Rapid Dose Therapeutics Commences Clinical Research Trial with GI Research Institute and University of British Columbia
BURLINGTON, ON, Aug. 20, 2019 /CNW/ - Rapid Dose Therapeutics Corp. (CSE: DOSE), ("RDT") announced today the commencement of a clinical research trial with the GI Research Institute ("GIRI") and the University of British Columbia ("UBC") under the direction of Dr. Brian L. Bressler, MD, as Principal Investigator. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of providing daily doses of QuickStrip™ Vitamin B12 oral thin film strips to Inflammatory Bowel Disease ("IBD") patients who are vitamin B12 deficient.
IBD is a chronic gastrointestinal condition that afflicts approximately 270,000 Canadians and more than 5 million people worldwide and causes inflammation that can lead to ulceration of the intestinal tract that often results in poor absorption of essential nutrients and vitamins. Vitamin B12 deficiency is generally treated with injections or orally ingested pills. Injections may be unpleasant for some patients while others may have difficulty with swallowing pills. Rapidly dissolving QuickStrip™ B12 oral thin film strips may provide an effective and convenient solution to individuals needing daily B12 supplementation.
"We are delighted to engage in this clinical study, initiated and led by Dr. Brian Bressler, and the GIRI team of researchers, as Dr. Bressler is one of Canada's foremost leaders in the area of gastroenterology and the treatment of IBD," said Dr. Rina Carlini, VP, Research & Innovation of RDT.
"We are excited to be involved in this study to learn how this new delivery of vitamin B12 can help replace this essential nutrient in patients with IBD in an efficient and convenient way," said Dr. Bressler.
RDT's proprietary QuickStrip™ technology is an oral dispersible thin film drug delivery system that rapidly delivers active medicinal agents directly to the bloodstream via transfer through the sublingual or buccal mucosa (mouth), bypassing metabolism of the active agent in the gastrointestinal tract.
GIRI, located in Vancouver, BC, is affiliated with Pacific Gastroenterology Associates and supports clinical research and helps advance education in gastrointestinal disease.
About Rapid Dose Therapeutics Rapid Dose Therapeutics Corp. is a publicly-traded Canadian life sciences company that provides innovative, proprietary drug delivery technologies designed to improve outcomes and quality of lives. RDT offers Quick, Convenient, Precise and Discreet™ choices to consumers. RDT is focused and committed to clinical research and product development in the healthcare industry, including nutraceutical, pharmaceutical and cannabis sectors. Within the cannabis sector, RDT provides a turn-key Managed Strip Service Program which enables RDT's QuickStrip™ proprietary drug delivery technology to be licensed by select partners. RDT's service-based annuity contracts drive recurring revenue which enables rapid expansion into emerging markets — generating value for consumers and shareholders. Rapid Dose Therapeutics is committed to continually create innovative solutions aimed at multiple consumer segments and future market needs.
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: Certain information in this news release may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Any statements that are contained in this news release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward- looking statements. Forward looking statements are often identified by terms such as "may", "should", "anticipate", "expect", "potential", "believe", "intend" or the negative of these terms and similar expressions. Statements containing forward-looking information, including, without limitation, in respect of the delivery of products using the QuickStrip™ product delivery method, express, as at the date of this news release, the plans, estimates, forecasts, projections, expectations or beliefs of RDT as to future events or results and are believed to be reasonable based on information currently available to them. Forward-looking statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks, including, without limitation, risks associated with general economic conditions; adverse industry events; marketing costs; loss of markets; future legislative and regulatory developments involving cannabis; inability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources, and/or inability to access sufficient capital on favourable terms; the cannabis industry in Canada generally, income tax and regulatory matters; the ability to implement its business strategies; competition; currency and interest rate fluctuations and other risks. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list is not exhaustive. There can be no assurance that statements of forward-looking information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, will prove to be accurate as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are based will occur. Actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.
SOURCE Rapid Dose Therapeutics Corp.
Need that Extra Push? 4 Ways to Motivate Yourself to Start a New Workout Routine
The year is already more than half over and you might be coming to the realization that you never got around to tackling those fitness goals you set for yourself at the beginning of the year. If you need that extra push to motivate yourself to get fit, here are four tips to help get you started on a new workout routine.
