Marketing is all about using the right words to elicit a reaction in the intended audience, so it can be bewildering as a job seeker to spend countless hours poring over listings that leave you questioning if you’re better off setting up a folding table on your street corner with a sign that reads: “Will make content for food.”

The language used in job ads matters—a lot. A well-written job advertisement can be the difference between applying for the role and not. Specific terms can alienate certain candidates—and some lists of qualifications read more laundry list than realistic. Simply put—words matter.

Here are five RED flags to look for in marketing job ads. Do your current—and future—self a favor and save these tips when searching for new opportunities.

 

🚩# 1: Beware of Biased Language

Ads that use phrases such as “hit the ground running” should make you think about running in the opposite direction. Typically, this line can point to jobs with little to no onboarding process, and you are expected to pick up the leftover mess(es) of whoever came before you.

Any mention of being a “family” can mean the company cares little about work/life balance, worker autonomy, and time boundaries.

Then there’s “wears lots of hats,” which could mean the company expects you to complete the workload of multiple positions for only one salary. Say hello to possible burnout, resentment, lower rates of productivity, and higher turnovers.

And beware of the use of words like “ninja,” “rockstar,” or “unicorn.” What works for a can of beer does not work for a job ad. These terms, in particular, turn off female candidates. Employers should post job ads with neutral, straightforward titles, like “Engineer” or “Account Executive,” to attract the most diverse candidates.

Smart Tip: If you see something, say something—don’t be afraid to incorporate questions about questionable language during the interview process. Ask about employee turnover rates, the history of the position you’re applying for, the actual working hours, and company expectations on after-hours communication.

 

🚩 #2: “Boilerplate” Job Ads

If it seems like you’ve read the ad before and it gives you no real insight into clear job responsibilities or duties, you may be applying for a company with little knowledge of marketing and what it takes to succeed in the role. Here are two big red flags:
No mention of a team or department
“Sales” is listed as a job duty

Language like this telegraphs that you are likely looking at a role where you may be the only person running the marketing show—not part of a marketing team.

Smart Tip: If the job description is vague and there are no clearly listed tasks, research whether there is a whole team or marketing department or if it’s a marketing team of one at the company. Ask directly about the history of the role and what the company considers as successes and failures of folks who had previously held the positions.

 

🚩#3: No Salary Job Ads

In the dawning age of pay transparency laws across the country, any company not providing a salary band or starting salary for an advertised role is raising a big red flag, indicating that the company negotiates salary based on each candidate—opening a can of ethics worms as women and people of color often make considerably less than their white, male counterparts.

No mention of a salary band can signify that the company doesn’t value workers as team members but merely sees them as cogs in a machine. If there is no mention of what you will be making if hired for the role, you will likely struggle with being valued in the company, which may indicate little potential for growth.

Smart Tip: Asking about salary isn’t taboo! An employer should expect to hear this question during an interview, so feel free to apply and inquire about the salary band for the role. As much as the company is interviewing you—you’re also interviewing the company. Don’t settle for less than what your work is worth.

 

🚩#4: Unpaid Sample Project Requests

Beware of this common pitfall. While a potential employer should do the due diligence and ask about your previous work experience, references to contact, and see examples of past projects—a line must be drawn when a company asks you to complete a pitch or do some other type of free work under the guise of a “sample project” for consideration for the role. See this for what it is: taking advantage of your labor. If it’s a dream position and you genuinely don’t mind doing the work, that’s your call. But for it to be a requirement in the application process is a giant red flag and indicates how you will likely be treated as an employee should you accept a role.

Smart Tip: Remember: if an application/interview process makes you uncomfortable, that’s a sign that your employment there is also likely to as well. If asked to do a sample project, politely ask the hiring manager what they are compensating candidates for this work. If they insist that candidates are doing the work for free, ask yourself if this is a place you want to call your next professional home.

 

🚩#5: No Mention of Benefits

If a full-time job offer does not come with benefits, consider it a significant sign that they’re not trying to attract top talent but rather see you as a cog with little worth. Companies looking to fill slots are not interested in investing in the fullest potential of their employees, and it likely signals that their organization is likely rife with low productivity and high turnover rates.

Smart Tip: When in doubt, ask. Inquire what benefits are offered and dig into the details—there’s more than just health insurance. Ask about vacation time, 401K, fertility benefits, life insurance, continuing education benefits, and more. If you care about the organization’s ethics, ask questions like “do LGBTQIA+ employees receive domestic partner benefits?” Remember, it’s perfectly acceptable to ask questions about demographics you don’t fit into—how else will we evolve the workplace toward a more equitable place?

 

Bottom Line

Tap into your gut. If things feel off in the courting stage, it will likely feel off if you accept a job with the company. Remember that as a marketing professional, you are essential to a company’s success. Marketing is pivotal for the growth of all organizations, and those in marketing deserve employers who respect their time, work, rights, and boundaries.

For the past two decades, the brass ring, especially for recent college graduates, was a solid job at a tech giant like Google. Since the early 2000s, thousands of Millennials have pursued their tech dreams, be they software development or web development or public relations and marketing, all replete with an espresso bar in the lobby, free gym membership, on-site drycleaning and organic lunches – and, of course, high pay and stock options. Think of it as a Millennial and Gen Z American dream, with Gen Zers leaping into the market with four-year degrees and certificates in crucial industry segments such as ecommerce, networking and cybersecurity.

