

 

For more help with money management check out our recent post:  Money Matters:  Occupational Therapy and Disability Finance

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Pre-Peeled Oranges: Think Before You Judge

Recent chatter on the web has pointed a finger at pre-sliced, pre-packaged foods such as apple or orange slices – deeming these as lazy, unnecessary and wasteful.  However, for many people living with illness or disability, these items are extremely helpful and necessary.  Check out the following from NPR to learn more about how prepared fresh foods, such as pre-peeled oranges, can make a difference in the lives of many.

NPR:  Pre-Peeled Oranges: What Some Call ‘Lazy’ Others Call A ‘Lifesaver’

Photo Care of:  worldofvegan.com