Written by: Myrto Mangrioti, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. There are four reasons why so many people don't have a fulfilling life and goal-setting is not the only problem. For starters, they're unclear about what they truly want and why. How can you be happy, excited, creative, or safe and loved, if you don't know what will make you feel this way? So, the first thing you need to do is decide what you want. But wait! Before you do, let me tell you about the second reason. People don't dream big enough because they don't believe they can achieve this goal or are too scared to try. For now, I want you to dream big and not worry about the "How". Ask yourself: "What is it that I truly want to be, do or have in my life?" Write this list down. Now that you have your list, let's move to the third reason: they don't know how to go about achieving these wants. And that's where goal-setting comes in. Goals are your wants and dreams turned into ROADMAPS that will get you to where you wanna go in your life. But they should be written and applied correctly in order to work for you. I use the word R.O.A.D.M.A.P.S. as an acronym for everything a goal should be… and I guarantee that if you use it, you'll start achieving your goals and creating a happier, more fulfilling life for yourself and your loved ones. R – EASONABLE O – RDERLY A – CCOUNTABLE D – EADLINE M – EASURABLE A – CTIONABLE P – ERSONAL S – PECIFIC 1. Personal A goal must be personal. It must be something you want. Not your wife, kids, mom, friends, society, etc. And in the same spirit, it should be your goal, not something you want for someone else, like your son, to become a chef (yes, I’m a foodie…)! Know your "Why". Why do you want to achieve this goal and remember it because it'll help you push through the roadblocks you may find along the way. 2. Specific A goal must be specific. Vague goals, produce vague results. For example, if I told you my goal is to be rich, would you know what I'm talking about? Vaguely... Why? Because I'm sure being rich has a different definition for every person. What's your number? Being rich to live in Manhattan, or in the suburbs of a small city, or as part of a tribe in the Amazon rainforest is a totally different game. Or maybe for you, being rich has nothing to do with money, but it's about experiences, knowledge and feelings. As experts say, our brain is a goal-seeking organism. It has a system called RAS (reticular activating system), which filters the millions of messages, thoughts and images we receive. Only important and relevant information to what we focus on gets through to our conscious mind. So, we must be very specific about our goals. The more details, the better. No: I want to go on vacation. Yes: I want to go on vacation, with my wife, to Santorini, in Greece, at a 5-star hotel overlooking Volcano, for 7 days. 3. Measurable Goals must be measurable. Someone else other than you can be able to assess if you've achieved your goal or not. No: I want to be my perfect weight Yes: I want to be 150 Pounds No: I want to have a good salary Yes: I want to make $10k/month after taxes 4. Deadline The goal must have a deadline. By when do you want to achieve it? This is to push you to get started. If you don't have a deadline, your goal is just a dream set somewhere in the future. It'll also help you readjust your plan if you realize you'll not get there by your deadline. Yes: I want to be 150 Pounds by midnight, December 31st, 2022 Yes: I want to go on vacation, with my wife, in Santorini, Greece, at a 5-star hotel overlooking the Volcano, for 7 days, by 30 June 2023. 5. Orderly You need to have a clear, orderly plan of action... or at least the first things you need to do to reach your goal. As you methodically start moving towards your goal, the roadmap will get clearer. Think of a GPS analogy. You give the coordinates to both where you are and your destination. When you start, it only shows you the first part of your journey. As you go along, and even if you take a wrong turn, the GPS recalibrates and gives you the next part of your journey until you reach your destination. Create your orderly plan of action, get feedback and course correct if you need to. This goes hand in hand with Actionable coming up next. 6. Actionable It's not enough to just write your goals. You must be ready to take action in order to achieve them. Because as Jim Rohn said: "You cannot hire someone to do your push-ups for you." Use the ORDERLY plan you created and start taking 3 steps each day towards your goal. If you think about it, in a year, you'll have taken more than 1000 steps toward this goal! You've got this! 7. Reasonable Your goal must be reasonable. It must get you out of your comfort zone but not scare you or stop you in your tracks, because you don't believe it's possible to achieve it. If you're broke and with no job, you probably shouldn't set a goal to have $1M in the bank in 12 months. You cannot expect to lose 100 pounds in 2 months or learn to play the piano like a pro in 6 months if you don't know what a musical note is. Set realistic, smaller goals, and build upon them. 8. Accountable Having someone to keep you accountable for your goals will help you stay on track to achieving them. It can be a coach or anyone who will cheer and support you but also, push you to take the next step when you need it. Someone who won't let you give up. In a nutshell: Dream big but start with something reasonable, something you can achieve with some effort. Create your ROADMAPS and start using them to get to where you wanna be. Last but not least (reason number four), to have a fulfilling life, you must enjoy the journey. This is the key that lets you know you've picked the right goal to pursue! Be present and appreciate the small things in life. Celebrate the victories, learn from the failures and readjust your course. Love the ride, have fun along the way, and don't wait to be happy when you arrive at your destination. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn or visit my website for more info! Read more from Myrto! Myrto Mangrioti, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Myrto Mangrioti believes life is a learning playground that shouldn't be taken too seriously. Struggling with her "good girl" attitude all her life, she found peace by embracing it. That’s when she founded Loving Living to pursue her passion for helping people awaken to their true selves, enjoying their lives to the fullest by living in the present moment. Myrto is a certified Deep Coach, a Canfield Success Principles & Methodology Certified Trainer, and a No.1 International Best-Selling Amazon Author. Early morning, you can find her at the beach. She's vegan and loves nature. Meditation, yoga, music and cooking inspire and ground her. She lives by one word: EMBRACE… yourself, your life, the present moment.

