LIFESTYLE
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The Anti-Social Network? By Gregory Jantz
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ocial media sites like Facebook connect users with old friends, new acquaintances and everyone in between. However, studies are revealing an inverse link with online connections and deeper, face-to-face relationships. Norwegian researchers recently developed a test for networking sites, called the Bergen Facebook Addiction Scale, which likens inordinate amounts of time spent on the networking site to drug and alcohol abuse. The test measures how often people use the site, if they do so to forget their problems, and how using the site negatively affects their personal and working lives. Researchers found the following groups of people most at risk for Facebook addiction: • Women, who are more social than men; • Young people, who are more tech savvy than older people; and • Anxious or socially insecure people.
When people abuse drugs and alcohol, they are trying to feel better, yet they are worsening their situation. We’re finding this is also true for those who spend excessive amounts of time on social networking sites. Perhaps the hardest hit from social media addiction is the family unit.
sites, cell phone, etc. The more time spent with media, the lower a child’s academic performance, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation study.
v How much time do your kids spend with
you versus online media? Simply being in the same room isn’t necessarily interacting. The less the scales tip in favor of human-to-human interaction, the more likely there may be a problem.
v Do you know how each device works and
how it can be used? Familiarity with your children’s gadgets gives you a better perspective of what their habits may be like.
Summary Technology continues at its accelerating pace, and we are in uncharted territory. Increasingly, social networking infiltrates our personal lives, but we need to remember that it is created to serve us, and not the other way around. Gregory Jantz is the founder of The Center for Counseling and Health Resources, near Seattle, Wash.
v How much time do your kids spend with various forms of media? There are plenty of distractions from homework. Estimate how much time your child spends on the Internet, social networking Employee Assistance Report
Lifestyle Tips Insert
Vol. 7 No. 9
! CLIP-N-SAVE!
www.eatingwell.com
Healthy Recipe: Cornmeal-Crusted Chicken Nuggets INGREDIENTS:
• 1 cup fresh blackberries or raspberries,
finely chopped • 1-1/2 tablespoons whole-grain mustard • 2 teaspoons honey • 1 lb chicken tenders, cut in half (see Tip) • ½ teaspoon salt • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground pepper • 3 tablespoons cornmeal • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
NUTRITIONAL VALUE:
• Calories per serving: 184 • Carbohydrates: 9 g. • Protein: 26 g. • Sodium: 452 mg. • Fat: 5 g. • Saturated fat: 5 g. • Fiber: 2 g.
DIRECTIONS:
Mash berries, mustard and honey in a small bowl until it looks like a chunky sauce. Sprinkle chicken tenders with salt and pepper. Place cornmeal in medium bowl, add chicken and toss to coat. Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium and cook the chicken, turning once or twice, until browned and just cooked through, 6 to 8 minutes total (thinner nuggets will cook faster than thicker ones). Serve chicken nuggets with the berry mustard. Tip: Chicken tenders are the lean strips of rib meat typically found attached to the underside of chicken breasts. They also can be purchased separately.
Questions and Answers
About Artificial Sweeteners Q: Are artificial sweeteners a good alternative to sugar? A: This question is proving to be difficult to answer. Most people consume artificial sweeteners to help them lose weight, and short-term studies suggest that they may have that effect, notes Dr. Daniel S. Ludwig, professor of pediatrics at Harvard Medical School and researcher at Children’s Hospital Boston. But other research raises concerns that artificial sweeteners actually promote weight gain. How so? These sugar substitutes are extremely sweet, Ludwig explains, so they may desensitize people to sweetness. As a result, nutritious, filling foods that aren’t as sweet — such as fruits and vegetables — may lose their appeal. Calories that were subtracted from the diet in the sweetener-for-sugar swap may sneak back in, in the form of refined carbohydrates and unhealthy fats. “In addition, some recent research has identified sweetness receptors in fat tissue,” Dr. Ludwig says in the Harvard Health Letter. “We don’t know for sure, but that raises the possibility that artificial sweeteners could cause weight gain by directly stimulating the development of new fat cells.” Source: Harvard Health Publications.
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What We Have Here …
emember the famous quote from the move, Cool Hand Luke, “What we have here is a failure to communicate”? Unfortunately, this is all too true in the working world. In a recent Accountemps survey, 41% of chief financial officers (CFOs) interviewed said lack of communication between staff and management is the most frequent misstep companies make in managing their teams. Accountemps highlights five things managers should say to employees on a regular basis:
v “Here’s what’s happening.” Whether it’s updates on the company’s financial performance, department initiatives or group projects, keep staff abreast of organizational information that affects them and their responsibilities. Keeping people in the dark will lead to tension and rumors. v “Do you have what you need?” Take the time to find out if your
team members have the right resources to perform their work effectively.
v “Thank you.” Thank and praise staff who go above and beyond. Call attention to successes by highlighting them in staff meetings and sending a group-wide email recognizing those who helped and copying relevant managers. v “What challenges are you facing?” Often, employees are hesi-
tant to voice concerns when problems arise. It’s essential to proactively ask staff members what’s going on and how you may be able to help.
v “How can we improve the company?” Invite staff members to suggest things they can do to help achieve business objectives. You may be pleased to discover how innovative and resourceful your employees are. Source: www.accountemps.com.
Lifestyle Tips Insert
Vol. 7 No. 9