Events

October is Canada’s Healthy Workplace Month!

Corporate logo for Canada's Healthy Workplace Month

October is Canada’s Healthy Workplace Month! This year’s theme, ‘CELEBRATE YOUR WORKPLACE CULTURE,’ encourages us to embrace and enrich our workplace environments. For the fourth consecutive year, Algonquin College’s Human Resources – Wellness and Abilities Team has compiled a collection of challenges to support your overall health and well-being, both in and outside of work. We challenge you to embrace these healthy changes throughout the month, incorporating at least one action that promotes a healthier and safer environment! Visit Canada’s Healthy Workplace for more great ideas!

On October 2, 2023, TELUS Health, Algonquin College’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provider, will launch a microsite titled “Nurturing Mental Wellness: Cultivating Compassion in the Workplace” in honor of World Mental Health Day. Explore this microsite for more great activities aligned with this year’s theme!

Challenge yourself to participate at least one activity below based on this year’s theme:

  • Diversity in the Workplace

Let’s Celebrate AC’s diversity within our Workplace! We are encouraging you to participate in one of the many events or courses brought to you by the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Team

  • Physical and Mental Well-being

Focusing on nurturing both your body and mind. Activities that promote physical health, such as exercise, nutrition, and relaxation techniques, as well as those that enhance mental wellness, including mindfulness, stress management, and emotional self-care. Prioritizing physical and mental well-being is essential for a balanced and fulfilling life.

  • Social Wellbeing

In light of the challenges, we’ve all faced over the past few years, our social well-being has been significantly impacted. Developing positive social habits can help us establish support systems that strengthen our mental and physical resilience.

  • Community Wellbeing

We all play a vital role in creating a more vibrant and inclusive society. We achieve this by participating in activities that promote community well-being such as volunteering, environmental conservation, supporting local businesses, and fostering positive social connections within our community

Check out the Health Workplace Calendar here to see how you can participate!

Green lotus flower image with what looks like a person stretching out their arms to the sky

 

Healthy Workplace Month – October 1 to 31, 2022

Healthy Workplace is taking place from October 1 – 31, 2022

This year, the theme for the Canadian Healthy Workplace Challenge is “Together for a Better Workplace.” Throughout the month of October, we will be providing you with different ways you can help build a healthier workplace, to take care of yourself, and help others.

Check out the Health Workplace Calendar here to see how you can participate!

 

CMHA Mental Health Weeks runs May 2-8, 2022

CMHA Mental Health Weeks run May 2-8, 2022

You can register for the virtual kick-off event taking place Monday at noon. Join Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, Michael Landsberg, and special guests for a riveting conversation about why empathy matters. Or you can tune in live on CMHA National Facebook or click here to register Webinar Registration – Zoom

These past two years more than ever have shown us as individuals that we have the ability to imagine what life is like for someone else. The important piece in doing so is we need to also recognize that sharing in the individual feelings doesn’t mean we also jump in to fix it.

Empathy is something you can learn if it doesn’t come naturally to you. #GetReal on how to help. “You don’t have to agree to understand, and you don’t have to fix it to help.” www.cmha.ca.

Show us your support and celebrate Mental Health Week by Changing Your Zoom /Teams Background.

https://www.mentalhealthweek.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Zoom-background_EN.jpg

Post or tweet this message: Listen hard when someone wants to talk. Don’t jump in or judge. Before you weigh in, tune in. For #MentalHeatlhWeek, #GetReal about how to help.

Or write one of your own using #GetReal and #MentalHealthWeek.
When you tweet using these hashtags, the #GetReal emoji will appear!

Watch Good Morning AC for more information next week about how you can support others!!!!

Eating Disorders Awareness Week – February 1, 2022 – February 7, 2022

Eating Disorders Awareness Week – February 1, 2022 – February 7, 2022

Tuesday, February 1, to Monday, February 7, is Eating Disorders Awareness Week. On behalf of Health and Counselling Services, we welcome all AC members to devote some time this week to learn more about nutrition, mental health, and eating disorders and how each aspect relates to each other. Everyone is welcome and everyone’s voices will be heard.

As the National Eating Disorder Information Centre says, “It is a time to escalate awareness of the impact of Eating Disorders, the dangerous stereotypes and myths, and the supports available for people living with or affected by them.” Join us as we spread awareness and connect with each other this week.

Wednesday, February 2, 2022 (12:00-1:00 pm) -All AC members are invited to learn more about eating disorders and how to support those we care about most. To learn more about this event and register click here: NEDIC: Spotting the Signs & Supporting Someone Affected

Thursday, February 3, 2022 (2:00-3:00 pm) – All AC members are invited to join Health Services and Counselling Services in welcoming registered dietitian Christyna Johnson! They will discuss the challenges of living with an eating disorder while being a person of colour, what resources and supports are available, and how we can all play a role in reducing the stigma and stereotypes associated with eating disorders. Click the link to register for the event. Nutrition & Eating Disorders in the BIPOC Community with Christyna Johnson

Monday, February 7, 2022 (12:05pm-12:55pm) – Learners and employees are invited to enjoy a free relaxing yoga session. No experience is necessary, so join us in taking care of our mental and physical health. Click here for Online Lunchtime Yoga

Did You Know: Sitting is considered the new smoking?