Written by: Ashley Hussain Okorafor, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. Have you ever wondered if there is a way to manifest your dream job? You can use the law of attraction to manifest your desired position. The law of attraction is a universal law based on the idea that we attract what we think about and that by changing our thoughts and beliefs, we can create a new reality for ourselves. So, how do you use the law of attraction to manifest your dream job? Read on to find out! Visualizing Your Desired Outcome Using the law of attraction begins with visualization. Visualization is a powerful practice involving picturing what you want in life and actively believing it will happen. Finding a job means displaying yourself in a successful career by doing what makes you happy daily. Visualize every aspect—from working with colleagues who encourage and support you to having access to all necessary resources for success—and imagine it as though it has already happened! This visualization should be accompanied by positive affirmations such as “I am confident in my abilities” or “my hard work will lead me to success,” which remind you that your dreams can become a reality! Learn more about using visualization to manifest extraordinary opportuniti es here . The most important part is believing without doubt that if you put forth effort towards achieving something great, then great things will come out of it! Developing an Action Plan Once you have visualized your desired outcome, developing an action plan will help make this vision a reality. Learn more about action plans here . Start by researching potential employers who offer positions in this field or look for ways to gain experience that may be beneficial. Then, create a timeline for yourself that outlines all the steps you need to take before applying for jobs or interviewing with potential employers. This may include networking with professionals in those fields, asking questions, and preparing for interviews with confidence and enthusiasm! The most important part is believing without doubt that if you put forth effort towards achieving something great, then great things will come out of it! Focusing on Positive Thoughts It is essential to focus on positive thoughts when using the law of attraction, as negative thinking can introduce resistance and prevent us from achieving our goals. Think positively about yourself and believe you can succeed in this field—this will help build confidence and reduce anxiety when applying for positions or interviewing potential employers. Additionally, focus on staying present; worrying about things outside your control can be overwhelming and distracting from achieving your goal. It is true what they say, “energy flows where your attention goes,” so direct your attention to living your best life and having your best job! The law of attraction is a powerful tool that can be used by anyone who wants to manifest their dream job into a reality. Visualizing your desired outcome and developing an action plan are essential components when using the law of attraction—they help keep us focused and motivated toward achieving our goals. Finally, it’s necessary to maintain positive thoughts throughout this process; focusing on what we are capable of rather than worrying about things outside our control helps reduce stress and allows us to remain present while working towards our dreams! With these tips in mind, anyone can use the power of manifestation to attract success into their lives! Follow me on Facebook, Instagram , LinkedIn , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Ashley! Ashley Hussain Okorafor, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Professor Ashley Hussain Okorafor is an accomplished academic and has over 6 years of teaching healthcare administration. She has taught at various universities including California State University, San Bernardino, and Charisma University. Prior to her journey as an academic, she had risen up the corporate ladder working in Health Information Management. Currently, she is using her skills and expertise to educate new and prospective healthcare professionals. Professor Ashley believes that if healthcare is going to evolve we need new innovative minds and great leaders in healthcare to build for a better, healthier future. Check out Professor Ashley's YouTube Channel for information on Healthcare Administration and how to strategically build a career in healthcare. For coaching sessions on building your career in Healthcare Administration and for CE courses in Healthcare Administration, go to www.professorashley.com

Written by: Dr. Nikki Cohen, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. Water. It’s the most important fluid you can consume. Water is essential for life and is involved in virtually all functions of the human body.¹ You’ve likely been taught to drink 64oz of water a day, and although this may be true, did you know that there’s a preferred way to get in this 64ozs? It’s true! The Facts The human body is made up of about 70% water and drinking water is very important for health and wellness. Drinking water supports your digestion, heart and liver function, keeps your skin supple, and so much more. If you don’t drink enough water each day, it could impact the way your body looks, works, and feels. Some of the most common conditions related to not drinking enough water are constipation and headaches, and evidence indicates an association between lower fluid intake and intestinal constipation. The Best Way To Drink Water The human body is best hydrated if it’s given fluid slowly but surely, which is about 1oz of water every 15 minutes. Your body doesn’t have a “storage facility” for water, so if you’re drinking more than 1oz every 15 minutes, you’ll most likely just pee it out. So basically, taking a shot of water every 15-20 minutes will ensure you’re giving your body the amount of water it needs at the rate it can use it, keeping you hydrated and preventing common ailments like constipation and headaches! Pearl Of Wisdom If you wake up more than 1-2 times at night to pee, consider you’re drinking too much water at night. Instead of trying to make up for the water you didn’t drink during the day by drinking more at night, consider keeping a bottle with you and taking a sip every 15-20 minutes. This will ensure you’re staying hydrated and getting the sleep you need! Take Home Message Spreading out your water intake throughout the day is the best way to stay hydrated. Avoid chugging a bunch of water at once, as this will likely cause you to pee more and wake up at night to pee. If you take a shot of water every 15 minutes and are awake for 16 hours, then you’ll easily get in the recommended 64oz of water each day! Want More Information? For more information on other tips to improve bladder control issues, Bladder Essentials online course is perfect! It will give you the essential information on how diet, posture and stress impacts your bladder health with super simple tools and tricks of the trade to start improving your bladder issues today. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Dr. Nikki! Dr. Nikki Cohen, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Dr. Nikki is a Doctor of Physical Therapy specializing in Pelvic Floor Dysfunction and is a passionate leader in transforming women’s healthcare. She saw a gap in the care of women firsthand and developed a proprietary methodology in providing 1:1 patient care, as well as offering essential information online. Founder of The Organic PT, Dr. Nikki takes the awkwardness out of potentially embarrassing issues and empowers women with knowledge to take back control in their health, wellness and life. References: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6356561/#B1-nutrients-11-00070 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28450053/ https://drnikkicohen.mykajabi.com/bladderessentials

