Allowance – To Give or Not?

allowance Allowance   To Give or Not?Money management is a skill that some adults don’t possess. Is it possible to teach children how to manage money before they get to adulthood and the risks become more severe? There may be a way. Giving your child an allowance could be the way. However, it’s not just about giving them money. You also have to teach them the valuable lessons on saving and spending wisely.
By starting these lessons at an early age you will be building the foundations for smart spending and money management which will benefit your children greatly when they become adults and have to deal with juggling income with mortgages, bills and saving.
An allowance has to be agreed upon by both parents and a regular routine should be established. If you decide to give the allowance at the beginning of the week continue to give your child money on a Monday. If you’re giving the allowance for weekend spending then always give on a Friday. The important thing is to be consistent. Being consistent on when the allowance is given will prevent confusion, overpaying and will establish a routine for your child that is similar to receiving a paycheque once they start working.
A good time to start giving an allowance is when your child starts asking for you to buy them things. Instead of always purchasing the item for your child giving them an allowance and letting them buy the item themselves will teach them the value of money. The amount you give should be appropriate for their age and will increase as they grow. When children are very young their spending habits are different. They will most likely be interested in buying toys or small items that catch their eye at the grocery store. At a young age they are not yet going out on their own with friends and aren’t interested in clothes yet. Therefore, they only need a small weekly allowance. Pre-teens and early teens will require more as they will want to do things with their friends. Their allowance should be within reason so that it allows them to do the things they want but maybe not every time. That way they will have to learn to prioritize their spending and perhaps save a few weeks to have enough to do what they want. Once a child starts earning their own wage through work outside the home their allowance should cease.
Although some believe that allowance should be linked to work or chores around the house others disagree. You don’t want to get your kids in the habit of only helping out if they’re going to be paid for it. Household chores should be shared amongst the family whether an allowance is given or not. This will give your kids a good work ethic.
Discuss with your kids what they will be spending their money on. You should stay involved in their saving and spending habits to guide them along the way and to know that they are spending their money appropriately. Keep a watchful eye but let them make spending mistakes so they can learn from them. The best way to learn is through trial and error.
Knowing how to save money is so beneficial for their future. We all know that unexpected things happen in adulthood and having savings is so important. Anything from losing a job to household renovations can cause panic and stress if the savings aren’t there. Teaching saving is also a starting point to get young adults on the right path to saving for their retirement. The earlier you start the less you’ll have to put in from each pay. There are a few ways to teach your kids about saving. For young kids a good way to start is to have them pick a big purchase that would take weeks or even months to save for. By having them choose an item it gives them a goal to work towards. As they put their money aside for this big purchase you can keep a record and track their progress. They will get excited as the get closer to their goal and will be able to see the benefits to putting the money away instead of spending it right away. Another way to teach saving is to open an account with them at the bank and have them put a small amount away from each allowance. Experts recommend 10% Make sure they are involved in the entire process, from opening the account to putting in the deposits and allow your child to keep their own bank records so they can see the balance rise. Getting them involved gives them a base to knowing how banks work and will introduce them to financial processes like earning interest.
In a time of financial uncertainty it pays to have money management skills and the best time to start is early. Giving your kids an allowance will give them the tools to make smart money decisions and put them on the path to successful personal financial management.

For more articles go to http://thegym.lifestyleezine.com

Get Out of A Work Slump

workslump Get Out of A Work SlumpAre you in a work slump and need help clawing your way out? Being in any kind of slump is not something enjoyable. But, when it is a work slump this can affect your life much more because it is your livelihood. Here are some ways to try and get yourself out of the dreaded work slump. Reward Yourself
Sometimes the slump is just based on motivation. Working day to day doing the same thing can become exhausting, especially if you are not getting praise from anybody. Well, praise yourself. Make goals for yourself and when they are complete treat yourself to something you really want, but never get. For example, go to the spa and get pampered or have an extra-long weekend with the family or the girls/guys. Sometimes you just need to be told you are doing a good job and that you matter in what you are doing every day. If someone isn’t there to tell you, then just tell yourself. You do not need anybody but you to get through the day.

