The Benefits of Taking Your Work Outdoors

The Benefits of Taking Your Work Outdoors Most Americans â€" in fact, nearly 90 percent of us â€" spend the majority of our time indoors. We may be seated at our desks in front of a computer for eight hours a day or peering into a laptop screen at home or a café. Unfortunately, these patterns of sedentary activity can have serious consequences on our health and well-being. According to science, bringing your work outside has many benefits that can reverse the effects of a desk job. So why haven’t most employers caught on? The Cons of Working at a Desk Humans were not designed to be sitting indoors all day. Spending time outdoors, participating in physical activity, and taking walks bring us back to our roots as people who lived and roamed outside. Sitting at a desk for several hours at a time removes us from our affinity for the outdoor environment and can lead to poor health conditions over time. Indeed, the dangers of a desk job include a greater risk for heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. On a day-to-day, a sedentary lifestyle contributes to greater fat accumulation on the body, retinal cell damage from staring at LED screens, and high levels of bacteria from those found on computer keyboards and desks. Why Employees Need to Work Outdoors Being outdoors exposes workers to fresher air and environmental variations that are crucial to making us happy and healthy on a physical and emotional level. A quick walk outside has been shown to boost short-term memory, lower blood pressure, improve mood, boost energy, and Natural light and fresh air can improve immune system functions and help employees sleep better and feel less depressed. This can translate to fewer sick days and better focus and concentration in the workplace. While the scientific benefits of being outside are well-established, 65 percent of employees say that their work actually is the reason that they don’t get outside as much as they would like. This is why science-savvy tech companies such as Google have worked to change their employees’ day-to-day work environment, bringing the outdoors into the office to boost employee performance. The tech giant has introduced changes such as skylights that let in more natural light and views of greenery to replicate the outdoor environment and help employees find focus and creativity. What Companies and Employees Can Do Of course, not all companies can afford to reimagine their office space like Google. Plus, the nature of your industry may not lend itself to being outside all day. However, employers can introduce new practices into the workplace that allow employees to reap the benefits of the outdoors. Activities like daily exercises, casual walking meetings, and outdoors lunches provide a change of scenery and environment while growing indoor plants and providing a view of greenery can relax workers and relieve stress. These changes to the office will go a long way in improving the happiness and performance of employees. Employers can also allow employees to occasionally work outside the office or set up an outdoor workspace. Using either a wi-fi access point or cell phone data tethering, an employee can set up a space at an outdoor table and use anti-glare screens to enjoy the benefits of fresh air, greenery, and ambient light while maintaining their productivity. Nature has a more powerful effect on us than we think. Whether we are talking a leisurely or doing intense physical activity, the outdoors can not only positively impact our health, which in turn positively impacts the bottom line of businesses. Want to learn more about the scientific evidence in support of outdoor work? Check out the following infographic from BigRentz for 17 research-backed reasons why you should start encouraging outdoor work. About the author: Lior Zitzman is the Director of Digital Audience at BigRentz, a construction equipment rentals marketplace with a network of over 1,500 rental partners. He has more than 15 years of experience in enterprise-level SEO at automotive publishing and equipment companies. In his spare time, he enjoys website development, gadgets, and fishing.

Im Whispering from the Rooftop! Im An Online Dater!