Hi, my name is Terrie Nathan, I am an International Best-selling Author, Speaker, and Positive Psychology Executive/Life/Wellness Coach. I am the wife of a golf enthusiast, the mother of two amazing adult children, and the grandma of three always-growing awesome grandchildren and 6 grand-pups. My husband and I live in Virginia and enjoy the outdoors, we love to travel and explore, and we savor spending time with family and friends and watching a good movie. I enjoy a great pizza and a nice glass of wine. Going for a walk, meditating, reading books and painting is at the top of the list of fun things I love to do! My approach in life is to focus on what’s strong vs what’s wrong. Our mind is powerful, you get what you expect. Just like exercising your body, you must exercise your mind. I’m proud to say my family and I all share a passion for people and an understanding of the importance of daily positive behaviors and practices in our lives. Terrie Nathan. CEO/Founder/Coach/Author/Speaker What is your business name and how do you help your clients? We are Strong Girl Enterprises…my practice is grounded in Positive Psychology, a research-based branch of psychology that studies what causes people to thrive and flourish in their lives and work, and how we can apply those findings in practical ways. In this confidential zone, we support and partner with youth, individuals/teams, and businesses to help them clarify what they want out of their next stage of life, wellness, work, and or business. We will then use that clarity to map out a path, set concrete goals, utilize unrealized resources, and work on any internal and/or external obstacles standing in the way of progress. Who inspires you to be the best that you can be? I draw my inspiration, strength, and energy from my husband, my family, my friends, and my clients. It is the everyday people I have the pleasure to meet, support, and partner with. It’s their stories of courage, resilience, and perseverance that continue to inspire me in my efforts. Everyone makes a difference and everyone has an impact on someone else, I take this very seriously and make a conscious effort to show up and remember that everyone matters. If we take the time to slow down, we never know who just might inspire us next. What is your work inspired by? They say superheroes don’t exist…but for me as a young girl growing up, I was blessed to have my Grandma Ruby as my SUPERHERO. As a young girl, I was insecure, bullied, and lacked confidence in myself. My Grandma somehow knew what was going on with me, she never said anything, but she instinctively knew my self-image was fading. She would always call me her Strong Girl and she would fill my head with encouraging words and stories of strength. She taught me how to feel secure, build resilience, can act independently, and how experience and build a sense of self-worth. She embodied Positive Psychology and the “Strong Girl Spirit” in the tough world I lived in. She was ahead of her time! She is why I feel called to coach, write, and speak today~ She is who inspired me to do this! My business is dedicated to her and the impact she made on not only myself but so many other people. Tell us about a pivotal moment in your life that brought you to where you are today. I’m sure you have all heard the Chinese Proverb… ”The Journey of a Thousand miles begins with a single step”. My most recent journey lasted over a span of 18-plus years. Staring at an entry-level position and working my way up to a director position with a Fortune 200 company, I thought this is where I would retire. However, we never know where life’s journey is going to take us. Four years ago I was given the news that I would have to relocate to another state. Being newly married and loving where I currently lived, I had to make a decision. For a few years, I had been feeling a nudge to do more and to impact differently. So I decided not to relocate, I guess you could call that retirement, from that role anyway. While the decision was a tough one, I wondered if I had gotten complacent and a bit too comfortable with the mundane. Had I gotten comfortable inside my box? I took a chance on myself and decided to embark on the climb of entrepreneurship, new terrain, new views, with many potential cliffs. Along my climb into new territory, Strong Girl Spirit was born, with the help of course, of my memories and encouragement of Grandma Ruby. They say the best view always comes after the hardest climb, however, I have been on some tough climbs before and I wasn’t going to let that stop me. Having this mindset has kept me successful all my career, and knew it would be especially now. So pivot I did. It was a time of uncertainty, loneliness, and fear, similar to what we ALL seem to be going through at this time in our journeys. Protecting my mental wellness was critical, especially in this time of change. Here’s the thing, no one can do it for you, you are in control of the success you so desire and the perspective you take along the way. I know my previous life/business experiences will be the rope I need to stay in the climb. The success we are seeing now is starting to pay off and flourish. Are there ups and downs, of course, but I do the things necessary to ensure I can stay on the climb? “I am not what happened to me, I am what I choose to become”... ‒ Carl Jung And this is where Strong Girl Spirit was realized. Stay on the climb, my friends. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Terrie!

Written by: Juan C. Olmedo , Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. If you’re an entrepreneur parent, odds are you have a tribe of friends who are also raising children and chasing their entrepreneur dreams. You know what to expect. You know the highs and lows. But if your friends aren’t like you? They might not understand how much it demands from you to be an entrepreneur parent. And more so, how hard that impact is on your children as well as yourself. Many parents go through this phase in their lives where they feel so stretched that they don’t know where to start with self-care or finding balance again – especially after years of working non-stop at their businesses with no end in sight. But there’s good news: The sooner you realize it and take action, the better it will be for everyone involved in your new venture! Here are some insights into the inner workings of being an entrepreneur parent and the ways you can be present and leave an impact on your children at the same time. Entrepreneur Parenting 101 Entrepreneur parents need to learn how to be present. They need to learn what it means to have a healthy work/life balance and that includes being there for their children. When you’re so busy with your business and constantly on the go, it becomes difficult to find time for your children ‒ in person. And chances are, one of their main requests is for you to be there for them. So, how can you make sure you’re there? 3 ways to Be Present as an Entrepreneur Parent 1. One way is by creating a consistent and daily schedule to spend time with your children even if it’s only 2 hours every day. Not all entrepreneurs are available every day, in that case create family dinners; even if it’s just once a week It doesn’t have to be fancy or elaborate ‒ just a few hours where you all sit down as a family and enjoy each other’s company add conversation about life. If you don't already have something like this in place, start small with 30 minutes every night at dinner time where everyone talks about what they did at school or during the day and shares something personal about themselves. a. On a side note, with today’s ever evolving society, it’s difficult to unplug from smartphones and work devices. Make sure during this scheduled time, it is spent 100% on your children, this little gesture will leave a lifelong impact. 