| When Teamwork Isn't Working: Fixes for the Teams You Depend Upon |
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(September 2015). When a team tackles any project, there can be hidden hazards and predictable pitfalls. Yet complex problems are best solved by teams, as researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign found. They compared teams of three, four, or five people, to people who tackle the same ...
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| Hurricane Preparedness Part II |
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Tampa, Fla. (July, 2015). Learn the terms associated with a hurricane. A hurricane watch means a hurricane is possible in your area. Be prepared to evacuate. Monitor local radio and television news outlets or listen to NOAA Weather Radio for the latest developments. A hurricane warning is when a hurricane is ...
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| Are You Ready for a Hurricane Part I |
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Tampa, Fla. (June, 2015). Hurricanes are severe tropical storms that form in the southern Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico and in the eastern Pacific Ocean. Scientists can now predict hurricanes so that those who live in coastal and other communities should plan what they will do if they are told to ...
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| Understanding Bi-polar Disorder |
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Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, and the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks. Symptoms of bipolar disorder are severe. They are different from the normal ups and downs that everyone goes through from time to time. Bipolar disorder ...
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| When Worry Gets Out of Control: Generalized Anxiety Disorder |
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Tampa, Florida (March, 2015). The National Institute of Mental Health provided this article in brochure format and since it is within the public domain may be reproduced without formal permission ...
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| Recognizing Verbal Abuse |
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Tampa, Florida (March, 2015). When one reads about or thinks about domestic violence, one usually imagines some type of physical altercation. And, haven't we all heard at one time or another that "sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me"? In fact, however, verbal and/or emotional abuse can be just as ...
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| Happy Valentine's Day |
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Tampa, Florida (February, 2015). Valentine's Day is coming and with it is the inundation of all types of media ads proposing the various ways to celebrate this special day. Much emphasis is placed on the type of gifts one should get for those they love. Flowers? Perfume? Candy? Dinner? A movie? A new shirt? For a period of time ...
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| When You Feel Like You Don't Matter |
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(Tampa, Florida January, 2015). Did you experience or do you remember someone else in grade school not being part of the "in group?" Or, were you a part of a particular group for a while and then suddenly found yourself on the outside? In high school were you the smart kid and were made fun of because you received good grades ...
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| MAINTAINING YOUR BALANCE |
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Tampa, Fla. (December 1, 2014). As the holiday season gets into full swing, most working (and non-working) adults find themselves caught up in a whirlwind of personal, family and professional obligations. Whether it is getting the home cleaned, taking the kids to school events, buying gifts or performing a host of other ...
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| HOLIDAY CHEER OR HOLIDAY BLUES? |
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Tampa, Fla. (November 1, 2014). The coming of a variety of holiday celebrations, both religious and secular, is once again on the horizon and approaching faster than many people would like to imagine. While the holidays are festive and the highlight of the year for many, for others it may be a time filled with frustration ...
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| ANNIVERSARY GRIEF – SEPTEMBER 11 |
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Tampa, Fla. (September 1, 2014). Anniversaries of tragedies such as September11, 2001 can be difficult for many people and may invoke some strong feelings. Each person has a different memory of and feelings toward a tragic event and as a result will respond differently. Some individuals will isolate and will not want to ...
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| Stress Management Tips |
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(August, 2014). The American Psychological Association on their website has published the following in order to offer tips on how to manage your stress. In today's fast-paced and ever-connected world, stress has become a fact of life. Stress ...
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| Are You Ready for a Hurricane? Part II |
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Tampa, Florida (July, 2014). Learn the terms associated with a hurricane. A hurricane watch means a hurricane is possible in your area. Be prepared to evacuate. Monitor local radio and television news outlets or listen to NOAA Weather Radio for the latest developments. A hurricane warning is when a hurricane is ...
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| Are You a "Negaholic"? |
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Tampa, Fla. (May 1, 2014). Have you ever heard the word "negaholic" before? Well, it is a term that is used to describe a person that is basically a pessimist with the added factor of a thinking pattern that contributes to one looking at the negative side of any experience. A "negaholic" is a person whose vocabulary is sprinkled with words like ...