Im Whispering from the Rooftop! Im An Online Dater! Hi. My name is Lauren and Im an online dater. There. I said it. Phew. Joining the online dating world has not been easy for me. I was stubborn. I was embarrassed. I didn’t want to do it. Finally, after the convincing of my friends, and hearing all of their stories, I joined. But let me explain why I had so much resistance…. Growing up with divorced parents, I was very aware of online dating. Every time my mom and I vacationed somewhere pretty, she always asked me to take a profile picture for her. And while I’m sure there were many more, the only date of my mom’s I remember meeting was a short man who was my height at the age of 10 (I now realize that this was a case of a lying profile)! My dad did the Internet dating as well, but rarely mentioned it, not really wanting anyone to know. I wonder if I inherited the embarrassment from him? Now I’m sure my parents have enjoyed at least parts of their Internet experiences, but seeing it through adolescent eyes gave it a terrible stigma for me. I immediately associate it with divorce, embarrassment, terrible profile pictures, and middle age men the height of a ten-year-old girl. It was also a point of frustration for me. Seeing my parent fail with online dating, I didn’t understand why anyone went through it! I thought it was lazy. Why cant people just run into each other in the grocery store while reaching for the same box of Cracklin’ Oat Bran like in the olden days? But then I grew up, moved to New York, and saw the light. Ive realized its really hard to meet people in the real world. You have 20 million neighbors but everyone has their own agenda. And as sad as it is, most of your neighbors have headphones in, which are not conducive to spontaneous conversations with dreamy gentlemen on the subway or quick joke with the guy behind you at Starbucks. (Also since the invention of the retractable leash, 101 Dalmatian style meetings are few and far between.) So now, Im embracing the online dating scene. I admitted it didn’t I? And Ive met some okay guys! I’ve gone on dates in new places. I’ve tried new beers. I’ve been recommended new books to read. It hasn’t been half bad. I’ve also met some really weird guys. But I have to admit; its a special self-esteem boost when a guy messages you. Even if his name is Sexpack_238 and all his message says is hey ur Hott. But we’ll go into the full good, bad and ugly another time… My mom and I even chat casually about our profiles now, checking what is the latest status and who we’ve found, but we swear to never look up each other’s profiles. Who knew online dating could bring a family closer together? Now, Im still waiting for my dream guy to fall on top of me because he pushed me out-of-the-way of a moving bus, but while I wait, I might as well use the resources I have right? Right?! So what about you? Have you felt the anxiety I feel? Do you hate online dating? Are you an Internet dater? Lets talk. Happy Thursday y’all. -Lauren

The part of postpartum depression that no one talks about

The part of postpartum depression that no one talks about In the past few years, postpartum depression has had a lot of press. Brooke Shields had it, Marie Osmond had it. Tom Cruise denied it exists. All good for raising awareness. Now we all know it exists, and maybe some of us know the warning signs. But no one talks about this: What if you have post-partum depression and you must continue working? Three years ago, I was in this position. I havent written about it because it was bad. Very bad. I keep waiting for someone to write about what its like to have to continue working even with post-partum depression. I guess I will be the one. Here is what you need to know about postpartum depression if you are the breadwinner of the family: 1. Take maternity leave. Even if you have to make it a little unconventional. I was a freelance writer, with a husband who did not work, and we were living paycheck to paycheck. I thought there is absolutely no way I could take maternity leave. Wed starve. But I tried to think of ways to craft an unofficial maternity leave by getting ahead with my writing. I didnt tell my editors I was doing that, but my plan was to not have to write very much. 2. Plan ahead, for the worst-case scenario. In our heart of hearts, we know that the best case scenarios dont actually need planning for. So why make plans assuming best case? Make contingency plans. I did that a little. Because Im a freelancer and my husband and son are nearly uninsurable, for prior medical conditions, we usually have crappy, near-nothing insurance. But we raided the last of our savings to buy great health insurance for the baby and me, just in case something happened during delivery. Other than that, I assumed that things would go smoothly when we got home from the hospital since this was our second child, and I already knew how to care for a baby. 3. Admit that no time off means youre high-risk for postpartum depression. The baby came early, and I was not really ahead on columns, and my book wasnt finished. So right after the baby arrived, I had to finish my book, which was behind schedule. And, my agent told me that there was no way I could promote the book when I was 40 pounds overweight. After all, there was a chapter about how bad it is for your image to be overweight. So I spent two or three hours at the gym every day. The baby came everywhere with meto my book publisher, to my agent, to my newspaper syndicate, to the gym. I breastfed in everyones office. I breastfed in the cardio room and the weight room. I cried all the time, and I felt that I had no idea how to take care of the baby, but I looked okay in all my meetings, so I kept going. 4. Ask for help from people you dont work with. Then, one night, the baby was screaming and our three-year-old wouldnt go to bed and my husband was telling me that I needed to get the three-year-old some milk and I was saying that he should and Ill get the baby and he rolled his eyes, and then I took a knife out of the dirty dishes and stabbed my head. I dont actually remember doing it. I remember my husband saying, Oh my god. Theres blood everywhere. Heres how crazy I was: I just put the knife back in the sink and went to get the baby. The next day I went back to my old therapist and told him. While I breastfed the baby. My therapist said he didnt think Id ever hurt the kids, but he had to send me to the emergency room to be checked out. So I went there. With the baby, and my cell phone, and I handled edits for my Boston Globe column from the hospital hallway. The doctor I saw wanted to admit me to the mental ward. I had a friend call all over looking for a hospital that could take me and the baby into a mental ward together, and not one could. Its a huge breaking point in the mental health system, she said. The psychologists did not want me to leave, but I was convincing, telling them that we would not be able to support ourselves if I did not work. And I was also convincing telling them that I did not want to risk losing my breast milk permanently by separating from the baby for a week in the mental ward. The doctor said I could go back home with the baby but I couldnt be alone with the baby. 5. Postpartum depression is one of those times when you should break the bank. When I left the hospital, I told myself I would just ignore the doctors advice because it would be impossible to not be alone with the baby. My husband had to take our older son all over the city for school and activities. And we could never ever afford round-the-clock care. But on the way home, I remembered Andrea Yates. I had always felt empathy for her, but now I felt like maybe I could be her. I know it came out of nowhere to her: first she was just sort of depressed, and then she was killing her kids. Plus, I remembered two times when people had asked me how the baby was and I said, Sometimes I want to slam his head into the wall. Both times I got very concerned looks. So stopped saying it, but I knew it was not good. So I hired someone to stay with the baby and me. Only then did I realize that I was terrified to be alone with the baby. I still cry thinking about how I was probably a danger to my own child. The babysitter was as much for me as for the baby. I kept working. I kept seeing a therapist. And we went into huge debt in order to pay for the babysitter. In hindsight, I wonder, What could I have done differently? My career could not have handled a three-month maternity leave. But I should have hired the nanny at the first sign of trouble, even though it caused a lot of debt. I was so scared of spending money. I cut corners on things that I thought I could handle but couldnt. And the biggest thing, in hindsight, that I thought I could handle, was being a working mom with no support system. No one can do that and stay sane.