2. Another way is by planning vacations together; these should be planned well ahead of time so the kids know when they will happen and can begin building anticipation around them! Plus, while they're visiting mom and dad, they'll get to see what it's like living at home too! 3. Connect with other parents There’s nothing like the company of other parents who understand what it means to raise children as an entrepreneur! Talk with other parents who have been through this journey before and get perspective from those who have made it through the tough parts too. The impact of an entrepreneur parent can be seen and felt by their children for years to come. Taking the time to implement these 3 simple but powerful entrepreneur parent tips may help to ensure your children are well-equipped to face the world with confidence and enthusiasm. Leave the Impact on Yourself First, it’s important to understand that being an entrepreneur parent is a full-time job. More than just balancing your business, you have to take care of yourself in order to be present for your kids. It sounds easy in theory and harder when it actually comes down to it. That’s because you need to make sure that all aspects of your life are in check ‒ including taking care of your health, which is often neglected during the stresses of entrepreneurship. Achieving this can be difficult. You may find yourself working two jobs, with one being your career and the other being raising entrepreneurial children. There's typically not enough time for both, so you need to prioritize what needs attention and what doesn't when it comes to your family. Conclusion Being present is a high value. It might not seem like it at times, but it’s one of the most important things you can do for your children as an entrepreneur. Learn to be present and make an impact on your children today. FAQs Juan Olmedo, entrepreneur minded since the age of 15, and started his first official business at the ate of 22, alongside his entrepreneur wife Rosa Olmedo, balance a home of five children. Mr. Olmedo currently operates a telecommunications software company, but is also a partner, shareholder, and board of directors on 5 other companies he helped found and start over the past almost 20 years. Mr. Olmedo explains the challenges, as well how he has learned the importance of being present and impactful. How do you balance being an entrepreneur parent and taking care of yourself? Being an entrepreneur parent is a 24/7 job. I’ve been told time and time again that I am the most energetic, present parent in the room. My kids have learned to always expect me to be on the move, be ready to go or be presenting. They can see me in my office at any given moment because I am always working or on a call. So, yes, balance does get thrown out the window when you are an entrepreneur parent (and it’s not for lack of incentive; you want every moment to count!). But it also gets thrown out the window with your kids. And it has to get thrown out if you want to be present and fully engaged in their lives. If you aren’t present with them constantly, what’s going to happen? They are going to seek it out somewhere else (i.e., their friends), and that’s bad for everyone involved including you. How do you find time to take care of yourself and still be an effective parent? You’re absolutely right. Finding time to take care of yourself and your family can be difficult. But it’s super important to keep your health in check and to find the time to unwind and reset. Here are a few tips on how you can find balance as an entrepreneur parent: 1. Schedule in healthy rest periods throughout the day. 2. Follow a meal planning strategy that works best for your family. 3. Find the time for alone time with your children, preferably when they are asleep or at school (make sure you follow safe child-management practices). How do you manage to be an effective parent and still have time for yourself? Well, just like we said it is a tribe of entrepreneurs behind you there, so you have people to cheer on and support you and listen to your stories. If you aren’t one yourself, that’s ok too, there are lots of other entrepreneurial parents out there and one of them might be able to chat with you about your struggles.. And lastly, if there is a support group for parents in your area, check it out. You might learn something new or connect with someone new who understands what you are going through ‒ because no two parent journeys are the same. Juan and Rosa Olmedo, operate Nevtis Corp, a UCaaS Telecommunications company located in Anaheim Hills, CA that provide employment to 17 people. Mrs. Rosa Olmedo is a Farmers Insurance Agency owner located in Corona, CA, helping business owners with business insurance, workers comp and other personal insurance products. Mr. Juan Olmedo, is considered a high-performance coach, business advisor, and per his wife a crazy entrepreneur, ready to jump on new ventures instantly. Mr. Olmedo volunteers his time helping aspiring entrepreneurs by using his almost 20 year’s experience, to help avoid set-back, reach tangible results, and ultimately create self-sustaining businesses. They may be found at: https://nexeraadvisors.com and Farmers Insurance Rosa Olmedo Agency . “We are entrepreneurs at heart, but more important, they are present parents. Be Present, Be Affectionate, Leave an Impact” Follow me on Twitter , Instagram , LinkedIn , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Juan! Juan C. Olmedo, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Juan C. Olmedo, is a Latino Tech Entrepreneur, High Performance Coach, & CEO of Nevtis Companies. Entrepreneur-minded since the age of 15, started first official business at 22 years of age and grew it to a $2 Million dollar a year company with 20 employees. Started subsequent business tech business at 25 and sold it just 5 years later. Have since started or invested in 6 other companies ranging from tech, telecom, construction, insurance, and digital marketing with a combined employment of 80 full time staff. Currently CEO at Nevtis Corp, a UCaaS Software provider. Being through virtually every stage of starting, and scaling million dollar companies, Mr. Olmedo uses his acquired knowledge of almost 20 years.

Written by: Katarzyna Dorosz, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. Christmas is a fun time for the whole family. But is everyone equally involved in the preparations? It is important to plan all activities – shopping, gifts, packing, decorating the house, and cooking. Phew, we already feel tired just thinking about it. We know perfectly well that maintaining a high level of energy throughout the day is important for each of us. We are exhausted by situations at work and at home. Therefore, let's establish a few strategies that will help us master the art of being strong and not wasting energy. An action plan is important. It is best to write down on a piece of paper and delegate tasks to household members. Schedule everything from when to when it has to be done. Gifts can be prepared from October and in this way we will have time in December for other activities. And thanks to this, we can buy a gift for everyone according to their interests. Home decoration can be prepared in a few days. Let's learn to separate cleaning and decorating the house from our inner order. Let's take care of inner peace and purity of thoughts. For this we can use a walk before Christmas Eve, when everything is already prepared on the table, my son and I went for a 30-minute walk together. We talked about how happy we are, what nice things happened to us this past year. Schedule time to relax. It can be a moment of mindfulness and contemplation, a relaxing bath or other favorite practices that help restore your inner energy. Remember that during the holidays it is your smile that is important, not the number of dishes on the table. And when you take care of home decorations, prepare wonderful dishes, sit in silence and look lovingly at the family, presents under the Christmas tree and feel the joy. Keep this energy inside you and fill your heart with love. It's your holiday! Taking care of yourself is the basis for maintaining good energy in every life situation. Merry Christmas to you and your whole family! Follow me on LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read from Katarzyna! Katarzyna Dorosz, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Katarzyna Dorosz is a leader in the field of brain performance, mental performance, and improving memory and quality of work. She is a world-renowned expert for senior and mature individuals who also conducts research on longevity. She is also a lecturer and author of several books. Katarzyna works with many prestigious American universities about attaining meaningful longevity in Life and how to maintain brain function. She also supports women around the world through motivational lectures. Her attitude and stubborn pursuit of purpose show how important changes and progress in life are. She is also the author of the TV Show "The Power of Life". During lectures, she uses the "Educational kinesiology and Emotional intelligence" and developed her own methods of exercises that provide excellent memory, concentration exercises as well as relaxation, and a set of physical exercises to improve the condition (adjusted to the age and flexibility of the body). In business training, Katarzyna uses the popular Japanese Kaizen method, i.e. a philosophy based on changing lifestyle ‒ an endless process of improving and improving the quality of the company.

