Tag Archives: habits

First Aid Safety, General Safety Issues

DON’T “REALLY” FALL, BUT BE READY TO “FALL BACKWARD” SUNDAY!

In most of the United States, Daylight Saving Time begins on the 2nd Sunday in March and reverts to Standard Time the first Sunday in November.  So, mark November 6th on your calendar to change your clocks!  Every year, it’s  “Spring Forward” and “Fall Backward.”   The official hour to change your clock is 2 a.m. Sunday, November 6th.  Most of us go ahead and change it before we go to bed.   We will “get back” the hour we lost in the spring, but sometimes, adjustments to the change of one hour can make a big difference in disrupting our habits.  Some parents may want to make a few modifications for their youngsters a day or two before Sunday.  Putting them to bed a little later for a couple of nights might help ease them into the new time.    

Let’s Not Forget About Safety

To ensure that we don’t “fall backward” on safety, this marks an excellent time to do a home safety evaluation.  The National Fire Protection Association recommends that smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms be checked once a year.  Their figures show that around ninety per cent of homes in the United States have smoke alarms; however one-third of those are estimated to have dead or missing batteries.  They also recommend that smoke alarms be replaced after 10 years.  Some newer types of alarms have remote controls, making it easier than ever to check them.  Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms should be:

  •        Installed on every level of the home, and in sleeping areas
  •        Tested once a month
  •        Equipped with new batteries annually 

Also, keep a fire extinguisher handy, and have a fire escape plan for every member of the family.  While you are doing your home safety evaluation, also ensure that your door locks function properly, and keep your home locked.  It’s also a good idea to be sure you have a fully stocked first aid kit. 

Studies have shown an increase in accidents happen at both the beginning and ending of Daylight Saving Time.  During the beginning of the fall change, there has been an increase in pedestrian accidents and traffic accidents.  Drivers may be sleepy, while getting used to that difference in one hour; it’s harder sometimes to fall asleep an hour earlier than we are used to.  We all must be more safety-minded when we know that there are students walking or riding to school, and walking to their school bus stop.  Then, it will become dark earlier, so that’s another time that drivers should be extremely careful when returning home from work or shopping. 

An interesting fact:  The Navajo Nation participates in the DST policy, even in Arizona, (which is not in that time zone) due to its large size and location in three states.  So, if you live in the Central Time Zone location, be sure you change your clocks, and check your monitors, and start getting ready for colder weather.  It seems these time changes come along more often than ever!

 

General Safety Issues

DO YOUR HABITS INTERFERE WITH YOUR JOB DUTIES?

Most of us are “creatures of habit,” and we have our quirks about certain things.  Some have a daily routine, that, when changed, actually causes them to be in an unhappy mood (my husband!).  When our habits carry over to the workplace, problems are created.  Are you someone that is guilty of this?  Do you know someone who has habits that create havoc for others? 

Always being late is a very annoying habit.  I bet you know someone who just cannot seem to get to work on time, or to any other event.  If their workplace uses time clocks, it’s questionable as to how they make up their time.  Many workplaces don’t have time clocks, so they feel that they can catch up at lunch or even after hours.  But that isn’t fair to the workers that diligently get to work early or on time every day.  This type of habit usually shows up on their work evaluation.  Being late could be a passive-aggressive way of getting back at those who force you to adhere to their timetable.  One sign may be that you are trying to get fired.  If your interest in your job is waning, either recommit yourself or make a career change.  If you adjust your actions or attitude rather than wait to get fired, you will be controlling events instead of waiting for them to control you.   Another tip: never be late to a job interview. 

Another habit that goes right along with being consistently tardy, is the excuse!  Someone called at the last minute, traffic was congested, you had to take your child to school and left late, and most of the time, it’s someone else’ fault.  Whether you are late to your job, or to lunch with friends, it is rude to be known as the one who is always late.  You are taking advantage of your job, friends, or family, so think about showing them the respect they deserve. 

The old saying, “never do today what you can put off until tomorrow,” fits those who constantly procrastinate.  You may feel that you will do better if you work under pressure.  Joseph Ferrari, PhD, a professor of psychology at DePaul University in Chicago, reports “procrastinators tend to be very concerned about what other people think of them.  If you worry that you will never perform as well as you have in the past, fear of failure may be halting your progress.”  By putting off work, you are providing a ready-made excuse.  You blame your busy schedule and overbooked calendar.  Dr. Ferrari explains, “that way, you can tell yourself the project would have been successful if you’d only had more time.”  Think about sticking to your goals and allowing yourself more time. 

We can always find habits of our co-workers that are probably worse than our own, (sure), but we have no control on how others act.  If we can become self-assured and try to correct our own habits, we can prevent self-sabotaging our success and happiness.  To overcome self-sabotage, you have to first identify its origin and take steps to interrupt the cycle.  Good luck to all of us!

Source: Fitness Magazine