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Tag Archive for: O-Tip of the Week

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O-Tip of the Week: Self-Improve by Showing Gratitude

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. 

For the month of February, our O-Tip of the week series will talk about Self-Esteem, which is defined as confidence or belief in one’s own worth or abilities.  Self-esteem issues affect more than just teenagers and encompass more than physical insecurities.  Follow along this February to learn more about self-esteem, its importance and some simple ways give yourself a boost! 

Another proven way to boost your self-esteem is by practicing gratefulness.  Keep a daily (or weekly) gratitude journal where you take a few moments to reflect on 3 things you are thankful for.  Learn more about how the practice of gratitude can boost self-esteem and more in the following care of Forbes.

Forbes:  7 Scientifically Proven Benefits Of Gratitude That Will Motivate You To Give Thanks Year-Round

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O-Tip of the Week: Give Yourself a Pat on the Back

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. 

For the month of February, our O-Tip of the week series will talk about Self-Esteem, which is defined as confidence or belief in one’s own worth or abilities.  Self-esteem issues affect more than just teenagers and encompass more than physical insecurities.  Follow along this February to learn more about self-esteem, its importance and some simple ways give yourself a boost! 

This week we invite you to reflect on and record your accomplishments.  Big or small, past or present, make a list of all the things you have achieved and refer to this when you are feeling down or need a boost. 

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O-Tip of the Week: Out with the Old and In with the New

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 January, our O-Tip series will provide you with ways to kick bad habits and establish good ones.

A helpful way to put an end to a bad habit is by replacing it with a good one.  Out with the old habit and in with a new healthier one.  This printable worksheet (below) will help you identify up to 10 healthy things to do more of in place of something you should do less of.  Some examples include:

  • more physical activity, less screen time
  • more taking the stairs at work, less taking the elevator
  • more homecooked meals, less fast food

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O-Tip of the Week: Stay Hydrated with These Helpful Hacks

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 January, our O-Tip series will provide you with ways to kick bad habits and establish good ones.  This week we talk about hydration and how to get your 8 glasses (or more) each day!

We all have heard of the “eight glasses a day” rule, but is this the right amount for everyone?  The answer is not as simple as you think.  Depending on your age, overall health, and activity level you may actually require more.  At the least, this year, create the habit of ensuring you consume at least 8 glasses of water each day.  Try one or more of the following strategies to see what works for you:

  • Track the habit!  Use our habit tracker to stay accountable to your goal of drinking 8 glasses per day.
  • Set alerts on your phone, fitness tracker, and/or smart home device to remind you to have a glass every 2-3 hours.
  • Always have a glass of water before you eat something.  Thirst can disguise itself as hunger, so try water first!
  • We love the simple hack of using a permanent marker to indicate times of day on your water bottle to remind you how much how much to have and when.  Like the one pictured here care of musthavemom.com.

If you would like to learn more about the importance of hydration and your unique requirements check out our previous post, Help with Hydration – How Many Glasses Do You Really Need?

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Holiday Survival O-Tip of the Week: Not Everyone Enjoys the Holiday’s – And That’s Okay

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!  This week our O-Tip reminds you that we need to realize not everyone enjoys this time of year — and that’s okay.

For some, the Holiday’s will bring terrible or sad memories, guilt, pressure, stress, financial hardship, anxiety, and loneliness. Respect that not everyone can manage this season as they would like, and if that means you are missing a card, an email, present or phone call from someone you expected to hear from, let it go. We all have different capacities to manage stress and our emotions, and the holiday season is no exception.

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Holiday Survival O-Tip of the Week: Enjoy a Good Laugh!

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 we remind you that although December is, legitimately, the most stressful month of the year, you can overcome your stress by stepping back and taking time for yourself.

How?  Never underestimate the value of a good laugh.  Time with friends or a good movie can do wonders for the psyche during this hectic time.  My favorite holiday movies are Christmas Vacation and Elf, and of course the timeless A Christmas Story.  Grab some eggnog or a warm cup of tea, curl up with a blanket and laugh for a while.

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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: 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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“MO”-Tip of the Week: Learn the Male-Specific Symptoms of Depression

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.  

According to Movember Canada, across the world, one man takes his own life every one minute.  By learning some of the less-recognized symptoms of depression that are more prominently seen in men we may be able to prevent this.  These include:

  • Being irritable, short-tempered, or inappropriately angry
  • Spending a lot of time on work (they may be trying to escape their feelings by keeping busy)
  • Reckless driving, extreme sports, or other risky behaviours
  • Excessive controlling behavior
  • Alcohol or substance abuse (men are far more likely to abuse substances)

These behaviours are untraditional of typical depressive symptoms but mean that men who may benefit from emotional aid are often slipping under the radar for health professionals, and this can lead to disastrous consequences including poor quality of life and higher rates of suicide.  If you, or a man you know, is experiencing these symptoms speak to a healthcare professional.

This Movember, commit to walking or running 60 km in recognition of the 60 men we lose each hour to suicide.  Learn more here.

Learn more in our post, “Stressed or Depressed” – Man Therapy