HOW DO YOU HANDLE OFFICE POLITICS?

HANDLING POLITICS AT WORK

·         Love it or hate it, you can’t ignore politics at the workplace.

·         So, understand it, accept it and figure out how best to tackle it.

·         One needs to acknowledge that a group of people in a closed environment will invariably influence each other to reconcile different needs.

·         Accepting this reality means understanding people will work towards furthering their own interests, and responding appropriately.

·         You can react in three ways—freeze, flight or fight.

1.    FREEZE RESPONSE: Hands-off professional

Your personality type

·         You didn’t figure out something was wrong till it has happened.

·         You were the last one to know about any developments.

·         Such information does not excite you and you don’t care about them.

What works for you

·         During office hours, you are happy to deal only with your work.

·         You prefer to rush home, rather than gossip with your colleagues, and don’t worry about office politics.

·         You have your priorities straight, and are comfortable with the freeze response of a neutral chameleon.

·         Blend in with the background when warring factions fight and wait for the storm to blow over before resuming work.

·         The colleagues who battle it out for power will leave you alone as you pose no threat.

·         Let your results speak for you and become an indispensable part of the system.

What doesn’t work for you

·         You could be labelled a good worker, whom everyone wants to retain but no one wants to promote.

·         To avoid this, draw attention to your awesome work for the team.

·         Keep your boss appraised of your achievements and let him know that you are ready for greater challenges.

2.    FLIGHT RESPONSE: Intrepid influencer

Your personality type

·        You are naturally sensitive to other people and attuned to the slightest change in behaviour and emotions at the workplace.

·        You find it easy to empathise and share others’ problems.

·        However, you can’t confront and fight with co-workers.

·        The concept of office politics and its negative undertones make you want to run.

What works for you

·         Use your heightened awareness of social cues to identify trouble before it begins.

·         When disgruntled coworkers complain about the firm or bosses, don’t be counted among trouble creators.

·         Since you love to help people, build a bank of favours, which will be reciprocated when you are in trouble.

·         If a colleague tries to poison your boss’s mind against you, advertise your achievements verbally and in writing to the boss.

·         Act as a mediator between battling colleagues and defuse tensions.

What doesn’t work for you

·         Since your primary mode is of conflict avoidance, your detractors push you away from rewarding assignments by creating a negative atmosphere.

·         It also costs you leadership roles since the management believes you can’t take hard people decisions.

·         To avoid this, make a conscious effort to confront your baiters.

·         Time your battles so that they get the most exposure and people know you are no pushover.

3.    FIGHT RESPONSE: Political grandmaster

Your personality type

·         Since you were a kid, you knew your way around older siblings and could get in and out of trouble without much effort.

·         In college, you were elected to the students’ council and your friends invariably turned to you for common decisions and conflict resolution.

·         At the office, working alone bores you and you are fully energised by gossip and power struggle among various interest groups.

What works for you

·         You love to take risks and are willing to play the game for all or nothing.

·         Work your way into cross-functional assignments, where you can display your team-building and leadership skills with diverse colleagues.

·         Mentor people to build a following of coworkers, who serve as sources of information and loyal troops in battle.

·         Use strategic gossip to spread information that helps you and others get the work done.

·         Choose your battles to win and build a reputation for success at work and in leading groups.

·         You are destined to be on the fast track to CEO or head of department.

What doesn’t work for you

·         Do not cross paths with a stronger opponent.

·         A major loss will cost you clout and your supporters may switch camps to be on the winner’s side.

·         Do not use illegal or unethical means to win battles.

·         No organisation will tolerate a senior leader whose negative reputation places the business at risk.

·         Have back-up options since your ambitions make you the target of equally powerful opponents who may get you fired.

·         You need to survive for everyone’s sake, since all businesses need politically shrewd leaders to navigate troubled waters.