Job Interview Etiquette Mind Your Ps and Qs

Job Interview Etiquette Mind Your Ps and Qs Manners are not only important at the dinner table (use your napkin, please), on the telephone (listen as well as speak), in a theater (refrain from talking during the performance), but also during a job interview. Yet many job seekers forget the importance of being polite. They jingle the change in their pocket, click their tongue, stare at the wall or at their lap, or cut in when the hiring manager is speaking. Nerves can throw you off. Your heart races, your palms perspire, your mouth goes dry. You may even forget what you want to say. But none of these experiences are reasons to forget your manners. To give yourself the edge when it comes to sitting across from a potential employer, review the following polite practices and then go over them with a spouse or friend before the in-person meeting. Arrive ahead of time. It may be fashionable to come late to a cocktail party but its bad manners to walk into an interview after the agreed-upon time. Always arrive at least ten minutes early so you can freshen up, catch your breath, sit quietly in the lobby reviewing your notes. Maintain good eye contact. You probably know what its like to speak with someone who is shifty-eyed. You might wonder what he has up his sleeve or what she is hiding. Looking a man or woman in the eye when speaking is not only polite, its good business practice. It assures the other person of your sincerity and genuine interest. And it will remind him or her to return the eye contact. Listen well. Focus your mind and take in what the interviewer is saying. If you miss a detail or dont understand what is said, ask politely for it to be repeated. It may help to have a small notepad and pen in your hand. Jot down items that are of importance to you. You might even tell the interviewer ahead of time that youll be taking notes because you don’t want to miss anything. That too, is a sign of good manners. Youre letting the other person know that youre serious about the job in question. Say thank you. At the close of the interview, be sure to shake hands and express in warm words how much you appreciate the time and the information you received. Remember, everyone likes to be acknowledged and thanked. Those who express gratitude will not be forgotten because it is so rare for people today to share genuine thanks. Then follow up with a thank you note in your handwriting. That will seal the deal and give you a good chance of winning a second interviewâ€"or even the job itself. Further reading at How Saying Thanks Can Get You a New Job Image: Shutterstock