Find a Workout Buddy
Working out with a friend is much more fun and makes the time go by a lot faster. You can also lean on each other when you’re not feeling particularly excited about a workout or are getting a bit down on yourself. Choose a partner that has similar fitness goals as you so that you’re always on the same page and can maximize the benefits of the benefits of having a workout buddy.
Post Inspiration Everywhere
When you see something that inspires you to reach your fitness goals, grab on to it. If it’s something you see on your social media feed, share it. If you come across something in a magazine, clip it out and hang it on your refrigerator or another location that you visit often throughout the day. Visualizing your fitness goals in this way can help you manifest your dreams into reality.
Get New Workout Gear
When you look your best, you feel your best. This theory holds true when exercising as well. If you have some new workout gear you’ll be more motivated to put them on and get to the gym. Gear that fits correctly, particularly weightlifting clothes, can also improve your workout routine because it’s less likely to get tangled up in equipment when you’re exercising.
Set Smaller, More Frequent Goals
Making one huge goal of losing a large amount of weight can seem intimidating, leading you to be less motivated about working out. The more goals you achieve, the more encouraged you’ll feel to stay the course. Set smaller goals, like a five pound weight loss within a two month time frame, so that you can realistically meet that goal within the allotted time. Once you crush that goal, you can continue to set goals until you’ve finally achieved everything you desire.
Staying motivated when starting a new workout routine can seem like a daunting task at first. With the right tools and right people around you, you’ll be able to reach all of the goals you set.
IS YOUR BRAIN HARDWIRED FOR ROMANCE?
Neuroscience Expert Shares How to Biohack The Brain for a Better Relationship Dating and relationships are hard work - especially in 2019. The changing face of modern romance has led to some pretty depressing stats: A recent survey found that more than 50% of sexually active individuals are dissatisfied with their sex lives; only 30% of Internet daters are in search of true love as opposed to hookups; and a staggering 23% of women aren’t happy in their relationships! It's no wonder nearly half of all marriages today end in divorce.Before you lose all faith in modern romance and turn your back on love, there may be some hope. Though some argue technology is the leading culprit in romantic demise, new tech has also given us incredible insight into love and relationships. According to Neuroscience expert Dr. Patrick Porter, there is a fascinating link between brainwaves and romance.We can't see it, but brains hum with these waves of electrical activity. At the root of all our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors is the communication between neurons within our brains. Changing our brainwaves has a dramatic effect on our physical, mental, and emotional health."Brainwave training has been found to help people de-stress and achieve emotional balance. It is proven to help people who struggle with stress, anxiety, difficulty sleeping, fatigue, - all of which are extremely important factors when it comes to romance and relationships..."...says Dr. Porter, who recently presented research along with Arianna Huffington at the National Biohacking Conference in Los Angeles. According to research, sleep plays a major role in relationships. When we sleep poorly, the parts of our brain devoted to emotional empathy don’t function as well. Sleep loss causes social withdrawal and loneliness and it helps us to be less angry and aggressive. Not surprisingly, anxiety and stress can also negatively impact your relationship. It can lead to inappropriate suspiciousness or paranoia, overthinking, being indecisive, and an appropriate need for reassurance and support.Though there are several methods of brainwave entrainment, one of the most effective is "braintapping" which uses auditory and visual stimulation to synchronize and balance brainwaves. As the light and sound frequency changes, so does the frequency in the brain. Brainwave training stabilizes the limbic system which is involved in motivation, emotion, learning, and memory. Your body is calmed, your breathing becomes rhythmic, your hands warm, and your muscles relax. "The light and sound stimulation boost brain levels of serotonin, beta-endorphins, and norepinephrine. These are the same chemicals that are released during attraction and make us giddy, energetic, and euphoric," says Porter. Brainwave training and biohacking have made tremendous advances in improving symptoms of mental health conditions which are closely tied to relationships. Although in the past, brainwave training and biohacking have received