Author Archives: kate

Jan21

Should I Post This?

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Should I Post This?

Recently, I have heard news about a video circulating that had very disturbing content. It was a rockstar who streamed his own death on Facebook live. I had the good sense not to search for or watch the video because, seriously, that is the decent thing to do. It is the way we show our sincere condolences (even if we do not know the person) to those he has left behind.

News followed that the family has requested with great pain to take down all instances of the circulating video. Nobody would want a loved one’s death to be entertainment fodder for other people. Time and again, people get into trouble because of sensitive internet posts. If we can all take the time to reflect before we post anything online – then maybe the internet wouldn’t be such a dangerous and scary place.

In light of this, here are some guidelines on responsible internet posting:

Is it my photo or is it from/of someone else?
You can either get an angry message from the owner of the photo or get serious charges for copyright infringement (or a stern takedown notice at the very least). So before you post anything, ask yourself if it is yours to post. If it is a group picture, ask your friends if they want it posted. And always ask a parent if it’s ok to post a picture of their kid. There are predators online that could take advantage of this.

Is it a good photo?
Does it contain explicit material? Is it suitable for viewing if you saw it at work? Would it promote good feelings or would it promote anger, violence, racism, or apathy? Will seeing it make people feel good or elicit good responses? Some posts inspire good feelings – feelings like love, wealth, health, and a sense of community. Others promote violence and anger. Which feelings will your post promote?

Could it get someone in trouble?
Sure, it’s funny posting a picture of your hammered friend sleeping on the bathroom floor. But stop to think if they could get in trouble for that post. A coworker, boss, or parent could see. It is not fair to project them in an unflattering and compromising light.

Is it going to cause drama?
Your controversial political post could elicit a lot of likes – from like-minded friends – but it might also cause a great divide. I’ve seen friends and family unfriend each other on political issues. Unless it is a fair and inclusive discussion, then it’s probably a good idea to talk about it in private, amongst friends and family, and not publish your thoughts out on the internet for all to see – and judge.

Am I aware that anyone can share it?
Check your settings people – be careful who gets share access to your posts and pictures.

Would I be okay with my Grandma seeing it?
If the answer is NO, then don’t.

A year from now, will I feel good about making it public?
We all say stupid things when we’re young, uninformed, or don’t know better. People forgive, but it’s hard to forget when it becomes available online for all eternity. Remember, everything you put out on the internet gets stored on servers somewhere – forever.

Be careful about what you share. Remember to stay humble and hustle hard.

 

Written by Jaie O. The Help

Jan14

Take Bedtime Back

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Take Bedtime Back

How were our first few weeks at work? I know we’re still not over the holidays and our sleep cycles are still in vacation mode from all the partying done during the holiday season. I’m sure some of you have vowed to make 2019 your most productive year ever. How about we start by taking bedtime back! After all, a good night’s sleep guarantees more energy in the morning to be able to do the productive things we promised ourselves to do.

Maintain a consistent sleep schedule.
The amount of sleep adults need vary from person to person. Some say they can subsist on just 5 hours of sleep (they’re lying) but the average adult needs anywhere between 7 to 9 hours of quality sleep per night in order to function well the next day. Less than that can lead to a sleep deficit which will bite you in the ass later in the form of a weakened immune system, impaired cognitive function and memory, and susceptibility to stress.

Don’t go to bed hungry.
But also, don’t go to bed full. Going to bed full makes you prone to acid reflux. Going to bed hungry can affect the quality of sleep or cause difficulty in getting sleep since your brain is awake and looking for food. Get a light snack if you must, milk and cookies or a grilled cheese sandwich work.

Bring positive thoughts to bed.
You will have a hard time getting sleep if you’re constantly worrying of nursing negative thoughts. I know, sometimes we can’t help it. But try to clear your mind by doing some reading or watching a documentary about animals.

Reduce caffeine intake.
Repeat after me, no coffee after 3 pm. Caffeine after that can make you stay awake or affect the quality of sleep you get.

Exercise…regularly.
Regularly doesn’t mean pumping iron 7 times a week for one hour. Do your thing, but get going. It could be some low impact stretching, walking around the block, jogging, yoga, Zumba – every other day, every Wednesday and Friday, it’s your call…just get some activity. This will improve your blood circulation which is what we’re after. In turn, that will improve the quality of sleep you get.

