7 minute read
Life Hacks
Sometimes you need some practical advice to make daily living just a little bit easier. That’s why we asked our Gannon Knights what tips and tricks – what we like to call “life hacks” – they’ve found that are just too good not to share.
MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR TRAVELS
Meagan Gania, director of Learning Abroad and International Academic Programs Establish a budget. Airbnbs, hostels, trains, budget airlines and resources like Expedia are huge money savers. Do your research. Feel prepared and confident on a trip by seeking resources like “Culture Smart!” Take the road less traveled. Capital cities are great, but look for less touristy spots to get a feel for the culture and interact with locals. Traveling by train? Skip the direct train and take the local one to get a real taste for the country. Stick to a plan. Plan your days ahead of time to help you maximize your experience. Pack lightly. Choose clothing that can be worn multiples times and combined to make different outfits.
CREATE MEANINGFUL CROSS-CULTURAL CONNECTIONS
Abdulmohsen Alamri, graduate engineering management student, and Mariana Syrotiak, director of the Office of English Language and Global Training Two factors contribute to making meaningful connections: sincere interest and acknowledgment of one another as human beings. Invite someone gently into conversation and show genuine interest in an item they’re wearing, for example. Ask questions. Don’t interrupt or try to interpret what the other person is saying based on your point of view. Don’t show off your knowledge of the country or culture; you may run the risk of stereotyping. All this can be avoided by
replacing judgment with curiosity.
THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX
Aaron Kerr, Ph.D., associate professor of philosophy Sometimes using a visual helps when we think philosophically. For instance, I draw a cube and say, “This is a symbol for an idea, experience, event or reality.” You cannot see all sides, but you know they are there. You may have to do some mental calisthenics to get to them, but that’s what philosophy is about. Say the cube is health. There are six sides to the cube and to health: mental, physical, financial, social, communal and public. Each side has many aspects. Depending on your angle of vision, experience or knowledge, you can describe the aspects of each side. You notice the cube is one. There is one “wellness” that has many sides and aspects that are all interconnected.
Suddenly you realize that you know an awful lot more
than you first thought. That’s how you think outside the box – or the cube.
STAY CURRENT WITHOUT DOOMSCROLLING
Jeff Bloodworth, Ph.D., professor of history and co-director of the School of Public Service & Global Affairs First, no cable news. All have bias to make stories melodramatic so you will continue to watch and programmers can rake in advertising dollars.
Do not venture into the
comment section. Remember,
social media is for pictures of puppies, grandchildren and vacations… and maybe
sports. That’s it. Now, find a
smart writer or podcaster
from a different political perspective and read or listen to them regularly. Thinking is like physical exercise; you need a bit of discomfort to grow. Finally, breathe. America and the world have endured tougher times. Somehow, better days are ahead.
STAY CENTERED IN STRESSFUL TIMES
Alyson Eagle, LPC, MS, NCC, manager of Campus Health Initiatives – COVID-19
Experiment, try new things and engage
in new activities that help you find peace and ease your mind, body and spirit amid uncertainty. Browse the app store for mindfulness, gratitude or meditation practices. Aromatherapy and essential oils have wonderful healing and grounding properties. It is equally as important to stay connected to your community. When in doubt, lean on your loved ones. Remember: you are enough, and you will get through this.
MAINTAIN CONSISTENCY WITH A FITNESS ROUTINE
Dianna Lunsford, OTD MEd, OTRL CHT, associate professor and program director of the Occupational Therapy Doctorate program 1 Focus on one small change at a time. Begin with walking three days a week at a comfortable speed and duration and increase as you get stronger. 2 Associate your routine with a good feeling. Instead of dreading it, tell yourself how awesome you will feel when you are finished. 3 Have an accountability partner – someone who has the same or similar goals in mind and who will support and not deter you. 4 Reward your consistency with words of affirmation on a regular basis. 5 Don’t villainize food. Think about “moderation and lifestyle” instead of “indulging and diet.”
6 Do your workouts at the time of the day that best
suits you. If that happens to be in the morning then wear your workout clothes to bed so you can get up and go.
7 Do a workout that suits you.
If you hate cross-fit, try dance or something else that you are excited to participate in.
8 Have a plan and show up even if you don’t feel like it.
Engaging at 50% effort is better than 0%.
9 Set up what you need to be
successful. If you pack a bag for the gym, you can’t use it as an excuse to not go. 10 Find joy in muscle soreness, reaching your goals and moving your body!
GET YOUR POINT ACROSS
Jennifer Allen Catallier, associate professor and director of strategic communication Be clear and concise. More detail is not always better. We have a tendency to want to overexplain when we are trying to persuade, but this can backfire if your message gets lost in all the detail. Also, know your audience. Provide information that is most appropriate and relevant to your listener.
MAKE DIFFICULT DECISIONS
Emily Muntean, assistant director of Campus Ministry Have the courage to do the right thing. If you are choosing between good options, begin with gratitude for the opportunity to explore different paths. If time allows, live for a day or two as though you have made the decision final. See how you feel about it and how it impacts your daily life.
Consider if you have a sense of peace
about your decision. The more peace you feel, the more likely that it is the best fit.
VISIT YELLOWSTONE
Steven Ropski, Ph.D., professor of biology How lucky we are in the United States to have the best national park system in the world and the first national park in the world too: Yellowstone. Europe has its architecture and art; we have our natural cathedrals of unmatched beauty. As some would say, this was America’s best idea.
Visit them! CURATE WORK-LIFE BALANCE AND KEEP YOUR SOUL HAPPY
Julia Hawkins-Pokabla OTD, OTR/L, assistant professor of occupational therapy Take one moment at a time and be mindful. Do
at least three things
each day - something for work, something for you and something for someone you love. Be grateful for at least three things. Be grateful to be alive. Be grateful for one good friend. Be grateful you are the special person you are.
STAY SAFE FROM ONLINE SCAMS
Mark Jordano, chief information officer of Information Technology Services Online scams attempt to trick people into giving personal information like credit card numbers, passwords or Social Security numbers, or sending money or difficult-to-trace “currency” like gift cards. These scams often use “spoofed” or fake emails, websites or social media profiles and create a sense of urgency (your loved one will go to jail, my child is sick, etc.) to get you to act without fully thinking through the consequences. Always be suspicious of unsolicited emails, calls or social media messages. Find another way to validate the message or simply don’t respond. Never respond to an online request with personal information or any sort of payment. Organizations you do business with already know your account information, and no legitimate business will request payment in iTunes gift cards. Never click links in a suspicious message. Ignore and delete. Always keep your password and personal information private.
Edited by Nicole Lossie ’11, social media and digital engagement manager. Artwork by Matthew King, university media producer and digital content manager; and Laura Giannelli, assistant director for marketing and creative strategist.
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