All’s not well around the foosball table, however. If you’re working in tech, you’re looking at a challenging year, for sure. We’re seeing a lot of movement in tech center employment, particularly layoffs and hiring freezes. Many of the perks – and a lot of the jobs – are being peeled away. Maybe your best defense is a good offense? Maybe it’s time to really hunker down and put together a real side hustle (or even a few of them).

Most recently, Amazon announced it would reduce headcount by 18,000 people, but November 2022 was the cruelest month for tech layoffs in recent memory:

  • Meta axed 11,000 employees on November 9.
  • Salesforce laid off approximately 1,000 employees, which the company announced November 8.
  • Twitter laid off 3,700 employees on November 4, about half its workforce
  • Lyft reduced its workforce by 13 percent.
  • Stripe announced on November 3 it would reduce headcount by 14 percent.
  • Chime reported on November 3 the company is cutting its team by 12 percent.
  • OpenDoor laid off 10 percent of its workforce on November 2.
  • Zillow is closing its homebuying business (“Offers”) and laying off 25 percent of its staff.

Even Google might be considering layoffs – during an all-hands meeting in early December, CEO Sundar Pichai refused to comment on the possibility of layoffs, telling attendees, it’s “tough to predict the future.” According to Layoffs.fyi, the number of layoffs as of December 2022 was 152,468, more than double the 45,114 layoffs for the same 2021 period. Almost 1,000 companies (968) have laid off employees this year. You might be worried about getting laid off – or perhaps you’ve already been laid off? We want to help. Long a home for some of America’s best creatives, including freelancers, Creative Circle wants to help you pivot and, ultimately, thrive. But how? It starts with flexibility.

You should understand your skills are your own and you can apply them to gig work and freelancing opportunities, but you’ll have to make a shift and start thinking like an entrepreneur. How? If you’ve been laid off from a tech job, or you’re worried you might be, it’s probably time to start side hustling. In a turbulent job market – and an uncertain economy – you need to keep your options open and find new ways to earn income. But how to get started?

It’s always good to keep your resume fresh and sharp, of course. If you haven’t given yours a good solid review and edit, or if you don’t know where to start, download the Creative Circle Resume Guide. Once you’re satisfied, don’t forget to revise and polish your LinkedIn profile (and maybe add a new profile pic?). Now it’s time to promote your skills and build your network – add connections on LinkedIn, reach out to former coworkers, customers and employers and vendors, let your friends and extended family know you’re looking for more opportunities, including freelance and gigs.

We’re rolling through a difficult economic and employment landscape, and you’ve got to stay focused on the horizon as you look left, right, behind and ahead for whatever you find, including low-hanging fruit and short-term projects. Build momentum and bring in as much work as you can manage. And remember, you can produce portfolio-quality work with just a temporary gig. You’re on an entrepreneurial chessboard, and you have to keep moving (and make the right moves).

Our research has demonstrated Gen Z is intensely entrepreneurial: “Organizations seek Gen Zers for their unparalleled digital skills and fresh outlooks…Gen Zers tend to be: ‘more communicative, more competitive’ as well as ‘more independent’ and ‘more entrepreneurial.’” Whatever your cohort, though, with some attention to detail and some elbow grease you can find ways to earn more, whether you’ve been laid off or not. Taking an entrepreneurial approach to your work will also give you more control over your career and finances, and more flexibility. It might even be fun to be juggling multiple projects at once, especially when you’re your own boss.

And if you’re thinking of a career pivot, we like the advice provided in this Forbes Council article by Rebecca Bosl, a career coach and resume writer:

To develop your career pivot plan, take some time to think deeply about the following questions:

  • What is my ideal workplace or culture?
  • What skills do I have? Of these, which do I enjoy using and which do I not enjoy using?
  • What are my workplace values? Some examples would be hybrid/remote work, high pay, a flexible work schedule, change, variety and meaningful work.
  • What are my passions? Some might not be able to be part of your career (like surfing), but they still contribute to it in meaningful waves, particularly your overall mental health.

To determine your passions, answer these questions:

  • If you had unlimited resources in life and knew you would not fail, what would you do?
  • If you were given $500,000 to start a nonprofit, what type of nonprofit would you start and who would you help?
  • What charges you up? What do you want your life to look like?

Finally, the new year shouldn’t only bring you the blues. This is historically the worst period for hiring all year. Imagine this year as a fresh start. Keep swinging, and please reach out to your Creative Circle recruiter for freelance opportunities.

About the author.

David A. Porter is a writer and editor with extensive social media, public relations, journalism and publishing experience. Over the past two decades he has honed his B2B and B2C communications expertise in a variety of industries, including technology, travel and hospitality, investor relations, political campaigns, music and the arts, and fashion and jewelry. A content creation and distribution specialist, his portfolio includes ad copy, blog posts, brochures, by-lined articles, case studies, long-form content, op-eds, pitch letters, PPT presentations, press releases, proposals and RFPs and speeches; he also edits full-length works by novelists and academics.

Whether someone you know has been laid off, downsized, fired, or seen freelance work dry up, job loss is one of life’s most stressful experiences.

 

Aside from the obvious financial concerns, the stress of losing a job can do a real number on relationships and overall mental and emotional health. Our jobs are more than how we make a living—they influence how we see ourselves and how the world sees us. Our work often provides a social outlet, structuring our time and giving purpose to our lives. Finding yourself out of work can give rise to anger, depression, and shame—grieving what has been lost and anxious about the future.