Take a Vacation
Perhaps you are just so worked that you cannot focus anymore. Work can become a stressful place and take its toll on the brain and your energy. Then you go home and work some more with the family or on the house. Life is just never ending. Work is what you have to do to survive though, so it makes you more miserable. Taking a vacation can clear your head and rejuvenate your mind. We all get stressed with work and home so a little bit of relaxing time could be just what you need. When taking a vacation make sure to go somewhere you have always wanted to go, a place that makes you happy. Once you are done with the vacation you can go back to work and feel ready for the day and work ahead of you. When you get down at work again just think back to the vacation and work for the next one.

Find Something New
Maybe it is simply time to try and find another job. When you have done everything there is to do and climbed your way to the top already, go achieve something else. If you are not inspired anymore work can become a chore that is dreaded every day. You may not even want to get up in the morning to go. That is a sure sign you are unhappy with what you do and a change needs to be made. Ask yourself what you care about and what you want to achieve in your life. Maybe you were headed down the wrong road all along. If you are financially stable already, then simply look for what you want and what makes you happy. Not everyone can be in a financial place in their life to do this, but if you are, than it is what you should do.

For more articles go to http://thegym.lifestyleezine.com

Combat Seasonal Allergies

allergens Combat Seasonal AllergiesThe sun is shining, the birds are singing and children are running and riding around. You look through the window and it’s so inviting but just when you think it’s safe to go outside and enjoy the fresh air it hits you; watery and itchy eyes, sneezing and a runny nose, even a sinus headache. Seasonal allergies affect so many people and can turn what’s meant to be an enjoyable time of year into a nightmare. Don’t suffer another year with your seasonal allergies. Nip them in the bud and get outside to enjoy the nice weather.

Common outdoor allergens include grasses, pollens, trees and ragweed. There are also indoor allergens which will affect people more in the winter when we’re not airing out the house. These will include dust and mold. Along with the itchy, watery eyes and the nasal congestion mentioned above fatigue is another common symptom for allergy sufferers.

Allergies occur when the immune system overreacts to a harmless substance. When allergens are present the body will react with an immune response even though the allergens themselves won’t cause harm to the body.

If you haven’t been affected by allergies in the past the symptoms can be confused with those of the common cold. One major distinction between a cold and allergies is the time of year. Allergies will usually occur at the same time every year. If you’re unsure speak with your Doctor. They will be able to determine the presence of allergies through a skin test. Skin tests are done by putting a small amount of the allergen into the skin through a prick. If a red lump develops then an allergy is present.

Unfortunately you cannot rid yourself of allergies but you can alleviate the symptoms. Antihistamines and decongestants are the most common ways to relieve your symptoms. An allergy shot can also increase the ability of the body to deal with allergens. Another option for clearing up congestion is to use a saline and water nasal spray. The sprays will also wash away pollen. Steroid nasal sprays will reduce inflammation in the nasal passage which will help ease breathing problems and eye drops will alleviate itchy or watery eyes.

There are lots of options for you to reduce your allergy symptoms. Speak with your Doctor or Pharmacist to find which one is most suitable for your allergies. Combat symptoms before they start and control them throughout the allergy season so you can enjoy the fresh air and time outdoors with family and friends.

For more articles go to http://thegym.lifestyleezine.com

Tonsillectomies, Not Just For Kids.

tonsils Tonsillectomies, Not Just For Kids.It’s unlikely that tonsillectomy comes to mind when you think of adult surgeries but it’s a procedure that’s more common than you would think. Typically performed on young children, a tonsillectomy is the procedure to remove tonsils that are prone to infection. This article will look more closely at the recovery process for adults after a tonsillectomy. The actual procedure to remove the tonsils is the same in adults and children.