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| Walking on Eggshells |
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Tampa, Fla. (April, 2014). While physical abuse is easily identified because of the external evidence, verbal abuse is difficult to identify. Why besides the fact that there are no external bruises? Because the victim feels confused, often wonders if they are the one who is "crazy," feels like they are walking on eggshells all ...
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| Stop Playing the "Blame Game" |
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Tampa, Fla. (March 2014). Have you ever been blamed by someone for something you didn’t say or do? How did it feel? Or, have you ever caught yourself blaming someone else for something and based that "blame" on insufficient evidence? When we blame another, what we are trying to do is say that what happened is not our ...
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| Building Positive Self Esteem |
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Tampa, FL. (February 2014). Do you like yourself? I mean, do you genuinely like yourself? Are you comfortable and content with your life? Or, do you find yourself being critical, negative, pessimistic, argumentative, demeaning or non-accepting of yourself? When you succeed at something, are you able to graciously acknowledge that ...
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| Can You Learn to Be Optimistic? |
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Tampa, Fla. (January 2014). Have you ever felt as if pretty much everything in your life wasn't going very good? Have you experienced getting up in the morning with a groan and going to be at night with a sigh thinking that life that day was just plain difficult? Do you believe that there are really two ways of looking at life? We call ...
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| Presents or Presence? |
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Tampa, Fla. (December 1, 2013). The coming of a variety of holiday celebrations, both religious and secular, is once again on the horizon and approaching faster and earlier than many people would like to imagine. While the holidays are festive and the highlight of the year for many, for others it may be a time filled with frustration ...
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| Holidays and a Mix of Emotions |
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Tampa, Fla. (November 1, 2013). It’s that time of year when one holiday after another is on the schedule. Parties, special food, travel, seeing folks and family members that we haven’t seen for a while, shopping, decorating etc. are all part of our collective experience ...
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| What You Need to Know Regarding Depressiom |
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Tampa, Fla. (October, 2013). Everyone from time to time experiences temporary feelings of sadness, frustration, irritability, stress, and fatigue as part of the normal ups and downs of daily life. When five or more of the following symptoms are present most of the time ...
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| We’re Halfway Through |
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Tampa, Florida (September, 2013). Hurricane season is at about it’s midpoint since the season ends November 30, 2013. Most Floridians and residents of other states typically keep a close eye on weather reports regarding tropical depressions, ...
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| Can You Learn to Be Optimistic? |
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Tampa, Fla. (August, 2013). Have you ever felt as if pretty much everything in your life wasn’t going very good? Have you experienced getting up in the morning with a groan and going to be at night with a sigh thinking that life that day was just ...
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| Sticks and Stones |
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Tampa, Florida (July, 2013). When one reads about or thinks about domestic violence, one usually imagines some type of physical altercation. And, haven’t we all heard at one time or another that “sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will ...
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| Facts About Domestic Violence |
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Tampa, Florida (June, 2013). The American Psychological Association has an online brochure titled “Intimate Partner Violence: Facts and Resources” that presents significant information regarding the occurrence of domestic violence and provides a number of resources. According to this ...
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| Assistance for Victims of Domestic Violence |
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Tampa, Florida (May, 2013). A recent article in the March 19, 2013 edition of USA Today by Matthew Daneman titled, “More States Offer Job Protections for Abuse Victims” addressed the steps that a growing number of states have taken to require employers to provide job protections for work ...
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| What is Social Phobia? |
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Tampa, Florida (April, 2013). The National Institute of Mental Health provides information based on a variety of topics which are available to the public free of charge and which may be also be duplicated and distributed. This article summarizes their information regarding social phobia ...
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| Is It a Matter of Luck? Compulsive Gambling |
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Tampa, Florida (March, 2013). The month of March brings about a day well known to Americans: St. Patrick’s Day. There are parades and celebrations and restaurants serving Irish food. And there is a phrase with which we are all familiar: “the luck of the Irish.” Outside of that particular day, there are many individuals who believe in the concept ...
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| Relationships - Healthy Or Not? |
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Tampa, Fla. (February, 2013). “Life is difficult” - thus begins the book, The Road Less Traveled, by M. Scott Peck. It sometimes seems from the moment we get up until we go to bed, very little about life is simple. Yet, we are surrounded by all kinds of supportive resources. Ask any specialist in the field of stress management and they will tell you ...