 

The past few weeks have been rich in headline-making tech layoffs. In just the past month alone, Twitter slashed half its workforce, Meta culled 13% of its workers, and now, there are rumors that Amazon will lay off 10,000 employees. The landscape has downshifted in the tech world, a downturn that may be coming for other industries soon. With layoffs on the rise, understanding how to show up for someone reeling from the impact of a job loss is a skill worth honing.

 

After a colleague, friend, or loved one has been let go, it can be difficult to know what to say or how to help. Steer clear of platitudes like everything happens for a reason or what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger. You want to comfort and support the person who has been laid off—but in a way that is authentic, empathetic, and non-judgmental.

 

Here are some ways to show up that are genuinely helpful and impactful.

1. Listen.

The most significant thing you can do for someone you care about who has lost their job is to be there for them and actively listen. Offer verbal and nonverbal encouragement and give them space to share their feelings of anger, shame, sadness, guilt, or relief. Only they can tell you what they need in the moment.

 

2. Be an emotional support.

For many people, their jobs are inextricably entwined with their sense of self-worth, which is why being let go can cause such emotional distress. Let your friend, family member, or colleague know you are there if they need to rant, talk, or cry. Remind them that they are talented and valuable regardless of their employment status.

 

3. Know what you should not say.

According to Fast Company, there are seven things you should not say to someone who has just become unemployed. Certain statements like everything will be all right, everyone is looking for jobs these days, or be grateful for what you have, may alienate your loved one, perpetuate a sense of helplessness, or make them feel unsupported.

 

4. Help them in their job search.

Finding new work can take time and effort. If you have contacts in your friend or loved one’s industry, passing along their résumé, making personal introductions, and inviting them to happy hours to network can be hugely helpful—all things you can do at any stage of your career.

 

If you work in different fields, you can lend your expertise. Great at writing? Help edit and wordsmith your friend or family member’s CV. Have web design chops? Help craft an online portfolio. Have a stocked home office? Let them come over and print, fax, and scan their hearts out.

 

5. Send a gift.

Losing a job is a layered, distressing experience. The fear of financial duress, the slog of searching for new work, and waves of anger, frustration, and sadness can be all-encompassing. For many, feelings of self-worth, value, and competence are tied to their job, which can become untethered when it is lost. Luckily, however, there are many ways for you to show that you value your friend or loved one. Flowers and food are classic gifts in times of crisis. So is going to a nice cocktail bar and giving pace for your friend or loved one to vent. Feeling cared for in a low moment can help someone feel valued and put some pep in their step.

 

6. Keep checking in.

People typically check in immediately after hearing about a colleague, friend, or loved one’s job loss. But after the first couple weeks, when the calls and flowers have dried up, your friend or family member will likely be mired in job application limbo for months to come. Checking in regularly and just asking how they are doing means a lot. Refrain from immediately asking how the job search is going; let them tell you what is happening. If you at a loss for what to say, let them know that you are there to listen if they ever want to talk.

 

 

Bottomline

The stress of losing a job can seem overwhelming—but there are many things you can do to help, from uplifting spirits to just letting someone know they are valued and have worth.

 

If invited to do so, share any ideas you may have for possible new opportunities. Support their grief and growth and be a sounding board for new ideas. Doing so can make all the difference.

 

About the author. 

An award-winning creator and digital health, wellness, and lifestyle content strategist—Karina writes, produces, and edits compelling content across multiple platforms—including articles, video, interactive tools, and documentary film. Her work has been featured on MSN Lifestyle, Apartment Therapy, Goop, Psycom, Yahoo News, Pregnancy & Newborn, Eat This Not That, thirdAGE, and Remedy Health Media digital properties and has spanned insight pieces on psychedelic toad medicine to forecasting the future of work to why sustainability needs to become more sustainable. 

Monotasking is the practice of eliminating distractions to focus on a single task for a specified amount of time. Essentially, monotasking is for every human trying to be productive in this digital age, but I’d like to talk about monotasking for creatives, and those with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD).

I first learned about monotasking through a CreativeMornings event hosted by Cave Day about a year before the pandemic. Thankfully, I started practicing monotasking on my own during the pandemic and highly recommend everyone to try it.

 

ADHD and Creatives

Caterina Gawrilow and Sara Goudarzi from Scientific American write, “Two core symptoms, inattention and impulsiveness, suggest a connection between creativity and ADHD. Inattention, which occurs more frequently in those affected with the disorder, likely leads to mind wandering, or the drifting of thoughts from an activity or environment. Such drifting can lead to new, useful and creative ideas.”

As a creative with ADHD, I struggle daily with daydreaming and a lack of motivation. I struggle to do tasks I have zero interest in doing. I call them loathful tasks, which typically relate to finances, taxes, insurance, business expenses, etc.

It’s not that I don’t understand or comprehend loathful tasks; it’s that I don’t feel energized while doing them. The only positive I get is in the completion, and the more I procrastinate, the greater joy I have when it’s done. Completing an enjoyable task feels like getting a raise. Completing a loathful task feels like getting your teeth cleaned. Is it necessary? Sure. Did it fuel me with more energy or happiness? Not exactly.

Although, it’s worth mentioning that nearly 20 years after being diagnosed, I no longer feel my ADHD is a flaw; it is my superpower. Kristin Wilcox Ph.D. agrees in her article, The Link Between Creativity and ADHD, published on Psychology Today, she wrote, “Creativity is one of the superpowers of ADHD, and a lot of human progress has been thanks to “outside-the-box” thinkers.”

How do I monotask?