Firstly, I am not going to lie. A tonsillectomy for an adult is far more painful than for a child. It is unknown why this happens as the same procedures are used, but the best guess is that children have a far greater threshold for pain, mainly because they have never experienced as much pain as adults. Don’t worry though, there are plenty of things that you can do to ease the pain a little, and I will cover these a little later on.

Perhaps the key difference between tonsillectomies for adults and children is the recovery time. In children it is far shorter at just under a week, adults on the other hand are going to need to wait at least two weeks to be completely healed. During this time you will be unable to work, and thus if you need to undergo a tonsillectomy you should schedule it when you are not at work i.e. during vacation time. As mentioned before, it is likely you will be in a bit of pain, so if possible, maybe your partner could be there to help you out during the recovery process.

Thankfully, there are a number of things that you can do after undergoing an adult tonsillectomy to help relieve the pain somewhat. Perhaps the best is drinking a nice cold drink, make sure it isn’t fizzy. This will help soothe your throat which will make you feel better. If the pain is still unbearable then opt for a mild pain killer like ibuprofen. These have anti-inflammatory effects, and that should help reduce the pain considerably. Make sure you take them according to the instructions on the packet or you can get end up causing severe damage to your stomach. If you’re still experiencing pain then speak with your Doctor.

Remember, there is a chance that you will suffer absolutely no pain during your tonsillectomy, or even after. It may be rare, but there are plenty of adults out there who have recovered from tonsillectomies without feeling any affects of the surgery at all. However, please do not be nervous. It is a rather simple procedure, and the pain isn’t as bad as what living with your infected tonsils would be, so please do not delay going through the procedure. It is absolutely vital if you want to live a healthy life. Remember, there are plenty of things that can help you out if you do suffer from pain. Your doctor will always be there to give you advice and help you through the healing process in any case.

For more articles go to http://thegym.lifestyleezine.com

Spice Up Your Life

spicelife Spice Up Your LifeHealthy eating doesn’t have to be boring or bland. Are you avoiding a change in your eating habits because you think healthy food isn’t exciting for your taste buds? Think again. Adding herbs and spices while cooking will add flavor to your meals and make eating healthy enjoyableFast food or processed food may seem tastier than freshly made, nutritious food but usually that’s because it’s full of sodium. Sodium is bad for the body in a number of ways. It effects our heart health, cholesterol levels and will dehydrate the body. Instead of relying on salt to add the flavor to our meals let’s take a look at other ways to create tasty meals.

Herbs Vs Spices

Herbs and spices both come from plants but the difference is that herbs are the green leaves and spices come in other forms. Spices can come from seeds, bark, roots or berries. You can find most herbs and spices either fresh or dried in the supermarket. To release the flavor in fresh herbs and spices you’ll want to cut or break them up before adding them to a dish. Dried spices have a higher concentration of flavor than fresh so recipes usually call for smaller quantities of dried spices. If you’re using fresh herbs while cooking, save them till the end so they keep more of their flavor. The highest concentration of flavor is found in extracts which are typically used in baking. Extracts are good because they add flavor without affecting the delicate wet/dry balance of a recipe.

Rack ‘Em Up

Grocery stores have a large selection of herbs and spices and it can be hard to determine which ones to buy. You can find fresh herbs in the produce section of your local store and dried herbs and spices down one of the aisles. Fresh herbs can also be grown in your garden or window box. If you choose dried spices read the labels before purchasing. You can find individual spices or spice blends. Spice blends are great for marinating meat or as an addition to soups and sauces but some can contain high levels of sodium. Look for low salt or no salt options.

There are a number of spices that could be considered staples in your kitchen and can be used in many dishes. These include:

  • Bay leaves – can be used in soups, sauces or stews
  • Cinnamon – works well in a variety of dishes and shouldn’t be limited to baking or desserts.
  • Cloves – use sparingly as they can be overpowering.
  • Garlic – all purpose and can be used in just about any savoury dish.
  • Oregano – great in tomato based dishes like pizza or pasta.
  • Chili Powder – used to add a little spice and can stimulate digestion.

