#1 Chandelier earrings can damage earlobes by stretching or even tearing them, leaving them red and unattractive and (in the worst cases) infected and in need of surgery. Avoid problems by limiting heavy, dangly earrings to just 2 or 3 hours at a time and take them off sooner if they hurt.

#2 If you’re the type who likes to carry everything but the kitchen sink with you at all times beware that oversized handbags can hurt your back by causing neck strain (caused when you carry it slung over one shoulder) or your arms in the form of tendinitis (when you carry it at the elbow). Save your back and arms by buying bags with adjustable straps so you can switch how and where you carry them, or go with messenger bag styles that keep the weight close to your body and don’t strain shoulders.

#3 Stilettos are the ultimate trade in terms of sex appeal for comfort as those sky-high heels cause sore feet at best and twisted ankles or plantar fascitis at worst. Keep heels to 2-3 inches whenever possible, choose shoes with rubber soles and supports at the ball of the foot, and (like with dangly earrings) limit the highest heels to just a few hours at a time and take them off sooner if they start to hurt.

The more you weigh, the more you’ll lose One study found that daily weighers dropped twice as much weight as those getting on the scale weekly. (Amazing.)

Cheap is best Skip the fancy body fat measurements — they’re hard to understand, can fluctuate wildly, and can make it easier to lose focus. All you really need is a scale that tells you your weight, rounded to the nearest 1/2 or 1/8 pound.

5 lbs overnight is okay It’s normal for your weight to fluctuate as much as 5 lbs over a 24 hour period based on where you’re at in your monthly cycle or what you ate over the day and hours before. Get the most consistent reading by weighing yourself at the same time every day (i.e. first thing in the morning).

You can lose sizes without losing weight Muscle is denser and weighs more than fat, so if you’re strength training you’re probably replacing fat with muscle, which means you’ll be physically smaller without actually weighing less.

Where you put the scale affects the results Scales need a flat, firm surface to give an accurate reading so most bathroom floors will work just fine. Uneven tile shifts and distributes the weight unpredictably while thick rugs can absorb some of the weight and be off by as much 20 pounds.

(Photo courtesy of nubuck on stock.xchng)

Secret #1: You splurged on an expensive guilty pleasure like a new pair of shoes or a designer handbag.

When it’s okay to keep quiet: If it’s a one-time indulgence and you used your own money.

When you should fess up: If you used joint funds that were meant for something else, if you’re racking up credit cards or other debt, or if you’d be upset to find out he spent a similar amount on something for himself and didn’t tell you.

Secret #2: You’ve been contacting an ex.

When it’s okay to keep quiet: If you’re really just interested in casual friendship and the contact is limited to quick emails or Facebook comments.

When you should fess up: If things feel flirty, if you’ve been talking to him on the phone, or if you’ve scheduled a meet-up or have already gotten together in person. Just think how you would feel if things were reversed and it was your man and one of his exes.

Secret #3: You snooped.

When it’s okay to keep quiet: If it was a minor, spur-of-the-moment slip like reading an email he left open on his computer screen or scrolling through his recent calls list when you accidentally took his phone to work instead of yours.

When you should fess up: If you don’t trust him, or if you have a pathological snooping problem (he’ll be more understanding if he ever catches you in the act).

Secret #4: You really can’t stand his best friend, or his favorite aunt.

When it’s okay to keep quiet: If you don’t like them because they aggravate you or are not “your kind of people” then there’s really no helping it and you’re gonna have to suck it up and tolerate them. After all, it’s rare for a person to like everybody in their significant other’s life.

When you should fess up: If you feel genuinely uncomfortable or unsafe then you should speak to your partner about it, privately.

Secret #5: You slipped on a dirty habit, like smoking.

When it’s okay to keep quiet: If you only slip up every once in awhile, like sneaking a smoke once every few months with friends, and there’s no developing pattern.

When you should fess up: If it’s getting worse, if there’s a pattern forming, or if you’ve fallen off the wagon completely.

(Photo courtesy of YPsilon13 on stock.xchng)

That’s exactly the kind of thinking that could be sabotaging your diet. Research shows that the majority of people eat more on the weekends than they do on weekdays, whether they’re dieting during the week or not. The average person eats 400 calories per day extra on the weekends, and it’s significantly higher for “dieters on break.” All that extra indulging can result in 12 plus pounds per year or more, which means that even if you’re really strict about dieting during the week, you might still end up breaking even, or even gain weight, if you’re over-indulging on the weekends.