For context, I work remotely, usually at home with my dog and without humans present. I know this makes things a bit easier for me than others, but I recommend scheduling at least one hour a week to increase productivity. A productive session of monotasking means doesn’t always mean completing the task I set out to do, but knowing I got more done in that session than if I hadn’t blocked out distractions is how I determine success. There are a few necessary steps I adhere to for monotasking effectively:

Why it’s so important for creatives?

Monotasking is great for all types of tasks, but when I need to gather information to send to my accountant during tax season, it’s exactly what I need.

Creating a mood board, choosing swatches, selecting a typeface, or building a layout are creative tasks that I often deem more enjoyable and inspiring. It is not uncommon for a creative to simultaneously work on a handful of creative tasks and feel energized.

Personally, I can maintain attention on creative tasks, but when I need to gather information to send to my accountant during tax season, I’m basically a toddler repeatedly asking, “why?”

I’ve had numerous conversations with peers, colleagues, and other creatives at networking events revolving around the unexpected parallels of “easlily inspired” and “struggle to focus.” My theory is, creatives produce ideas daily, making us more adept at looking and thinking outside the box, therefore, more susceptible to distractions (i.e. procrastinating loathful tasks). Monotasking is key for removing distractions to achieve clarity and focus.

Whether you’re creating a new brand identity for a client or preparing for tax season, monotasking is a great tool for productivity.

Before monotasking…

Scheduling
I decide how much time I need (anywhere from 45 minutes – 3 hours), and I block off my calendar. If you’re in an open office, I suggest booking a conference room or using headphones. You could consider having a sign at your desk that signals to coworkers you’re “in the zone,” asking them to only interrupt if necessary.

Preparing
I consider if there is anything I’ll need before getting started (files or information from another person, supplies from the store, etc.). Anything that will put a wrench in my productivity.

Bonus points if you are lucky enough to find a coworker who wants to monotask with you that helps with accountability. Working remotely, you’d be surprised at how powerful a video call without conversing can be for monotasking.

At the beginning of my monotasking session…

Phone (MOST important!)

I put my phone out of sight and on silent. I’ve found it’s best to charge my phone in another room. Occasionally, depending on what I’m working on, I may need it nearby for secure logins, but as long as it’s out of view, it makes all the difference to my productivity.

Do not disturb
I enable do not disturb on my laptop (and iPad, if I’m using it), so notifications will be silenced. I’ll even quit Slack or any apps that I won’t need and may send a notification. I know there are options to create customized focus settings on the Mac OS, but I haven’t advanced to that level yet.

Noise
I work best with background noise to drown out any other noises that may interrupt me, and I prefer listening to catchy music without lyrics. Two of my go-to playlists on Spotify are Jazz in the Background and Bridgerton. My favorite way to listen to music is to play from a speaker across the room, not from my device, because it feels like I’m in a different space, like a coffee shop. Of course, if I work in a public, I use headphones.

Timer
I purchased this hexagon clock/timer for my desk that, when turned to a specified side (5, 15, 30, 45, or 60 minutes), the timer will start counting down. I don’t do well with a countdown in my field of vision, so I typically face it away from me or put it behind me.

If I’m trying to focus for a longer session, I’ll set the time for 60 minutes of focus time, followed by a 15-minute break, then another 45-minute focus. There are variations depending on how much time I have, but I always try to work in a break for sessions that are an hour or more.

During monotasking…

If an unrelated task, idea or thought pops into my head that I also need to do, I write it down in the notebook next to me. This way, I don’t stress about trying to remember. At the end of the session, I will go through every note I made, ADHDing it to the necessary task list, doc or browser tab.

In conclusion

Monotasking is a game-changer for me. I think most creatives can relate to being easily distracted, then frustrated by the distractions and endlessly disappointed in ourselves for the lack of productivity in a day. Each day I successfully execute a session for monotasking, I feel good about myself because I can live in the moment when I’m having drinks with a friend or dinner with family instead of feeling guilty that I haven’t sent in my expense reports yet.

 

About the author.

Kristi is a freelance Art Director & Brand Designer. Her work is playful, yet organized. She enjoys working with contrasting elements. When she’s not working, she’s usually out and about with her dog, Mila, spending quality time with loved ones and traveling.

View her work at kristidoran.com.

What is it about summer? Through the years, it has captured the imagination of those in the music industry with lyrics and melodies.

For example, the Lovin’ Spoonful start out by lamenting about the “back of my neck gettin’ dirty and gritty” in “Summer in the City.” John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John share starkly differing memories about how they met and spent their “Summer Nights” together in the movie Grease. Perhaps Mongo Jerry put it best when he crooned: “In the Summertime, when the weather is hot, You can stretch right up and touch the sky.” Whatever it is about this season, top hits galore revolve around it.

For a change of pace, Creative Circle presents this summer playlist. Listen, sway, recharge and, most of all, enjoy!

Playlist
1. “Heat Wave” – Martha and the Vandellas
2. “Summer Breeze” – Seals & Crofts
3. “Suddenly Last Summer” – The Motels
4. “All Summer Long” – Kid Rock
5. “Sun Is Shining” – Bob Marley
6. “Cruel Summer” – Bananarama
7. “Hot Fun in the Summertime” – Sly and The Family Stone
8. “Watermelon Sugar” – Harry Styles
9. “Summer Fever” — Donna Summer
10. “Walking on Sunshine” – Katrina and The Waves

1. “Heat Wave” — Martha and the Vandellas
Martha Reeves and company offer a pulsating tribute to love and summer in this classic hit. This popular 60’s vocal girl group characterizes the feeling of desire as “a heat wave, burning in my heart.” The infectious beat and Motown vibe catapulted this tune to #1 on the Billboard Hot R&B chart in 1963. It stayed in that top spot for four weeks as the trio sang: “Now that funny feeling has me amazed, Don’t know what to do, my head’s in a haze, it’s like a heat wave.” More than 50 years later, in 2017, Billboard placed this original rendition of the song in the #12 position in its 100 Greatest Girl Group Songs of All Time. “Is this the way love’s supposed to be?” Guess so!

