• Feature Article - How to Prevent Burnout? 6 Quick Tips
• Fran Recommends - Reboot Your Body
• Work/Life Balance Resource

A Note From Fran
Check in with Yourself

If you're like me your mind is still reeling from the horrific incident at Virginia Tech last week. On behalf of our entire team at Aerobodies we extend our love and sympathies to all the family, friends, coworkers and staff at Virginia Tech that are striving to move forward with their lives after being shattered by this event.

Making sense of tragedies like this one is not so easy to do. But since last week, I've heard many professionals in the field of mental health and well-being echo is a sentiment to which I too firmly agree: "Heed the warning signs...an Ounce of Prevention is often the Key."

No matter what area of health: physical, mental or emotional, we as individuals often focus on a quick fix as opposed to time, attention and the willingness to proactively, practice prevention. If you've been reading this newsletter long enough, you know I don't support fad diets, one minute miracles or quick fixes. I recommend long-term solutions nutrition, good health and exercise. So although I'm no expert in the field of psychological or mental health, I do know that we could serve ourselves and society better as a whole if we took more time to slow down and observe our own behaviors and those of others.

Are you on autopilot? Do you drive to work or meetings unaware of when you change lanes or make turns? Can you tell me what you ate for breakfast two days ago or how you spent your time on Sunday? If not, perhaps the following article on Mental Burnout is a good one you should consider.

Take more time to enjoy the beautiful gift of LIFE...my wish for all of us this year!

In love and good health,



Fran Dean Bishop, Award winning Coach and Trainer 
franb@aerobodiesfitness.com

Amanda Williams
Corporate Health Team

Webster's dictionary defines mental health as: A state of emotional and psychological well-being in which an individual is able to use his or her cognitive and emotional capabilities, function in society, and meet the ordinary demands of everyday life. How can we be expected to meet the demands of everyday life when everyday life is so overwhelming? There are never enough hours in the day nor days in the week…right?

Take a moment and look at your life. Are you getting enough physical exercise? Do you eat balanced nutritious meals daily? Do you sleep 7.5 - 8.0 hours per night? Are you drinking lots of water? Getting enough sunlight…and the list goes on. How much time do you spend with loved ones laughing and just having plain old fun? All of things support our mind/body health or lack of it.

So perhaps you could make a few positive changes in your life based on the questions above. Here are a few quick ideas to get you started, see if you can add 3 more. Put the list on your desk at work and see how many of these well-being techniques YOU can master on a daily basis:

1 - Smile at everyone you see.
2 - Hold the door open when you see someone walking for it.
3 - Blow your horn ONLY for emergencies.
4 - Play ball with your kids or babysit for a friend (kids only know fun.)
5 - Look up at the sky and create a story about what you see.
6 - Walk a dog.
7 - Listen to the birds when they sing.
Now add 8, 9 and 10.

All of these tips are a perfect start for achieving good mind/body health! You'll notice a difference in yourself and so will those around you. Start today.

Need more tips on Creating Work/Life Balance? Check out Fran's column this week in the Washington Business Journal at: http://washington.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2007/04/23/smallb4.html