Start by adding these spices to your pantry. If you’re just starting to add these flavors to your dishes use a small amount at the beginning. You want the spice to add flavor but not overpower the meal. Once you’re more comfortable with the flavor it’s easy to experiment but you may wish to follow recipes closely in the beginning. Try adding something new to tonight’s evening meal and you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how great healthy can taste.

For more articles go to http://thegym.lifestyleezine.com

Age/Diet Correlation

agediet Age/Diet CorrelationPerhaps one of the more interesting things I have seen relating to dietary research is how diets change as a person gets older, specifically women. In this article I am going to take a little look at a few of these differences, and perhaps give some sort of indication as to why our diet may change as we age. The age to diet correlation that I am going to be discussing here stems from a recent study which looked at around 2,000 women of a variety of ages. Now, there has been no study related to males in the same vein, however, it could be argued here that these results could potentially apply to males as well.

Generally speaking, this study discovered that older women tended to eat far healthier than those of the younger generation. Perhaps the main reason for this is the variety of food that we have available on the market right now. Those of the older generation seem to be more used to ‘home style’ cooking, whereas the younger generation are all about the fast food and takeaways. If this study surrounding age/diet correlation was carried out far later then I would hazard a guess that the results would be far different from what we see today. If people maintain the same eating habits throughout their lives than it’s likely that when the current younger generation reaches their 50s and 60s they will still be eating fast food more regularly.

Perhaps one of the most intriguing things about this study is that despite vegetable consumption being significantly higher in the older generation, very few people across all age groups actually met the recommended dietary requirements for fruit and vegetables. Experts suggest that both adults and children should be consuming 5 portions a day.

The older generation are also consuming far more dietary fibre, yet they still weren’t reaching the recommended allowance. In addition to this, both groups consumed high amounts of fat, but it was significantly lower in the older generation. However, almost everybody seemed to eat far more fat than they actually needed, which is very unhealthy. It’s important to note that there are healthy fats that should be consumed as part of a balanced diet whatever your age.

The strange thing is, even if a person exercised frequently at a younger age, they still seemed to eat far less healthy than the older generation. Which of course could indicate that it is the foods available on the market at the moment which affect this. The younger generation, who are just starting their families and their careers, are short on time and tend to settle on convenience when it comes to food.

So in summary, as you get older, you tend to eat far healthier. Perhaps the main reason behind this is that we tend to treat our body better in our older years, because as we age we are more prone to diet related illnesses. Most people want to slow down the aging process as well and know that eating healthy can help. Of course, it remains to be seen if diet does actually change as we get older, or if we follow what we were used to when we were younger.

For more articles go to http://thegym.lifestyleezine.com

Do You Need a Workout Makeover?

workoutmakeover Do You Need a Workout Makeover?The responsibility for your workout plan rests squarely on your shoulders. Unless you have hired a personal trainer, there is nobody there to give you advice on whether you need to have a complete workout makeover or not. It is therefore up to you to spot the signs. In this article I am going to run through some of the most common signs that you’re in an exercise slump. If you notice any of these, change your workout, and fast.

Firstly, there is no denying that at the start of your workout plan you are going to be sore. That is the nature of the beast. However, as you continue this pain should start to disappear and you should hopefully end up feeling fantastic. However, if you are waking up sore each and every day, then this is as good indication that the plan is having an adverse effect on your body. Perhaps you are pushing yourself too hard. In this instance you are going to need to change your plan sooner rather than later. The pain can be in the muscles, joints, or pretty much anywhere else. In addition to this, if you have an injury which isn’t healing, despite your workout plan then it is likely you will need to change to something less strenuous.

Another problem is when people stick to the same workout plan. Every single day, they do the same thing time and time again. This is going to get boring, very boring. If you feel that you are bored, perhaps you are skipping workouts then it is time to change to something that is fun. Working out is meant to be a healthy activity but it also has to be enjoyable. If you find it boring, you will give up.