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| Resolution Revolution |
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Tampa, Fla. (January, 2013). Many of us have or will soon be facing the age old question: “What will I resolve to change as the New Year begins?” A recent study indicated that 25% of New Year resolutions disappear after one week! So if we are really honest with ourselves, we have to face two questions: first, why would we even be thinking about making a ...
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| Keep Life In Perspective |
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Tampa, Fla. (December 1, 2012) As the holiday season gets into full swing, most working (and non-working) adults find themselves caught up in a whirlwind of personal, family and professional obligations. Whether it is getting the home cleaned, taking the kids to school events, buying gifts or performing a host of other activities, it is clear that many wind ...
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| Getting Through or Celebrating? |
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Tampa, Fla. (November 1, 2012). It's that time of year when there is one holiday after another on our schedules. We are invited to or are the host of parties, celebrate with all kinds of special food, find ourselves driving or flying to see folks and family members that we haven't seen for a while, shop, decorate etc. Sound familiar? These are examples of ...
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| Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: When Unwanted Thoughts Take Over * |
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Tampa, Florida (October, 2012). Do you feel the need to check and re check things over and over? Do you have the same thoughts constantly? Do you feel a very strong need to perform certain rituals repeatedly and feel like you have no control over what you are doing? If so, you may have a type of anxiety disorder called obsessive compulsive disorder ...
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| 255,168 |
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Tampa, Florida (September, 2012). Think about some of the life struggles you have faced over the years starting with your earliest memories. Once it was a simple decision as to whether you wanted Cheerios or Fruit Loops, French toast or pancakes, chocolate milk or juice for breakfast. Later it was a decision as to what sport you really, really liked or what language ...
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| It Began as an Ordinary Day |
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Tampa, Florida (August, 2012). There are dates when society at large can remember exactly where they were and what they were doing: the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, the sudden death of Princess Diana, September 11, 2001, the Columbine or Virginia Tech shootings and now July 20, 2012. Most people awoke to hear of the tragic murders of twelve innocent ...
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| If It Is Happening To You: Recognizing Verbal Abuse |
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Tampa, Florida. (July, 2012). What thoughts come to mind when you hear the term domestic violence? How often have you heard about domestic violence on the news or in other TV shows or read about it in newspapers, magazines or journals? Usually when one reads about or thinks about domestic violence, one usually imagines some type of physical ...
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| In the Midst of Winter |
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Tampa, Fla. (May , 2012). The famous philosopher, Albert Camus, wrote in The Stranger: "In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer. And that makes me happy. For it says that no matter how hard the world pushes against me, within me, there's something stronger – something better, pushing right back." So often life "hits" us with ...
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| You Are Your Most Valuable Asset |
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Tampa (March, 2012). According to Julio C. Muniz, a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and a Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU), if you are young and healthy, you might think your chances of becoming disabled are fairly slim. You wouldn’t be alone in your belief: 64% of workers believe they have only a 2% or less risk of a disability lasting three months or longer ...
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| How Have You "Branded" Yourself? |
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Tampa (February, 2012). Turn on the television, read the newspaper or magazines, look at billboards and we see companies and services that work hard to present their “brand.” But companies are not the only ones who try to get their brand out so as to be immediately recognized and have particular qualities identified. We, too, live in a digital age and are accustomed to routinely communicating ...
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| Rerun, Retread, or Renewed |
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Tampa (January, 2012). The year of 2011 is now gone as is 2000, 1989, 1956 and all the others. Sometimes, however, there is a year or several years where we have experienced an event, met someone, celebrated a life changing memory and our lives appear changed forever for the positive or the negative. Sometimes we just get stuck. So what happens? We just keep replaying it in ...
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| Holidays Are A'Coming |
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Tampa, Fla. (November 1, 2011). It’s that time of year when one holiday after another is on the schedule. Parties, special food, travel, seeing folks and family members that we haven’t seen for a while, shopping, ...