criticism for being unregulated, biohackers argue that's exactly why it needs to be studied and have close attention by the public. Dr. Porter is sharing the fascinating link between brainwave training and its impact on romance and emotional health and he can also explain why balancing brainwaves may improve your love life.IN AN INTERVIEW OR ARTICLE, DR. PORTER CAN DISCUSS:Brainwaves and relationships: the science of love.The fascinating link between brainwave training and its impact on romance and emotional health.Why balancing brainwaves may improve your love life.Biohacking - the latest trend in health and wellness.How to biohack your brain with light, sound, and vibration.What mainstream biohacking means for the healthcare industry. ABOUT DR. PATRICK PORTER:Dr. Patrick K. Porter, Ph.D., is an award-winning author and speaker who has devoted his career to neuroscience and brainwave entrainment. As the creator of BrainTap Technology™, Porter has emerged as a leader in the digital health and wellness field. BrainTap’s digital tools and mind development apps use Creative Visualization and Relaxation, a biohacking technique that has made tremendous advances in treating mental, physical, and emotional health issues. Braintap has been praised for helping people overcome stress and insomnia, lose weight, stop smoking, manage pain, accelerate learning, and much more. FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT: www.braintap.com
STONEFIELD VILLA RESORT LAUNCHES AN EXCLUSIVE FITNESS RETREAT WITH CANADIAN CELEBRITY AND FITNESS EXPERT JANA WEBB
TORONTO, ON (August 20th, 2019) - Stonefield Villa Resort, a premier health and wellness boutique property nestled at the base of Saint Lucia's famous Pitons has partnered with fitness expert and Reebok spokesperson, Jana Webb to launch a weeklong fitness retreat from November 17 – 24th, 2019 offered exclusively through WestJet Vacations.
Webb, an original cast member of the Real Housewives of Toronto, is the founder of JOGA World, a movement system made up of yoga combined with the biomechanics of sports training. Joga was created during a personal journey of rehabilitation following a car crash that left Webb severely injured. Her unique program enhances athletic performance, improves concentration, decreases recovery time, and ultimately, transforms an athlete's game.
The Jana Webb Fitness Retreat, is an all-inclusive package with roundtrip flights on WestJet, including luxury villa accommodations at Stonefield Villa Resort. The package will feature daily personalized workouts; a 60-minute spa treatment; customized healthy meal options at the resorts award-winning farm to table restaurant - Mango Tree; airport transfers; Sulphur Springs Volcano mud bath excursion, hiking the famous Pitons and a full day catamaran experience along the islands west coast.
Saint Lucia offers travellers an elevated wellness experience; the volcanic island is home to the healing Sulphur Springs, a restorative mineral mud bath, lush rainforests and the iconic Pitons that rise majestically out of the Caribbean Sea. Webb visited Saint Lucia in November 2018 to scout properties for her first fitness retreat aboard. After reviewing the island top wellness attractions and resorts, she selected Stonefield Villa Resort to host her high-end clientele on a week-long fitness/wellness retreat.
“To find a getaway that combines the zen of the ocean and the adventures of the rainforest is rare,” remarked Jana Webb, founder of JOGA. “Stonefield Villa Resort’s exquisite farm to table service and magical views from your own private villa will be a time in your life you will never forget. Saint Lucia will inspire you! My motto in life is work hard and play harder. Join me for the first ever, all-inclusive - Jana Webb Fitness Retreat partnered with WestJet Vacations and Stonefield Villa Resort. I guarantee a week of fun, fitness, amazing food, relaxation, adventure, laughs and friendship.”
The Jana Webb Fitness Retreat is sold exclusively through WestJet Vacations, visit http://westjet.com/stonefield to book you package today or call Toll Free: 1-888-937 - 8538.
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About Stonefield Resort
Stonefield Villa Resort is one of the most desirable destinations for the discerning Caribbean traveller. This 17-villa boutique property is nestled at the base of St. Lucia's Pitons overlooking the Caribbean Sea. Guests relax, luxuriate and rejuvenate in spacious secluded villas each with large private pools, outdoor garden showers, large verandas and extraordinary views of the Petit Piton and the Caribbean Sea. The resorts' full-service spa, gym, and yoga studio have attracted fitness and wellness groups globally offering annual retreats for exceptional rejuvenation. Consistently rated over four stars on Trip Advisor, Stonefield Resort and Spa has become a yearly award-winning vacation escape for visitors all over the world.