Here are the benefits you should really be asking for at work - Debut

Here are the benefits you should really be asking for at work - Debut This article was written by an external contributor, Jem Collins. Jem is a digital journalist and editor who focuses on human rights and careers. She’s the founding editor of Journo Resources, a non-profit which helps people get into the media industry, and the strategic impact director of RightsInfo. You can also follow her on Twitter, she’d like that. What’s the most important thing to have in your office? Or your biggest deal breaker if you’re starting a new job? It might feel like a waste of time when you’re sat daydreaming over a hot chocolate and the world’s dullest spreadsheet, but with most full time employees spending upwards of 40 hours a week at work, making sure you’re comfortable with the environment is crucial to both feeling happy and being productive. So, what did you think of? You certainly wouldn’t be alone if you dreamt up something wacky, with the last few years seeing an explosion of quirky offices. Fancy somewhere with a slide or grass on the floor? No problem. Maybe you’re dreaming big and want a treehouse? No sweat. Or perhaps you just enjoy the simple things and want some unlimited free beer? Shouldn’t be an issue. But, as cool as all that sounds, it probably isn’t the magical fix it looks like. Anyone for a cuppa? It might sound obvious, if a little boring, but it’s the everyday environment and opportunities at a company which make it worth staying at, and can even, in some cases, make up for a slightly lower salary. Deloitte’s 2018 Millennial Survey, for example, found that while money was obviously still important, things like flexibility and a positive work environment were increasingly bigger factors. Fifty-two percent of millennials and 57 percent of generation z respondents (those born in the mid 90s to mid 2000s) listed a positive workplace culture as a vital part of their working life, with almost half also citing flexibility and opportunities for continuous learning as dealbreakers. Similarly, in a survey of more than 100,000 people last year, workplace data company Leesman asked what people wanted from their offices. Slides and treehouses didn’t even get a look in â€" functional desks, comfortable chairs and tea and coffee facilities made up the top three asks. After all, what’s the use of a ping pong table if you don’t have a comfortable chair to slump in afterwards? When quirky perks go wrong What’s more, in some cases cool sounding perks aren’t just unnecessary, but can actually have a negative impact on staff. For Eve*, a writer from the South West, an office move led to multiple promises of a better workplace. “Once the deal was done they kept saying ‘we’ll have a treehouse and a slide and a gym’”, she tells Debut Careers, explaining how the management were almost “selling” the new environment as a benefit for everyone. However, things didn’t quite turn out that way, with only senior executives allowed to use the quirky fittings. “We were never told that [originally],” she adds. “We’d just see execs going there for meetings, and no one could give me a straight answer when I asked why we weren’t allowed to use it. It just felt like all of the things they were offering us, like the free gym classes and ping pong were intended for us to stay at work longer.” Sarah*, who accepted a job as a receptionist at a spa in the US, also explains how selective treats made her feel uneasy about the atmosphere. “[The boss] would always give us free products for doing her these ‘little favours’ like losing weight and wearing makeup,” she says. “It would also make the spa look busy if we were pulled away from the desk in chairs having services done such as our hair, nails or eyelash extensions, but it was all a false facade.” “These free gifts she would give us, I thought the club paid for, but it was always said to keep it ‘hush hush, here’s a little something’, so you thought you were a favourite. Really these free products she was giving us were returned used items. The more representing the spa you did the more of these items you got. It was never actually spoken upon, but you could tell something weird was going on.” Benefits, and indeed the way they’re dolled out, have a huge impact on the work atmosphere, whether that’s about fair access to perks, or the atmosphere they create. And it’s not an isolated message, with more companies realising that the type of things they offer can have a big impact on the environment they’re trying to create â€" or indeed provoke the opposite of their intended effect. For example, recent research by the Financial Times has found that employees at companies with unlimited holiday often actually end up taking fewer days off, and very recently  WeWork, the campus style office space housing many a startup announced plans to cut back on its once bottomless free beer, now capping workers at four pints a day. Speaking to the Wall Street Journal about the move, Marcus Moufarrige, chief operating officer of Servcorp, a smaller office space provider, suggests it’s less about the cost of beer, but creating the right working environment. “They’ve probably had a realisation that the frat mentality that has made them an exciting place to hang out is incongruous with a modern workplace.” he explains. An individual approach is vital However, that’s not to say workplace benefits are a bad thing, especially if they’re done right. After all, just a few paragraphs ago I was waxing lyrical about the benefits of a positive workspace. “I’ve worked for organisations that don’t have any staff rewards or perks, and also for companies