Employees Encouraged to Participate in Drug-Free Work Week

October 20-26, 2008 is National Drug-Free Work Week, and all members of the LifePlan EAP are encouraged to participate. The purpose of Drug-Free Work Week is to highlight that being drug free is key to workplace safety and health and to encourage workers with alcohol and drug problems to seek help.

Drug-Free Work Week is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor in coordination with members of its Drug-Free Workplace Alliance. This cooperative program, which represents both employer/contractor associations and labor unions, aims to improve safety and health through drug-free workplace programs. It focuses on the construction industry because research indicates that it has higher than average rates of worker alcohol and drug abuse—a serious concern given that it also tops the list of industries with the highest rates of workplace accidents and injuries. But because drug-free workplace programs benefit all workplaces, employers and employees in all industries, not just construction, are encouraged to take part in Drug-Free Work Week.

For specific ideas about how members can support Drug-Free Work Week, visit the Working Partners for an Alcohol- and Drug-Free Workplace Web site at www.dol.gov/workingpartners and click on “Drug-Free Work Week.” Suggestions range from simple to comprehensive, but all help promote safer, healthier workplaces and are wise business practices that can be implemented at any time of the year.

Adapting to Stress (Part 3)

Steven D. Hickman, Psy.D. discusses the field of behavioral medicine, specifically assessing and treating patients with chronic pain and illness. Dr. Hickman utilizes Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) a particular way of paying attention: with mindful intention, in the moment, without judgment. Although MBSR embraces the acceptance of things as they are without striving, research has shown that, with regular practice, it has the potential to lower stress, anxiety, and depression. It can promote relaxation, improve concentration, raise self-awareness, and enhance the immune system.

What Can You Do to Cope? (Part 2)

Relaxation Reminders:

* Choose a specific day and time to practice a personal “relaxation break.” Try one of the following exercises below for 1, 3 or 5 minutes.

Deep Breathing:

* Breathe in (expand your stomach)…breathe out (deflate your stomach). Repeat slowly at least five times.

Pleasant Word:

* Inhale deeply through your nose, and as you exhale say a chosen word to yourself (word choices: peace, serene, rainbow, calm, relax). Repeat 3 – 5 times.

Tackle Tension:

* With each breath, focus on tightening and relaxing our feet, legs, abdominal, chest, back shoulders, arms, hands, neck jaw and forehead. Repeat from head to toe.

Mind Over Matter:

* Remember a favorite event and experience the sights, sounds, smells, tastes and touch of the location.

What’s Your Coping Quotient? (Part 1)

For many of us, regular daily stressors can produce a deleterious effect on our health. Take this test to get a look at your "coping quotient" in order to determine if a stress reduction program may be right for you:

___ Give yourself 10 points if your roommate or family environment is a supportive place for you to live.

___ Give yourself 5 points for each 30-Minute workout you complete in an average week.

___ Give yourself 15 points if you are within 5 pounds of your ideal weight, considering your height and frame.

___ Give yourself 15 points if you engage in some form of deep relaxation at least 3 times a week.

___ Give yourself 5 points for each nutritionally balanced meal you eat each day.

___ Subtract 5 points for each extra day if you have a drink more than 3 days a week.

___ Subtract 5 points if you watch more than 10 hours of TV a week.

___ Give yourself 5 points if you do something you really enjoy that is “just for you” during the course of an average week.

___ Give yourself 10 points if you have a place in your home where you can go in order to relax and/or be by yourself.

___ Give yourself 10 points if you practice time management techniques in your daily life.

___ Subtract 10 points if you smoke a pack or less a day. Subtract 10 more points for each additional pack you smoke per day.

___ Subtract 5 points for each day last week that you drank 2 cups of more of regular coffee, more than 1 cup of cappuccino—type drink or one can of pop with caffeine.

___ Subtract 5 points for each evening of an average week that you bring home work that was meant to be done at your place of employment.

___ Subtract 10 points for each evening of an average week that you take any form of medication or chemical substance to help you sleep or to calm yourself down.

____ Total

Add up your scores.

0 – 49 Get help. You need to develop healthier ways of coping with your stress.
50 – 60 You have adequate coping skills for the most common sources of stress.
61 – 115 You have great coping skills. Keep it up.