WORST FEMALE HEALTH HABITS

WORST FEMALE HEALTH HABITS

1. Wearing heels all the time

·         High heels affect your posture, put pressure on joints, and can lead to a range of conditions including arthritis, hammer toes, back pain, tendon injuries and heel-related accidents.

·         Limit your heels to 1.5 inches for daily wear, and wear insoles to reduce the pressure on joints.

2. Carrying a heavy handbag

·         The rising number of gadgets and accessories is extra weight on the shoulders every day.

·         Carrying a heavy handbag can lead to serious back problems, neck pain and poor posture.

·         Try switching to a smaller bag by clearing out all non-essential items.

3. Sleeping in makeup

·         Leaving makeup on overnight – along with the dirt and oil that naturally accumulates on skin throughout the day – is a quick route to clogged pores, congested skin and spots.

·         Sleeping with mascara and eye makeup on can also affect your health by causing eye irritation, bloodshot eyes or even infection.

4. Matching men drink for drink

·         There are many instances when women feel compelled to match men in their drinking habits.

·         As they tend to weigh less than men and have less body water to dilute the alcohol, they tend to get more drunk more quickly.

·         Try to limit alcohol consumption and alternate alcohol with soft drinks.

5. Wearing the wrong bra size

·         It is thought that more than 70 per cent of women are wearing the wrong bra size.

·         It can cause a range of health problems including back, neck and breast pain, breathing difficulties, poor posture, skin irritation, circulation problems and even irritable bowel syndrome.

·         Rather than guessing your size, make sure you get measured for the correct support.

6. Worrying and harbouring regrets

·         Women are more prone to suffer from stress-related disorders, depression and anxiety.

·         While there may be biological reasons for this, worrying about the future and dwelling on regrets are also major causes.

7. Obsessing over appearance

·         Many women tend to overly obsess over their idea of the “perfect” body.

·         Body insecurity not only affects our mental health, but it can also lead to physical damage caused by extreme diets, yo-yo dieting, eating disorders and cosmetic surgery.

8. Emotional eating

·         Women tend to indulge in comfort eating when they’re sad.

·         They are also more likely to satisfy their cravings with sweet, high calorie foods.

·         Try distracting yourself from cravings by doing something you enjoy.

9. Not getting enough sleep

·         Insufficient sleep can lead to increased accidents, calorie consumption and heart disease risk.

·         Women are more likely to skip sleep to care for others, affecting their blood pressure and mood.

10. Putting themselves last

·         Women are prone to underplay their own wants and needs in a hectic to-do list of chores.

·         Learn to sometimes say no to those requests and commitments that are less than essential.

·         Make sure you set aside some “me” time each week to do something enjoyable just for you.

BUSTING HEART ATTACK MYTHS

BUSTING HEART ATTACK MYTHS

  

Ø      MYTH-1 - A HEART ATTACK STOPS IT FROM BEATING

·         A heart attack happens due to plaque and blood clots blocking the necessary blood flow to the heart muscles, which gives rise to a pain in the chest.

·         On the other hand, a cardiac arrest (stoppage) happens when the hear stops pumping the blood.

·         Such a patient will not breathe nor his pulse be felt.

·         It is not always that a heart attack will lead to a cardiac arrest.

Ø      MYTH-2 – A STROKE IS SAME AS HEART ATTACK

·         A heart attack happens due to decreased blood flow to the heart muscle.

·         But a stroke happens when the blood flow decreases to the brain.

·         This can also often happen due to blood clots.

·         A heart attack generally causes chest pain and shortness of breath.

·         A stroke will generally convert into weakness on one side of the body, speech difficulty, confusion, and unconsciousness.

Ø      MYTH-3 – NO CHEST PAIN MEANS NO HEART ATTACK

·         Generally, when a victim gets a heart attack, he will experience a shooting pain in the chest through the left arm, and the pressure will be like having an elephant sitting on your chest.