OXYGEN: A SECRET WEAPON FOR HOLISTIC HEALTH?
Expert Offers Insight Into Oxygen, Exercise, & the Art of BreathingWe all know breathing oxygen keeps us alive but it's easy to underestimate just how much it impacts our overall health and fitness. Oxygen helps the body maintain pH balance, boosts metabolism, detoxifies the blood, enhances exercise, and plays a huge role in the recovery process. But just because you are breathing air, doesn't mean that you are getting all of the holistic health benefits that proper breathing can offer. This is especially important when it comes to exercise and fitness.According to expert, Michael Grant White, not all breathing is created equal and there are breathing techniques you can do to enhance your workout."Breathing is an art. Since oxygen is crucial for peak athletic performance, proper breathing should be one of your main focuses during exercise...”
...says White who trains athletes (and those with challenged breathing) to use proper breathing techniques and has seen first-hand how better breathing can help strengthen endurance, lower lactic acid production, and improve stamina for cardio-centric activities (like running, swimming, biking, etc.) In addition, simple breathing techniques can help people (at any level of fitness) recover more quickly from high-intensity activities.Oxygen-enhanced exercise is a holistic approach to fitness that has recently skyrocketed in popularity. Once available and common only with Olympians and pro athletes. this training method has hit the mainstream and now at-home-exercisers and workout warriors across the country are using it as an all-natural way to gain an athletic advantage.
In case you missed this high school biology lesson, here's a quick recap of the science: During exercise, your muscles have to contract and work harder, which increases their demand for oxygen. The amount needed is much more than you are taking in. Your body first burns the existing oxygen in the red blood cells and when this runs out, the body turns to fermentation for its energy needs. Instead of using oxygen, the muscles convert glucose into lactic acid and this is when fatigue sets in. Oxygen-enhanced exercise leverages the body's already-existing system for oxygenating the blood before this happens. It is a scientifically proven phenomenon that’s said to benefit the body by reducing the physical stress of exercise, accelerating recovery, helping you sleep, giving you more energy, and improving your metabolism. "Playing sports, weight-lifting, circuit training, or any other intense physical activity, of course, burns calories and builds muscle, but many people don't consider the wear and tear it has on their body. Lack of oxygen ages the body at a much greater rate..."...says White, who has studied breathing over the past 24 years and has seen a rapid rise in interest for oxygen-enhanced exercise. As anti-doping initiatives spread across the country, and athletic drug testing becomes more prevalent, many athletes are turning to oxygen-enhanced exercise as a way to amplify their workouts without the use of drugs, chemicals, surgery, or invasive techniques. In short: better breathing = better health. Michael Grant White is on a mission to awaken the breathing consciousness of the world. He can share breathing tips people can use to improve their health and their workout and has insight into the oxygen-enhanced exercise trend. IN AN INTERVIEW / ARTICLE:Breathing Tricks to Improve Your Health & Enhance Your Workout3 Ways you Might be Breathing WrongUnlikely Ways Your Breathing Impacts Your LifeFascinating Link Between Breathing & The BrainInsight into the "Oxygen-Enhanced Exercise" Trend: An All-Natural Approach to Improve Health & Enhance Workouts ABOUT MICHAEL GRANT WHITE:Michael Grant White is a holistic health expert, author, and international speaker who has dedicated his career to helping people improve their health through better breathing. As an Optimal Breathing Coach and the founder of My Oxygen Machine andBreathing.com, White is on a mission to make the world healthier one breath at a time.
4 Types of Clothing that Will Boost Your Workouts
Exercise can take many forms. It can range from competing in a triathlon down to a few minutes of stretching your legs after couple of hours stuck at your desk. There is as much variety in workout clothing as there is in the types of workouts, but almost any type of physical activity will be more productive and more comfortable with these four types of clothing.
Workout Gloves
We say “No pain, no gain!”, but sometimes the pain can interfere with the gain. If your exercise is causing blisters or scrapes on your hands, you will get a lot more gain by purchasing some quality workout gloves. They’re designed for working out, not being out working, so they’re optimized for exercise. Good workout gloves will flex with you, protect you from injuries, and breathe to keep your skin cool.
