Administrative Assistant's Update

Administrative Assistant's UPDATE At the 14th Annual Administrative Professionals Conference in Toronto, tech guru Jim Spellos asked admins in the audience what their favourite app is. Their responses: Shazam You see a logo on TV; hover the Shazam app over it and you'll get additional information about the product. The app can also "listen" to music on the radio and tell you what the name of the song is and who the singer is. Team Viewer Lets Android users remotely access their computer. You can help your friends and family members with their computer problems, or transfer files. TimmyMe This is the official app for Tim Horton's coffee shops. It will find the closest 20 Tim Hortons restaurants and supply driving directions to them. Where Z Timmy Similarly, this app will also find the nearest Tim Horton's as well as other coffee shops and banks. Key Ring This app eliminates clutter from your wallet by digitizing your customer loyalty cards and membership cards and making them available to you quickly and easily. Scan the barcode or browse through the app's directory to add the card to the app on your phone. The app also sends you offers and coupons. Health at work Strategies to counter the most common stressors Being overworked can play havoc on your physical and mental stability. We always need to observe our body's messages. For example, we know that if we don't sit properly at our desk, by the end of the day we will have neck or shoulder pain. The body shows us where we fail. If we want to be productive workers, we should learn to listen to our bodies. Here are some common stressors and how to relieve them: Stress creators Too much work, tight deadlines, work-related demands, poor work ethics, sleep deprivation, unhealthy eating habits, lack of exercise, and family issues. Stress relievers Being overworked: Speak to your supervisor; arrange for a backup person or delegate work to a colleague Tight deadlines: Have a realistic project plan and a back-up person. Work-related demands: Have a face-to-face meeting; try to resolve the problem by addressing your concerns with your supervisor and if necessary, involve the HR department. Poor work ethics: Be punctual; re-organize your desk; be methodical; reduce distractions; focus on the job; be a supportive colleague to the team. Sleep deprivation: Try to go to bed early; try to develop a calmer frame of mind; don't get addicted to watching television in the bedroom; make a habit of reading before bedtime. Unhealthy eating habits: In- MINDFULNESS Freeda Villavarayan iQoncept/shutterstock.com Great apps for admins crease your intake of fruits and vegetables; avoid having a heavy meal at night; drink plenty of water. Lack of exercise: Keep moving—take the stairs rather than the elevator; stand while talking on the phone; take 10- or 20-minute breaks from your desk; walk to a colleague's desk rather than using email; stretch at your desk. Family issues: Try to balance your work and family, the two most important things in life; discuss problematic issues with your family members and ask for their support; try to find solutions calmly because explosive emotions can wreak havoc on your peace of mind. In a nutshell, try to find a middle path for any situation. Leaning towards any extreme will cause you stress. Weed out stressful encounters and your body will reward you. When we create harmony in our minds and lives, the body responds positively. As a result, we are healthier and, in turn, we are an asset to the organization. Isn't that wonderful and what we really want after all? Freeda Villavarayan is an administrative professional and a desktop publisher. 7

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