So what’s a girl to do if she doesn’t have the willpower of steel? It’s important to let yourself indulge in your favorite foods every now and then (so you don’t burn out on the diet altogether), but instead of giving yourself a total weekend pass, have your favorites in controlled amounts and make a point to find fun ways to boost exercise (like playing sports, taking the dog to the park, or meeting a friend for a jog) to help burn the extra calories.

(Via QualityC on stock.xchng)

If you have big eyes (Zoey Deschanel) then you’ll want to combat roundness by lining only the top lid and curving up the liner slightly at the outer corner to create an almond shape. Stay away from very dark or sparkly shadow as it can make your eyes appear too wide.

If you have small eyes (Taylor Swift) also line only the top lid and avoid dark, severe liner as it can look harsh. Open up the eyes by dotting highlighter on inner and outer corners and right below the browbone. Also curl lashes to help eyes appear bigger.

If you have hooded eyes (Nicole Kidman) you can give the illusion of more lid and less browbone by applying a neutral shadow that’s just barely darker than your skin tone from lashes all the way up the brow. Draw attention with eyeshadow in pretty jewel hues like sapphire or emerald.

If you have deep-set eyes (Penelope Cruz) draw them out with beige or neutral shadows that have a slight shimmer. Avoid dark shadows or eyes will appear to sink even deeper. Also use smudge-proof mascara as lashes may contact the upper lid and browbone.

(Photo courtesy of mercyGurl on stock.xchng)

Shortbread You’re classic, traditional, and all about home and family.

Thin Mints You’re outgoing and smart with a quick sense of humor, which means you’re often the center of attention. But like your favorite cookie your even disposition has a hint of bite.

Do-Si-Dos Mellow and easy-going, you prefer being at home with close friends to being out on the town. You’re diplomatic, mature, and responsible.

Tagalongs You’re easy going and love to laugh, but also have a darker deeper side that likes to ponder deep philosophical questions and issues.

Samoas You are a person of discriminating tastes and appreciate the finer things in life. Thoughtful and creative you might sometimes come off as snobby, but usually your charm wins out.

Lemon Chalet Creams You like to focus on being healthy and happy, and you love nature and the outdoors. You’re a good listener and very sensitive — sometimes to a fault.

Thank You Berry Munch You’re trendy, impulsive, adventurous, and a bit of a maverick with unpredictable tastes and interests. You’re always looking for the ‘next big thing’ and bore easily.

(Photo courtesy of ✿Yuki✿)

The First Date. This is where it all starts and, for the majority of new relationships, also where it all ends.

The Second Date. A crucial milestone because it confirms that both people are interested.

The First Kiss. A big test of chemistry, a good first kiss can give the relationship a serious kick start while a bad one can kill it before it even gets going.

Defining the Relationship. When you realize that you aren’t interested in seeing other people, one of you initiates “the talk,” and you both mutually agree to become exclusive.

Going Away Together. Travel is stressful, plus suddenly being around the other person 24/7 tends to throw “best behavior” out the window. Vacations, road trips, and weekend getaways have killed many a promising relationship.

The First “I Love You.” Some people throw these around like candy, but for most of us it’s a really big deal.

The One-Year Anniversary. Dating someone for a year means you’ve been through all kinds of tests together, plus there’s a mental shift that takes place when you start to go through annual events (like birthdays and holidays) with the same person for the second time.

Future Talks. Using “we” instead of “I” and talking about weddings, houses, baby names, and settling down together is significant (when both people are doing it).

Meet the Parents. Perhaps one of the most infamous signals of a long-term relationship, meeting the parents and family represents being let in to a very intimate circle.

The Proposal/Marriage. The final step, which happens once you’re both sure you’ve found the one person you want to spend the rest of your life with — and hopefully you’re right!

(Photo courtesy of Mart1n on stock.xchng)

Pull over in a safe area, not somewhere unsafe like a very narrow shoulder next to high-speed traffic. The officer doesn’t have to stop wherever you do, you might just prompt him to get on his loudspeaker and tell you to move to another area.

Pull over right away (as soon as it’s safe) because if it looks like you’re passing up opportunity after opportunity to safely pull over the officer might get suspicious that you’re stalling for time or trying to stash something.

Keep your engine running unless instructed otherwise by the police officer because you never know when it might decide not to start up again. Cops hate waiting around while the upset person they just ticketed tries to call for a ride or a tow truck.