Compression Gear
Another area of discomfort during workouts is from your clothes. Bulky garments may be necessary to keep you warm, but they interfere with good form and will increase fatigue. Baggy cotton garments will also get tangled and uncomfortable. Ordinary socks will ride up, ride down, or wear through. Exercise apparel like compression socks for men and womenwill ensure that your clothing stays comfortably in place and doesn’t interfere with free movement.
Modern Rainwear
Bad weather is a good excuse for skipping a daily walk or run. Back when nylon was the only choice for rainwear, it was actually a legitimate excuse, because the material trapped body heat and humidity, quickly making you hot and miserable. Investing in gear made with modern materials can resolve this problem. They turn rain away but allow body heat and moisture to radiate out, keeping you comfortable despite the precipitation.
Wicking Fabrics
The days of sweaty shirts plastered to athletes’ bodies are over. Modern moisture-wicking fabrics help that perspiration move away from the garment and the wearer, resulting in better evaporative cooling that helps maintain a safe, comfortable body temperature. No matter what activity you use for working up a sweat, these materials will work the sweat away from you.
The motivation to work out is vital to a successful exercise program. So is the development of a specific routine. With the right clothes to keep you at the optimum temperature without rubbing you the wrong way or getting you wet, your exercise routine will be easier to maintain and will lead to better results.
BTG receives Health Canada Medical Device License for the ICEfx™ Cryoablation System
New technology provides physicians in Canada with a minimally invasive alternative to current tumour cryoablation procedures
OTTAWA, Aug. 15, 2019 /CNW/ - BTG International Canada Inc., part of the global specialist healthcare company BTG plc (LSE: BTG), today announced it has received a medical device license from Health Canada for the ICEfx™ Cryoablation System.
Cryotherapy (also known as cryosurgery or cryoablation) is a minimally invasive procedure that involves cooling the tip of a very thin needle to extremely low temperatures using compressed argon gas. This process forms an ice ball at the tip of the needle, which engulfs the targeted tissue and destroys diseased cells. Cryotherapy ablation is widely used in patients with prostate cancer, kidney cancer and pain applications. To date, more than 200,000 cryotherapy procedures have been performed around the world.
The ICEfx™ Cryoablation System The ICEfx™ Cryoablation System is a compact design for use by interventional radiologists thatprovides a minimally invasive alternative procedure for patients with certain cancers. The ICEfx™ Cryoablation System is simple to use with an intuitive interface that is also compact, portable, and is a powerful alternative to existing larger cryotherapy systems.
Introduced globally in the fall of 2018 at the Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiological Society of Europe (CIRSE) meeting, the ICEfx™Cryoablation System is now available for use by interventional radiologists across Canada.
"BTG is pleased to add the most advanced cryoablation technology to the portfolio of minimally invasive therapies it offers to Canadian interventional radiologists and their Canadian patients. Around the globe BTG continues to demonstrate its commitment to interventional oncology, and has added the most advanced cryoablation technology to its portfolio of minimally invasive therapies and is currently supporting a number of active clinical research studies of cryoablation in bone, kidney, lung, pain and prostate," states Brad Pearson, BTG VP Commercial Operations for Canada and Latin America.
About BTG IO Ablation (Cryoablation) BTG Interventional Oncology is a global leader in delivering innovative interventional oncology ablation solutions. BTG's cryoablation products address patient conditions across multiple specialties and clinical research priorities including, conditions affecting bone; kidney; liver; lung and prostate as well as pain applications. Product indications vary by country. For a full list of indications, instructions for use and important safety information, please visit www.ioablation.com
About BTG Interventional Oncology BTG Interventional Oncology is transforming the way cancer is treated with wide-ranging solutions consisting of minimally-invasive, highly targeted therapies that can be personalized to each patient's needs. Our products are used to treat or provide symptomatic relief for people with cancer and benign tumors. To learn more about BTG Interventional Oncology, please follow @BTGIO on Twitter or visit: btgplc.com.
Concerns Over Health Screenings and the Aging Population
We’ve all heard it, “early detection saves lives,” so why do so many people put off health screenings that could identify cancer before it has the chance to end their life? Right now, 52% of people blame health system barriers like scheduling and timeliness for a lack of screenings. Among that 52%, 40% of those patients aren’t getting Colorectal cancer (CRC) screenings. CRC is the second leading cause of death due to cancer in the United States.