Go, go gadget free.
Blue light emitted by gadgets disrupts your REM or deep sleep patterns. Social media is a buzzkill as well. Ever slept soundly after scrolling through your Facebook feed? Yup, didn’t think so… so, try to go gadget free at least 2 hours before bedtime.

Limit your liquids.
So you finally got your much-needed rest but woke up in the middle of the night because you needed to empty your bladder. It’s going to be hard to reclaim your sleep once you stub your toe on a table leg. Pee before going to bed so you don’t have to get up in the middle of the night and birdbox your way through a dark hallway to the bathroom.

Optimize your room.
Invest in sleep gear – comfy pillows, a nice comfy mattress, clean sheets, and some lavender scented things can help you sleep better.

Rest well! Stay humble and hustle hard.

 

Written by Jaie O. The Help

Jan7

HALT Before you Eat

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HALT Before you Eat

The holiday season is over and we’re all guilty of eating too much during the half month long festivities. There’s the mandatory Christmas Dinner with friends and family, there are the New Year cocktails, and then lots of pocket celebrations in between. Now that eating season is finally over, it’s a bit hard to go back to regular programming especially since there are probably still food left over from the new year feasts.

Going on a strict diet after all that fanfare could be a tall order for some. It might be more prudent to gradually ease into a healthy eating plan. Depriving yourself of food could lead to a relapse and binge eating. You can learn to break the binge eating cycle though. Start a healthy diet and don’t cut out particular food groups right away. Build a healthier relationship with food by asking yourself these questions before noshing on food.

Hungry?
Ask yourself if you’re really hungry or if you’re just thirsty. Dehydration could sometime feel like you need something to eat. When your stomach is empty, your body signals your brain to chow down of some grub. When your cells are dehydrated, it does the same. Make sure to eat regular meals though. When your blood sugar is low, the same signals are sent to your brain. This time, you really need food.

So be sure to eat regular meals. Don’t let yourself go hungry for long periods of time. And chew slowly! The body needs at least 20 minutes to signal to your brain that it is full.

Angry?
Intense feeling like anger, frustration, and (the most common cause for overeating) stress can cause your adrenalin to spike and your body to seek food. Manage your emotions and try to calm down first. Go for a run. Do a quick workout. Dance. Take a quick shower. Distract yourself first and then check your emotions after. See if you’re still hungry after doing these.

Lonely?
There is a reason why it’s called comfort food. When we seek solace, we run to familiar things. Things that make us feel better. Maybe we associate certain foods with certain feelings of home, or belonging, or getting well. And we regularly turn to food as a way of feeling not so alone. I know my mom’s menudo makes me feel better when I miss home. So make a batch but be careful about eating the whole thing. Eat a small portion and call a friend to share it with. Alternatively, call your mom instead. She’ll appreciate it.

Tired?
If you’re sleep deprived and lacking rest, the chemicals in your body go overdrive and turn whack. It signals the brain that you need sugar (aka fuel). A very dangerous time indeed as this scenario coupled with stress (as is always the case) leads (all of the time) to overeating. The most obvious solution is of course to get some sleep. Rest! If your body needs to rest, no time is too early for bedtime.

Did I miss anything? What are your healthy eating tips? Share them with us in the comments. Stay humble and hustle hard.

 

Written by Jaie O. The Help

Dec24

A Long Standing Tradition

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A Long Standing Tradition

We at The Help have a continuing tradition of gift giving which we’ve started in 2013. We launch this program close to or during the holidays to be able to share with our community all the abundant blessings that we are ever so grateful for. Not only do we have a gift-giving program, we have an outreach program and a feeding program as well. These programs are organized ad hoc, as a response to caring for typhoons victims and other calamities. With our pooled resources, our civic-minded team takes time out to lovingly prepare the food, entertainment, and gift bags. With the help of community leaders and school administrators, we are able to share those, along with, stories, fun, and laughter over a humble feast.

We do this every year and we will continue this tradition of gift giving and helping our community as a way of saying “thank you” for all the blessings and the continued success we have.

Tomorrow is Christmas day and we take a hard-earned break from work to join the whole world in festivities that come with the season. Tonight, we will be celebrating love and friendship with our families and closest friends over a nice warm meal. But before we begin the celebration, we would like to thank all the people who contributed to our success and made it possible for us to keep moving forward.

