Going to Work Sick

Admit it, how many times a year do you go to work sick when you know you should have stayed home simply because you know that you cannot miss a day or getting that day's pay? The average adult gets a cold about two or three times a year, with each one lasting up to a week, or sometimes longer. Even though it can be tempting to go to work while you're sick, there are many reasons why you are better off staying home. First of all, you will get other people sick and they will not be entirely grateful for that present. Secondly, pushing yourself and working too much in the early stages of illness may actually prolong your recovery time. Studies have shown that lack of sleep can weaken your immune system and make you more susceptible to colds. If you must show up to work, disinfect touched objects such as phones systems, doorknobs, and computer keyboards, and consider avoiding sharing items such as pens.

Switching to Android

With all the hype going on since the release of the new iPhone, have you ever considered switch to something different, something unknown? You can read all you want about the different OS but without the test drive, you will not know for sure. One of the things that I liked about Android are the widgets. With Android, you can have a real-time weather or sports widget right on your home screen in any number of sizes. Another great thing is the Google integration because we all use Google for so many activities. Finally, the phone services are not that hard to master even though the wealth of menus and options. After five years of iPhone ownership, the gestures I use to control the device are deeply ingrained. The swipes, the pinches, the long taps – it’s all second nature and not something I wanted to relearn. Thankfully, Android and iOS share most common gestures and commands.

Relax This Weekend

As we approach the long weekend, it might be a good idea to take the time to relax. We ALL need to step back now and then and take a breather. It's impossible to go full speed all the time. One of the things that you can do is put all those emails and internet fax on hold. Being able to relax and recharge is important for maintaining health, energy and focus. Stress affects each of us in different ways, and none of them are beneficial to our health. Stress can weaken your immune system and cause uncomfortable physical symptoms like headaches and stomach problems, as well as insomnia and irritability. While the link between stress and heart disease is still unclear, studies have suggested that chronic stress that causes an increase in heart rate and blood pressure may damage the artery walls. Some other things that you can do is call up an old friend and have a couple laughs. Try to get six to eight hours of sleep each night. Use "to do" lists to help you focus on your most important tasks. Approach big tasks one step at a time. For example, start by organizing just one part of your life -- your car, desk, kitchen, closet, cupboard or drawer.