In addition to this, you may get bored quickly if the workout is far too comfortable for you. If you feel as though you don’t really need to put any effort into working out then you will need to push yourself even further. Don’t push yourself too hard though, this will lead to you giving up in your workout because it’s too hard.

Perhaps the biggest indicator that could result in you needing a workout makeover is the fact that you aren’t seeing results. This could mean not achieving the fitness levels that you crave, or simply not losing weight. What you need to realize is that everybody’s body is different. Some may benefit from one thing, another may not. Therefore you will need to be willing to change should you not notice any results. Don’t leave it too long. Especially if you have goals to reach.

Remember, it is important that you give yourself a workout makeover sooner rather than later. After all, if you continue doing something which is causing you pain, or perhaps not allowing you to reach your goals then you will lose motivation. Once the motivation is gone it will be more difficult to get it back to reach your fitness goals.

For more articles go to http://thegym.lifestyleezine.com

Fitness Fads Come And Go, But The Swiss Ball Is Here To Stay

swissball Fitness Fads Come And Go, But The Swiss Ball Is Here To StayWhat’s hot in the world of abdominal and core training today seems to change as fast as the latest clothing styles. New gurus, new infomercials, new machines – today’s fitness marketplace is all about “what’s new.” I often write reviews about the latest, greatest ab and core training gadgets, usually debunking most of them, but this time I’m actually going to do the opposite.
As new products push their way into the fitness scene, some truly legitimate, cost effective devices get pushed out, forgotten, or even worse – dismissed as “fitness fads.” Such is the case with the swiss ball (also known as a “exercise ball”, “gym ball” or “stability ball”)

Why Some Fitness Experts Condemn The Swiss Ball

Swiss balls have been around a long time in physical therapy and rehab settings and when they crossed over into the mainstream fitness world, they were probably hyped a bit too much. It’s not that they didn’t deserve the attention, its that many fitness “experts” placed the swiss ball up on a pedestal as the end-all be-all of abdominal, core and fitness training, rather than representing the ball for what it really is – a single training tool among many- just like barbells, dumbbells, cables or any other fitness equipment.

As a result, entire training systems were built around the swiss ball (neglecting other forms of training), and people misused and overused the ball. Some trainers used the ball for “exercises” that were nothing more than circus acts. I’ve seen it all – everything from standing on top of the ball and squatting to bench pressing on the ball with 400 pounds..

As a result of the over-hyping and misuse of the swiss ball, some coaches and trainers have recently spoken up and publicly renounced the ball as a ” gimmick.” This has caused a flood of emails to pour into my office as consumers and fitness enthusiasts have become more confused than ever.

It’s no wonder: Trainer A says, “The ball is the best thing since sliced bread” and trainer B says “the ball is and always was a gimmick.” I believe the ball is a very valuable training tool and that the truth is somewhere in the middle, so I’d like to help put things back into proper perspective.

Swiss balls are powerful, portable, inexpensive and versatile training tools

I use swiss balls nearly every day in my own workouts and in workouts for my clients. The versatility of the swiss ball is simply unmatched as proven by the fact that I can use a swiss ball to help a 65 year old sedentary woman overcome muscle weakness and improve balance or use the same ball to help a professional boxer build stamina and add power to his punches. I can also show you how to use the swiss ball to develop “six pack abs” as well as train literally every muscle in your entire body.

New Research Reveals That The Swiss Ball Can Make Abdominal Exercise Up To 104% More Effective

To give you a research-proven example of just how effective a swiss ball can be, let’s focus on one of the most basic and well-known of all abdominal exercises: The Crunch

As most people know, the crunch is a modified (partial) sit up that involves raising the head, neck and shoulder blades up off the floor. Many personal trainers believe that the crunch is highly overrated and overused. I won’t argue, as I agree there’s a lot of truth to that. However, the crunch can be greatly improved with one simple change: Do your crunches on a swiss ball.