that do,” Evelyn Sky, a career coach at Career Jump tells Debut Careers. “The difference is huge. Staff appreciate it highly, that someone really cares for their wellbeing.” However, she stresses that the way an organisation chooses their staff benefits plays a huge role, and “depends a lot on its culture”. And, thankfully, the defining factor between good benefits and bad benefits isn’t as complicated as it might seem â€" it’s surprisingly easy to get right if you actually try. The crucial thing to remember, according to John Lees, author of How to Get A Job You Love, is that all workers are individuals, so naturally they’ll all value different things. “The point really is that it’s very individual,” he explains, “so employers [often] try and deal with rewards in a blanket way, but it is [quite unique]. So for one person it might be the socialisation aspect, having budget for team nights out and things like that, but for someone else it will probably be flexible working or something like access to learning opportunities, or funding a training course.” It’s also about realising working conditions aren’t a one time fix. “Managers need to recognise the fact that it changes at different career stages,” he adds. “You can’t negotiate it once and then say ‘alright that’s what motivates you and that’s how we’re going to do.’” It’s a story which runs true for Tony*, whose company decided to implement a four day week without staff consultations â€" or looking at how it would affect the business. “Everything went down the toilet because of it,” he tells Debut Careers. “There was a tremendous amount of work to do and it actually meant that we could occasionally work horrendous 12+ hour days. I was working at the weekend, found my evenings no longer my own, and my mental health was in the worst place it ever has been.” “It was a total nightmare,” he adds. “No concept of capacity to time calculation or even basic budgeting. The situation eventually broke and we went back to a five day week”. Negotiating the right deal for you So how exactly do you work out what’s best for you? And more pressingly, how do you go about getting it? The first step, according to Evelyn is “making sure you have clarity of what the request is and what’s best for you.” If you’re considering moving to a new job, start thinking about what really matters to you before you start applying to other roles. Think about what things you’re looking for, what you’re willing to compromise on, and what’s the the most important â€" and use it to be honest with yourself about any opportunities you’re considering applying for. When a job comes up, take time out to really study not just the description, but also the benefits and expectations of the company. Highlight which parts make you feel excited, the ones you’re ambivalent about, and the parts that could be a potential problem. Look at the company website and social media channels to get a feel for their environment, and try to absorb as much as possible in office interviews. If you see something that you think could be an issue, or would make the job infinitely more exciting, have the conversation before you sign the contract. And if there’s too much you’re not excited about, it probably isn’t the job for you. “It’s important for people to understand that when they get a new job, they actually have more negotiating power over the role than are going to have for another two years.” adds John. “You can’t, two weeks into the job say I want this and I’d like this â€" because then you’ve got to prove yourself.” Basically, don’t be scared to ask for what you want. The worst that can happen is they’ll say no â€" but do be realistic with your requests. “You can’t have everything, you’re probably going to be able to push back on one or two things,” John continues. “If you push back on everything it sounds like you really don’t want the job, but if you push back on one or two things that’s usually fine.” Setting a positive tone Perhaps the single most important thing though, whether you’re negotiating a new offer or better conditions in your current job, is the tone. Evelyn suggests a “friendly chat with a manager” as the first port of call, while John emphasises the importance of “positivity”. “You’ve got to send out lots of positive signals about the organisation,” he explains, “otherwise it sounds as if you’re saying you’re probably going to move on. If you’re saying you’re going to move on, you’re not going to get a very good offer in terms of changed benefits. Why would an organisation go through all the headache of restructuring around you if they think they’re going to lose you?” In practical terms this means you need “start by saying how much you enjoy the role or how much you’re pleased to be offered it”, before then moving on to how you’d like to change things. “But then you again say how much you’re looking forward to the future,” he says. Basically, it’s all about creating an atmosphere that shows you’re going to stick around, and builds a business case for why they should invest in you. All in all, in comes back to knowing what you want, and what makes you more happy and productive in a job â€" something which is good for both you and your boss. TL;DR â€" daydreaming isn’t as useless as it sounds, and it’s important to take time out to think about what matters to you, just don’t be swayed by what might look like the coolest thing. Quite often, it’s the smallest tweaks which make the most difference. And slides probably aren’t the best place to drink a latte anyway. * Some names have been changed to protect their identity. Connect with Debut on  Facebook,  Twitter,  and  LinkedIn  for more careers insights.