The even bigger problem, demand for screenings is expected to increase with an aging population as well as with changes in legislation through the Affordable Care Act. With that, there are serious concerns surrounding the efficiency of existing screening capacity resources and then being able to absorb the increased demand in the future.
If you are interested in running this article exclusively, please reach out to me. The authors are also available for interviews.
About INFORMS and Service Science
Service Science is a premier peer-reviewed scholarly journal focused on covering state-of-the-art research, education, practice and breakthroughs. The work crosses traditional disciplinary boundaries to make sense of interactions that create value in complex service systems. It is published by INFORMS, the leading international association for operations research and analytics professionals. More information is available at www.informs.org or @informs.
CMPA supports appropriate use of artificial intelligence in healthcare
OTTAWA, Aug. 14, 2019 /CNW/ - The Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA) led an engaging discussion on Artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare today in Toronto during its Annual Meeting and Conference. During the session, CMPA members and stakeholders were given a sense of the current state of the AI/Deep Learning technology and its potential application in healthcare/health research.
Dr. David Naylor, Professor of Medicine and President Emeritus, University of Toronto, outlined some of the advantages and pitfalls of AI in the health realm, including its current and future applications to practice. Dr. Hartley Stern, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer at the CMPA, reviewed the medical-legal implications of AI in healthcare. These presentations set the stage for an engaging question and answer period on AI's potential influence on medical practice.
Dr. Naylor advocated for a well-considered approach to incorporating AI in healthcare, including evaluating the appropriateness of AI tools, and exercising judgment in clinical decision-making. Both Drs. Naylor and Stern emphasized that the objective of using AI-based technology should be to enhance patient care and complement the physician-patient relationship – not replace physician decision-making.
"Physicians are encouraged to understand the relationship between Deep Learning and related data sciences so they can make the best possible use of AI systems," said Dr. Naylor. "This rapidly developing technology has tremendous potential to improve diagnostic accuracy and enhance access to care."
"As AI applications continue to improve, the healthcare industry will undergo a significant shift," said Dr. Stern. "The CMPA urges governments, regulators, and industry to put in place the appropriate legal and regulatory frameworks to support safe adoption of AI and we are eager to contribute to this process. In addition, we will continue to support physicians by providing advice to minimize medical-legal risk as they adopt or are impacted by AI technologies."
From patient care to clinical research, AI applications are revolutionizing healthcare delivery and contributing toward safe medical care. The speakers emphasized that AI is still developing and has yet to be widely adopted. While evidence about the effectiveness and reliability of the practical applications of AI continues to be limited, there are promising opportunities for healthcare. Both speakers concluded that effective AI adoption requires a well thought-out and balanced approach.
The CMPA delivers efficient, high quality physician-to-physician advice and assistance in medical-legal matters, including the provision of appropriate compensation to patients injured by negligent medical care (fault in Québec). Our evidence-based products and services enhance the safety of medical care, reducing unnecessary harm and costs.
As Canada's largest physician organization and with the support of our 100,000 physician members, the CMPA collaborates, advocates, and effects positive change on important healthcare and medical-legal issues.
Dr. Sanam Hafeez, NYC neuropsychologist, points out some essential things to consider before choosing to work from home.
Studies, surveys, and census information show that about 8 million Americans work from home at least part of the week. This amount is considerably higher today than it was back in the early 2000s. This section of the workforce is expected to grow in the coming years as online resources continue catering to this setup. The improvement of internet connectivity, collaborative applications, and software, as well as the proliferation of studies showing increases in employee productivity when working from home, have contributed to the general change of mind on this work/lifestyle choice.
But is working from home for everybody? What characteristics make for a more successful remote employee? What are some of the drawbacks for individuals working at home?
Dr. Sanam Hafeez is a Neuropsychologist in NYC with a Faculty Appointment at Columbia University. She points out that “as online tools and telecommuting become more commonplace, more conversations need to be had about what characteristics and job responsibilities a team member needs to have in order to carry out their duties successfully while working from home.”
Dr. Hafeez explains that not all personalities are the same and that employees need to be assessed in order to “determine where they would, not only feel happiest but also be more productive.”