Electromyography (EMG) studies have demonstrated that the swiss ball crunch (unstable surface) effectively recruits more muscle fibers than the floor crunch (stable surface). This leads to greater strength, stability and muscle development in your core region.

In 2000, a study by Vera-Garcia and colleagues showed a significant increase in muscle activity in the core area while performing a crunch on the swiss ball, as compared to a floor crunch. The swiss ball improved the level of muscular activity as well as the co-recruitment of spinal stabilizers. The researchers said:

“Performing the curl over the gym ball with the feet on the floor doubled activity in the rectus abdominis muscle, and activity in the external oblique muscle increased approximately fourfold.”

Although research results have been mixed in the past, the studies showing no increase in abdominal muscle activity using a swiss ball may have been due to the exercise technique used on the ball, including velocity and body placement on the ball. Earlier this year, Dr. Eric Sternlicht and colleagues at UCLA designed a study to test this hypothesis and they measured for differences in muscle activity while using different positions on the ball.

The EMG analysis confirmed their hypothesis and demonstrated that body position on the swiss ball could decrease or increase the amount of muscular activation. When the ball was positioned with the upper back high on the ball (just below scapulae), the muscular activity was less than a floor crunch. But by strategically positioning the ball so it was firmly placed at the lower lumbar region, there was a 66%, 93% and 104% increase in upper abdominal, lower abdominal and external oblique activity, respectively.

More Proof That Form Is Everything And Little Things Make A Big Difference

For years I have preached about proper form on all abdominal and core exercises and I have taught my clients “little tweaks” and “tricks” in technique that look minor, but which can lead to huge improvements in results. This new research is proof. It also reveals how the ball is a versatile tool for exercise progression: The high on back position is easier, while the ball lower on the back is more difficult, accommodating for different strength and fitness levels. Further progression can be added by using resistance (dumbbell or weight plate held on chest or at arms length from chest).

Swiss balls are only one of many training tools, but in my opinion, when used properly, they are one of the best of the bunch. I created an entire core training system that uses the ball for many of the exercises, I put all my clients on swiss balls and I highly recommend that you use the ball as well. Just remember, the swiss ball is only a tool – it’s not the “end all be all” of core training and it can’t work miracles. It will also not burn fat off your stomach – you need a caloric deficit to achieve body fat reduction.

Use the ball as one part of a balanced training program that includes other tools such as free weights, cables and your own body weight. Forget the potentially dangerous “circus act” swiss ball stunts, use good exercise form, purchase only quality, high-strength exercise balls, use them in a clear area, clean them often, check them for leaks and I promise you will have a fantastic versatile training aid that will last you for years and never go out of style. Fitness fads will always come and go, but the swiss ball is still a winner.

Coach David Grisaffi,
Tacoma Washington

About the Author:

David Grisaffi majored in physical education and is a certified high performance exercise kinesiologist with the CHEK institute. David holds a total of 6 certifications, he is a high school wrestling and baseball coach as well as an independent trainer and strength coach, known especially for his work with professional boxers and golfers. David is the author of Firm And Flatten Your Abs, an online best seller which teaches you how to lose body fat and develop “six pack abs’ while improving strength, function and athletic power at the same time. You can contact David or learn more about his programs at www.flattenyourabs.net

For more articles go to http://thegym.lifestyleezine.com

Eco-Cleaning

ecoclean Eco CleaningIt’s that time of year again! Time for seasonal cleaning. Whether doing a complete overhaul of the house or just a little more cleaning than usual it can be hard on your skin, respiratory system and the environment using all those chemical based cleaning products. Why not try something a little more eco-friendly this year. You can still achieve the same deep clean as you did with traditional cleaning but you’ll also be doing your part to preserve our ecosystems.

