• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Clare Kumar

Clare Kumar

Powering Up Productivity & Pleasure

Show Search
Hide Search
  • 1-855-356-FLOW (3569)
  • Home
  • Speaking
  • Coaching
  • Work From Home – Better
  • Products
  • Blog
  • Media
  • About
  • Contact

Nurture

Spring Clearing Series – How Oral Care Relates to Productivity, and vice versa

Colgate Total toothpaste, toothbrush
Make time to take care of your whole mouth – a gateway to good health.

I had the pleasure of touring to a few cities in Canada this spring to share ways to be more productive this season. Not only do we need to think about being productive in how we accomplish what we want to do, it pays to find solutions which are as effective and efficient as possible. I gathered a few ideas which provide one-stop shopping or deliver complete solutions for you, and in the next five blog posts, I’ll share the benefits of each one.

In my Productivity model, Productivity CPR™, the P stands for Performance which is all about taking care of the human animal that is you.

According to the Mayo Clinic, your oral health can affect your overall health and among other consequences may contribute to cardiovascular disease and, in pregnancy, may even lead to premature deliveries and low birth weights.

We know that regular flossing and brushing are a necessary part of maintaining good oral hygiene. But there’s more to think about.

 

Staying mindful and paying proper attention when you brush can make a difference to the effectiveness of your efforts and pay back with more comfortable visits to the dentist! Here are a few things to keep in mind:

 

1. Duration

Spend two minutes brushing your teeth. Set a timer if you think you’re not spending enough time. I tend to walk around while I’m brushing my teeth…it makes the time go by in a more interesting way. Or choose a favourite song as a tooth brushing anthem and get your groove on while you’re brushing!

 

2. Coverage

It’s important to brush each side of your teeth with equal attention. I spoke with an endodontist recently who recommended that if you’re right-handed, to pay more attention to how you brush the teeth on the right side of your mouth. And vice versa. Because of ergonomics, you might be naturally giving some areas of your mouth less attention than they deserve. Consider switching hands when you switch the sides of your mouth you’re brushing to always be brushing the opposite side.

 

3. Intensity

Be careful not to brush too hard to avoid abrasion of both the enamel and the gums. 1 Stay conscious of the pressure. This can also be helped by brushing with your non-dominant hand. If you’re using an electric toothbrush, listen to the sound of the motor as it will change with increased pressure. Use the sounds a guide to ensure you’re brushing with a light enough touch.

 

4. Feature-rich Toothpaste

Colgate Total has been around for over 20 years now and recently updated their formula to include even more benefits for your whole mouth – teeth, cheeks, gums and tongue. The new Colgate Total  formula fights bacteria to keep breath fresh, reduces plaque, and fights tarter and gingivitis. It also strengthens enamel, fights cavities, and builds a protective layer over sensitive areas of teeth while delivering stain reduction and prevention.

 

5. Floss

For my entire life, I’ve been an inconsistent flosser.  According to the Canadian Health Measures Survey, I am not alone. Only 28% of Canadians floss at least 5 times a week versus 73% who brush twice a day.2 I remember my dentist trying to motivate me as a teenager, telling me he would take pictures of my teeth if I flossed. I have been blessed with Class 1 occlusion, otherwise known as “perfect bite”, which naturally makes for great pics. Unfortunately, his invitation did not motivate me in the slightest!

For me, the trick to flossing regularly is to keep the floss visible and make it more comfortable to use. Good thing there are new products available which are eco-friendly and pretty on the countertop.

 

6. Portable Picks

I carry a small case of toothpicks with me in my Personal Care Kit to handle the urgent feeling that comes with any morsel of food jammed between my teeth, which proves to be a huge distraction.

 

Sources:

  1. https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/basics/threats-to-dental-health/tooth-enamel-repair-approaches-0915

 

  1. https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/healthy-living/reports-publications/oral-health/canadian-health-measures-survey.html

I work with organizations to deliver sustainable performance.  If you know of a forward-thinking company who wants to achieve objectives and help their leaders and teams avoid disengagement and burnout, we should talk.

Book a Discovery Call to learn more about a range of engaging talks and effective coaching.

Filed Under: Fuel, Nurture, Productivity, Products, Rituals, Wellness

Facing Fall – Seven strategies to boost your energy for the “Dark Half”

 

Clare Kumar walking along street

I know fall has technically just started, but I’m feeling it full force in the mornings. We are entering the dark half of the year, when light levels are lowest north of the equator.  Light levels affect our melatonin production. In darkness, we produce more, making us sluggish and sleepy.  It’s harder to get up, and once home at the end of the day, harder to go out.

When I worked in a corporate cubicle and travelled there by subway, I used to feel anxiety about the impending change of seasons as early as July 31st. Can you relate to what I’m talking about? I was never diagnosed, but I figured I had a solid case of SAD, or Seasonal Affective Disorder. In the mid-90’s, November in Toronto was in various shades of sombre gray – the depressing, not titillating kind.  I committed to leaving the city, which I did for nine years.

During that time I was able to shift to work from home in a light-filled space, and with more flexibility in schedule to get outside in natural light, I now have nowhere near the anxiety I used to fear. It hasn’t turned into a love of winter, but I’m now able to appreciate the sun bouncing off the snow and the afternoon glow that penetrates further into my office.

 

1. Get enough sleep

Most people need between 7 and 9 hours per night.  If you’re like me and suffer from “just one more thing” syndrome which prevents you from getting to bed early enough, consider setting an alarm for “bedtime”.  With enough sleep and a consistent routine, you will likely not need a wake-up alarm in the morning.  Here’s what the National Sleep Foundation has to say about how much sleep is ideal.

 

2. Spend time outside each day

If it’s not your natural urge to be outside in cold weather, you’ll want to find ways to boost your exposure to daylight. Walk part of the way to work, take part in an outdoor winter sport, park a little further from the mall entrance.   If that’s difficult, consider using a now-widely available light lamp to amp up (ooh, catch that?) the quality and number of rays you’re receiving.  If you’re considering purchasing one, you’ll want to read this list of things to consider.

 

3. Respect your energy levels

It takes more time and energy just getting around in cold winter, so it pays to be more selective in what you choose to invest your time and energy.  I will be cutting back on activities which take me out in the evening when I would rather be winding down the day.

 

4. Supplement your Vitamin D

Even with natural light and a healthy diet, you are likely not getting enough Vitamin D, a key ingredient for our bodies for fighting inflammation and for repair. In fact, since the precursor to Vitamin D is synthesized on your skin, which requires your skin to be exposed to the sun when it is higher than 31.5 degrees in the sky (according to Dr. Michael Hollick), you can’t make it yourself in a good chunk of the year. Here is a guide to recommended dosing from the Mayo Clinic.

 

5. Limit carbohydrates and sugar

Watch the ratio of carbs to other foods.  Carbs can make you sleepy and prone to talking yourself out of the exercise that will boost your endorphins and therefore your energy.

 

6. Dress warmly

It took moving to Montreal for me to concede that it was better to dress warmly than try to stay stylish in the cold.  Good thing that coincided with the advent of down coats becoming fashionable and affordable, though I confess to having started with head-to-toe sheepskin. I had to wait for a bus to work, and nothing blocked the wind like that coat.  If you are feeling cold, your body is under stress, you think less clearly and are ultimately less productive, never mind the fact feeling frozen is horribly uncomfortable.

 

7. Incorporate colour

Checking out stores for fall clothing and you’ll see the palette is decidedly more sombre, but who says your wardrobe has to be?  I’ve had persimmon orange and radiant orchid down coats and I swear they energize not only me, but the people I meet. It’s as if your clothes are smiling.  If you have a dark winter coat, add some pizzazz with a bright scarf and toque!

 

How do you keep your spirits up through fall and winter?  I’d love to hear what you do.

 

Note: The information on this site is offered as an information resource only.  It should not be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes and should not be used as a substitute for professional diagnosis and treatment.

This post was originally published on www.streamlife.ca and has been updated.

 

Filed Under: Comfort, Light, Nurture, Performance, Productivity, Technology Tagged With: depression, melatonin, SAD, season affective disorder, Vitamin D

Primary Sidebar

Categories

  • Arrange
  • Business Organizing
  • Coaching
  • Compass
    • Alignment
    • Awareness
    • Intention
  • Ergonomics
  • Holiday Organizing
  • Home Office
  • Home Organizing
  • Leadership
  • Liberate
  • Nurture
  • Organizing with Kids
  • Peace of Mind
  • Performance
    • Comfort
    • Fuel
    • Light
    • Mindset
    • Movement
  • Play
  • Productivity
  • Products
  • Reduce-Reuse-Recycle
  • Relationships
  • Rituals
    • Skills
    • Systematize
  • Technology
  • Time Management
  • Uncategorized
  • Wellness

Core Chair

Enjoy this code, CHAIRLOVE, to receive a special price for your Core Chair.

Visit the CoreChair website to order. 

In Canada: https://ca.corechair.com/
In the US: https://us.corechair.com/

Nitehood

Visit www.nitehood.com and to get 15% off, enter code SLEEPWELL

Book a discovery call with Clare? Click here to contact me.

Footer

Author, speaker and coach, Clare Kumar inspires leaders, professionals, employees and entrepreneurs to respect humanity and boost performance through marrying productivity and pleasure.

Clare’s mission is to help people have more fun while getting things done. And who doesn’t want that?

From the Blog

The ABCs of Behavior Change (TM) – for habits that stick

3 Ways to Keep Your Mindset Strong Through the Fall and Winter

How to find more productive places to work from home

Yup, you caught me. Cat napping, fur real. I didn’t get quite enough sleep last night so set a thirty minute alarm and snuggled with Elliot. He’s still purring but I have to get up. My head is much clearer. My bed head we will just not talk about, k?
#sleep #knowyoursleepnumber #powernap #goldenboys #catsofinstagram #happyhabits
Cat bed designers take note. Styrofoam with curves Cat bed designers take note. Styrofoam with curves. This is Theo’s new fave place to sleep.  What makes your bed a sleep haven? I’ve rediscovered my fleece sheets. Sooooo cozy.  #sleep #productivitytablestake  #sustainableperformance
It’s not so pretty outside this morning. That’ It’s not so pretty outside this morning. That’s when it takes music to warm my space. Starting with gratitude that my body lets me practice yoga right now. I’ve got morning rituals back in place after a few weeks of struggling to find them. And yes, that’s a treadmill in front of me. Thrilled to be partnering with @shopatshowcase and experiencing some of their amazing products to stay fit at home. I walked through two episodes of Couples Therapy last night.  Things might look different these days but there is beauty to be found. Hoping your rituals for self-nurture are strong right now. You deserve it.
This caterpillar toy from @petsmartcanada is a win This caterpillar toy from @petsmartcanada is a winner! It keeps both cats engaged as it roams around and after I turn it off as well. If I need to have uninterrupted time in my office, I’ll be bringing this one out. Mostly though, the cats are welcome to hang out on my desk.  How do you keep your beloved pets stimulated and distracted, er, I mean engaged?  #sponsored #catsofinstagram #goldenboys
It’s been a tumultuous week. If you need to feel It’s been a tumultuous week. If you need to feel some love, watch this fir a few seconds. #goldenboys #catsofinstagram #love
Beautiful blue skies and mild temperatures made fo Beautiful blue skies and mild temperatures made for an invigorating midday break. I adore the sun, especially after days of gray weather. #energize #move
Our challenging times demand new leadership skills Our challenging times demand new leadership skills. Join me for this content-rich facilitated discussion about the key skills needed. 
Presented by @cpaontario and open to the public. Register at https://bit.ly/395Fzv3
Just wrapped a segment with @iamjodihughes at @glo Just wrapped a segment with @iamjodihughes at @globalcalgary chatting about things we can do to stay productive and healthy at home. I started this morning with a walk with my friend @liannephillipson which meant that I was feeling quite energized for the conversation. Thanks to both of you for brightening my Sunday! I hope to share our segment later. And, yes, the cats make another appearance!
I always feel better getting outside for a morning I always feel better getting outside for a morning walk, especially with my pool closed. I’ve been struggling to land on a new morning ritual. Tuning into the feelings I had while walking and now that i’m home, I think this might have to be it, followed by some lengthening and strengthening yoga poses. Not in this collection of pics, the warm smiles I received from fellow walkers. I’ll check in again tomorrow. This looks to be a mild week for January. What does your morning look like? #ritual #move #mentalhealth #physicalhealth #spiritualhealth #lakelife
Load More… Follow on Instagram

Useful Links

  • About
  • Media
  • Praise
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
International Coach Federation Canadian Association of Professional Speakers National Association of Productivity & Organization Professionals Professional Organizers in Canada
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Copyright © 2021 Streamlife Ltd. · All Rights Reserved