A Merry Christmas to all our cherished clients. We appreciate your business and look forward to a continued harmonious relationship with you, for many more holidays to come. Thank you for your continued support and for your trust and belief in The Help. We promise to continue to work hard with you in growing your business and provide you with the best service possible. We wish you and your families “happy holidays”, and may your holidays be prosperous, peaceful, and safe. We appreciate you. Thank you for your business.

A Merry Christmas to our dearly valued staff. Our organization is formed by great people who are happy working together. We are lucky to have such a dedicated staff and we would like to thank you for your hard work and commitment. The Help is proud to be working with world class team members like you. You are an integral part of our team’s success and the main reason why we are on top of our game. We wish you and your families “happy holidays”, and may your holidays be warm, bountiful, and safe. Thank you for your service.

To our clients and staff, you are a blessing for which we are forever grateful for and surely, you are a blessing to others as well. Thank you for all your wonderful contributions to the business!

As we bring the year to a close, let us not forget the reason for the season. The Christmas spirit is inside each and every one of us. Let us share this spirit with others. We hope you have a fun and peaceful celebration. Merry Christmas, from all of us at The Help.

Dec17

How to have a happy holidays

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How to have a happy holidays

The holidays are upon us. We haven’t slowed down one bit since Halloween. First came the costume planning and candy buying. In the aftermath of all the Halloween festivities, we’ve been busy preparing for Thanksgiving, planning dinner and seating arrangements. And now, it’s almost Christmas!

Christmas time is a time for festivities. It is also the most stressful time of the year for a lot of people. It involves making travel arrangements, dinner plans, gift buying, wrapping, and giving. And then cleaning up after, to start it all again for the new year.

As you read this, Christmas is just a few days away and it’s a bit too late to change gears and switch plans now. If you haven’t planned out your holidays yet, fear not! Here’s a checklist of things you have to do starting right now.

Plan for your break:

❏ File a leave for the days when you (most definitely) know that you won’t be able to make it work. It’s a safe bet to file for 2 weeks off to enjoy the holiday festivities, especially if you’re traveling!
❏ Make travel arrangements early. The earlier you book hotels and plane tickets, the cheaper they are.
❏ If you’re traveling by car, check that it’s running smoothly, that you have enough gas, and that you have emergency supplies.

Gifts:

❏ You should have bought gifts by now, and it’s time to wrap them. If you can’t do it yourself, you can hire someone to wrap it for you. Most shops offer gift wrapping services, check your purchases if your eligible to have them wrapped for a fee or even for free!
❏ You can also hire an enterprising neighbor or babysitter to moonlight as an amateur gift wrapper. Buy some ribbons, wrappers, and tape and just pay for their time.
❏ Forgot to buy a hostess/host gift? Forgot to buy a gift for a friend? Need ideas for last minute gifts? Here are a few items that you can buy at the last minute and will make great gifts.

❏ Wine – ladies would love pink rosé or Moscato
❏ Beer – buy those designer homebrews from microbreweries, a set of 2 or 3 will make any guy happy.
❏ Baked goods – cookies and pies would make great last minute gifts. They keep for long and will last (hopefully) last a few days.
❏ Preserves – jams and jellies also make good last-minute gifts. You can get them at the grocery and just put a pretty ribbon on the caps.

Christmas dinner:

❏ Plan your Christmas dinner. It’s usually one or two entrees, plus a couple of sides. You don’t have to slave in the kitchen for hours. Store bought is fine! Save yourself the trouble and gain peace of mind. You can get roast beef or rotisserie chicken, a Christmas ham, some spring rolls, and then just do a few side dishes like mac n cheese, your go-to salad, or some mashed potatoes. Encourage guests to bring their favorite side dishes to share and ask for the recipe at dinner. That would be fun!
❏ You can get store desserts (cakes and pies!) and just make it your own by adding a touch of cream or some jam/syrup. Store bought isn’t lazy, and taste just as good. You won’t be stuck in the kitchen all day and can use that time to hang out and catch up with loved ones.

What holiday shortcuts do you have? How do you reduce holiday stress? Share your tips with us in the comments. Stay humble and hustle hard.