2. “Summer Breeze” — Seals & Crofts
A vast change in tempo from the prior song, “Summer Breeze” is as soothing as it is harmonious. As such, its poetic aura reflects the words of the chorus: “Summer breeze makes me feel fine, Blowin’ through the jasmine of my mind.” Recorded by many other artists going forward, this soft rock version comes in at #19 on Rolling Stone’s “Best Summer Songs of All Time.” The Isley Brothers made a rendition of it, which became a hit too. The gentle essence of this tune resonates with fans from the 1970s to the present. “See the curtains hangin’ in the window, In the evening on a Friday night, A little light a-shinin’ through the window, Let me know everything’s all right.”

3. “Suddenly Last Summer” — The Motels
Can summer seem eerie? When a new wave band from Berkeley, CA, writes and sings about it, it can and does. Created and videoed in a film noir genre, this tune borrows its name purely by chance from the title of a work by southern playwright Tennessee Williams, who died in the same year and month this single was released, February 1983. Now that’s eerie. Its lyrics suggest how quickly time goes by, in an instant or “suddenly,” as in “A place for a moment, An end to a dream.” The chorus offers a haunting and quizzical refrain: “One summer never ends, One summer never begins, It keeps me standing still, It takes all my will, And then suddenly, Last summer.”

4. “All Summer Long” — Kid Rock
A rhythmic, country-infused recording, this 2008 hit tells the story of a special experience over the course of one summer. In feel-good fashion, Kid Rock reminisces about a warm-weather love from days gone by. “It was 1989, my thoughts were short my hair was long, Caught somewhere between a boy and man, She was seventeen and she was far from in-between, It was summertime in Northern Michigan.” This was a recipe for fun, which they had while “Singing sweet home Alabama all summer long.” Legions of fans had fun with this tune too, which earned this artist his first Top 10 Country Hit. A group of talented people collaborated on “All Summer Long,” including Robert James Ritchie AKA Kid Rock.

5. “Sun Is Shining” – Bob Marley
“Sun is shining, the weather is sweet, yeah, Make you wanna move your dancing feet now, To the rescue, here I am, Want you to know, y’all, can you understand? Here I am.” That’s how this reggae music star frames the message to get out and enjoy the day while the “sun is shining.” Marley, a Jamaican singer, songwriter and musician, recorded, re-recorded, remixed and re-released this song several times. As a result, throughout the years, it went from relative obscurity to “one of the most popular” in his repertoire. Fun fact — Marley opened an outdoor concert in Lenox, Massachusetts, which had to be rescheduled twice because of inclement weather. As he started to perform “Sun is Shining,” the rain stopped instantly.

6. “Cruel Summer” — Bananarama
How could you depart the city and abandon me for the summer? That’s the question at the core of this song. It’s the reason this new wave British female trio resents being “here on my own” and bemoans “It’s a cruel, cruel summer.” What’s more: “The city is crowded, my friends are away… It’s too hot to handle, so I got to get up and go.” Translation: they’re not happy, but have to make the best of it while “trying to smile but the air is so heavy and dry.” (Note: dry air rather than humidity? Be happy.) The official video shows that, to pass the time, they work on cars, bop around, do some bad girl things, and, in their inimitable style, eat bananas.

7. “Hot Fun in the Summertime” — Sly and The Family Stone
The year was 1969 when Sly and bandmates recorded this iconic number. They did so shortly before performing it at the Woodstock Music and Art Fair, which set their career into orbit. This single pays homage to summer’s popularity. After all, school is out and you can attend a “country fair in the country sun.” But the best thing about this tune is that it’s downright cool and, in the vernacular of the day, groovy. It rose to #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop singles chart and #3 of the Billboard soul singles chart. And in the highly competitive year for new releases, it ranked #7 and sits midway on the “500 Greatest Songs of All Time.”

8. “Watermelon Sugar” — Harry Styles
Put British vocal sensation Harry Styles together with luscious watermelon and what do you have? A winner! This recording, described as “horn- and guitar-driven rock, funk-pop, indie pop,” blends several styles. The idea for it comes from the American novel In Watermelon Sugar. Styles collaborated in writing this tune, which is from his second studio album, Fire Line, released in 2019. Fans around the world enjoyed the vibe, sending this song into the Top Ten in more than 20 countries. In the U.S., “Watermelon Sugar” marks the singer’s first #1 single on the Billboard Hot 100. The official 2020 music video takes place on a beach in Malibu, California; it features Styles, an abundance of bikini-clad sunbathers and slices of watermelon.

9. “Summer Fever” — Donna Summer
Here’s a two for one: Donna Summer singing about summer! It’s always a hot time for the disco queen as she lets loose on whatever musical magic she creates. This one is super hot, as in “Winds may come and the winds may flow, But there’s no wind can cool me of my fever, summer fever, Summer fever.” She’s referring to both the “time of love, time of year,” when “Temperature’s rising, our bodies near in fever, summer fever, Summer fever.” This song is a track on Four Seasons of Love, her fourth studio album, released in 1978. This collection achieved certified gold status and every single from it reached #1 on the disco chart. Catch the fever, summer fever!