Written by: McKing Lee, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. I think a lot of people have seen some videos of a hypnosis session and just wonder whether it is really like that. like does the person just go to sleep so easily, and won’t be waking up until the end of the session. So today, I’m going to explore that! In a previous article, What Is Hypnosis? Part 1, we looked at how hypnosis works and how it is evident in daily living Yes you might want to read that article before continuing this one! So I’m going to assume you have a fair grasp of the concept of hypnosis and how it works before reading this article Although I suppose I might share today’s information in a way that even if you didn’t read it, hopefully you might understand? If you don’t, please read the other articles in my contributor page here. Traditional Versus Modern Hypnosis First up I probably should define and share about this so as to remove any misunderstandings You see, most people know or heard of the traditional style of hypnosis This is what we see often in movies and shows Where the client or subject is being hypnotized and going into a deep state of trance that seems similar to sleep This modality of hypnosis believes that hypnosis can only occur in a deep state of relaxation I’m just sharing a general view because otherwise, it might become more of a paper than an article XD Most people know of it, which is why I need to share that I don’t do the traditional style I mainly use a modern conversational style of hypnosis to help my clients with their issues In this style, the client or subject is still fairly conscious, whether eyes are open or close, both are acceptable And we can still resolve the issue effectively As mentioned in the previous article, where hypnosis is a naturally occurring phenomena This also means that you can be in a state of hypnosis already when you come and see me The only difference is, whether you have an intent to resolve an issue or not If you do have such intent to resolve an issue, the hypnosis will be highly effective But if you don’t have such intent, then it will not be effective Simple right? I might share other reasons for what might make a hypnosis session ineffective subsequently, so look out for it! The Process Is Simple Now I mentioned earlier that you can do the hypnosis eyes open or close Which also means that hypnosis is relatively safe Of course you might not believe me hahaha I do have some videos somewhere but you need to search them up Here’s one on Facebook. So anyway, what is happening?? One of the techniques that I do to help people resolve their issues is symbolism Essentially, we tap into the unconscious mind to find a symbolic representation of the issue This is great for small or mild issues It may be good for bigger issues, but sometimes if it's really chunky like a trauma, we do another technique instead For example, I had a guy came to me for fear of speaking out, fear of sharing his opinion to people And this fear, he can feel it in his throat When we did the symbolism technique, a needle came out It’s not a real needle! It’s from his unconscious mind This needle was a symbolic representation of his fear After communicating with it for a bit, we resolved it and his fear was gone! Sometimes We Explore Entire Worlds If we do a deeper process, we go deep into the unconscious mind and let the unconscious mind create a world for us to navigate I once had a lawyer ask me if her unconscious mind was like a game, and the hypnotist (me) was a player entering that game to play Which is a great metaphor, but a bit incorrect I shared with her that yes, her unconscious mind was like a game, but her conscious mind is the player She is essentially entering her own mind, and completing the quests in the game, is like resolving the issues within What about me? I’m like the little fairy guide dropping hints along the way You still have full conscious control to do what you want to do To resolve what you want to resolve And because each person is unique, it also means the world they enter can be vastly different from each other Some enter a magical world like sci-fi fantasy, others enter an alien world or venture into space Some do very normal things like having a farm, or trekking through the forest Others climb mountains and become a king If you are curious what other things they might experience in such hypnosis Please do read them on my blog where I can share in more details here. This is because I share exactly what goes on in their mind throughout the entire hypnosis experience What About Childhood Trauma? Yes, when it comes to childhood trauma, a regression is usually one of the better techniques to resolve such things This is because the trauma occurred during childhood, it is deep in the past The above mentioned processes are great to resolve things happening in the current present moment But a regression is usually best for resolving issues that stem from the past The tricky thing is whether you are ready to face whatever happened in the past? Well, of course, there are other hypnosis techniques that I didn’t share in this article And I think I will share more on regression in the next article Because, did you know there are different types of regression? Most people will know of the current life and past life regression but there is one more! So if you read the next article, you will know a bit more than the average person Until then, stay tuned and check out my blog. Thank you for reading and I’ll see you next time! :D Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Mcking! McKing Lee, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine McKing Lee is a conversational hypnotist, NLP Practitioner, and a student of life. After nearly dying in his sleep when his lung burst for no reason, McKing develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and fell into depression. He subsequently sought his own recovery through learning NLP and hypnosis. Having a unique understanding of how the mind works, he has helped many people with mental and psychological issues, relationship and emotional issues, and interestingly enough, sometimes physical ailments too. McKing was recognized and won APAC SEA Business Awards Hypnotist of the Year 2020, and has been featured in local and overseas media over the years. He aims to help people as effectively as possible, through sharing of knowledge and with the right application of skills.

Written by: Karen Peddie, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. It is so important to have open and honest conversations about death and dying but actually starting one can be very difficult. Many people are uncomfortable talking about death, particularly their own and really do not want to talk about it. There are any number of reasons for this, but I would say the biggest one is fear. Death is often seen as something to be feared, which is something EFT can help with. It is the only thing we can be 100% certain of and yet only around 60% of people actually make provision for it. So, what happens with the other 40%? If I was to ask you if you had made a Will, what would you say? If you answered NO, what reason would you give? Some people insist they have ‘nothing to leave’. Some just say ‘not bothered, I’ll be dead’. Others just don’t get around to doing anything at all because they ‘haven’t thought about it’ So, let’s look at these reasons… Nothing to leave – everyone has something! It may not be property, vehicles or masses of money but what about clothes, shoes, furniture, phone, social media accounts, emails, laptop, tablet? What will happen to all this ‘stuff’? Who will deal with it? Not bothered, I’ll be dead – Who will know what to do about your funeral? Do you want to be buried or cremated for example and who will deal with your estate? Without a Last Will and Testament at the very least, it is possible the state will get everything. Would you be happy with that? Or, would you prefer your treasured possessions go to a family member, friend or to a charity? Haven’t thought about it – this is common, particularly with younger people or people who have not had to deal the death of a loved one before. After all, if you don’t know about end of life planning you can’t do anything about it, and that’s ok. But now you do maybe now is the time to think about it! The thing is, if we don’t make provision or plan for what we want to happen, we can leave an awful mess for someone else to try and sort out. This may fall to close relatives or friends, who want to do the best for you but have no idea where to start. They are grieving your loss too, so making decisions may be difficult for them. Having a plan they can follow, with all the information they need will reduce stress and may even save you money. Making a start I am just in the process of doing my own end of life plan. Although this is part of my training to become a Licensed Planning Facilitator, I want to know my daughter has all the information she may need. I really don’t want her to stress and worry like I did when my Mum died. Even though Mum was terminally ill, we were able to talk about what she wanted to happen in the last few weeks of her life, and I made sure it happened. One thing we didn’t talk about was her funeral so I had to choose hymns, readings and make arrangements hoping she would approve. It was so stressful because I wanted to get everything perfect for her. I didn't want to let her down. I can’t say that putting my own plan together is easy, it’s not. It does raise issues that I don’t want to deal with right now, but that’s ok, I’ve made a start. It is also an opportunity to review things I already have in place and make sure the details are still relevant. More importantly, I can change my mind if I want to, because it’s MY plan and it’s flexible! If this has got you thinking and you would like to know how to put your own plan together, drop me an email and let’s start open and honest conversations. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Karen! Karen Peddie, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Karen is a natural, intuitive Energy Healer who uses Reiki, Emotional Freedom Techniques, and Meditation to help her clients improve their health and well-being. She works with them to identify and heal the root cause of any dis-ease which could be blocking the flow of energy either physically, mentally, or emotionally. As someone who suffered from anxiety, stress, and depression for many years, Karen's experience makes her a genuine, empathetic therapist who creates a safe, calm space in which to start the healing process