·         However, shortness of breath, pain in the arms, neck, jaw or back, especially on the upper left side, sweating, feeling anxious or tired, and colour draining from your face, are also some of the sure-shot signs of a heart attack.

Ø      MYTH-4 – NO FAMILY HISTORY MEANS NO RISK

·         Though heart disease can run in the family like diabetes, those coming from perfectly normal, healthy families can also be struck with a heart attack due to risk factors like smoking, obesity, unhealthy diet and cholesterol.

·         One should not take their heart’s health for granted.

Ø      MYTH-5 – HEART DISEASE IS ONLY IN OLDER PEOPLE

·         Even teenagers and middle-aged people might have the fat blocking the major arteries, and may suffer from heart attacks.

HEALTH ALERT CHECKLIST

HEALTH ALERT CHECKLIST

1. Colour of nails

·         Nails should ideally look pink in colour for indicating good health.

·         They should also be firm to the touch and have a smooth surface.

·         If you have white spots or a few ripples, it may indicate need for diabetes check.

·         If they are yellow, this can indicate a respiratory disease.

2. Colour of urine

·         Colourless urine indicates good hydration of your body.

·         Deep yellow colour indicates insufficient water and fluids intake.

·         Odour or blood in urine is dangerous and needs medical attention.

3. Bowel movements

·         Bowel movements must take place everyday, at the same time.

·         If they are periodical or are too hard or soft, it is abnormal.

·         Then, your fibre intake needs to be monitored.

4. Sound sleep

·         Lack of sleep causes mental fatigue during the day, risking a stroke or a heart disease.

·         If waking up every morning without an alarm is a battle, then start sleeping early.

·         A good night’s sleep ensures internal rhythm of the body functions effectively.

5. Proper BMI levels

·         A healthy body should neither be overweight nor underweight.

·         Assess your BMI and also have a body-fat test taken.

·         BMI alone can place more muscular individuals in the overweight category.

·         A healthy male under 40 should have 8-19% body fat, and over 40 should have 11-22% body fat .

6. Resting heart rate

·         First, your resting heart rate should be around 70 beats per minute or lower.

·         Next, your heart rate should return to normal, after completing a cardiovascular session, in five minutes or less.

·         If you take longer than 15 minutes for a one-mile run, your cardiovascular fitness level is poor.

7. Aim for 20 push ups

·         One great health standard is performing at least 20 straight full pushups in one row without rest while maintaining proper form.

ANTI-OSTEOPOROSIS FOODS

ANTI-OSTEOPOROSIS FOODS
1. The word ‘osteoporosis’ means ‘porous bones’.
2. In this condition, the density and quality of bones deteriorate.
3. This causes fractures and a compressed spinal column, which affects posture and causes pain in the
spine and back, and impacts other organs and functions of the body when it worsens.
4. Difficulty in breathing, constipation, anxiety, nervousness, forgetfulness, physical and emotional instability, lower back pain, degenerative arthritis, loss of height, insomnia, bladder and kidney weakness, frequent urination, and dental problems are some conditions that accompany osteoporosis.
5. Bone density can be increased through wholesome nutrition, nature’s herbs, healthful activities and
nurturing home therapies.
6. To counter osteoporosis, eat whole foods high in calcium, Vitamin D, and the trace minerals manganese and boron.
7. Avoid refined food, excess salt, refined sugar, caffeine, alcohol, smoking, antibiotics, and anti-
inflammatory drugs.
8. Exposing 15% of your body – hands, face and arms – to 10 minutes of sunlight daily gives you a good
dose of vitamin D.

Foods high in calcium
1. Leafy vegetables like lettuces, spinach, beets, cabbage
2. Green vegetables like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower
3. Grain sources like black beans, urad, black gram, mung, chickpeas, soybeans
4. Others like dairy foods, carrots, oranges, dried figs, raisins

Foods rich in manganese
1. Cereals like oatmeal
2. Fruits and nuts like pineapple, almonds, peanuts, hazelnuts

Foods rich in boron
1. Fruits and nuts like oranges, apples, almonds, peanuts, hazelnuts
2. Others like soybean and honey.

