Elevator Talk With Michelle

Elevator Talk With Michelle

By MichelleEducationSelf-Improvement
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Elevator Talk With Michelle episodes

  • Understanding Post-Holiday Depression
    Have you ever wondered why it's so hard to get back into the swing of things, after the holidays? Post-holiday blues are really a thing. Here's how to deal with them. 
    What Are Post-Holiday Blues? Post-holiday blues share many of the same characteristic symptoms of an anxiety or mood disorder: insomnia, low-energy, irritability, difficulty concentrating, and anxiousness.
    What Causes Post-Holiday Blues? There’s little research on the subject, but a consensus among experts is that the adrenaline comedown is the main reason. Princeton, NJ-based clinical psychologist Dr. Eileen Kennedy-Moore suggests that the abrupt withdrawal of stress hormones after a major event, be it a wedding, an important deadline, or the holidays, can have a profound impact on our biological and psychological well-being.
    Why Do We Feel Depressed After the Holidays? Unless you have a three-week vacation in August or some other big diversion during the year, the holidays may be the only time regular life is interrupted. Even if your holidays weren’t so merry and bright, the brain exaggerates the realities of day-to-day life, making the return to the mundane seem disproportionately more anxiety-inducing and depressing than it really is.
    Our Brain is Tricking Us. According to Dr. Melissa Weinberg, a research consultant and psychologist specializing in well-being and performance psychology, it’s a sign of healthy psychological functioning. “It’s just one of a series of illusions our brain fools us into believing, in the same way we think bad things are more likely to happen to others than they are to us. 
    We’re Emotionally Exhausted. The considerable weight of navigating difficult situations and relationships and keeping your cool during the holiday events is another possible factor in post-holiday depression.
    Your Diet Plays A Role. The sugar and alcohol-fueled diets many of us love and/or survived on during the holiday season can also play a role. Alcohol is a widely recognized depressant and research has also linked junk food to depression. 
    How Long Does Post-Holiday Depression Last? This is going to be different for everyone. But if after a while you still aren't looking forward to upcoming events, or you continue to remember the holidays with sadness rather than fondness, it's time to talk to a mental health professional.
    Post-Holiday Depression Statistics:
    • According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), approximately 24% of people with a diagnosed mental illness find that the holidays make their condition “a lot” worse and 40% “somewhat” worse.”
    • The most difficult months for people with Seasonal Affective Disorder, a type of depression, in the United States tend to be January and February, according to the American Psychiatric Association. This can compound negative post-holiday feelings in the 5% of adults in the U.S. who experience SAD.
    • While it is a myth that suicides increase around the holidays, a study published in 2014 in the Journal of Emergency Medicine found that New Year's Day was one of the times associated with the highest number of poison ingestions with suicidal intent.
    How To Get Over Post-Holiday Blues:
    1. Take care of yourself. 
    2. Schedule time for fun. Filling up your planner with activities you enjoy will give you something to look forward to and help keep contrast effect at bay.
    3. Be patient and go easy on yourself. Don’t beat yourself up for feeling the way you do and take the time you need to find your footing.
    Please be sure to subscribe and support my Podcast. Your support is greatly appreciated, and you do so for as little as $.99 per month. Go out there and be great, because great is calling you and great is calling me.
    24 min
  • Day 11- Another COVID Christmas: Tips On How To Stay Safe
    Here are some tips experts offer to keep you and your loved ones safe this holiday season.
    (1). Is It Safe To Gather With My Family? Dr. Anthony Fauci said this week that people who are fully vaccinated and boosted should “feel comfortable having a holiday meal or gathering with family members who are also vaccinated and boosted,” Today reported. Getting boosted before a family gathering also helps to protect members of the family who are immunocompromised. For example, older people or people with chronic illnesses as well as people who can’t get vaccinated, like young children under 5.
    (2). Can I Hang Out Safely With My Friends? It depends. Meeting up with one friend to spend time together poses a different risk than going to a holiday party with a bunch of people. Either way, it’s smart to be vaccinated and boosted, and to get tested before spending time together, especially if you don’t know what risks your friends have been exposed to. Omicron is much more transmissible than previous variants and might surpass even our best defenses, including highly effective masks and vaccines, health experts say.
    (3). Can I Go To The Movies? This time last year, most big movie releases were limited to streaming platforms. But this year, some movies have debuted exclusively in theaters, with their streaming releases slated for several months after the premiere. Like everything else, the decision to see a movie in a theater depends on your personal risk calculus. Dr. Scott Roberts, associate medical director for infection prevention at Yale New Haven Hospital, told the Hartford Courant that he would probably skip the movies this year.
    (4). How About Dinner At A Restaurant? Going Out For Drinks? Unfortunately, indoor dining might once again pose a significant risk with the presence of omicron, health experts say. Health experts have long asserted that indoor dining is especially risky because you can’t eat with a mask on. Diners inevitably spend a significant portion of their time in a restaurant unmasked, leaving them vulnerable. And the CDC continues to classify indoor dining especially without social distancing a high-risk activity. Given how transmissible omicron is, it might be best to not take any chances at least, that’s what some experts are doing.
    (5). Are Sporting Events Ok To Attend? Omicron is causing all sorts of problems in the sports world, but mostly for teams, not spectators. Health experts have said that sporting events, especially if crowded and indoors are potential breeding grounds for COVID-19 because the virus is spread when an infected person sneezes or coughs and others breathe in those droplets.
    (6). Is It Safe To Fly With Omicron Surging? First, wear a medical-grade mask, like an N95 or KN95. Cloth masks aren’t as effective at preventing the spread of the virus and shouldn’t even be considered for air travel, The Washington Post reported. Second, be cautious about eating and drinking. For a short flight, do your best to wear your mask the entire time. For a longer journey, try to eat when the people around you are wearing their masks. “If at all possible, avoid eating and drinking entirely,” The Los Angeles Times said. Third, do your best to avoid crowds inside the airport. Travelers should try to eat before getting to the airport or look for a remote place inside to eat and drink, The Washington Post reported. Ultimately, there’s no risk-proof way to travel by air, experts say. 
    Everyone should take the time to ask themselves how important travel is to them at this time of year, how protected their family members are, and how much they trust other travelers to also minimize risk and follow COVID protocol, The New York Times reported.
    17 min
  • Day 10- Dealing With Depression And Anxiety Around The Holidays
    Hi and welcome to Day 10 of my 12 Days Of Christmas series. The holidays can be a very stressful time for many people. You have so many things going on all at the same time. There’s shopping, get together’s, and family time; all of this can add extra pressure to our already busy lives. Sadly, for those dealing with mental health conditions like depression or anxiety, the holidays can be even harder to deal with. Did you know that about 1 in 5 adults will suffer from mental illness each year, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Chances are someone close to you will be affected. So how can you spot the signs of someone struggling with their mental health during the holidays and be there to offer your support? Well according to Cedars-Sinai psychologist Dr. Michael Wetter, here are some things we can do:  
    (1). Keep expectations manageable. Try to set realistic goals for yourself.
    (2). Be realistic about what you can and cannot do. Don't put the entire focus on just one day. 
    (3). Remember the holiday season does not banish reasons for feeling sad or lonely. There is room for these feelings to be present, even if the person chooses not to express them.
    (4). Leave "yesteryear" in the past and look toward the future. Life brings changes. Each season is different and can be enjoyed in its own way. Don't set yourself up in comparing today with the "good old days."
    (5). Do something for someone else. Try volunteering some your time to help others.
    (6). Be aware of excessive drinking. It will only increase your feelings of stress.
    (7). Try something new. Celebrate the holidays in a new way.
    (8). Spend time with supportive and caring people. Reach out and make new friends or connect with someone you haven't heard from in while.
    (9). Save time for yourself! Recharge your batteries! Let others share in the responsibility of planning activities.
    Holiday Bill of Rights. You have the right to...
    (1). Take care of yourself.
    (2). Feel mixed up emotions around the holidays.
    (3). Spend time alone thinking, reflecting, and relaxing.
    (4). Say "no" to party invitations.
    (5). Ask for help and support from family, friends, and community service agencies.
    (6). Say "no" to alcohol, drugs, and seconds on dessert.
    (7). Not to ride with a drunk driver, to take their keys away and to call a taxi for them.
    (8). Give gifts that are within your holiday budget.
    (9). Smile at angry salespeople and or rude drivers and not entertain ignorance or stupidity. 
    (10). Enjoy your holiday the way you want.
    What Is Holiday Depression? While "holiday depression" is not a clinical diagnosis, the stress, anxiety, and sadness of the season can contribute to a more long-term condition, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). And for those with mental illness, many say it becomes "a lot" worse (24%) or "somewhat" worse (40%) during the holidays.
    Stressors unique to the holidays can include:
    (1). Spending more money than usual (or feeling pressured to do so).
    (2). Having more obligations than usual.
    (3). Pressure to maintain happiness or be in "the holiday spirit."
    (4). Having more opportunities and permission to eat, drink and otherwise indulge.
    (5). Having more intense travel plans, accompanied by all the worries about being on time and not forgetting the presents and how weather will affect the trip.
    (6). The holidays can also dredge up other uncomfortable feelings around loneliness and loss.
    23 min
  • Day 9- How To Keep Your Holiday Spending On Budget
    There really is such a thing as being too generous, especially during the holidays. In 2019, Americans budgeted, on average, $8,461 for presents. That can be a tough bill to face in the new year. Here are some holiday spending tips to help get you through the season with your wallet intact.
    (1). Know Who You Are Purchasing Gifts For. Write down “everyone” you plan to give gifts to. Then put a dollar figure next to each name. 
    (2). Research To Get The Price Possible. Before you go shopping, make sure you do your research, to see who has the best price possible.  
    (3). Don’t Wait Until The Last Minute To Shop. One of the surest ways to overspend is to wait until the last minute and buy all your gifts in a rush.
    (4). Purchase Last Year’s Electronics. For many people, the latest and greatest features aren’t important.
    (5). Get The Tea About Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Studies have shown there isn’t a huge difference in markdowns between one day promotions, such as Black Friday and Cyber Monday, and regular holiday sales. 
    (6). Keep Track Of Your Spending. Spend wisely by reviewing your account statements, paying your bills regularly and using online banking to easily monitor your accounts. 
    (7). Consider Making Gifts. Homemade presents are great ways to save money while creating something memorable.
    (8). Save In Advance For Expensive Gifts. Start saving early for those big-ticket items. 
    (9). Avoid Shopping Sprees. Retailers are good at enticing people to spend money.
    (10). Don’t Forget To Add In Your Shipping Cost. It’s not unusual for an online item to appear cheaper than in the store, until you add in shipping costs.
    How To Save For Christmas Next Year:
    (1). Create A Christmas Savings Account. Start by dedicating a specific place to put your Christmas savings.
    (2). Consider Making Budget Cuts. Review your family expenses and find something to cut out. 
    (3). Start Buying Stuff Now. The day after Christmas is the best time to start filling your gift closet.
    (4). Make Gifts. There are a lot of great DIY gifts you can make for the people you love and care for.
    (5). Give The Gift Of Time. Use this time of the year to volunteer your time.
    Please be sure to subscribe and support my Podcast. Your support is greatly appreciated, and you do so for as little as $.99 per month. Go out there and be great, because great is calling you and great is calling me.
    20 min
  • Day 8- Protecting Your Identity And Credit During The Holidays
    Hi and welcome to Day 8 of my 12 Days Of Christmas series. The holiday shopping season is an annual time for people and businesses, to get spending happy. In 2020, shoppers spent a record $14 billion on Thanksgiving and Black Friday shopping, according to Forbes. Data from Adobe Digital Index, which reports on digital marketing trends for senior executives, indicates that Cyber Monday injected close to $11 billion into the economy, a 15.1% increase over the year before. Guess what, 37% of cyber sales came from our mobile devices. Now as happy as shoppers and retailers may have been, guess who else was happy? You guessed it, hackers, and identity thieves.  If you find that you have been a victim of Identity Theft, please be sure to contact the CFPB at: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (consumerfinance.gov) to file a complaint. 
    With the holidays approaching, protecting your credit cards, passwords, and identity can be as important as making a shopping list. According to cybersecurity professionals who work with major corporations and organizations to prevent fraud and strengthen security measures, people who are vigilant and prepared can avoid being victims this season.
    Here is what you need to look out for:
    Mall Watchers: Although online sales have increased dramatically with North American net sales of $67.55 billion that represents an increase of 21.9% in the second quarter of 2020; brick and mortar sales are still a mainstay of the holiday season. 
    Safe shopping at retail stores starts with awareness: know who’s nearby and what’s going on around you. Is someone standing too close to you in line? Are they secretly taking pictures with a cell phone? The person next to you or behind you could be a “shoulder surfer” trying to take a picture of your credit card information. 
    Cyber Shopping Savvy: Online shopping is slowly becoming the most traditional way for people to shop these days, especially during the holidays. Before clicking on links or giving out your credit card information, be sure you are shopping safely online.
    Fight Fraud: Most credit card issuers are surprisingly good at fraud detection, alerting us to fraudulent activities or suspending cards if they suspect unauthorized activity. Review your card’s fraud policy and update your settings if necessary. Have emails sent directly to you to alert you to every purchase. 
    Protect Your CVV Code: The three-digit numbers printed on the back of your card is used to verify that the card is physically present during a transaction. Internet retailers may request the number because it helps them prevent fraud and verify that the real cardholder is placing the order. Be wary of emails from credit card thieves posing as your card issuer and asking for your CVV. The real card issuer will never ask for your CVV number in an email.
    Please be sure to subscribe and support my Podcast. Your support is greatly appreciated, and you do so for as little as $.99 per month. Go out there and be great, because great is calling you and great is calling me.
    28 min
  • Day 7- Fun Christmas Traditions To Try This Year
    Hi and welcome to Day 7 of my 12 Days Of Christmas series. Did you know that having traditions helps create lasting memories, and it gives us something to look forward to, next year? It’s also a fun way to bring people together. The traditions you start with your family and/or friends will become part of your heritage. This list of Christmas traditions: 
    (1). Create a holiday bucket list. 
    (2). Make a small gift for the women in your family.
    (3). Decorate your bedroom. 
    (4). Send funny or silly Christmas cards.
    (5). Make homemade Christmas cards. 
    (6). Participate in the National Ugly Christmas sweater day. 
    (7). Go shopping at a thrift store this Christmas.
    (8). Cut down your own Christmas tree. 
    (9). Start a Christmas diary.
    (10). Visit a live nativity.
    (11). Let the little one’s camp out near the Christmas tree. 
    (12). Take a picture every year in front of the tree.
    (13). Plan a Christmas vacation. 
    (14). Go to a Christmas concert. 
    (15). Christmas around the world. 
    (16). Create a New Year’s predictions jar. 
    Here Are Some Classic Christmas Traditions:
    (1). Movie marathon. 
    (2). Put together a Gingerbread house.
    (3). Drive around looking at Christmas lights.
    (4). Attend a parade or festival where you live.
    (5). Buy a new ornament every year.
    (6). Cookie exchange. 
    (7). Decorate sugar cookies. 
    (8). Read Christmas books. 
    (9). Go Christmas caroling. 
    (10). Read the Christmas story in the bible (Luke 2:1-20).
    (11). Attend a tree lighting ceremony.
    Christmas Traditions to Start With Kids:
    (1). Video from Santa. 
    (2). Let them have their own little tree. 
    (3). Elf on the Shelf. 
    (4). Special cookies for Santa plate. 
    (5). Let your kids shop at the dollar store. 
    (6). Help the kids give back via donations. 
    (7). Write a letter to Santa.
    (8). Want, wear, need, read gifts. 
    (9). have breakfast with Santa.
    (10). Christmas handprint gift. 
    (11). Write a letter to your kids each year.
    (12). Have a Polar Express party. 
    Traditions For Giving Back: 
    (1). Bring cookies to a fire station. 
    (2). Caroling at a retirement home. 
    (3). Sponsor a child or family. 
    (4). Special Christmas morning breakfast. 
    (5). Preform random acts of kindness. 
    (6). Shop for toys to donate. 
    (7). Donate to a food pantry or family in need. 
    (8). Write a letter or mail a gift to troops stationed overseas. 
    (9). Buy gifts for kids in the hospital. 
    Advent Traditions to Start:
    (1). Advent Calendar.
    (2). Advent Book. 
    (3). Make an Advent Activity Tree.
    Christmas Eve Tradition Ideas: 
    (1). Open one gift on Christmas Eve. 
    (2). Watch the same movie every Christmas Eve. 
    (3). Call the Santa tracker hotline. 
    (4). Christmas pajamas.
    (5). Attend Midnight Mass.
    (6). Read a special Christmas book. 
    (7). Watch The Nativity Story. 
    Christmas Traditions to Start With Your Friends:
    (1). Host a movie night. 
    (2). Attend a holiday show. 
    (3). Potluck brunch or appetizer party.
    (4). Host or attend an Ugly sweater party.
    (5). Go gift shopping together. 
    (6). Wrap presents together. 
    (7). Volunteer. 
    (8). Visit a holiday market or craft fair.
    35 min
  • Day 6- Tips For Selecting And Caring For Your Live Christmas Tree

    Hi and welcome to Day 6 of my 12 Days Of Christmas series. There is no right or wrong type of tree to purchase, when it comes to choosing a Christmas tree. It really depends on what you like and what you can find. Having a fresh cut tree is so much better than an artificial tree, any day of the week. However, I understand the convenience of having an artificial tree.


    Here are some of the most popular conifers grown for Christmas trees:


    Douglas Firs- Have soft, flat, blue-green needles that are attached singly to the stem.

    Frasier And Balsam Firs- Have soft, flat, dark green needles marked by silver bands on the undersides.

    White and Scotch pines- Have needles bundled into groups of five (white pine) or two (Scotch pine).

    Colorado Blue Spruce- Have sharp, square needles that are attached singly to the stem.


    How To Select A Fresh Tree:


    You can be assured of getting a fresh tree if you cut your own tree from a local Christmas tree farm. While this is a cherished family tradition for many, the convenience of purchasing a pre-cut tree is more attractive for others. To check a pre-cut tree for freshness, look for flexible needles that remain firmly attached when you tug on them. All needled evergreens shed their oldest needles every year, so do not be concerned when brown needles fall from the interior of the tree when you knock the base of the tree on the ground. Just make sure they are thoroughly shaken off the tree before taking it indoors. If the needles pull out easily, or if they appear a dull, lifeless green, that tree may be past its prime.


    How To Maintain Freshness:


    Maintaining a high moisture level in the tree is the single most important factor in reducing needle loss and keeping the tree fresh. This is accomplished primarily through the use of water-holding stands and keeping the water level in the stand above the base of the tree. Every year, there are many articles written concerning the handling and care of Christmas trees. Unfortunately, they often contain erroneous information.


    How To Maintain Freshness And Aroma Of Your Live Tree:


    (1). Use a tree stand with an adequate water holding capacity.

    (2). Keep displayed trees away from sources of heat (fireplaces, heaters, heat vents, and direct sunlight).

    (3). Check the stand daily to make sure that the level of water does not go below the base of the tree.

    (4). Monitor your tree for dryness.


    What To Do With Your Tree After The Holidays:


    When you are ready to take your tree down, don’t be in hurry to send it to a landfill. Evergreen boughs make a great mulch for perennial flowering plants that do not tolerate other mulches that can hold excessive moisture around their crowns. They can also be placed on the ground near bird feeders to create a little shelter for ground-feeding birds. Also, many communities have a special pick up or designate a drop off site for Christmas trees. They may hold a big community bonfire or grind the trees into mulch that can be used for the garden in spring.


    Closing: Please be sure to subscribe and support my Podcast. Your support is greatly appreciated, and you do so for as little as $.99 per month. Go out there and be great, because great is calling you and great is calling me.




    1 hr 2 min
  • Day 5- Protect Yourself Against Credit Card Fraud This Holiday Season
    Hi and welcome to Day 5 of my 12 Days Of Christmas series. Americans plan to spend just under $1,000 on gifts and holiday items this year, according to the National Retail Federation. Surveys show most consumers will shop online for holiday gifts and use credit cards to pay for them. About 1 in 5 shoppers (including 38% of millennials) will use “buy now, pay later” services to make purchases instantly and pay for them over time with no interest, a Morning Consult survey found.
    (1). Credit cards are often the safest payment option.
    (2). Consider using “virtual cards” or mobile wallets.
    (3). Be careful with “buy now, pay later” services.
    (4). Watch out for social media scams.
    (5). What to do if you are a victim of fraud or identity theft. If you believe you are a victim of fraud, contact one of the major credit reporting Agencies (Experian, Equifax, and Transunion) and place a fraud alert in your credit report.
    Credit Card Do's for Holiday Spending:
    (1). Make the Most of Your Rewards.
    (2). If you're traveling during the holidays, book your flight and hotel on a travel rewards card.
    (3). Get a card with an Intro Bonus.
    (4). Consider a card with a 0% Intro APR promotion.
    (5). Use a credit card to track your holiday budget. 
    (6). Pay off your card as you make purchases.
    (7). Protect your purchases with extended warranties and purchase protection.
    (8). Use virtual credit card account numbers when shopping online. 
    Credit Card Don'ts for Holiday Spending:
    (1). Don't spend more than you would if you were using cash. 
    (2). Don't run up your credit card balance.
    (3). Don't forget to pay your bill.
    (4). Don't delay repaying on a 0% Intro APR credit card.
    (5). Don't lose track of your spending.
    (6). Make sure you check your online account often.
    (7). Don't enter credit card information online from a public Wi-Fi network.
    (8). Monitor your credit during the holidays.
    Please be sure to subscribe and support my Podcast. Your support is greatly appreciated, and you do so for as little as $.99 per month. Go out there and be great, because great is calling you and great is calling me.
    35 min
  • Day 4- The Best Christmas Teas
    Hi and welcome to Day 4 of my 12 Day Of Christmas series. The holidays are the most wonderful time of the year. The cold weather, snow, Holiday movies, family, friends, hot chocolate, Holiday cakes, Holiday music, candy canes, Santa, decorations, laughter, warm and fuzzy thoughts, reindeer, beautifully scented candles, and hot tea. I love sitting in front of the fireplace and sipping on a cup of tea. Well, honestly, I love tea all year long since I am not a coffee drinker. If you're looking for some limited-edition flavors or seasonal taste to brew in your teacup, you've come to the right place. Spread some holiday cheer this year and grab some tea gifts for friends or treat yourself to a tasty holiday-inspired flavor. You can get these great flavors from Sencha Tea at: www.senchateabar.com.
    1. Apple Spice Tea
    2. Cinnamon Tea
    3. Peppermint Tea
    4. Genmaicha Green Tea
    5. Masala Chai Tea
    6. Earl Grey Tea
    7. Caramel Tea
    8. Butterfly Pea Flower Tea
    9. Lavender Tea
    10. Pumpkin Spice Tea
    11. White Tea
    12. Hibiscus Tea
    13. Oolong Tea
    14. Vanilla Tea
    15. Blood Orange Black Tea
    16. Cranberry Tea
    17. Ginger Tea
    18. Lapsang Souchong Black Tea
    19. Chamomile Tea
    20. Winter Spice Tea
    21. Licorice Root Tea
    22. Earl Grey Cream Tea
    23. Rosehip Tea
    24. Ginger Turmeric Tea
    Please be sure to subscribe and support my Podcast. Your support is greatly appreciated, and you do so for as little as $.99 per month. Go out there and be great, because great is calling you and great is calling me.
    22 min

About Elevator Talk With Michelle

From the publisher's feed

This Podcast is all about encouraging people to be there best and to lift them up, when life knocks them down. I will be putting up new content every Saturday, but there may be times when I put up…