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When to Call and When to Text

Jaclyn Baker
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Here’s something for you to think about.

How many hours a week do you think you spend talking on the phone?

And how many hours a week do you think you spend texting?

Chances are you spend many more hours a week texting. And you are not the only one. Texting is very easy, and you can reply basically whenever you’d like. While talking on the phone requires you to be completely present.

These past several months, most of us have been texting a lot more than usual. 

Texting has been one of the easiest ways to stay in touch with friends and family while social distancing.

The only thing is, texting is not always enough.

Of course, texting friends and family is far better than having no communication at all.

But there’s something special about hearing someone’s voice and/or seeing their face.

Sometimes text messages can get misunderstood or lost in our inbox. 

Here’s an example. Have you ever vented to a friend via text after a bad day and didn’t get the response you were looking for?

Maybe you felt like they didn’t understand. Or maybe you felt like you weren’t there for you.

Chances are, your friend didn’t fully understand the situation or misread something in your text.

Phone calls make it much easier to get your point across and clearly communicate emotions. 

Don’t get us wrong. Texting is great too.

It’s a very practical and easy way to pass on a quick message or confirm small details.

But solely relying on texting can make it much harder to maintain strong and healthy social connections during COVID.

Simply picking up the phone and calling a friend just to chat can go a long way.

Typing is one thing. Voices are another. 

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Let’s Talk Silver Linings

Jaclyn Baker
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Every event has a silver lining. Sometimes you just have to look for it. Here are 4 silver linings that have come out of the pandemic. 

Family Time

Before the pandemic, most of us would spend the vast majority of our days at work/school, commuting and running errands.

Right now, leaving the house is a very rare event. Now that most of us are working and learning from home, we have so much more free time to spend with our family. 

Families can eat all three meals together seven days a week. 

Siblings can help each other with homework assignments.

And couples can spend more quality one on one time together.

Coronavirus has helped bring so many family members closer together and help deepen relationships. 

Making New Friends

It’s easy to assume that social distancing would only make it harder to connect with friends. But that’s not the case. Not all of us feel comfortable attending large events or hanging out in crowds.  Some people feel more relaxed and natural communicating via video chat or texting.

The pandemic has made it much easier for us to reach out to older friends and even make new ones. 

Comfort + Practically

There’s nothing like having a fully stocked fridge 5 feet away from your workspace. There’s also nothing like working in pyjama pants and slippers every day.

Of course, some people love dressing up and having somewhere to go. But that doesn’t mean they love that every single day. Now, pyjama day is technically every day. 

Professional Development

Networking events are a fantastic way to meet like-minded people and industry professionals. The only downside is, not all networking events take place our backyard.

Virtual networking events have always been around. But they were nowhere near as popular as they are now.  Now, we have the opportunity to virtually network with people all over the world! 

No matter what industry you are in, you can never have too many connections. 

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Coping With Video Chat Fatigue

Jaclyn Baker
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Since most of us are working from home – it’s not uncommon to spend several hours a week on video calls.

Everything from coordinating the call to dealing with technical difficulties can be exhausting.

Participating in several video conferencing sessions in a row can be stressful and draining. 

The good news is, there are several tips and tricks that can help prevent fatigue and burnout. 

Take Short and Regular Breaks:

Some video conference calls can be as short as ten minutes or as long as 2 hours. 

Two hour-long meetings can take up a lot of brainpower – especially if you’re the one doing the majority of the talking.

Actually, walking away from the screen during a company-wide meeting can feel a little awkward, but there are ways you can work around it.

You can step out of the room for just a few minutes to prepare a cup of coffee or do some light stretching.

You may be surprised how refreshed you’ll feel afterwards. 

Try and Find Other Alternatives:

Now, video chatting is a fantastic way for large teams to connect and bounce ideas off one another. It’s also nice seeing familiar faces – especially while we are stuck at home.

However, video conferencing isn’t always necessary for a quick one on one call.

Life isn’t perfect. Sometimes we have to do things we don’t want to do. But at the same time, it’s important to listen to your body and give it what it needs within reason.

If you’re having a stressful day, don’t be afraid to ask your co-worker if your Zoom meeting can take place over the phone or via email instead.

It never hurts to ask.

Take a Step Back:

When you’re stressed out or overtired, sometimes the best thing you can do is take a mental health day or pass on a meeting. 

It’s very difficult to do a job and to do it well when you’re burned out or overwhelmed. No one is perfect. No one can do it all. Never feel guilty for taking time for yourself. Learn More

3 Ways Teachers Can Cope With COVID-19 Related Stress

Jaclyn Baker
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If you’re a teacher, this article is for you. COVID-19 has impacted almost all professions in one way or another. Teaching classes online is great – but it isn’t quite the same as being in a classroom and connecting with students.

As you know, teachers do so much more than simply read lesson plans and mark tests.

Teachers keep an eye on their students and watch them grow and thrive.

They are also there to support them and offer guidance. 

Doing all of that isn’t so easy via a computer screen. Especially since it’s difficult to read body language online.

If you’ve been experiencing any stress on the job, keep on reading. 