Written by: Elizabeth Toumbos, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. Compassion is an emotion that we have all expressed. We give compassion to our pets, friends and family going through hard times, and even to people in stories we see on the news. For many of us, outward-directed compassion seems to be where it stops, never giving ourselves compassion for our own pain and mistakes. Self-directed compassion is essential for our emotional health. If we beat ourselves up for our shortcomings, our inner critic will hijack our emotional body, resulting in low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, and self-loathing. “You’ve been criticising yourself for years and it hasn’t worked. Try approving of yourself and see what happens”. ‒ Louise L. Hay One of the main causes for the lack of self-compassion Childhood trauma is particularly damaging to our emotional body and can radiate out into every aspect of our lives. When we experience trauma during our formative years, we are not emotionally mature enough to understand or deal with what has happened to us, so we lock away the experience of the event and throw away the key. The pain of unresolved trauma manifests into a block or karmic loop that cascades out into our everyday life. When we perceive ourselves in a threatening situation, our brain is triggered to re-live the same emotions of our unresolved trauma even though it may not be the case. An example of unresolved trauma is if you somehow always find yourself in the same situation. Ask yourself, do you ever say or think things like, “This always happens to me”, “I’m unlucky”, or “I never get (fill in the blank)”? These are signs of unresolved blocks or karmic loops. Themes around blocks and karmic loops There are four main themes around these blocks or karmic loops: LOVE, POWER, MONEY, and HEALTH. When we come to a point where we recognise a block or karmic loop, we can use it as an opportunity to dissolve the original wound and change our life trajectory for the better. A wonderful exercise to do for yourself is to spend some time journaling the timelines of your themes surrounding Love, Power, Money, and Health, to discover negative patterns that have held you back from living to your fullest potential. For example, let's look at Money. Start from the family situation you were born into. Was there little or no money, enough or lots? Then progress through your life to the present day with events that have affected your relationship with Money. If you can see a pattern forming, it is a block or karmic loop. Recognising the negative patterns within these themes is a very empowering opportunity to change your life. The very act of becoming conscious of these patterns may be all that is needed to fuel your ability to change any future repeating situations that present themselves, which will enable you to steer your life in a more optimal direction. You may also need the guidance of a practitioner to help steer you in a better direction. The power of self-compassion Compassion is one very powerful tool for dissolving blocks or karmic loops. It is a big part of the healing work that I facilitate, and I am constantly amazed by how it can easily transform people’s lives. This tool is called The Compassion Key®. Its founder Edward Mannix spent many years studying Eastern meditation, teachings, and traditions, which formed the foundation for him to develop self-directed compassion as a tool for achieving “Integrated Enlightenment”. Integrated Enlightenment is about bringing joy and freedom into our everyday lives through our intentions, thoughts, and actions. “Achieving full enlightenment embodied in physical form, “Integrated Enlightenment”, means that we are not trying to escape from our ordinary experiences and perceptions in order to get up into the light, but instead, we are bringing our light in here. To this level. Into this human existence. Into every part of our lives.” ‒ Edward Mannix I encourage you to try giving yourself some compassion today and each day that comes. It will land in your heart centre and begin to dissolve your pain and suffering and make space for true transformation. Many blessings to you! Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Elizabeth! Elizabeth Toumbos, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Elizabeth Toumbos facilitates Shamanic Healing, Trauma Release, Women's Circles and Self-Directed Compassion. Elizabeth's search for her own healing led her into the world of Shamanism by working with Melbourne based Shaman, Sherif Tawfilis. Over many sessions she was able to overcome her trauma induced low self-esteem, eating disorders, stuttering and alcoholism that was brought on by childhood physical and sexual abuse. Shamanism was a homecoming for Elizabeth, opening a door for her to step into her true calling as a healer, leading to her own Shamanic training and starting her own practice. Elizabeth is passionate about working with people who are ready to step into their power.

Written by: Pia Antico, Senior Level Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. It is that time of year again, when the Christmas/New Year movies of loving families & holiday romances are now in full swing, flogging the myth of togetherness being the pinnacle of the human experience. The supermarkets are filling up with family Christmas fare, gifts for small children & not so subtle hints toward creating romantic Christmas breakfasts for the increasing numbers of childless couples, strategically positioned in the gourmet produce isles. It's enough to make a slightly cynical single empty nester over 40 want to slip into a Grinch costume! Unfortunately, many of my over 40 single soul sisters are buying into the messaging that the only worthy Christmas state is being in a family with kids opening gifts under the tree or playing 'naughty elves' in a Christmas coupledom; and that being alone for the holidays is to be avoided at all costs. I've been divorced twice, so I know what it is to fall down the rabbit hole of doubting my lovability & tying my worth to the validation of having a partner. No longer waking up early Christmas morning to the sound of raucous ripping of Christmas gifts by eager kiddies, doesn't have to be equated to the deafening silence of loneliness Well, I am here to give voice to the idea of being over 40 & WHOLEY SINGLE rather than single by default. You are fully loveable without being loved by someone else! News flash! If you don't love yourself then you won't be able to recognize & receive love from the Universe or other people. So this Holiday Season how about we fill our own Santa sacks & gift ourselves with love! Here are 3 key tips to loving yourself these Holidays & everyday after: 1. Ditch your regrets We are single empty nester women over 40 there's no doubt that we've made some decisions along the way that did not work out so well. I know for myself, the hardest regrets to let go of were the times I ignored my inner voice & instead followed the 'musts & shoulds' in my head. But here's the thing all those mistaken decisions were based on an innocent misunderstanding of where my feelings really came from. Just like you, I believed that the events & people in my life were making me sad, mad, scared & frustrated. And naturally, if we think our OKness is from the outside then we are going to say & do anything and everything to try and fix those things we think our causing the feelings we don't want. Or, on the flip side chase after & try and hold onto those things we believe are making us happy. After all that's what all the movies, music & books would have us believe ‒ that people & things create our experience. So it is a commonly held innocent misunderstanding & we all did the best we could in that context. But, now you know that you don't have to wrestle the whole world out there to feel OK. You are already completely OK & always were. Be kind to yourself & embrace the imperfection that is being human. It is not about trying to achieve the perfect experience of your life but rather realising that you are totally OK no matter the situation or your passing response to it. 2. Follow your inner bliss Did you know that You are not your thoughts but rather You are the dynamic, bliss-filled space between thoughts. We are all energy beings in physical bodies having human experiences & our factory default setting is the same joy of the limitless Universe/Source We don't need to chase people & circumstances for happiness ‒ in truth they can't make us feel anything except that we think it. But here is the best news it's not happy thinking that makes us happy, we don't have to try to analyse & change what we are thinking or understand why. In fact, that only takes us further away from accessing the true source of our joy. It is when we shift our Awareness from the chatter in our heads & just let it ebb & flow naturally that we get to glimpse into the spaces between thinking, allowing ourselves to rest there enveloped by the radiant potential of the present moment free of past thinking, future worries & labels of self. Now that is pure bliss! And without forcing anything, we will notice the inkling of 'good ideas' arise from this space & nudge us into aligned action following the signals of our inner joy compass. Where is your joy compass pointing you toward? 