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| Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder |
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Tampa, Florida (October, 2011). Many of us have experienced or know someone who has been involved in combat or who has experienced some other traumatic event such as a robbery, serious accident, domestic ...
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| We're Halfway Through |
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Tampa, Florida (August, 2011). Hurricane season is at about it’s midpoint since the season ends November 30, 2011. Today it was announced that as the most recent tropical storm was being downgraded to a trough of low pressure, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicted a busier hurricane season than was announced just three months ago. The initial ...
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| Lose Something |
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Tampa, Florida (June, 2011). So often when we think of the word grief, we associate it with the word death. Certainly when a spouse, family member or friend dies, we go through a grief process. It is important, however, to expand our understanding of what grief really is and to what the word applies. Grief is an emotion that consists of many parts and applies ...
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| But It's Only Beer! (Part II) |
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Tampa, Florida (May, 2011). This article is Part II on the topic of understanding the impact of alcohol on one's personal and professional life. The following covers some basic information to consider if one chooses to drink: ...
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| But It's Only Beer! (Part I) |
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Tampa, Florida (April, 2011). Talk to any physician, therapist, or addiction specialist and they will tell you they have heard it over and over: "I don't have a problem because I only drink beer!" Or, "I don't have a problem because it never interferes with work because I only drink on weekends!" A further look at the patterns, however, or discussion with friends and ...
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| Failure is Training for Success |
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Tampa, Florida (March, 2011). Napoleon Hill (1883 – 1970) was an American author who was one of the earliest producers of the modern genre of personal-success. Hill said "The majority of men meet with failure because of their lack of persistence in creating new plans to take the place of those which fail" and provided an analogy that can provide a significant impact ...
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| Valentine's Day is Coming |
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Tampa, Florida (February, 2011). Poetry, novels, movies, music etc. each send a variety of messages regarding love and relationships. As a result, one often interprets and defines love based on a romantic or idealistic perspective. Do we know what it really takes to have a loving relationship that will last? Don't most people talk about love being the foundation? Let's reframe ...
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| Going in Circles? |
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Tampa, Florida (January, 2011). Have you ever said to yourself "I feel like all I'm doing is going in circles"? Or, have you noticed that you or others keep repeating the same patterns despite New Year's resolutions, "wake up calls" from your health etc. While it may appear that going in circles is a negative process, there is also a significant positive dimension to ...
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| Holidays and Your State of Mind |
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Tampa, Florida (December, 2010). What do you think about this time of year? Decorations, gifts, traveling, family and friends…or stress. Have you stopped to think that we are inundated by messages telling us what to do and how to do it? Stores are decorated and have pre-wrapped packages for those last minute spontaneous presents. We find ourselves running to and fro and ...
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| Coping with Apprehension in Uncertain Times |
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Tampa, Florida (November, 2010). With the recent experience of credible threats of attack via explosives on planes carrying cargo, we continue to find ourselves in jittery times. We can overcome our feelings of apprehension and anxiety by recognizing what’s behind them and by renewing our efforts to live normally. The emotions many are experiencing now are different than ...
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| Your Family and the Internet? |
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Tampa, Florida (September, 2010). Do you sometimes feel as though your family members know more about the internet and other digital technology than you do? Do you see only the positive dimensions of digital technology or only the downside of digital availability instead of recognizing that both dimensions are present? Hopefully, this article will help you recognize ...
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| What Does Depression Look Like? |
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Tampa, Florida (August, 2010). Have you or someone you know expressed feeling sad and helpless? If so, it is possible you have a type of depression referred to as clinical depression. Those with clinical depression experience a deep and constant sense of hopelessness and despair. The symptoms of clinical depression make it difficult to work, study, sleep, eat, and ...
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| Avoiding Bank Overdraft Fees |
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Tampa, Florida (June, 2010). The best way to avoid overdraft and bounced-check fees is to manage your account so you don’t overdraw ...
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| Protecting Your Money and Your Time |
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Tampa, Florida (March, 2010). According to Julio C. Muniz., a Cer¬tified Financial Planner (CFP), a Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU), and author of this article, for the vast majority of people, when it comes to protecting your money and your time, many of us can use a few lessons. If you’ve ever had to deal with persistent telemarketers, unsatisfactory ...