Certified Green
You can purchase certified green cleaning products from the grocery store or hardware store. When looking for non-toxic cleaning alternatives in eco-friendly products read the labels. Make sure the cleaning supplies are marked with a Green Seal or Eco-logo. Using certified green cleaning products around the house are not only better for the environment but also better for you and your family. There are lots of options out there now for green products including all-purpose cleaner, toilet cleaner, carpet cleaner, laundry detergent and dish soap. Take a look next time you’re at the store. Pick up one at a time as you use up your other cleaners and before you know it you’ll have replaced all your old chemical cleaners.

Do-it-yourself
It’s easy to make your own eco cleaning products. In fact you probably already have many of the ingredients needed already. Vinegar has been used as a cleaning product for decades. Vinegar is naturally acidic and can be used to remove dirt and grime on most of your household surfaces.

Baking soda is another great “found around the home” cleaner. It cleans, deodorizes, polishes and can be used as a stain remover. Salt is also a great abrasive for cleaning pots and pans. The best thing about do-it-yourself cleaning products is that you don’t have to spend a lot of money.

There are many other organic or readily available, chemical free cleaners that you can use around the house. Like vinegar and salt you may also have them laying around the house already too. Look online to find other solutions to you cleaning needs.

Don’t be daunted by your big clean this season. It seems like a lot of work before you start but once you’ve finished you’ll feel great about your home. Using eco cleaning products is another way to feel good about what you’ve done – you’ll be helping the environment too.

For more articles go to http://thegym.lifestyleezine.com

Improve Your Memory and Your Career

memory Improve Your Memory and Your CareerMultitasking is a skill that many women possess. It is a talent that women are proud of, that they learned through their experience running a household and managing a career. Multitasking may also be a skill that was passed on from their own mothers. Unfortunately a multitasker can’t maintain a high level of efficiency for long. At some point they will become overworked and overstressed which can lead to forgetfulness.

In many occupations the skills you use to develop your career depend heavily upon your memory. Memory could make or break the chance for you to get that long-awaited promotion. One little absent-minded blunder and everything you’ve worked hard to earn could be gone.

Knowing how to spend some time for yourself by giving yourself a few minutes of peace and relaxation each day might be all you need to enhance your memory. Companies have discovered that by giving employees regular breaks their staff is ultimately more productive. Another way that a corporation can improve their staff’s performance is by adding some conveniences to the workplace to make the staffs’ lives less hectic. To achieve this some businesses have included health clubs, daycares, saunas, and cafeterias. These additions to the workplace can give employees extra time for themselves or their families and even reduce stress levels. Whatever the reason for including these employee benefits, companies are creating an environment for their employees which allows them to focus more on work and in turn improve their concentration and memory.

As you move up the corporate ladder you’ll find yourself attending more meetings, lunch dates and evening events which will require you to recall more people’s names. Forgetting a name is not only embarrassing but also can be detrimental to your career. Remembering a name is a great tool for customer service jobs. Some banks have even tried rewarding customers with money if the teller does not greet them by name. A friendly greeting including the customer’s name is an excellent and easy way to make the customer feel more valued and appreciated.

Any job you select will suffer if you do not make the effort to remember crucial aspects of the tasks involved. Even if you are able to take shortcuts in the short term, they will eventually catch up with you and could lead to your termination. Forgetting courtesy, forgetting to clean up a mess you made, forgetting to return things to their appropriate places, forgetting to clean your uniform, forgetting to bring the right devices for the task, forgetting the due date of a project… will be noticed by your superiors and could lead to poor efficiency scores and reduced job security. Your boss and your co-workers need to know they can count on you.

If you’re able to reduce your stress and the amount of work, at home or at the office, that you do, you will be able to retain information better than if you were overstressed. This extra brain capacity can be used to improve your relationships with your superiors and co-workers. Remembering a colleagues birthday, or details about their family or hobbies outside of work will help form stronger bonds at work. In turn those colleagues will stand up for you and could potentially assist in your career development.

It’s so important to keep you workload and stress levels in check so that you are able to prioritize your tasks, become more efficient in your job and improve your memory to make you a better worker and better colleague.

For more articles go to http://thegym.lifestyleezine.com