3. Appreciate your awesomeness Many of us would have heard about the benefits of being grateful for all the good in your life; and there is no doubt this is great advice. How can you be happy if you are not thankful? But, there can be a shadow side to thankfulness if we believe we 'should' be thankful &/or if we are struggling to see the good in the first place. What I have come to realize that appreciation is not just for the outwardly 'good stuff,' but On reflection I have come to appreciate that those tough times were ultimately beneficial too. The only point of looking back is to see how far you have come; and let's be real us single empty nester women over 40 have come along way through some rocky terrain to get here. We are still standing (maybe not in high heels anymore) & possibly in search of a wall to lean against... But we are above ground with plenty of wisdom fuel in us to propel us forward into lives of freedom & fun we have yet to imagine. Look in the mirror (put your glasses on first to see clearer) Smile at yourself & Give yourself 3 Cheers! You are awesome! Not because of, or despite the life you've lived thus far... ... but simply because that is your divine spark You are a vessel for Universal love to flow through & around you. Your existence is a miracle! How would you like to show up for yourself these Holidays knowing this fact? Grab my Christmas Gift to you “How to stay sane in the Silly Season” masterclass that will help you not let others get on your gobbler. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Pia! Pia Antico, Senior Level Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine In the middle of a storm, it is possible to find peace & strength when we tap into our innate Spirit-led wisdom and step heartfully into the present moment.” ‒ Pia Antico Pia Antico is the Founder of Essential Awakening Mentoring, a Crone Life Joy Reboot Mentor/Coach/Trainer, International Public Speaker & Best Selling Author. She intuitively helps single, empty nester, businesswomen over 40 ditch their regrets, live unapologetically, age disgracefully & quit being an unwilling bystander in their lives. Without getting stuck rehashing, analyzing & reframing trauma stories. Embodying her unique 6 steps AWAKEN the joy within©️ framework helps them to free themselves from limiting beliefs & create lives of fun through trusting the guidance of their carefree Higher Self Wisdom. Pia holds three degrees in Psychology, Counseling Training, and Certification in the 3 Principles Paradigm & she brings into coaching a wealth of insights gained from a litany of growth experiences. At 49, she is a 'three near deaths before 30, two abusive marriages, & major head injury life rebuilder' whose mission is to help single, empty nester businesswomen over 40 to effortlessly get past their darkest moments by tapping into their innate well-being. So that they can shine the light of their radiant, joyful wisdom & step into their dreamed-of future. Pia wants single empty nester women over 40 to know in their bones that their past doesn't predict their future & now is the time to dream big.

Written by: Sharleen Beaumont, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. If you have lived long enough, you have encountered some hard times. In these moments, it’s not uncommon for our emotions to take over; we find ourselves reacting to external conditions, which can result in poor decision-making. When life gives us what we don’t want, it seems natural to look at what we don’t have, how we can’t change it, or the people around us. We focus on what is out of our control and ask ourselves, whom can I blame? The self-talk is draining and self-sabotaging. Negative self-talk hinders our ability to self-manage and can send us on a downward spiral. Often at the root of this conversation is some underlying pain from buried emotions from our past and not feeling good enough. We can, however, change the narrative. We all know Brave people who have gone through challenging experiences and come out wiser, stronger, and more resilient. Psychological resilience is the ability to mentally or emotionally cope with a crisis or return to pre-crisis status quickly. Resilience exists when the person uses mental processes and behaviours to protect themselves from potential negative effects. To lessen our reaction, we want to be aware of our emotions and dive deeper into the feelings below the surface, be curious as to why they are showing up and what they are trying to tell us. Self-leaders are conscious of emotions that have kept them anchored to the past. Just because an emotion or reaction has served you previously doesn’t mean it will help you in the present or future. Ask yourself. What do I want and not want in my life? What is no longer serving my highest good? In self-leadership, we want to expose the discomfort; one way we can do this is through self-examination. Is this mine? Does it feel familiar? When was the first time I felt like this? What was the incident, and how did I handle it then? How would I like to handle it moving forward? Self-leaders make good choices ahead of time. Visualization is effective in priming the brain for what you do want. Decide what behaviours would demonstrate the person you want to be ahead of time. Then rehearse them in your mind. I have worked with many clients who want to create change in their life; however, they are unaware of the steps to take to get there. I often suggest getting aligned with our true selves. We feel misaligned with integrity when we are not operating in a way that feels good to us. We can change our pain to power by acknowledging and naming the emotion. We do this by being curious about why the feeling is showing up. Undoubtedly it has come up before, and as leaders, we want to get to the root of it. Emotions are on a logarithmic scale. We want to move up the scale to feel what most people ultimately desire; happiness or joy. Letting go Unresolved Emotions will always rise. It’s easy to say ‘Let it go’ as the song plays in our heads. Yet, what does that mean? We tell ourselves we will let it go, and in an attempt, we try to control or change our external environment. We do this to avoid the root cause of our pain. We resist looking at difficult emotions and the part we played. The result is that they continue to reveal themselves again and again when triggered by something external. Rather than admit what has genuinely transpired, we place blame. What needs to happen is sitting with the emotion, acknowledging and recognizing where it came from, the stories behind them, and healing. Only then do we no longer carry the emotional charge into other areas of life. The caveat; they may rise, yet since we have done the work, we are ready and able to recognize and quickly process them. We can start this process by regularly observing ourselves and taking the 30,000-foot view. What are you feeling? What is the emotion behind it? Don’t resist, argue or suppress it. Sit with the feeling in silence rather than fill the void with something (business, excessive workouts, alcohol, food). Just observe. Healing and surrendering can take grit and endurance. Although going through the pain is not easy, and self-love is required, it is worth it in the long term; stay focused on the desired result. Avoid falling into the comparison trap. We all have some mess! Behind a persona on social media is a person with emotions that they are trying to work through! Start Processing Your Emotions today! Practice deep belly breaths (breathing in, putting your hand below your navel, and breathing in, feeling your stomach expand). Journal or meditate to help acknowledge and surrender. I am feeling_________ (be specific) the emotion(s) is_________. Am I expanding or contracting? Where do I feel it in my body? When have I felt this before? What are the beliefs or attachments I have? Am I ready to release the past and future (anxiety, anger, fear, guilt, victimhood)? The opposite of letting go is effort. It’s not until we have done the work that we realize it takes more effort to carry these emotions with us than it ever did to let them go. Are you ready to surrender to the past and create your desired life? Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Sharleen! Sharleen Beaumont, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Sharleen Beaumont is an EQ Master Empowerment Coach and Founder of Brave New Ending. She helps clients get unstuck from their stories and manage their emotions. Her clients re-imagine their life, connect with their highest self utilizing the foundation of all change; emotions! After graduating from University, Sharleen's career began in Victim Services. She then became a Certified Mediator, and Mediated for her Community and Courts. Her career moved to Corporate Communications and Consulting, working globally. Next, she stepped into an Entrepreneurial life, helping take a new company to the multi-million dollar level. Deciding to live life on purpose, she received her Master Empowerment Coach certification and started Brave New Ending. Brave- a strength of character, courageous, faces fear, determined, passionate, on purpose. New Ending-keeps the end goal in mind to write their next chapter and life story.