Keep your hands on the wheel where the officer can see them as he approaches the car. Police officers are trained to watch a person’s hands (in case they’re reaching for a weapon or something) and if they can’t see what yours are doing they’ll immediately become more wary and apprehensive.

Stay in the car. The police officer doesn’t know you, and he doesn’t know what you’re intentions are or if you’re dangerous. So always stay in the car, where you’re more predictable and less of a physical threat, unless instructed to do otherwise.

Be civil. Police officers are just doing their jobs, and most of the time if you’re respectful to them they’ll be respectful to you. But remember that even if you think an officer is being mean or rude, becoming loud and belligerent yourself isn’t going to do anything but make things worse.

(Photo courtesy of bizior on stock.xchng)

A childhood friend because they know you from way back, which means they have stories and memories of you that no one else does and can help keep you grounded to your true self.

A new friend because they have no pre-conceived notions of who you are and what you’re about.

A workout buddy because it’s nice (and necessary) to have some help with motivation and to not always have to exercise alone.

A spiritual friend because studies show that people who are regularly involved in a religious or spiritual community live longer, happier lives.

A younger friend because we all have an innate need to feel helpful and to nurture others.

Your partner’s friends because although it’s healthy to maintain your own identities, the more you and your significant other share friends the happier your relationship will be.

Your mom because no matter how much the two of you clash, there’s no other woman that knows you or loves you like she does.

Yourself because loving and respecting yourself is the foundation for everything else.

(Photo courtesy of BeverlyLR on stock.xchng)

Surprised? I’m not really, clearly the stereotypes are out of date. Of course women today still want families, but we also want to have fun and go to college and build careers. We’re not in any rush to have kids because, for a woman, having a baby too soon means some of that stuff doesn’t happen. Men, on the other hand, can make a baby and still do whatever they want. For a guy, “doing the right thing” doesn’t necessarily mean marriage like it used to, plus of course they’re not the ones who have to be pregnant for 9 months, or even live with the baby after it’s born (depending on circumstances). I think for modern men getting a girl pregnant doesn’t come with the same repercussions it used to and it could even be a little like getting a new toy.

What do you think?

(Photo courtesy of simmbarb on stock.xchng)

1. They like the occasional compliment, despite what society says.
2. When they’re too honest it means they care. A guy who cares will tell it how it is (even if it’s awkward or tactless) versus dishing out a bunch of BS. Which do you really want?
3. Reliability is under-appreciated because all us girls go for the bad boys.
4. Spending time with guys doesn’t mean they love us any less. It just means they need to recharge and get back to their ‘manly’ roots.
5. They love that we’re different than them (feminine).
6. They like it when we take charge in the bedroom because they want us to be happy but have no idea what they’re doing.
7. They do, actually, think about their own fulfillment first (life, career, etc) and they think we’re sexiest when we’re doing the same.
8. They like measurable goals, which is why relationships and emotions are so scary.
9. They are trying, even if we don’t always notice (or if we only notice the failures).
10. Fathers are  just as important as mothers.

So there you have it, feel enlightened? Read more from the man’s perspective here.

(Photo courtesy of catalin82 on stock.xchng)

Energize with color

Bright colors like red, orange and yellow can stimulate adrenaline and give your system a rush of energy. Put a splash of color somewhere where you’ll see it right when you wake, like on your pillow, bathrobe, or bathroom wall.

See (and smell) the roses

A study out of Harvard found that women who woke up to see a flower bouquet reported increased energy and a better mood for the entire day. Now you have a no-guilt excuse to indulge in one of those cheap (but pretty!) supermarket bouquets every so often.

Stop hitting the snooze

Your brain knows the alarm is going off again so it doesn’t go back into any real stages of sleep. The result? You’re more tired than you would have been if you’d just gotten up right away.

Hydrate!

Our bodies are mostly water and every single body process requires water to work — stay hydrated and you’ll stay energized and happy.

Let the sunshine in

Take the extra time to open a window or step outside while getting ready for work and let the sunshine in — you’ll feel more energized and get a mood boost versus rushing around in the dark only to head off to a windowless office.

(Photo courtesy of adripoveda on stock.xchng)

]]> http://www.twirlit.com/2010/03/09/not-a-morning-person-how-to-wake-up-happier/feed/ 0 http://cache.static.tsavo.com/wordpress/uploads/2010/03/morning-person-sm.jpg http://www.twirlit.com/2010/03/09/10-reasons-to-get-a-stainless-steel-water-bottle/ http://www.twirlit.com/2010/03/09/10-reasons-to-get-a-stainless-steel-water-bottle/#comments Tue, 09 Mar 2010 22:00:25 +0000 Rigel Celeste http://www.twirlit.com/?p=39565 Looking for an excuse to drop some cash on a cute new reusable water bottle? There are a lot of plastic options out there but stainless steel is the way to go and here are 10 good reasons why.