Three Ways Personal Development Can Benefit You

Three Ways Personal Development Can Benefit You When you are an entrepreneur, heading out into the world with a million ideas. Looking everywhere for innovation, for places where your designs, your thoughts, and your business can flourish is pretty much a standard setting. You might spend hours picking the perfect name, logo, and ethos. In fact, you might even hire a few freelancers to help you along the way. The one thing that most of us neglect is our own personal development. It won’t always be easy, but it will be simple. Kevin Abdulrahman,  kevinabdulrahman.org Self-improvement, wellness, happiness, slow living, and personal development are no longer the buzzwords that they once were. They are integral pieces of a whole life puzzle. So, here are a few ways that personal development can improve your life. Better You It might sound a little fluffy, but actually starting the self-improvement path, you will become the better version of your current self. In fact, you might change a few core things about yourself. Becoming the better you is the ultimate goal when you start personal development. Improving how you work, who you work with and why you work is par for the course. Looking in-depth into what makes you tick and what is likely to spark your interest, where you can implement those changes in your current business. You might even realize during your betterment that the market you thought you wanted to be in, actually doesn’t suit you anymore. How do you start this bit of the process off? Simply sit down, and list the ways that you feel like you can improve, why do you want that improvement? Then begin to work on that list. Self-Esteem Dream Self-confidence and self-esteem are integral to being able to face the world and show off your work. Often times, people with brilliant ideas find is very difficult to send their ideas out into the world. For fear of criticism, because they are naturally introverted or they simply believe that they will fail. Part of your journey will be about learning to work with your personality type and finding a way to make your dreams a reality. As you grow, you will be looking to build a new mindset into your daily life. Changing the way you think, will inevitably change the way you work, and live your daily life. Set your dial to self-belief, and start to really nourish that seed. New Opportunities When you have a little spark of self-confidence, self-esteem, and improvements that you wanted to make you will find that new opportunities present themselves. Why is that? Well because you have implemented the changes, found a new way of working and oddly enough new opportunities present themselves to those open to them (usually). Start by picking up some books, or reading some blogs dedicated to the subject. Mailing lists, downloading PDFs and chatting to like minded people online are significant first steps to getting yourself started and maybe even finding those new opportunities.

Tips on How to Put Freelance Writing on a Resume

Tips on How to Put Freelance Writing on a ResumeMany aspiring writers try to put freelance writing on a resume, thinking that it will be a plus to mention the work that they do. However, when it comes to keeping to one's resume, even an experienced writer can get lost in trying to come up with unique and interesting ways to explain all of the written content that he or she has produced.Putting together a resume and description of a career change is a difficult task. However, when you are considering putting writing on a resume, you should consider how much information you want to include in your own resume.Using professional writing services can help you save time and effort. Not only will you save money by employing professional writing services, but you will be able to keep your job security and career progress intact. If you are just starting out, you may find it easier to be determined to put writing on a resume. However, if you feel that your experience is more than a little lim ited, or you feel that it would be better to include additional details about your writing, you should consider other methods.Writing on a resume can be a good way to include information about the work that you have done. There are many skills that you can showcase through writing, whether it is digital or traditional. You should not feel that you must make a point to include everything on your resume that you can, though. For example, you may find that there are particular words or phrases that can help you convey a strong message about your abilities.In addition to writing on a resume, you should think about how to put freelance writing on a resume. One tip is to find out what kind of writing you would like to produce. You may find that you like writing and the company that you work for provides a variety of assignments that are suitable for the type of writing that you prefer. You can find out if there are other companies that will supply you with assignments that will fit your t alents as well.Another tip to remember when putting writing on a resume is that your resume will have an impact on how interested employers find you. When they see your writing on a resume, they will be able to instantly assess whether or not you are a fit for the position that you are applying for. In some cases, employers may tell you that they feel that you will be able to contribute positively to the organization and its mission, but it is important to keep in mind that the writing on your resume will play a major role in making their decision about whether or not you will be hired.As you can see, it is possible to add writing on a resume into your profile. Whether or not you choose to include writing on a resume depends on how much experience you have with this kind of writing, and how much confidence you have in your own abilities.