Here Is What You Should Take Into Account If You Are Thinking Of Working Remotely:
Isolation
Everyone who has ever had to wake up to go to work on a Monday with little sleep, low energy or a personal issue gnawing at their mind, has felt the annoyance of having to go to the office and attend a Monday meeting. This does not mean, however, that working from home is ideal for you, explains Dr. Sanam Hafeez. “Nearly everyone will experience that feeling of wanting to stay home instead of heading into work. For the majority of people going to work adds meaning and stimulation to their day. Introverts may have an easier time acclimating to the lack of human interaction in a work-from-home situation, but for extroverts, the lack of camaraderie and the isolation they may feel at home may be an essential deterrent that leads them to opt for an on-site position,” says Dr. Hafeez. In a 2-year Standford University study on productivity and remote work, more than half of the study group felt too isolated at home and indicated their change of heart when it came to working from home 100 percent of the time.
Little Separation of Home and Work
Home is where the heart is. For many of us, opening the door to our house or apartment after a long day brings a feeling of calmness from the constant stimuli of the workday. “For people who consistently work at home there might be issues separating work from play, rest and family,” says Dr. Hafeez. For an organized person who can confine their work to an established workstation within the home, this might be less of an issue but for those of us who study in bed, or like to work on the dinner table or couch this presents a challenge. “Sleep Hygiene is one of the areas where this also comes to play because our bed should be for sleep and sex. If you are scattering papers across the place you sleep and spending hours upon hours working in bed, there is no signaled change to the brain that the bed is for sleep. Making it difficult later on to wind down,” explains Dr. Hafeez.
Distractions
A cardinal rule for determining whether to work at home or in the office should always be, know thyself. “This means you are being honest with yourself as to your abilities to navigate and ignore temptations and distractions on your own without the structure of an office and team environment,” says Dr. Hafeez. People who are self-disciplined tend to do well working from home because their personality is conducive to holding themselves accountable. But if you know that in the absence of a manager or co-workers you would fall victim to distractions like the TV, food, or other to-do items, then choosing to stay in office may be an important self-reflective decision you need to make for you and your career.
The Dependance of Family on Your Time
One problem with working at home if you have a lot of dependents or people that count on you is the perception to those around you that you are not busy. “This means that if you are at home and something comes up, even if not urgent, you may be asked to deal with it,” warns Dr. Hafeez. This is something to consider and a conversation to be had with those you care about. People who are people-pleasers may have a difficult time adhering to their work in a moment when someone they care about needs a favor. If you still decide to work from home “consider having systems in place to deal with needs that come up. Such systems might include pharmacy delivery services, food delivery and medical transport for older adults. This may help in navigating some issues,” suggests Dr. Hafeez.
A Decrease In Company Rapport
For those of us with an invested interest in growing within a company and investing in our career, working from home may not be the best choice in lieu of an office option. While many companies are growing off of a collaborative and entrepreneurial spirit of remote work, companies that have headquartered spaces need people present. “Presence breeds familiarity and familiarity drives rapport,” affirms Dr. Hafeez. If a big client crisis happens, the first to know are those in the office, and if you are at home, working remotely, you might lose out on the opportunity to give your input. While people who are great multitaskers may still be able to navigate these types of situations by checking in with the in-office team regularly, those who tend to stick to their to-do list and work more reactively may find themselves plateauing with the company after some time.
About Dr. Sanam Hafeez:
Dr. Sanam Hafeez PsyD is an NYC based licensed clinical neuropsychologist,
a teaching faculty member at the prestigious Columbia University
Teacher’s College and the founder and Clinical Director of
Comprehensive Consultation Psychological Services, P.C. a
neuropsychological, developmental and educational center in Manhattan
and Queens. Dr. Hafeez masterfully applies her years of experience
connecting psychological implications to address some of today’s
common issues such as body image, social media addiction,
relationships, workplace stress, parenting and psychopathology (bipolar,
schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, etc…). In addition, Dr. Hafeez works
with individuals who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD),
learning disabilities, attention and memory problems, and abuse. Dr.
Hafeez often shares her credible expertise to various news outlets in
New York City and frequently appears on CNN and Dr.Oz. Connect with