10. “Walking on Sunshine” — Katrina And The Waves
What’s it like to be in love? According to Katrina and her three bandmates it’s like “walking on sunshine.” This recording comes from this British rock group’s album of the same name, which dates back to 1985 but lives on prominently in music land. It is the Waves’ best-known song and their first American Top 40 hit. The savvy four somehow managed to keep the full publishing rights to this piece, which typically are shared with the songwriter(s). The royalties they derived over the years have brought them loads of money, especially since the tune has been used as music in advertisements. And that arrangement, for sure, has given them the sense of “walking on sunshine… And don’t it feel good!”

Music does wonders for your mind and soul. Creative Circle sends this collection your way as a brief antidote. And with that said and done, get back to your assignments!

 

About the author.
You name it, she covers it. That’s the can-do attitude Sherry M. Adler brings to the craft of writing. A polished marketing and communications professional, she has a passion for learning and the world at large. She uses it plus the power of words to inform and energize stakeholders of all kinds. And to show how all of this can make a difference, she calls her business WriteResults NY, LLC.

During Mental Health Month, my feed was oversaturated with the same quick tips and urges for mindfulness, positivity, and gratitude. While these can be useful tools, they tell a very incomplete story and can be basically useless for anyone in any sort of real distress.  

Mental health is a multifaceted, complex concept that we have turned into a simplistic buzzword because that’s how the internet rolls. Here’s what I’ve learned: 

Find What Works for You 

There are no cure-alls in this life. What works for some people won’t necessarily work for others. What works for you now might not work in the future. 

I learned this as I healed from a concussion. I was used to relying on meditation and yoga practices as tools to manage generalized anxiety, but post- concussion, they just didn’t work for me anymore. My brain and body hurt in a way that made meditation even more stressful, and the body awareness of my yoga practice just made me feel worse. I had to find new tools. Sometimes that meant doing anything to distract myself from what I was feeling. Sometimes it meant isolating myself from my triggers (light and sound). The process labored and lingered for longer than I could have imagined, but now I’m mostly better. Not perfect, but better. It feels good enough for now. 

Of course, a concussion is a physical injury that requires professional medical attention (although if you have no structural damage and ongoing symptoms, that help is extremely hard to come by and rarely covered by insurance). But the point is that when you are struggling with something, you might have to try a bunch of things before you find what helps you find peace, calm, or a reset. They might be practices, supplements (please vet these carefully as they tend to be unregulated), or medications (only seek these out under the supervision of a medical professional). There is no inherently wrong way to help yourself feel better, as long as you’re not simultaneously causing harm. 

Sometimes It’s Physical: Calming the Nervous System 

The autonomic nervous system (ANS) encompasses the sympathetic, parasympathetic, and enteric nervous systems. These are systems that function without our being conscious of them. To super simplify things, the sympathetic nervous system rules “fight or flight,” while the parasympathetic rules “rest and digest.” To calm our nervous system, we’ll want to activate that parasympathetic nervous system. 

A lot of these practices are hyped up with the term biohacking. I’m not a huge fan of this term because it implies “quick and easy,” which, depending on where we’re at physically, mentally, and emotionally, these practices might not be. There are also all sorts of gadgets designed to help with the “hacking” part, but are definitely not necessary. (I did use some to help heal from post-concussion syndrome, but don’t know if it was time, the devices, or other therapies that did the trick. Probably a combo.) While these practices can be super helpful at regulating the nervous system and stimulating the vagus nerve which activates the parasympathetic nervous system, it’s not some sort of magic bullet cure-all for all your stress and anxiety. It can take time to use these tools well. Still, they may work quickly for some people. Here are some ways to stimulate the vagus nerve: 

Wading Through the Mire of Grief and Loss 

While the above exercises might help you out when wading through tough times, there is no substitute for wading through the mire of grief and loss. And it can truly be a mire, a bog, an endless labyrinth with no means of escape. But for most of us, at least 90%, there is an end to the hardest part and a way to move forward.  

Here are some ideas on ways to carry yourself through a loss. These may work for you at different points in your process. And remember, we experience grief in a spiral. Feeling a wave of it over something you thought you were “over” isn’t a “relapse,” it’s just your body and mind expressing the process of your own humanity. You could: 

  • Talk to someone. A therapist, a partner, a friend, a support group, or anyone you feel safe enough opening up to. There are hotlines if you don’t want to talk to someone you know personally. 
  • Collapse on the floor and cry. 
  • Write or draw it out. Creative expression is a beautiful way to process grief. Don’t be afraid of letting it get dark. There is magic there. 
  • Create meaning. I don’t believe that everything happens for a reason, but I do believe we can create meaning out of tragic circumstances. (I discuss this and other spiritual jargon in-depth here). 
  • Remember to eat, sleep, and move your body. It may not make you feel better, but it could prevent you from feeling even worse. Similarly, don’t beat yourself up if that is not something you’re capable of at the moment.  

What if you’re trying to help someone who is moving through grief and loss? 

  • Validate their feelings and listen. 
  • Do not try to minimize or compare their loss.  
  • Offer tangible help like household chores, getting food, or helping with errands. 
  • Check in and keep them included.

Where Is It Coming From? Exploring Locus Of Control 

When someone comes to me because they’re struggling with their feelings and wondering what is wrong with them, I ask one very important question:  

Are you having a mental health issue, or are you having a normal response to your circumstances?  

