✅ Today’s checklist:
🤔 Trivia: What is the longest word in the English language that can be typed using only the top row of a standard keyboard? Find out.
🎉 Congratulations to TA reader, Stacy Mason, for winning our Armoire giveaway!
🍎 Health: Eating well and exercise may be as effective for depression as therapy.
🏅 Olympics: Fun facts about the number of athletes that compete.
💸 Finances: Learn strategies to pay off $25,000 in credit card debt.
🧠 Psychology: Explore the fascinating phenomenon of the Mandela Effect.
😴 Sleep: The best podcasts to fall asleep to.
In today’s remote work environment, fostering a sense of connection among team members who may never meet in person poses a unique challenge. Here’s how you can transform virtual spaces to recreate the camaraderie of a physical office and keep your remote team engaged and cohesive.
Virtual Kitchen Hangouts
Just like casual chats by the office coffee machine, set up a virtual “kitchen space” for team members to share snippets about their day, discuss their latest favorite recipes, or the new cafe they discovered. This informal space allows for the spontaneous interactions that build relationships.
Digital Happy Hours
Replicate after-work socials with virtual happy hours. Encourage team members to grab a beverage of their choice and share stories or discuss plans for the weekend. This can be a great way to learn about each other’s lives outside work and strengthen bonds. Or try organizing some fun games to get the party started.
Online Team Events
Organize virtual events that go beyond work-related activities. Think about a virtual tours of museums, or hiring a magician. These activities can create shared experiences and memories, just like regular team outings.
Regular Virtual Coffee or Lunch Dates
Schedule regular one-on-one catch-ups between team members over coffee or lunch. Rotate pairings to ensure everyone gets to build a relationship with each other, mimicking those invaluable one-on-one interactions that happen naturally in an office setting.
Engaging Weekly Segments in Meetings
Inject some fun into routine meetings with weekly segments that might include ice-breaker games, ‘get to know you’ questions, or quirky challenges. This keeps the team looking forward to meetings and facilitates a lighter, more connected atmosphere.
Collaborative Playlists and Shared Media
Create shared playlists where team members can contribute songs, or have a shared folder for photos and videos from personal milestones. This can be a great way to discover common interests and foster a team culture.
Hobby Channels
Set up communication channels dedicated to different hobbies like photography, book clubs, or gardening. This allows team members with similar interests to connect and share tips, fostering smaller community groups within the larger team.
Group Challenges
Launch fun challenges that can be done collectively even when apart, such as fitness challenges, cooking contests, or reading marathons, complete with virtual show and tells. This not only encourages teamwork but also a bit of friendly competition.
Virtual Tastings
Send out gift cards and have everyone purchase the same item for a tasting session — be it wine, cheese, or chocolate. Schedule a video call to discuss each person’s thoughts on the tasting, turning it into a gourmet adventure from the comfort of each home. You can also use a company to host tastings.
Professional Development Workshops
Organize workshops where the team can learn new skills together — whether it’s a new language, a digital tool, or creative writing. This not only adds to personal growth but also helps in professional development.
Peer Recognition Programs
Implement a system where team members can acknowledge and appreciate each other’s efforts on a regular basis. This can be through shout-outs during meetings, dedicated emails, or a virtual “kudos” board. You can also use software like Bonusly or other apps.
By integrating these strategies into your remote work policies, you not only enhance the work culture but also ensure that each member of your team feels valued, connected, and engaged. Remember, the key to a successful remote team is continuous effort and creativity in bridging the physical gap. So, why not start today and see how much more connected your team can be?
The Olympics have us all fired up, and what better way to bring your team together than a little competition?
For a fun and engaging team building activity, let me tell you about one we’ve tried at The Assist: Virtual Friendly Feud.
It was an absolute blast and the best part was Outback did all the heavy lifting for us. No planning, no stress. Just pure, unfiltered fun.
And if Family Feud isn’t your jam, no worries! Outback has a ton of other fantastic experiences to choose from.
Just share a few event details with them, and they’ll get to work on personalizing an unforgettable experience for you and your team.
Get started with Outback here.
Happy Feuding!
Joanna (TA Co-Founder)
As a recently diagnosed PCOS girly, I’ve been learning a ton about how my body handles stress—yep, even the “good” kind from a solid workout can mess with me!
I stumbled upon this whole idea of syncing your workouts with your menstrual cycle. It’s a game-changer for managing PCOS symptoms and just feeling more in tune with the body.
So, here’s the gist: cycle syncing means you tailor your workouts and diet to match the phases of your menstrual cycle. The goal is to help regulate your blood sugars and keep those hormones in check. The science is still a bit up in the air, but it seems like aligning your exercise intensity with your cycle’s ebb and flow could really amp up your health game.
Here’s a quick run-down of the four phases of your menstrual cycle and the best exercises for each:
1. Menstrual phase: This is the first day of bleeding and typically lasts 3-7 days. You’re lower energy and potentially experiencing discomfort with cramps,etc.
What to do: 🧘♀️ Focus on gentle activities like yoga, walking, or swimming.
2. Follicular phase: This is the period after your period ends and before ovulation, where your energy levels often increase.
What to do: 🏃♀️Try higher-intensity workouts like running, strength training, or HIIT.
3. Ovulation: This is when an egg is released from the ovary and hormone levels peak giving you the most energy of your cycle.
What to do: 💪🏽 Go for it! Pick challenging workouts and pushing your limits during this time.
4. Luteal phase: This is the period between ovulation and the start of your next period where energy levels may decline as progesterone rises.
What to do: 🚴♀️ Focus on maintaining fitness with moderate-intensity workouts like cycling or dancing.
The perks of getting in sync? Well, they’re pretty significant:
I’ve been easing into syncing my workouts with my menstrual cycle, and honestly, it’s been quite the revelation. On those days when I feel totally zapped but I’ve got a brutal workout scheduled, I now check what phase I’m in. If it’s my luteal or menstrual phase, I go easy on myself and opt for something gentler.
This approach has really cut down on the senseless guilt I used to feel about not always pushing myself to the max. It turns out, taking it easier at certain times is way better for my body—less stress, better sleep.
But then, there are those days during my period when I’m unexpectedly buzzing with energy, and powering through a tough session feels like exactly what I need. I’m all like, “F*ck ya!”. Then, of course, there are those days where I’m flat out on the couch thinking, “Omg, I can’t move,” and that’s perfectly fine too.
I really think this method is worth considering, but as always, listening to your body and its needs is key.
What about you? Have you tried syncing your fitness routine with your cycle? I’d love to hear your experiences! Just reply to this email.
Thania (TA Content Mgr)
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🍞Even the low-carb gluten-free people can enjoy this breaded recipe.
Have a recipe you love? Share your recipe here.
🌐 Did you know you can curate your own RSS news feed with Google News? Combine all your favorite blogs, news sites, and gossip sites in one place.
🪒 If you suffer from razor burn, try this safety razor for a smoother shave.
🔬 Tracking your cycle? These ovulation strips are an affordable and reliable option.
🍜 Try Miracle Noodles, made from kelp vegetable, for a low-calorie alternative that tastes almost like pasta.
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