Work/Life Balance
True confessions. I’ve been working here at SAS for 15+ years and I have never used the Recreation and Fitness Center. That’s not quite true. I frequently go there to get a diet lemonade or a cup of coffee if our machine is not working. I have picked up some discount movie
As the holidays approach, one of the highlights (for most of us) is time spent visiting with family. For me, this is one of two times a year when my entire family comes together - and, it has become customary for my two brothers and me to spend a bulk
Winter holiday traditions and family rituals are the stuff of rich memories for many grown kids like myself. As a parent educator, I also know that traditions can benefit all members of the household: The repetitive nature of traditions contributes to a sense of comfort and belonging. Traditions can help
“Omg, Mom, people are going to think you actually look like that!” My 16 y/o recently got a Facebook account (apparently passé for teens in US but not in Europe and as her circle expands…). So, now she has a front row seat to my (apparently embarrassing) selfies. It’s
Meetings, emails, budgets, phone calls, more emails, a meeting that could be an email, an email that should be a meeting – sound familiar? This is a typical work week for most of us. It is easy to get caught up in the next thing on the calendar and lose
Everyone all sugared up? I remember the annual scene of Halloween night as my sister and I shed our costumes, poured our loot onto the living room floor and began the negotiations. Fortunately, I was partial to the chewy fruity candies and and she was partial to chocolate. The only chocolate bar I was
When someone is sick or in the hospital, it may not be long before the casserole patrol comes a knockin'. "Casserole patrol" is the term a witty colleague of mine used to describe the friends and neighbors who bring food when someone is sick. I've been there before, standing at a doorstep with a pot of chili
I was with my two grown sons and their spouses this past month for a family wedding. I have to say that they have turned out well. They seem to have great relationships with their spouses and children; they are working productively in their fields of interest; they care about
Did you know that socks are one of the most needed but least donated items at homeless shelters? Or that 4,000 people will experience homelessness each year in Wake County alone? To bring awareness to this need and to encourage YOU to make a difference by donating socks to your local
I recently celebrated my one year anniversary at SAS. I don’t use the word celebrated passively; there was delicious food, time for reflection, and of course selfies. I'm still in awe of this work environment and my awesome team. So what have I learned in this past year? Mayonnaise mixed
Next week, Work/Life, HCC, and RFC will hold the first ever Sleep Transformation challenge for SAS employees and their adult family members. As part of a series of blogs on sleep by the Work/Life staff, today’s topic is Children and Sleep. Like adults, many children do not get enough
As you may know, Work/Life is partnering with RFC and HCC to launch a Sleep Transformation next month, so I thought I would focus this month’s blog on the importance of sleep for older adults with dementia. We are all aware of the importance of a good night’s sleep,
In her book Big Magic, Elizabeth Gilbert paraphrases a famous quote by Richard Bach when she writes, "Argue for your limitations and you get to keep them". That saying is now on a sticky note at my desk and a reminder to reflect on the excuses I make for myself.
Sleep has never been my forté. Even as I child, I dreamt of a world where the sun would never set and I could play ad infinitum. When Dr. Gupta opened her "Importance of Sleep" seminar in May with an observation that many people disdain sleep and equate it with
You've seen the terms #squadgoals or #lifegoals - to me, one #worklifebalancegoal is to be able to have time to volunteer outside of work. I could go on about the importance of service and how we are all connected but will have to save that soapbox for a different blog/time. From a happiness
As a hospice social worker I considered it one of my roles to remind patients and families to take moments to slow it down; to look around at the person they were about to lose and the people who were about to experience the loss. I knew it was time
Just before my son's wedding this spring, I was considering what I could share about Michael at the rehearsal dinner. As I sorted through pictures from his childhood, I came across one from 5th grade. Michael played the main character in Leo Tolstoy's Christmas story, "Papa Panov". During the performance, he stayed in
When someone in our life is facing difficult circumstances – whether it be loss, grief, or any number of bad situations - we are often left feeling awkward at best, and useless at worst, in terms of how to respond. We want to offer support, and it is a natural human
Last weekend my boyfriend and I saw a license plate with the letters “E-A-T”. We joked this was a cool license plate, especially as eating food is one of our favorite things to do. I saw two other EAT license plates that weekend and then FIVE more on Monday. It’s funny
Contrary to popular belief, it is okay to: 1.Let yourself feel emotions other than happiness. Happiness is great. I love happiness. But to feel happy 100% of your life is not human. Happiness doesn’t mean denying other feelings like frustration, sadness, disappointment, etc. It takes some confidence and skill to allow yourself to feel
The other day I was listening to a Hidden Brain clip about reference bias. Apparently, a new research study found that students exposed to their very best peers became discouraged about their own abilities and performance — and were more likely to drop out. Just on face value, that rang
The other day the thermometer shot up to 80. I had been pulling from my winter wardrobe when the heat compelled me to put on a pair of pants I hadn’t worn for the past 6 months. Hmmm. They didn't fit as I had expected. :) Reality check. Reality checks are
If you are a Caregiver, there is likely going to be a point at which you feel you aren't doing enough, you aren't doing it well, or a combination of the two. So it's not really a question of "Do you feel Caregiver Guilt?" but "When do you feel Caregiver
This blog is the fourth in a February series from SAS Work/Life. First we had Laurie Watson talk about Finding the Love you Need. Her blog was followed up by an excellent Lunch and Learn Attachment and Dating! Next, Dr. Mona Gupta and colleagues blogged about Dating the Second Time Around. The third blog,
I subscribe to a listserv that sends out articles on communication. I was reading an article recently on how to talk to your spouse about starting a family. As I read through the article I realized these steps apply to communication with your spouse about any emotionally charged issue. I found the steps so
Happy Friday! Here is another guest blog post for our February Relationship Series. This week features Caitlin Kline, LCSW, exploring the decision of whether or not to get married. To Have and to Hold or to Hold Out A therapist’s take on moving a long-term relationship into marriage By Caitlin Kline, MSW,
Where to start: Knowing when a parent needs help, and what kind Many times we will receive a call from someone stating that their loved one needs nursing home placement when, in fact, that may not be the most appropriate level of care. Often individuals are faced with making a
It's a Friday in February...that means it's time for another guest blog! This week's relationship series blog post comes from Gupta Psychiatry; providing insight and encouragement for those preparing to re-enter the dating world. Batter Up! Dating the Second Time Around A Collaborative Piece By: Dr. Mona Gupta, Amy Murray,
Here is the first in a series of guest blog posts you can expect to see every Friday throughout February as part of the Work/Life Relationship Series. Our first guest blogger is Laurie Watson, Director of Awakenings Center for Intimacy and Sexuality. Finding the Love You Need If you’re single
This past Saturday evening, my husband & I took a stroll around downtown Durham and checked out a pizza place in the historic Fire Station #1. As I was chatting with the manager, I learned that they hosted a “Family Meal” every Sunday afternoon with the goal of bringing families