READING FOOD LABELS RIGHT

READING FOOD LABELS RIGHT

·         Most branded, packaged foods have a label on the back or on one side of the package, which gives you the nutrition information about the food you've just picked up.

1. What to look for on the labels

·         The serving size, servings per container, and the major nutrients per serving.

·         Most labels list the serving size and the number of servings on the package, with the nutrition information generally applying to one serving size.

·         For example, a 40gm pack of potato chips might suggest a serving size of 20gm, and the nutrition facts stated on the pack will apply to that serving size.

·         So if you chomp off the pack in one sitting, you're effectively consuming double the calories mentioned on the label!

2. Major nutrients

·         Step two is to look for the major nutrient groups including dietary fibre, proteins, vitamins, energy, fat, carbohydrates and sodium.

·         A high percentage of dietary fibre, protein, and selected vitamins are essential components of a healthy diet.

3. Calories and calories from fat

·         If you are looking to lose or manage your weight, choose ones that have lower amounts of calories from fat.

·         Also check for fat content, Trans fats, salt (humans require only 4gm of sodium per day) and fibre content.

AVOIDING CAREER MISTAKES

AVOIDING CAREER MISTAKES

·         Whether in your first or a new job, you should follow work etiquette.

·          Avoid habits, attitudes and behaviour which are professional disasters.

1. I don’t need to be punctual

·         Reaching your office on time is essential.

·         If your office follows flexible timings, fix the time for being available during those hours.

·         Your assignment should be finished before the deadline, so that you can check and polish it.

2. I want everything, now

·         Instant gratification does not work at the workplace.

·         You will only get what your employers believe you are worth.

·         Don't mix career and money by running after high-paying jobs only.

·         Opt for a job profile based on your capabilities, which will help you hone your skills and grow.

·         Remember that your worth should also increase along with your cost to your employer.

·         Once you are established, the money will come.

3. This is all I am going to do

·         If you stick rigidly to your job description, you may miss out on opportunities to be noticed.

·         Take up tasks beyond the routine, especially those that can demonstrate your untapped talents.

·         This also proves that you are willing to take initiative.

·         If you grumble at being given extra work, it may put off your superiors.

·         Accept projects on the basis of where you want to be after three years.

·         If you want to replace your boss, you will have to work more than you would to justify your salary.

4. I am the only one who made it a success

·         In an office, you need to work as a team, by sharing credit, especially with your juniors.

·         Even if you don’t get along with someone, be polite, shunning your anger and tantrums.

·         Bad-mouthing someone on e-mail or chats in the office could lead to an embarrassing fiasco.

·         Don’t crib about your colleagues’ work or that they are favoured.

·         Ensure that your own work does not fall short of the mark.

5. I don’t believe in networking

·         Your network of peers can advise and help you to stay abreast of the latest issues in your field.

·         Keep in touch with college mates, and mingle during conferences and functions.

·         Join a professional networking website, but don’t mix personal and professional lives.

·         Don’t add colleagues and bosses to your social networking sites to avoid misunderstanding. 

6. I know everything there is to know

·         No job is secure, so upgrade your skills regularly to stay on par with others vying for your job.

·         Don’t expect past accomplishments to suffice, so learn constantly, especially from mistakes.

·         If a superior corrects you, don’t sulk as you will keep repeating your mistake and never learn.

7. I am the best and deserve that promotion

·         If you believe so, you should support your conviction with accomplishments.

·         There is a difference between boasting and delivering.

·          Prepare yourself to shoulder the additional responsibilities and also changes in your personal life.

·         If you aren’t prepared, the promotion may backfire and destroy chances of future promotions.

·         Don’t promise to get something done which you can’t achieve.

·         Getting promoted too soon may set your career back by 4-5 years.