While studies show having an internal locus of control or seeing yourself as the master of your fate is associated with higher resilience, recognizing when your feelings are a product of your circumstances can help you sort them out and make changes where possible. Your anger and frustration and sadness is not a problem; it’s an indicator. That’s a big part of therapy — figuring out where those threads come from. Is it about what’s happening right now, or is something from your past making you react more intensely to this circumstance?  

I want to acknowledge that while therapy is becoming more accessible for some, it still isn’t for many.    

The Community Solution  

The one great balm we can all rely on, however, seems to be community, and maybe that’s another reason we’re living in an increasingly stressed, anxious, and depressed world. Our communities are fractured as a result of work schedules, ways of life, and geography. But building upon any foundation we might have can be a huge help.  

According to group psychotherapists Irving Yalom and Malov Leszcz in The Theory and Practice of Group Psychotherapy, ”we are built for connection, and nothing is more important to our well-being and health than deep and meaningful relatedness.”​ In fact, it’s more than our mental health at stake here. Physical health is deeply connected to social connection. Yalom and Leszcz cite: “Social isolation is as much a risk factor for early mortality as such obvious factors as smoking and obesity.”  

Developing community takes time. If you’re feeling isolated, here are some places you can start: 

  • Check in on your local friends 
  • Try a Meet Up group 
  • Join a local running or book club 
  • Volunteer with a community center or clean up initiatives 
  • If your friends and family are far, set up a recurring phone call to catch up 
  • Find a creative outlet class like drawing, dancing, or improv

Remember, There Are No True Quick Fixes 

None of these are tips or tricks. They are tools that may or may not work for you. Some may help a lot at first and then plateau. Some may take a while to have any effect at all and then pay dividends. Some may have worked in the past but don’t anymore.  

There are people out there who can help, from friends to professionals if you need them. You are not alone in this uncertain place.  

If you need immediate assistance, you can reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255. 

About the author.

Alessandra is your friendly neighborhood writer, coach, and facilitator with a varied history of experience from digital agencies and corporations to yoga studios and gyms. Her expertise and interests range from fitness and wellness to self-care and personal development to intersectionality and justice to science and creative cultivation. She has worked on and off with Creative Circle since 2014, originally as an NYC recruiter, later as an internal sourcer, and currently as a community wellness and culture specialist as well as a contributing writer for this here blog. You can find up-to-date offerings or sign up for her newsletter at alessandracalderin.com.

“83% of workers suffer from work-related stress.” That’s the high-level finding from Zippia. Its recent post on “40+ Worrisome Workplace Stress Statistics” went on to say that “stress at work comes in all shapes and sizes, across all types of industries and careers.”

Are you feeling a bit edgy or fatigued on the job, afterwards or beforehand? Are you having trouble sleeping? Experiencing skin breakouts, muscle soreness, irritability, mood swings, decreased productivity, or headaches?

There could be many reasons for these symptoms. But the American Institute of Stress pinpoints one that may cause any or all of them. “Numerous studies confirm that occupational pressures and fears are far and away the leading source of stress for American adults.” Take heed. Stress may be the root problem. And it’s been and continues to be on the rise.

So let’s take action to blunt the effects of occupational stress. May is the perfect time to put a plan in motion in observance of Mental Health Month. To get started, try this list of strategies. Several can be done at your desk. Others are appropriate for lunchtime, during break, before or after work or any time. Some may surprise you, but all are surprisingly effective.

Approach things differently

Want to reset your brain, temporarily disrupt your routine, and relieve stress in the process? Go against the grain, as in do the contrary. The following ideas are among “25 Weird Breaks for Stress Relief” and, according to the author of this post, they “clear my head.” One category is to “try to do anything from the opposite side.” That includes writing your name with your non-dominant hand because “you have to focus very hard” and it “takes you out of your stressed out state.” The same goes for “putt[ing] a golf ball from the opposite side.” More? Count backwards and walk backwards (be careful with this one!). Another is to rearrange your desk; move things from one side to the other. Switch it up for one day.

Engage in sound healing

Sound healing is a hot trend now, rooted in sacred science of bygone eras in China, Egypt, Greece, India, and Tibet. The process “uses instruments to create a vibration that releases energy, passing a state of ease and harmony to you.” This ancient method reduces stress and tension “by assisting the brain waves to come back to a state of mindfulness.” If you relax by listening to music, you are, in essence, practicing sound healing. To experience it formally, seek out sessions in your area led to specialty practitioners. And you can also consider being your own sound healer. “Three Ways to Use Music and Sound for Self-Healing” offers tips. Select and use Tibetan bowls and engage in vocal healing via chanting, humming, or singing or create a self-healing playlist,

Get hooked on knitting

What does Olympic gold medal winning diver Tom Daley do to combat stress at competitions? He knits. Actor Russell Crowe of Gladiator fame does so too. This first post reports: “Surveys of knitters and crocheters have found that significant numbers of them do their craft as a way to deal with daily stress.” There must be something to that. According to “The Health Benefits of Knitting,” the Craft Yarn Council created a campaign to “Stitch Away Stress.” Plus, Dr. Herbert Benson, author of The Relaxation Response, says that “the repetitive action of needlework can induce a relaxed state like that associated with meditation and yoga.” It reduces heart rate and blood pressure as well as the stress hormone cortisol.