Written by: Tafiq Akhir , Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. According to a recent government report, menopause-aged women are the fastest-growing workforce demographic. Moreover, nearly 20% of women with menopause have quit or are considering leaving their jobs because of their symptoms. Here's how workplace resources can help employers retain valuable female employees and create a healthy, supportive, inclusive, and team-building environment for all employees. The impact of menopause One of the most underserved health and wellness issues that almost every woman will experience in her lifetime is menopause . It is a natural progression in a woman's life that typically happens between the ages of 40 and 65. However, some women can even experience early menopause in their mid-to-late 30s. The start of menopause will vary for each woman, as will the duration, the specific symptoms, and even whether she experiences weight gain or weight loss. Therefore, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Instead, solutions will differ based on each individual's level of metabolic health. Did you know more than 70% of women with menopause symptoms are unaware that they're experiencing menopause? Most women and men only think of menopause as it relates to hot flashes and weight gain. While these are two prevalent symptoms of menopause, there are more than 30 different symptoms that a woman can experience over the 4–10 years that menopause can last. Some symptoms are mild, while others can be highly debilitating. I've found that many women suffer from symptoms associated with one of four specific areas of metabolic distress resulting from the domino effect caused by menopause. Many types of metabolic distress can affect hormones, health, and weight. However, the four I've encountered most commonly in my practice are metabolic adrenal, metabolic thyroid, metabolic liver, and metabolic reproductive distress. Knowing and understanding the impact of menopause symptoms is extremely important for employers and everyone on your team. Symptoms can directly impact productivity, memory, and confidence, which could ultimately affect the company’s bottom line. Menopause in the workplace Stress, anxiety, and depression brought on by her menopause symptoms are often exacerbated at work by a lack of support and the worry that she may lose her job. Menopause symptoms can lead to several issues at work. You might notice a decline in productivity, an increase in sick days taken, missed deadlines, or a perceived decline in her ability to work well with others. Employers should recognize that most women are at the peak of their careers during this stage. Unfortunately, without adequate education, support, resources, and solutions, many women quit their jobs or are reluctantly let go. As a result, employers lose dedicated and valued employees. They must spend extra time, money, and resources finding and training someone new. Everyone involved needs to know that menopause symptoms can be minimized, reversed, and even prevented with proper education, coaching, support, and resources—not only for the woman going through menopause but also for her employer, peers, and co-workers. Menopause is a natural stage of life that happens to almost every woman. But unfortunately, by default, her family, friends, colleagues, and employers will experience the fallout of the symptoms she typically suffers through alone. When your valued employees have menopause support, it can relieve anxiety, stress, or even embarrassment they may be feeling. Employers can improve teamwork, raise morale, increase productivity, and save on health insurance costs by incorporating menopause into their workplace programs by offering education, support, resources, and solutions for menopause symptoms. Managing menopause symptoms Menopause is a complex hormone, health, and weight management issue that cannot be self-diagnosed or resolved through a Google search for symptoms and solutions. No one will ever find all the components needed to navigate the three stages of menopause on their own. The hormonal connection between a woman’s metabolic response, her organs, her glands, fat loss, and personal health requires the support of a well-educated, certified, and trained menopause specialist. To retain, attract, and support valuable female employees and encourage an inclusive working environment, companies should consider including a women’s health initiative program within their wellness package. Optimally, this should include training in the workplace to eliminate the stigma and promote a better understanding of menopause. Additionally, providing targeted training solutions for your female employees can help minimize, reverse, and even prevent menopause symptoms and improve their work, productivity, and overall quality of life. In conclusion I grew up seeing my mother deal with various health conditions, including early menopause, which began in her mid-thirties and lasted almost ten years. I had never heard the term "menopause" back then; it was called the "change of life." I also vividly remember my mom having severe and chronic hot flashes, isolating herself in the bedroom, and suffering in silence. Knowing what I know now, it breaks my heart to know she suffered alone for so long. Women experiencing menopause symptoms should not suffer in silence anymore. Employers, peers, and co-workers can help by learning, understanding, empathizing, and creating a supportive and secure working environment for everyone. Offering workplace wellness support that includes training and resources for menopause can tremendously benefit your company and, most importantly, your staff. To learn about different options and to get recommendations on what might be best for your organization, schedule a discovery call with me here. WatchTafiq TV here. Find and follow Tafiq here: Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Tafiq! Tafiq Akhir, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Tafiq Akhir is a licensed menopause specialist, speaker, and healthy aging advocate with over 20 years of experience in health and fitness. Growing up, he witnessed the adverse effects of poor nutrition, a lack of adequate exercise, and unhealthy lifestyle choices on his mother, who passed away at 52. During his studies of hormone health, food, and fitness, Tafiq found that every health and weight issue she battled might have been minimized, reversed, or even avoided had she learned how to eat, exercise, and live for her body's unique needs. Tafiq's mission is to provide comprehensive hormone, health, and weight management resources and education for midlife women struggling with many of the overlooked and underserved health issues that women continue to suffer from unnecessarily with very little if any, support.