• Less bacteria. Stainless steel is naturally more bacteria-resistant than plastic or other materials.
• Better insulated. Stainless steel bottles are some of the best insulated options out there — meaning your ice water will stay icy.
• Long lasting. Stainless steel is tough, and when dropped or crushed it might dent a little but it won’t crack.
• Better flavor. Plastic and aluminum bottles can leave water with a weird aftertaste, but stainless steel leaves water tasting clean and fresh.
• You control the water. It’s confusing these days trying to figure out which water is safe to buy and which comes from sketchy or contaminated sources. With a reusable bottle you control what you fill it with.
• Less chemicals. Plastic bottles are known to leech chemicals into the water, plus they might absorb the colors and flavors of the liquids you fill them with.
• Functionality. These days you can find a stainless steel style to fit your lifestyle, whether it’s for sports or travel or just a busy day running errands.
• Good for the environment. Keep plastic bottles out of the landfill by investing in a cute stainless steel one instead: it’s recyclable and lasts longer than plastic.
• Great style statement. Stainless steel bottles come in every color, shape, and pattern imaginable so you can express yourself however you want.
• Saves money. Switching to any reusable bottle will save you money over buying disposable bottles every day, but investing in stainless steel is even better because of the durability and long life.

You can’t make simple decisions. When you’re tired your brain is less able to tell the difference between important information and the stuff that doesn’t matter. Planning a lunch meeting (where to eat? who to invite?) suddenly becomes a source of stress.

You just can’t stop eating. Sleep deprivation disrupts blood sugar levels and triggers the production of extra ghrelin, a hormone that induces hunger. Plus tired people tend to prefer comfort foods over healthier choices, which doesn’t help.

You’ve almost always got a cold. Sleep boosts your immune system, and so not getting enough can cause the opposite effect and leave you feeling run down and susceptible to every little bug that comes your way.

You’re really emotional. If you find yourself tearing up over commercials or flying off the handle for no good reason it could mean your brain isn’t able to temper your emotions the way it normally would because you’re too tired.

You’ve become a klutz. Studies have shown that sleepy people have less precise motor skills and slower reflexes, all of which add up to spilled coffee and tripping on the curb (or in my case it’s usually tripping over nothing but flat carpet).

(Photo courtesy of tizwas01 on stock.xchng)

It’s that relationship between STDs and alcohol that Derek Bower chose to focus on when he created his latest safe sex campaign, geared toward young people in the UK. He came up with a disturbing, hilarious, and slightly-nauseating combination of alcohol labels and common STDs like chlamydia, herpes, and HIV/AIDS that are being displayed on billboards throughout the UK along with startling statistics about risky behavior, unprotected sex and disease transmission.

Ugh, I hate it and I love it. I hate that I now have the words “pubic lice” burned into my mind (YUCK!) but I love the fact that it’s so effective — I’m not sure I’ll ever look at a Jack Daniels bottle the same way again.

What do you think, necessary and effective or over-the-top sensationalism?

Photo via Source

Don’t hijack other people’s conversations and make it all about you. It’s always nice to contribute but avoid upstaging with statements like “you think that’s funny, I have something even funnier…” or the obvious “I can do you one better…”

Inappropriate eye contact This can go both ways: too much or too little. Not looking at someone enough while you’re talking to them can cause you to come off as aloof and uninterested (i.e. texting or rifling through your purse while talking) or shy (looking at your hands or at the floor), while looking at them too much or too intensely can make them uncomfortable.

Too much self-promotion It doesn’t take much to hit ‘too much.’ Pumping yourself up the whole time only has the opposite effect of making you come off as insecure and like you’re trying too hard.

Talking more or less than your share Conversations are, by definition, a two-way street at minimum. Don’t throw off the balance by either talking too much and drowning the other person out, or by talking too little and letting the conversation hang on ‘dead end answers’ like just yes or no.

Ghost listening We’ve all done it at some point: you’ve asked someone to repeat themselves several times and finally just fake it and pretend you understood even though you have no idea what they said. This is obviously a dangerous strategy and can leave the other person feeling even worse than if you’d just fessed up and asked them to repeat themselves one more time.