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| Be Wise About Your Money |
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Tampa, Florida (February, 2010). According to Julio C. Muniz., a Certified Financial Planner (CFP), a Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU), and author of this article, for the vast majority of people, when it comes to managing money, many of us can use a few lessons. When you're a busy spouse, partner or parent, spending time in a classroom or seminar to learn about ...
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| How Can I Better Manage My Short-Term Cash? |
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Tampa, Florida (January, 2010). According to Julio C. Muniz., a Certified Financial Planner (CFP), a Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU), and author of this article, for the vast majority of people, it is essential to keep a portion of their assets in liquid form in order to meet monthly commitments. For example, most families have to meet their mortgage or rent ...
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| Walking on Eggshells |
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Tampa, Fla. (October, 2009). October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. While physical abuse is easily identified because of the external evidence, verbal abuse is difficult to identify. Why besides the fact that there are no external bruises? Because the victim feels confused, often wonders if they are the one who is “crazy,” feels like they are walking on eggshells all the time, and feels diminished in the ...
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| Tread Carefully When Taking Out Student Loans |
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Tampa, Fla. (September, 2009). When you take the original $20,000 I borrowed to fund my Bachelors degree, add the extra $5,000 I took out to help support me during my graduate work, and mix in my husband's student loan obligations, you arrive at a whopping $50,000 and that was 10 years ago. Even now, this figure is above the national average for student loan debt, which is estimated at approximately $21,000 per ...
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| Ready for a Hurricane? Part II |
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Tampa, Fla. (July, 2009). Learn the terms associated with a hurricane. A hurricane watch means a hurricane is possible in your area. Be prepared to evacuate. Monitor local radio and television news outlets or listen to NOAA Weather Radio for the latest developments. A hurricane warning is when a hurricane is expected in your area. If local authorities advise you to evacuate, leave immediately. Hurricanes are classified into five ...
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| Ready for a Hurricane? Part I |
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Tampa, Fla. (July, 2009). Hurricanes are severe tropical storms that form in the southern Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico and in the eastern Pacific Ocean. Scientists can now predict hurricanes, but people who live in coastal communities should plan what they will do if they are told to evacuate ...
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| Women More Likely to Feel Stress Over Finances |
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Tampa, Fla. (February 1, 2009). The stock markets are tumbling, the U.S may be in recession, and if you have a 401K don’t even look at that. Surveys and studies have shown that women expressed more fear about economic situations and their finances then men and reported more physical and psychological effects because of related stress. Maybe this is due to women being more aware of their stress and willing to talk ...
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| Save Your Home |
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Tampa, Fla. (January 1, 2009). With more Americans then ever being faced with foreclosure, banks are undoubtedly feeling pressured to be more aggressive in aiding home owners, given how many billions of taxpayer dollars have poured into the industry to stem the credit crisis. One large mortgage holder says it will expand its foreclosure prevention efforts and try to keep 130,000 troubled borrowers with $20 billion in mortgages ...
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| The Holidays are Fast Approaching “Plan Now, Don’t Pay Later” |
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Tampa, Fla. (December 1, 2008). Financial times are tough for a lot of people and holiday spending is going to come up fast. With the holiday season fast approaching so too is the increase in the amount of money consumers will spend on their friends, family, loved ones, pets and themselves. Although holidays can be a joyful time, the months to follow can be filled with anxiety and stress over the money we spent ...
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| Financial Stress Affects More Than We Think |
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Tampa, Fla. (November 21, 2008). According to studies and reports, our financial situation may be related to more than mental stress. It may affect us physically, as the studies suggest below ...
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| STICKS AND STONES… BUT NAMES WILL NEVER HURT? |
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Tampa, Fla. (November 1, 2008). There is a long held saying that “sticks and stones will break your bones but names will never hurt you” that isn’t accurate when it comes to abuse in relationships. And currently as we experience some significant economic stressors, a tendency to abuse may escalate. Relationship abuse occurs when an individual or individuals in a relationship or marriage attempt to dominate and/or control ...
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| A - B - C and More |
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Tampa, Fla. (September 12, 2008). It is the middle of September, 2008 and we are already up to the letter I for Hurricane Ike. Floridians and others recognize that preparing for and anticipating the arrival of a large-scale hurricane can be distressing whether one is making preparations for their own home or concerned about family members and friends. As we watch the storm updates and tracking often over a period ...
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| Are You Ready? Part II |
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Tampa, Fla. (August 1, 2008). Hurricane season and even the occurrence of tropical storms and depressions can affect us. Part I (written in July, 2008) described some common physical, emotional, mental and behavior responses. This article will address some effective ways to deal with changes in each of these four areas by taking care of yourself. So if you, or a family member is experiencing distress, these are some ...
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| Are You Ready? Part I |
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Tampa, Fla. (July 21, 2008). Hurricane season has begun. We all know that there are supplies to be bought and plans to be made. Many of us have tended to procrastinate or engage in denial – believing that “it” won’t hit near us! What if it does, however? This newsletter will help you to become aware of some common symptoms that may occur following a traumatic event. The next newsletter will provide you with some ...
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| Building Resilience |
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Tampa, Fla. (June 10, 2008). Do you sometimes feel that you are being overwhelmed by change? Does it sometimes seem as if nothing remains the same? Even if you have been in the same job for years, technological advances, more and more information etc. come at us to the point that we barely think we will be able to keep up. While we might desire to put the brakes on these changes, most of us have been around ...
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| Empathy Not Sympathy |
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Tampa, Fla. (May 1, 2008). Folks often tend to confuse the words empathy and sympathy. While at times it is important to feel sympathy (i.e., that is feeling sorry for another), it is really empathy that achieves more positive and lasting results. Empathy is defined as the ability or capacity to identify with or vicariously experience the feelings, thoughts, or attitudes of another person. We have often...
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| Coping with Transition |
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Tampa, Fla. (March 3, 2008). Have you ever felt bombarded by changes in your life? Adjustable rate mortgages come due, property taxes increase, weather becomes threatening, jobs change, friends relocate and we are left to cope. Most of us find ourselves struggling to deal with the many beginnings and endings that affect and impact our lives. We often view these changes as losses rather than ...
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| Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) |
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Tampa, Fla. (January 10, 2008). Parents have heard quite a bit about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) but often don’t know what is “normal” when it comes to their own children. Most children squirm, fidget or wiggle all the time. Others sometimes seem to be lost in “another world.” Some children don’t finish their schoolwork or if they do, sometimes ...
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| When Unwanted Thoughts Control You? |
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Tampa, Fla. (December 7, 2007). Most individuals at some time will feel uncomfortable or anxious about something for a short time now and again. Individuals who have anxiety disorders, however, tend to feel this way much of the time. Sometimes they even realize that they are worrying out of proportion to the event or situation prompting the concern. Approximately 18% of the U.S. population has had an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives. Most people do not know that there are varying types of anxiety disorders. This article will address something called ...
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| Do You or Someone You Love Suffer from Panic Disorder? |
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Tampa, Fla. (November 1, 2007). Panic disorder is a real illness that can happen at any time and any place without any warning. The first time it happens could be while you are at work, in a store, at a game or even while driving a vehicle. While a panic attack doesn’t last very long, most people become so frightened that it seems to them that the attack lasts for a very long time. Then, the person who has experienced the attack finds that they begin to worry about having another one. Sometimes the person then begins to avoid certain situations or even becomes frightened of leaving their home or driving their ...
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| You are So Difficult! |
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Tampa, Fla. (September 13, 2007). Have you ever caught yourself saying to or thinking “You are so difficult!” What is it about others that contributes to our reacting in a negative or sometimes critical fashion to others? Are they really difficult? If so, is it intentional on their part? Is it because we have expectations of them or make demands on them and ...
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| Anger is One Small Letter Away from Danger February 1, 2007 |
| Tampa, Fla. (February 1, 2007) Recognize that anger is a basic emotion that all people experience. People differ in how often they get angry, the amount of anger they feel, and the actions they take when angry. Anger itself is neither good nor bad. It can, however, have beneficial or ...
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| Be Smart on the Job March 1, 2007 |
| Tampa, Fla. (March 1, 2007) There are some real and practical advantages for employees who have developed emotional intelli¬gence, or EQ, in addition to their specific knowledge of how to perform work-related tasks. Individuals who understand their own emotions and behavior, and who use that knowledge to relate to others, are more likely ...
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| Dealing with Difficult People March 1, 2006 |
| Tampa, Fla. (March 1, 2006) Have you ever encountered an individual in your family, personal life or professional life that you would describe as “difficult?” What were the particular characteristics or behaviors that led you to describe them as “difficult?” How did you respond to ...
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| I Resolve December 1, 2006 |
| Tampa, Fla. (December 1, 2006) Soon many of us will be facing the old question: “What will our New Year’s resolution(s) be?” Now if we are really honest with ourselves, we would have to face two questions: first, why would we even be thinking about making a resolution; and, second, are we really planning on keeping whatever it is that we resolve to do? It frequently ...
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| It Is That Time of Year October 1, 2006 |
| Tampa, Fla. (October 1, 2006) Over the next few months most families will be gathering with other family members, friends, neighbors, other staffers, and acquaintances to celebrate a variety of holidays. This is the time to think about how you really want to spend your time and with whom. This is the time to think about how to minimize and/or ...
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| Recognizing Verbal Abuse February 1, 2006 |
| When one reads about or thinks about domestic violence, one usually imagines some type of physical altercation. And, haven’t we all heard at one time or another that “sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me”? In fact, however, verbal and/or emotional abuse can be just as devastating to a person and harmful to a relationship as any kind of inappropriate ...
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| Relationships - Healing or Toxic January 1, 2007 |
| Tampa, Fla. (January 1, 2007) “Life is difficult” - thus begins the book, The Road Less Traveled, by M. Scott Peck. It sometimes seems from the moment we get up until we go to bed, very little about life is simple. Yet, we are surrounded by all kinds of supportive resources. Ask any specialist in the field of stress management and they will tell you that coping effectively with life’s challenges is ninety percent ...
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| Social and Emotional Readiness for Hurricane Season June 1, 2006 |
| Tampa, Fla. (June 1, 2006) Many people have experienced feeling anxious and concerned when another hurricane season approaches. In some areas of the country, individuals are still in the process of recovering from the last hurricane season and now have to face the arrival of another season. Government officials, including national, state and ...
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| Stop Worrying May 1, 2006 |
| Tampa, Fla. (May 1, 2006) Many people have experienced feeling worried when facing a major life change, a school or professional exam, receiving test results from a medical doctor, or even the outcome of a car repair. Some people find it worrisome to speak in public or to interact in a social gathering. Some individuals find themselves ...
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| Turn a New Leaf April 1, 2007 |
| Tampa, Fla. (April 1, 2007) Spring has sprung! Trees that have had barren branches now are covered in green. Perennial plants that looked like dried up weeds are now showing new growth and, in some instances, flowers. Everywhere we look, we see new life. When we look outside of ourselves what do we see? Do we see change and newness? What about ...
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| Use, Abuse and Substance Dependance July 1, 2006 |
| Tampa, Fla. (July 1, 2006) Many people have consumed legal substances like alcohol, nicotine, caffeine and prescription medications. How do we determine if use has moved into abuse or dependence? ...
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| You Can Manage Stress in Your Life May 1, 2007 |
| Tampa, Fla. (May 1, 2007) Stress is a normal physical reaction that occurs when you feel threatened or overwhelmed by actual or imagined situations or events. The perception of a threat is just as stressful as a real threat. Your perceived or imagined threatening situation or your feeling of being overwhelmed is further complicated because you are dealing ...
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| But It’s Only Beer! |
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Tampa, Fla. (August 3, 2007). "I don't have a problem with alcohol – it’s only beer!" "Why are you getting so upset? I get up and go to work everyday. I pay the bills. I've never had a DUI. All I do is have a couple of beers every night to chill and relax." "You're just upset when I drink because your dad was an alcoholic." "What do you mean my mood ...
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| How Do You Communicate |
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Tampa, Fla. (July 12, 2007). Approximately, half of all first marriages in the United States end in divorce and a significant number of other relationships experience difficulty. While there are a variety of reasons that may contribute to the demise of a relationship, one of the most frequently-reported problems is poor communication. Poor communication ...