Pace Yourself

Teaching virtually is a marathon, not a sprint. Of course, it’s normal to want to push yourself in order to give your students the best education possible. But you can’t push yourself too hard. Doing so can lead to burnout, fatigue and stress. 

Just like when we work out, our body needs time to recover and repair itself.

Whenever you have a bad day, the best thing you can do is relax, have a healthy dinner and go to bed early.

Working well into the night will only exhaust you more. 

Don’t Hold In Your Anger

If you’re experiencing anger right now, you are not alone.

Just because you aren’t the only one feeling a certain way, doesn’t always make the situation any easier.

Sometimes we can keep our feelings in and hope they will pass on their own.

The thing is, keeping anger inside can actually intensify it.

It can also make us lash out and say things we don’t mean to the people we love the most.

There are several tried and tested methods out there that help control anger. 

1) Go on a walk.

2) Stretch.

3) Journal.

4) Take a time out.

Let People Help You

Unfortunately superheroes don’t exist. You are only human and no human is perfect.

Don’t get us wrong, it’s a great thing to set goals and try new things. But at the time, you can set unrealistic expectations.

If you’re ever feeling emotionally drained after a hard day but still have to prepare dinner and run errands, don’t be afraid to ask for help.

If there is anything your family can do to make things easier around the house, don’t be afraid to let them know.

Even if they can’t tackle an entire project on their own, they can certainly help! Learn More

These Techniques Can Help You Cope With Work-Related Stress

Jaclyn Baker
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Just because the vast majority of us are working from home now, doesn’t make the workday any less stressful.

Deadlines still need to met, customers still need support, and proposals have to be approved. 

Even though stress can keep us motivated and on top of our game, no one wants to constantly feel stressed.

Here are a few techniques that can help you cope with work-related stress.

Start Your Day Right:

Our morning sets the tone of the entire day. Feeling rushed in the morning is not a pleasant feeling. Everything from making breakfast to checking homework can be a lot.

Waking up just 20 minutes early and relaxing can help you start your day on a positive note.

Stay Organized:

Have you ever had one of those days where you just couldn’t find any important documents or emails? 

You know it’s on your computer somewhere, you just can’t remember where. 

Properly labelling files and having some sort of an email system can prevent several problems down the line. 

Embrace Imperfection:

We are all human mistakes do happen.

Instructions get misunderstood, important emails get lost, presentations have typos, the list goes on.

The next time you make a mistake, don’t panic! Instead, take a step back and remind yourself that you are only human and even though you made a mistake you are doing the best you can.

You have two choices. You can either look at your mistakes as setbacks or learning opportunities. It is all about perspective. Learn More

How To Become More Resilient And Embrace The New Normal

Jaclyn Baker
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Adjusting to the new normal is definitely easier than done. The new normal is constantly changing and our days are full of uncertainty.

Everything from school to work to home life is like something we’ve never experienced before. When life is so uncertain, it’s normal to experience stress, exhaustion or burnout. 

Now, you may be wondering how you can adjust to an ever-changing situation. Keep on reading to learn more. 

Accept That Life is Different Right Now:

It’s no secret that 2020 has been far different than 2019, and so many things that used to be easy, now feel so hard.

Remember, accepting a tough situation does not mean you are giving up. It simply means you are accepting reality instead of fighting it.

Do What You Love:

When life gets busy, sometimes we can forget to take the time to do what we love. Even though we may not be able to go to restaurants or spend time with friends, that doesn’t mean we can’t have fun at home.

Instead of attending your favourite restaurant on Friday night, you can order takeout and dress up.

Instead of going out with your friends on Saturday night, you can have a group zoom call.

It may not be the exact same, but it is much better than nothing.

Build a Resilience Bank Account:

You are so much more resilient than you give yourself credit for. You just may not know it yet. 

It is never too late to start implementing resilience-building habits. Getting enough sleep, eating right, exercising and practicing compassion are all great places to start. 

You also don’t have to make significant changes in one day. You can start slow and work your way up. Starting slowly is far better than not starting at all. Learn More

Why Working Parents Are Angry, And What They Can Do About It

Jaclyn Baker
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Calling all working parents… this article is for you!

If you’ve been working from home these past six months and have little kids at home, you know how tiring it can be.

Having conference calls and watching a toddler at the same time can be challenging. 

By this point, almost all of us have been interrupted during important meetings at least once!  So many parents have been struggling to entertain and educate their children at home while also working a 9-5 job. 

All that additional responsibility can be frustrating and lead to anger. Anger is not a fun feeling. But it is completely normal and can even be useful. 

Anger is designed to keep us safe and encourage action! However, too much of anything is not healthy.

There are plenty of mindset shifts that can help us deal with anger in healthy ways. But today we are going to talk about acceptance! Accepting anger does not mean ignoring it. It means coming to terms with situations out of our control.

Remember, not every problem can be solved, and that’s okay. The sooner we understand that, the sooner we can move on.

We can also try and listen to what our anger is telling us and challenge our thoughts. Just because we can’t change a certain situation doesn’t mean we can’t change the way we think about it. If you’ve made it this far, you’re already on the right track! You may be feeling a little apprehensive or angry right now, but every day will get easier. Learn More

Helping Your Child Succeed And Have Fun While Distance Learning This Year

Jaclyn Baker
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Want your child to have a successful and fun school year while distance learning? Well, it’s easier than you may think. Keep reading to learn more. 

