Health

Aspiring to do the best job possible is an admirable goal, but when your work-life balance looks like a sumo wrestler on a teeter-totter with a two year old, it is time to face the possibility that something is wrong.

Autumn officially begins this Saturday, and the shrinking amount of daylight as fall progresses can mean trouble for people who have been diagnosed with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) -- a mood problem that occurs around the same time each year. According to the Seasonal Affective Disorder Association, symptoms may include:

Fast-food lunches, vending machine snacks, cake for yet another co-worker’s birthday – the office isn’t always the easiest environment in which to lose weight. Despite these temptations, some workers have found ways to shed pounds with the help of their colleagues. Consider these three real-life cases:

With so much of our lives spent at work, it is only natural that sometimes medical problems arise in the office. In this second in our series on life-threatening situations, we’ll look at what to do if a co-worker is choking. (If you missed it last week, take a look at how to recognize if someone at your workplace is having a stroke.)

With so much of our lives spent at work, it is only natural that sometimes medical problems arise when we are not at home. For the next few days, we’re going to be looking at some life-threatening situations that might come up in the office. Recognizing the problem and knowing what to do can make a world of difference to a colleague in danger.

Looking to add a little zing to a work area? Consider sharing your space with a plant. Not only will a bit of nature add some color and personality to a cubicle, it might benefit your mind and body. According to this article by Green Plants for Green Buildings, plants in the workplace have been shown to decrease health complaints, lower stress, increase productivity, inspire creativity, and improve air quality by filtering toxins and reducing carbon dioxide.

Although signs are springing up outside of local pharmacies urging people to stop by to receive their annual flu shot, many of us aren’t paying a whole lot of attention. With warm weather still being enjoyed over much of the nation and hardly any leaves turning colors yet, winter and all that comes with it seem a long time away.

On the TV show Glee, high school counselor Emma Pillsbury is known for unusual conduct, such as polishing each individual grape in her lunch before eating it. While such behavior might entertain viewers, living with OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder) is anything but funny for the estimated 3.3 million American adults diagnosed with this condition.

It is no secret that many workers decide to suffer through the workday rather than take time off when ill or don’t bother using all of their vacation days. While employers often value these so-called troopers for putting their personal needs aside for the “good” of the company, might it actually be better if workers stayed home?