HealthyLife Articles

Tag: return

  • Home Safe Home

    Home Safety

    Protect your family from accidents, injuries, and intruders.

    You should feel safe, protected, and comfortable in your home, even when things go wrong. Make sure you’re doing everything possible to protect yourself and your family. Lock the doors, even when you are home. Install and maintain smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Plan an escape route in case of a disaster.

    Safety Tips:

    *  Use a peephole at the front door.

    *  If you live alone, arrange for daily contact with a neighbor or relative.

    *  Post emergency numbers and teach children how to call 9-1-1.

    *  Stock first-aid supplies.

    *  Keep chemicals out of your children’s reach.

    *  Lock guns in one place and bullets in another.

    *  Keep a fire extinguisher handy.

    *  Use grab bars and safety mats or nonskid tape in your tub and shower.

    *  Keep stair areas well-lit. Keep all walkways clear  of clutter.

    *  Make sure there is a clear path for walking from room to room.

    *  Never leave young children alone in the bathtub or on a bed or table.

    Ways to get through a disaster faster:

    Write down a plan. Rehearse it and hope you never need it!

    *  Create separate plans for different disasters, such as a house fire, flood, tornado, etc. Practice drills for each plan with the family.

    *  Take a first-aid course.

    *  Choose a check-in person who is unlikely to be involved in the same event.

    *  Plan two places to meet. Choose one at or near your home. Choose another one at a location farther away, in case you can’t get home.

    *  If you have kids in school, find out about the school’s crisis plan. Make sure the school has current phone numbers for you and other caregivers. Sign forms that allow the release of your kids to family members or friends.

    *  If you have pets, plan for their safety.

    Action Step

    Set up plans to be ready for weather disasters. Contact your cell phone carrier to see if you can get free Wireless Emergency Alerts.

    Ways to Well-Being book by the American Institute for Preventive Medicine. www.HealthyLife.com. All rights reserved.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Going Back To Work After A Leave

    WORK LIFE

    Image of 2 construction workers.

    Many people take a leave of absence from work at some point. It could be for a life event, such as maternity or paternity leave, or because of an illness. A leave of absence is usually an extended period of time off that goes beyond vacation or other type of leave.

    No matter how long your leave is, going back to work can be a big adjustment and cause you plenty of anxiety. But, you can make the transition smoother if you prepare for your new routine. Try these tips:

    *  Get organized. A week or two before you go back, start jotting down things you will need to do every day. Whether it’s packing lunches, walking the dog or dropping kids off at daycare, it helps to have it all written down to feel more in control of the situation. You can then create a schedule or to-do list which helps make it more manageable.

    *  Start moving back to your work schedule. It can be quite a shock to go back to a 6 a.m. work shift if you’ve been staying up late. At least two weeks before you go back, start transitioning your sleep schedule. Give your body time to adjust to getting up at that same time and change your bedtime accordingly. Aim for seven to eight hours of sleep so you can feel rested and productive.

    *  Allow for extra time in the morning. Set your alarm for earlier than you think you need to. You’ll be glad to have the extra time without rushing in the morning. Or, you may find that it takes you longer to get ready than you thought.

    *  Talk with your supervisor before going back. You can discuss your specific job duties and schedule. And, you can touch base about any changes or updates that may have taken place while you were gone. This could save you time and stress on your first day back.

    *  Discuss breastfeeding in advance. Moms who plan to pump breastmilk at work should ask their supervisor or human resources department about this before going back. Come up with a pumping schedule that works for you and your employer. Discuss where you can pump. You’ll need a clean and private area with access to a sink.

    Going back to work can be less stressful with some planning and open discussion with your employer. Don’t wait until you go back to deal with these questions and details.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine