Q: Make a habit of taking several 10 to 15-minute breaks throughout the day to combat the pressure and frustration you feel. Visit with a coworker, refill your water bottle, or step outside for a breath of fresh air. High-pressure work environments often involve some level of competitiveness, which means you might try to stay at your desk the entire shift and push yourself harder and harder. Taking a short breather can actually benefit your work performance, however. If you can't manage a longer break, get up for just 5 minutes at a time. You'll find that you'll feel more focused and productive afterwards, making the break well worth your time. Shift your perspective about what you're doing and you may feel less pressure. Try looking at a difficult job as a game or competition of sorts. Set a personal deadline or strive to beat your best time. For example, if your boss is breathing down your neck about getting a project done by the end of the workday, imagine that each task you complete is helping you destroy a fire-breathing dragon (i.e. your boss). If you get the project done on time, you conquer the dragon! By looking at your work this way, you'll likely get more done while feeling less stressed in the process. Sometimes the pressure you feel about your job is internal. If you have really high standards for every piece of work that leaves your desk, you could be making your work environment more stressful than it has to be. Aim for done, not perfect. Start by prioritizing which tasks you'll give the most time and energy to. For the others, just do themdon't worry about giving 100% on every task. Another way to overcome perfectionism is to judge how the things you're stressed about will matter in the long run. For instance, if you're worried about choosing the perfect font on a work document, ask yourself how important that really is. " Do you have a tendency to overcommit by saying "yes" to every request your coworkers or boss makes? Challenge yourself to start declining demands that don't serve you and setting stronger boundaries. Be polite, but firm. Say something like "I can't. I'm already in over my head with the Anderson project. Maybe Chris could help you?" " The pressure can feel overbearing when you have become disconnected from your purpose. Reflecting on why you do the work you do or why your job is important can help lighten your mental load. Think about why your work is valuable. Who does it help or benefit? Your purpose can serve as an anchor when things get stressful at work.
A: Take breaks often. See tough tasks as games. Let go of perfectionism. Be willing to say "no. Remember your "why.

Q: Since you don't have a blender to whip your milkshake together, you'll need a large container that you can use to mix, and stir all of your ingredients in. Alternatively, you can use an electric mixer or food processor if you have those instead of a blender. If you don't have an electric mixer of any sort, a handheld whisk works just as well.
A: Grab a large mixing bowl.

Q: Some people have luck with taking fish oil supplements, particularly those with EPA and DHA, which are omega-3 fatty acids. The idea is that the Western diet is low in omega-3 fatty acids. These acids may have anti-inflammatory properties. Therefore, a supplement may help with tenderness and stiffness, particularly in the morning. Choose a supplement with at least 1,000 mg of combined EPA and DHA. However, take fish oil with caution, as it can decrease your blood's ability to clot. You can also increase your intake of these acids from natural sources, such as flax seed and algae. Some evidence shows GLA (another omega-3 fatty acid) may also be helpful. Borage, evening primrose, and black currant seeds all contain GLA, which you can take in a supplement form. However, be aware that these can interact with other medications you may be on. For instance, evening primrose may interact with psychiatric drugs, while borage can increase your risk of liver damage. Try 2.8 grams a day of borage oil, 10.5 grams a day of black currant seed oil, or 6 grams a day of evening primrose. Curcumin the active ingredient found in the spice turmeric, said to be anti-inflammatory. You can curcumin directly from eating turmeric, or you can take it as a supplement. Some people who take a supplement of curcumin find they have less swelling and stiffness. Some also find they can walk farther. Take 500 mg of curcumin 2 times per day. Always be sure to check with your doctor before you begin taking curcumin or turmeric for RA. Cat's claw, also known as uncaria tomentosa, can help with inflammation. In fact, there is some evidence it works like prescription rheumatoid arthritis drugs. Some people who take this supplement notice less joint swelling. It may also help with the pain. You can take 250-350 mg daily. You shouldn't take cat's claw if you have tuberculosis, low blood pressure, or if you're on a blood-thinning or immune-suppressant medication. Some patients with rheumatoid arthritis take a supplement of feverfew. They believe it helps with grip strength. You can take this supplement in powder form, as much as 70 to 86 milligrams of the powder daily. This supplement, sometimes called Thunder God Vine, has been used in China for hundreds of years to treat joint pain. It also may help with stiffness, grip strength, and swelling. You can take 60 milligrams a day. This herb is highly controversial, as it has been known to have serious side effects ranging from infertility to death. Only use TWH with extreme caution, and always consult your doctor before starting a TWH treatment.
A: Try fish oil to reduce inflammation, swelling, and pain. Use curcumin for swelling and stiffness. Use cat's claw to help with swelling and pain. Take feverfew to improve your grip. Take Tripterygium wilfordii hook F (TWH) to treat joint pain.

Q: Staying hydrated is a great way to keep your lips moist, smooth, and wrinkle-free. Drinking water also has many other benefits, including clear skin. If you notice your lips are looking more chapped than usual, drink some water or use Vaseline or another petroleum jelly. There are other ways to stay hydrated as well. Snack on water-rich foods, such as watermelon or cucumber. Sports drinks and coconut water are also great options. Avoid drinking from bottles, when possible, as this can cause fine wrinkles around your mouth. Bottles with a nozzle-tip should be fine, however. The easiest way to do this would be to cover your mouth with a scarf. If it is too warm for that, or if you simply don't like wearing scarves, consider using some lip balm or petroleum jelly (i.e.: Vaseline) instead. Acidic foods include things like oranges, kiwi, orange juice, and lemonade. Not only can these foods sting your lips, but they can make any current flaking worse. Salty foods may also dry out your lips because of the fine, salty coating they leave on your lips. This does not mean that you have to give these foods up forever; once the flaking stops, you can try slowly reintroducing them into your diet. The more you mess with your lips, the drier and chapped they will become. Biting your lips too often can scrape away the delicate skin, leaving it chapped. Saliva, although moist, actually dries out your lips, especially if you applied lip balm. If you like to wear flavored lip balm, switch to an unflavored one so you won't be tempted to lick your lips. You can also apply petroleum jelly instead. It doesn't taste good and may help you break the habit of licking your lips. It is very tempting to pick at the dry, flaky skin, but this will only make things worse by slowing down the healing process. Instead, apply a natural, hydrating lip balm instead. Make sure that you use one that is labeled for chapped lips.
A:
Drink 8 glasses (1.9 liters) of water daily. Protect your lips during cold or windy weather. Cut back on acidic and salty foods. Break the habit of biting or licking your lips. Do not pick at your lips if they are chapped.