Massage your ear

Use this traditional Chinese medicine technique at any time anywhere. Find the Shen Men or “The Gate of Heaven” on your outer ear and gently rub it. “Massaging the Shen Men — pressure point situated in the upper third of your ear — reportedly strengthens your overall health, decreases stress, and boosts energy.” While massaging this spot, breathe deeply. “When you inhale, look to the left, and look to the right when exhaling.” If you have difficulty locating the Shen Men, massage the lobe and then move your fingers up around the outer part of the ear in that same motion. Alternatively, you may prefer to stick to an earlobe massage. “Earlobe massage is an excellent way to release tension in the body. Individuals can do this by gently forming small circles with the thumb and index fingers on the earlobe.”

Take a gratitude inventory

Inspired by advice given to him by his doctor, Irving Berlin wrote: “When I’m worried and I can’t sleep, I count my blessings instead of sheep, And I fall asleep counting my blessings. When my bankroll is getting small, I think of when I had none at all, And I fall asleep counting my blessings.” That is the opening to the classic song “Count Your Blessings.” And it represents a method to relieve stress — stock up on gratitude. “The Benefits of Cultivating Gratitude for Stress Relief” points out: “Cultivating gratitude is one of the simpler routes to a greater sense of emotional well-being, higher overall life satisfaction, and a greater sense of happiness in life.” It suggests making gratitude lists and keeping a gratitude journal. Hungry for gratitude? Watch a YouTube video on how to “Create a Gratitude Sandwich.”

Do QiGong

What is QiGong? That’s what I wondered when I first heard the term. First I researched; then I tried it. Now I am hardly alone in recommending it for many reasons, including stress reduction. “The Stress-Relieving Benefits of QiGong” explains: “QiGong (pronounced: chē-gung) is an ancient Chinese practice designed to promote healing in the body, balance in the mind and calming in the spirit. This technique involves simple meditation, controlled breathing and low-intensity movement exercises.” In “Reduce Your Stress with QiGong,” a leading practitioner shows how to release the restorative powers of this practice. He states that you don’t need any equipment or special clothing to do the required stretching and shaking. Ready to start? Follow the short YouTube video “3 Simple QiGong Exercises for Fast and Natural Stress Relief.”

Color

Remember how much you enjoyed coloring when you were a youngster? Relive those times now. Per the renowned Cleveland Clinic, coloring is “not just for children anymore.” Its post on “3 Reasons Adult Coloring Can Actually Relax Your Brain” lays it all out. A physician notes that coloring focuses your attention on the task at hand and “away from yourself (and those things that are stressing you out!).” WebMD adds to this. “Coloring can also improve your brain’s ability to function. When you’re coloring, different parts of your brain’s cerebral hemisphere are activated. When you choose what colors to use, your creativity is activated. As you color forms and shapes, your logic is also activated.” So get in on the adult coloring book craze; it’s for your health and enjoyment.

Practice Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR)

PMR has been helping people for about 100 years. This strategy isolates muscles in your body on a rolling basis. First you slowly tighten a set of muscles; then you release the pressure. This process acquaints you with how tension feels; it enables you not only recognize the physical manifestations of stress, but also to relieve it and know the difference between the two states. The Mayo Clinic outlines the process. One way to start is “by tensing and relaxing the muscles in your toes and progressively working you way up to your neck and head.” You also can reverse the order from top to bottom. Either way: “Tense your muscles for about five seconds and then relax for 30 seconds, and repeat.” Interested? Spend about six minutes with a YouTube video led by a psychologist at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. It’s instructive and soothing.

Garden

Sciencefocus.com reports: “Gardening just twice a week improves wellbeing and relieves stress.” WebMD concurs with this concept. “Gardening can make you feel more peaceful and content.” It adds that the “immediate tasks and details of gardening can reduce negative thoughts and feelings and can make you feel better in the moment. Just spending time around plants eases stress for many people.” Forbes weighs in too in “How Gardening Can Fight Stress and Improve Your Life.” It points out: “There’s so much to see and do in a garden. Rather than dwelling on the challenges you’re facing or the lengthy to-do list waiting for you, give yourself permission to live in the moment. Notice the birds chirping, the gentle breeze and aromatic scent of soil and vegetation.” Don’t have a garden? Set one up on your window sill or seek out a community space.

Tap dance

“Step-ball change, step-ball change!” This is how Dr. Gilda Carle, Corporate Relationship Strategist and author of My Rants & Ramblings Journal begins to describe tap dancing for stress relief. “When I arrive at the dance studio, my mind is laden with experiences of my day. But as soon as I’m in class, tap dancing blocks everything out.” Dance is therapeutic in many ways but tap dancing adds other dimensions. “The stomps and stamps, blasting music, rhythmic clicking and intricate choreography magically make the world’s indignities vanish and I become stress free!” What if you don’t have tap shoes or don’t want to invest in a class? Equip and explore on your own. Convert your sneakers or regular shoes to tap shoes or find discount starter shoes on Amazon or somewhere similar. Then head over to YouTube to experiment with one video, another and many others.

What’s the main takeaway from this listicle? There are many avenues to explore to push away the irritations of life. Understand that it’s not a one-and-done situation. Do them regularly and, above all, enjoy the process and the benefits you derive.

 

About the author. 
You name it, she covers it. That’s the can-do attitude Sherry M. Adler brings to the craft of writing. A polished marketing and communications professional, she has a passion for learning and the world at large. She uses it plus the power of words to inform and energize stakeholders of all kinds. And to show how all of this can make a difference, she calls her business WriteResults NY, LLC.