(Photo courtesy of telefon897 on stock.xchng)

If you went from long hair to short hair then focus on your skin, as short hair brings a lot more of the focus to your face and your complexion. Moisturize, exfoliate routinely, and use a nice, creamy foundation with concealer to cover blemishes and dark circles.

If you added face-framing layers avoid using too much blush as your cheekbones will naturally seem more prominent. Instead add balance by playing up your eyes and glossing up lips.

If you now have bangs then the fringe will make your eyes more noticeable. Play them up by sweeping lids with a light, neutral shade (like bone) and lining both tops and bottoms with a dark liner. Then finish up with two coats of mascara.

(Photo courtesy of binababy12 on stock.xchng)

According to researchers at John Hopkins, yes. Yes it can.

There’s even a name for it: Broken Heart Syndrome (BHS). And it occurs when sudden and unexpected emotional stress triggers the body to release a slew of chemicals into the blood stream (catecholamines, their breakdown products, and small waste proteins from the nervous system) that can potentially shock the heart and cause it to stop working normally. So your heart really can break in a very real and physical way, simply as the result of emotional angst.

Doctors estimate that as many as 1-2% of all people who suffer heart attacks are really experiencing Broken Heart Syndrome, and unfortunately most of those cases are women. Symptoms of BHS are similar to those of a traditional heart attack: chest pain, radiating arm pain, and shortness of breath. Heart attacks can also present themselves in a variety of other ways with vague or seemingly unrelated symptoms, especially in women. If in doubt get it checked out — immediately!

The good news is that with prompt and appropriate medical attention BHS is treatable and usually leaves no lasting damage. Unfortunately, that bad breakup is another matter.

(Photo courtesy of kiomi on stock.xchng)

Back Pain. According to the back-journal Spine, chronic back pain patients who practiced yoga just twice a week for six weeks—under the guidance and supervision of their doctor, of course—reported not only less pain overall, but less depression too.

Asthma. The American College of Sports Medicine did a study and found that asthma patients reported fewer symptoms after doing two-and-a-half hours of yoga per week for 10 weeks straight.

Pre-Diabetes. Research concludes that patients with metabolic syndrome—also known as pre-diabetes—who practiced yoga for three, consecutive months had lower blood pressure, BMI, LDL cholesterol and insulin levels afterward.

Emotional Eating. Binge eaters reduced episodes by more than half after attending yoga therapy for 10 consecutive weeks, per the University of the Rockies.

I’ve always liked yoga, but have had a hard time keeping a consistent routine, although it really does seem to be a miracle exercise if there ever was one. The nice thing about yoga is that it requires little to no equipment and can be done almost anywhere—at home, at a gym class, anywhere—plus modified workouts, like this 20 minute yoga routine with weights, are now easily available for those of us really looking to save some much-needed time.

Red Nose. Dab Vaseline on the red and raw areas, followed by dabs of a thick creamy stick foundation. Use a clean finger and dab until the redness is gone.

Dry, Peeling Lips. Minimize flakes and peels by gently rubbing your lips with a warm, damp washcloth. Moisturize with a layer of Vaseline and add or even out color with a berry-colored lip stain.

Dry, Uneven Skin. Use a tinted moisturizer instead of heavy foundation or powder. It moisturizes, adds warm color, and disguises minor blotches and discolorations without accentuating dry areas.

Pale Cheeks. Give a rosy, dewy glow with a sweep of cream blush. Avoid powder blushes as they can make dry skin appear even drier.

Watery, Puffy Eyes. Open up your eyes and help disguise puffy lids by curling lashes with a lash curler and applying plenty of clear mascara. Avoid liner, eyeshadow and colored mascara or risk it running down your face and giving you raccoon eyes by midday.

(Photo courtesy of juliaf on stock.xchng)

• Weird, unpleasant dreams. Dreams are affected twofold by stress. First, dreams usually get more positive as the night goes on, as your brain works to have you wake up happier than you were when you went to sleep. When stressed though, people sleep lighter and wake up more often, which disrupts the process and allows the negative dreams to hang around all night. And second, the brain uses sleep as time to work out problems and find solutions to stresses and fears you experience during the day, so if you have a lot of problems expect a lot of dreams.
• An achy, sore mouth or jaw can be a sign of teeth grinding, which some people do in their sleep when they’re experiencing a lot of tension. Ask your dentist if you suspect you might be grinding your teeth, a mouth guard might be prescribed.
• Headaches on the weekend. When stress levels suddenly drop or a stressor suddenly disappears, it often triggers a headache (I used to get them all the time after big exams in school) or even a migraine. Try sticking as close as possible to your weekend wake-sleep cycle and eating habits to limit the effects.
• Severe period cramps. A study out of Harvard found that women under high levels of stress are 50% more likely to have severe menstrual cramps than those who are relaxed and report low stress levels.