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| Holiday Cheer or Holiday Blues? |
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The coming of a variety of holiday celebrations, both religious and secular, is once again on the horizon and approaching faster than many people would like to imagine. While the holidays are festive and the highlight of the year for many, for others it may be a time filled with frustration and feeling overwhelmed. There are many decisions to make, things to get done, mounting expenses and seemingly not enough time in which to accomplish ...
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| How to Deal with the Sense of Loss, How to Help Kids Cope |
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Tampa, Fla. (February 6, 2003) — As yet another tragedy of international significance rivets us in front of our TVs, mental health professionals offer advice to help people keep from becoming overwhelmed by persistent feelings of sadness. “We grieve because they represented the best in us, because part of us has died,"The Rev. Luis Leon said in a sermon ...
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| Might Your Child or Teen Be Depressed? |
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Tampa, Fla. (June 1, 2007) Have you noticed changes in your child or teen that have left you wondering what might be wrong? Review the following characteristics that might indicate the presence of depression or some other problem: ...
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| Regaining Your Balance |
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As the holiday season gets into full swing, most working (and non-working) adults find themselves caught up in a whirlwind of personal, family and professional obligations. Whether it is getting the home cleaned, taking the kids to school events, buying gifts or performing a host of other activities, it is clear that many wind up feeling overwhelmed and exhausted. Then it seems as if what should be pleasant and enjoyable events turn into experiences that one endures rather than one enjoys. Are there any tips for ...
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| Coping with Apprehension, Anxiety in Tense and Uncertain Times: Mental Health Professionals Offer Advice |
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Tampa, Fla. (February 26, 2003) — Yes, these are jittery times. But we can overcome our feelings of apprehension and anxiety by recognizing what’s behind them and by renewing our efforts to live normally, ...
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| Experts Offer Advice for Employees Coping with Tragedy |
| Tampa, Fla. (September 13, 2001) —Wood & Associates, a Tampa-based employee assistance and behavioral health consulting firm, has seen an increased use of its services since the terrorist ... |
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| Resources for Defusing Workplace Violence |
| Meteorologists have it easy. They have sophisticated tools to track an approaching storm. But recognizing dangerous turbulence in the workplace is a lot tougher. Is an employee or co-worker ... |
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| Dual-Career Marriages: What Makes them Work? |
| Tampa, Fla. (July 16, 2003) — Two-career couples face more complicated issues than those with only one spouse employed outside the home. But with practical scheduling, creative thinking, ... |
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| Don’t Want to Fly? You’re Not Alone! |
| Tampa, Fla. (December 10, 2001) Yes, traveling is different since September 11. People all over the world are anxious about flying, even those who didn’t give it a second thought before. More ... |
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| The September 11 Anniversary — What Can Your Company Do? |
| Tampa, Fla. (August 30, 2002) Many employers are considering how to best deal with the anniversary of the tragic events of last September 11. In a recent poll by Workforce, a magazine ... |
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| The Columbia Tragedy: How to Deal with the Sense of Loss, How to Help Kids Cope |
| Tampa, Fla. (February 6, 2003) — As yet another tragedy of international significance rivets us in front of our TVs, mental health professionals offer advice to help people keep from ... |
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| Staying Mentally Healthy in the Workplace: Mental Health Month Emphasizes Awareness |
| Tampa, Fla. (April 16, 2003) — May is Mental Health Month, an observance begun more than 50 years ago to increase public awareness of mental health and illness. Led by the National Mental ... |
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| Dealing with the Psychological Aspects of Terrorism |
| Tampa, Fla. (November 1, 2001) —Since September 11, there’s a new battle being fought behind the scenes in America, and psychologists are springing into action to help people win it ... |
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| Tips for Coping with Anger |
| Recognize that anger is a basic emotion which all people experience. Individuals differ in how often they get angry, the amount of anger they feel, and the actions they take when angry ... |
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| Why Emotional Intelligence Matters on the Job |
| Tampa, Fla. (June 3, 2003) — There are some very real and practical advantages for employees who have developed emotional intelligence, or EQ, in addition to their specific knowledge of ... |