Set Up A Distraction-Free Workspace

If your child’s study room turned into yet another playroom, there is no need to worry. Transforming it back into a study room is an easy fix.

Having a designated school zone can help your child concentrate, be creative, and have fun!

Keep in mind; they don’t need an entire home office space to themselves to be successful. You can set up a desk for them in the hallway, guest room, or bonus room. When they take a break, encourage them to step away from the desk and go into another room.

This will help their brain better understand that their desk is designed for homework and other areas of the home are designed for play.

Encourage Conversation 

Sometimes kids and teens can have a hard time opening up and coming to terms with their emotions. It’s like when you ask your child how their day at school was, and they reply with “fine.”

A great way to work around this is by asking them open-ended questions.

Here are a few examples.

1) How are you feeling about distant learning this year?

2) What are you most looking forward to experiencing this year?

3) How prepared do you feel for this year?

Say Goodbye to Multitasking 

No matter how simple or complex the task at hand may be, multitasking is not the answer.

When we multitask, we are much more likely to make careless mistakes along the way, which can significantly slow us down in the long run. 

Having multiple tabs open at once, texting, or listening to a podcast may feel like a good idea at the moment, but it can actually be very draining and stressful.

Be Flexible

The truth is, even the most thought out plans aren’t always a success. And that’s okay!

Of course, it’s always a good idea to set up a game plan at the start of the school year. 

But at the same time, none of us know for sure what this year will look like.

Every day is a new day, and we need to roll with the punches. It may be a challenge at first, but your child is resilient and they’ve got this! Learn More

Changing The Way You Look At Online Dating

Jaclyn Baker
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Due to COVID-19, many people think that dating just isn’t an option. But that is not the case whatsoever. 

Online dating is a fantastic way to meet new people and step outside of your comfort zone. 

We live in a world that is constantly changing, and people all over the world have met their partners through dating apps and websites.  

Even though dating apps have not been around for that long, they have many strong success stories. 

Next Steps

Keep in mind that relationships can’t stay online forever. 

Sometimes it’s easier to open up and form a connection online. You’d be surprised how well you can get to know someone by instant messaging. 

The thing is, sometimes, text messages can get misinterpreted along the way and our emotions can play tricks on us. 

Even if you’ve been talking to someone online for months, actually setting up an in-person date can be scary. 

Your Attitude Matters

Go into every date with an open mind, and remember there is no such thing as a bad date! 

The first date can go one of two ways. Either the two of you have a good time and make a plan to go out again.

Or you realize that the spark isn’t there and you walk away with a new friend.

Set Reasonable Expectations

Sometimes we can go into dates with very high expectations, which can bring on a lot of pressure and anxiety. There is no such thing as perfection, and no one is expecting you to be perfect. 

Dating Takes Patience

Remember, dating is a process, and there is no set in the stone rule book.

The best thing you can do is put yourself out there, keep an open mind, and have fun!

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Let’s Rediscover Your Motivation

Jaclyn Baker
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You have the ability to achieve anything you set your mind to! You just have to rediscover your motivation!

Set SMART Goals:

Regular goal setting is a fantastic way to increase your overall motivation.

Setting SMART goals can give you something to work towards on a day to day basis, and give you a sense of direction. You don’t have to set large goals right away. You can start small and work your way up. 

Just remember to keep your goals SMART: 

Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely. 

Set Daily Tasks:

Of course, having a solid set of goals can help you stay on track and think about the future. However, sometimes that isn’t enough to keep you motivated throughout the day. 

When you have so many things to do, it can often be difficult to know where to begin.

Taking just a few minutes every morning to write down your most important tasks can help declutter the mind and prioritize your day. Whenever a task is completed, you can cross it off and move onto the next one. 

At the end of the day, you can look back on your list and celebrate how much you got done.

Build a Consistent Routine:

Writing out a to-do list is one thing. Following it in an appropriate order is another.

There will always be items on your list that ideally should be completed before others. Some people prefer to tackle the most complicated items first thing, while others prefer to take it easy and work their way up.

You know yourself best. If you want to succeed, you have to do what works for you. A great hack is to label your to-do list in order of priority.

An “A” task must always be completed before a “B” task, and a B task must always be completed before a “C” task.

Emphasize Self-Care:

Practicing self-care and listening to your body is one of the best ways to prevent burnout. When we’re constantly on the go and worrying about things, it’s easy for our motivation to slip away. 

We all have those days where we just don’t feel motivated – and that’s okay!

Continuing to work on a task when our energy levels just aren’t there can be very exhausting and counterproductive.

If you feel like you need a break, go take one!

Call a Friend:

Being around people can be very motivating and give you some much-needed energy. As you know, getting together with friends is not an option right now. But that doesn’t mean you can’t call or FaceTime the people you love.

The next time you catch yourself feeling unmotivated, call up a friend and talk about something you love and/or are excited about.

That simple change of mindset can completely transform your mood.

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