(Photo courtesy of vasiliki on stock.xchng)

Want softer hair? The secret isn’t in nasty mayonnaise treatments or beer rinses, but in a product you already use in the shower every day: conditioner. Yes, that same conditioner that’s sitting half-empty in its usual place on your shower shelf could be the missing link you’ve been looking for in your quest for softer and more lustrous locks.

Prevention says the trick is all in when you use conditioner, the key being to use it as close to the end of your shower as possible. Rinsing it out for more than 60 seconds washes all the hydrating benefits right down the drain, leaving your hair stripped of moisture and potentially drier than ever. The solution: apply conditioner near the end of your shower, let it soak in for a few minutes, and then rinse it out right before you turn the water off and get out. For an extra shine boost give it a blast of cool (cold if you can stand it) water right at the end to seal the cuticles on the hair shafts.

Other things you can do to ensure your hair is as healthy and as soft as possible are eat a healthy diet, avoid brushing hair when it’s wet, limit how often you use damaging heat styling products, and have your hair trimmed regularly (every 4-6 weeks) to keep split-ends at bay.

(Photo courtesy of bewinca on stock.xchng)

VANOC has focused on reducing carbon emissions at the source in several key ways:

• Venues in Vancouver and Whistler were specifically designed as compact clusters to reduce energy use and the need for transportation.
• Excess heat put off by the ice refrigeration system at the Whistler Sliding Center is being used to heat other buildings in the area.
• The Richmond Olympic Oval has a roof that collects rainwater, some of which helps flush toilets in the building and some of which irrigates nearby trees.
• Instead of using generators to provide all the extra power needed, VANOC made arrangements for clean, hydro-electric power instead.
• All unavoidable direct emissions (i.e. those caused by transportation and construction of new buildings) are being offset via the carbon management company Offsetters.

The efforts of  Canada and the Vancouver Olympic Committee to make this year’s Winter Games eco-friendly not only make this the greenest Olympics to date but also marks the first time that an Olympic Games has made an effort to offset carbon emissions all the way from beginning to end.

(Photo courtesy of Vancouver2010.com)

Viggo Mortensen and Liv Tyler

in The Lord of the Rings trilogy

Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst

in Spider-Man I, II, and III

Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet

in Titanic and Revolutionary Road

Shia Lebeouf and Megan Fox

in Transformers I and II

Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart

in the Twilight saga

Of course this list was based on Forbes’ calculations of movie revenues, so some good ones might have been left out. Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman are a favorite of mine back in the day, from both Days of Thunder and Far and Away. What’s your favorite on-screen movie couple?

]]> http://www.twirlit.com/2010/02/22/the-on-screen-couples-we-pay-the-most-to-see/feed/ 0 http://cache.static.tsavo.com/wordpress/uploads/2010/02/rpatz-kik-sm.jpg http://www.twirlit.com/2010/02/19/4-ways-to-be-happier-at-work/ http://www.twirlit.com/2010/02/19/4-ways-to-be-happier-at-work/#comments Sat, 20 Feb 2010 00:00:32 +0000 Rigel Celeste http://www.twirlit.com/?p=37839 Hate your job but afraid or unable to quit because of the current economy? Here are four ways to boost your happy factor.

Make friends Friends can make even the dullest or most frustrating moments more bearable, so if you don’t already have friends at work get busy making some.

Learn something new Often people are unhappy at work when they feel stagnant or stuck, like they’re not growing or learning anything new. Make the effort and spend some time learning more about the business you work in or the business you’d like to work in eventually. That way even if you’re unhappy now you’ll be doing something to help make the future brighter.

Become more efficient Frustration can sneak up on you when you’re constantly feeling bogged down by tasks that feel like they’re taking longer than they should. Develop a new system, team up with a coworker (where #1 comes in handy), or simply upgrade the tools you use (new software, etc).

Organize your environment Whether it’s overhauling a filing cabinet or buying yourself a planner, knowing where things are and having peace of mind that you’re not forgetting anything will lift stress and mental fatigue and make more room for happy moments.

(Photo courtesy of djayo/stock.xchng)