Recent studies have shown that prolonged sitting has emerged as a new health scourge. Since binge watching our favourite shows has become so popular, our time spent in front of the TV for extended periods has grown even more.

Alex Hutchinson, of the Globe and Mail, lists the ills associated with hours of uninterrupted sitting include elevated risk of heart disease, diabetes, cancer and other conditions, which occur as your muscles switch into a “dormant” mode that compromises their ability to break down fats and sugars. Sitting all day is harmful no matter how fit and active you are.

How about trying a new workout the next time you indulge binge watching TV.

Libby Norris, a blogger for CTV, has come up with some tips to get fit while watching your next season of your favourite show.

She suggests:

If you’re watching regularly scheduled shows, you can use commercial breaks to cue and time your sets.

They range from 1.5 to 3 minutes each which make it a minimal commitment. That maybe only starts as 6-10 minutes in a half hour show, but if you multiply that over several shows, it can add up to significant workout time over a week.

Try one of these options for timing:

  • Just move: Standing, walking, climbing stairs or any calisthenics can help burn calories but, equally as important, can give your body a break from what is likely a poor posture position on the couch!
  • Alternating circuit: This takes a bit more planning so try to keep it simple. Choose a few familiar exercises and alternate – perhaps upper and lower body, strength and cardio. Check out my website for specific ideas and outlines.
  • Quick circuits: Most commercials are 30 seconds which can be perfect for timing moderate or high intensity sets. Like above, chose to alternate exercise or super set which involved multiple exercises for one muscle group – perhaps squats, lunges the glute drops. See her site for more ideas at libbynorris.com.

If you’re planning on a marathon of viewing, taking 10-15 minutes between episodes can offer a similar benefit to a full workout at the gym. It can also have the added perk of improving self-control and focus on reaching for the not-so-healthy food options that can often accompany screen time.

Be sure to have light equipment handy: Bands, dumbbells, kettlebells and other light equipment to nudge you into activity.

Let the binge watching begin!

Employees have access to great educational programs and PLAR

Did you know…

Employees at Algonquin College have access to several great programs to continue learning new skills throughout their careers. There are tuition reimbursement programs, partnerships with other academic institutions for degree programs, and even some continuing education courses that are offered at a reduced tuition rate of $20 per course, if space is available. How awesome is that! For more information on this please visit our website at: https://www.algonquincollege.com/hr/benefits/education-tuition-reimbursement/

Want to achieve a new diploma or certificate but have no time for all the courses? Why don’t you check out Algonquin’s PLAR. Our Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) is a process that helps adult learners to identify, articulate and demonstrate relevant learning acquired through life and work experiences and translate this learning into college credit. You just might be closer to achieving that diploma than you think.
For more information on our PLAR process, pleases visit our website at: https://www.algonquincollege.com/plar/

Healthy Eating Competition – $100 Gift Card Prize

Beginning this month we will be asking you to pick “One Thing”, just one, you can change today, to improve your overall health and wellness. It doesn’t have to be something huge or all-encompassing or overwhelming. Just one thing that you do, for yourself, that can help increase your overall wellbeing.

This month we are focusing on healthy eating.

Welcome to January 2015! After enjoying the excess of the holidays many of us make the resolution to focus, or re-focus, on healthy eating. Healthy eating is not to be confused with “dieting” because healthy eating means making changes we can live with and enjoy for the rest of our lives.

It’s easy to be overwhelmed with all the information out there about healthy eating but eating healthy simply starts with learning new ways to eat, such as adding more fresh fruits and vegetables to our plates, and cutting back on foods that have a lot of fat, salt, and sugar.

Send us your “One Thing” about healthy eating and be entered for a chance to win a $100 gift certificate to Bryson Farms, an organic home delivery service, for the Ottawa area who specializes in organic, heirloom vegetables of the highest quality (www.brysonfarms.com). Alternatively, you can share your “One Thing” by commenting below!

Here are a few of our favorite simple ways to start eating healthier this year….

  1. Silhouette_yogaDrink more water
  2. Roast instead of fry
  3. Pick non-processed snacks
  4. Bring lunch to work at least once a week
  5. Eat all the vegetables on your plate before you eat anything else
  6. Make smart ingredient swaps, ie. try using avocado instead of mayo
  7. Eat as many colors as you can every day
  8. Have a piece of fruit with breakfast instead of a glass of juice.
  9. Try to eat meals that are at least half vegetables.
  10. Try portioning your meals and snacks out the night before

Volunteers needed for Winter 2015 Info Booths

Start 2015 off by volunteering at one of our many cross-campus College Info Booths! We’re seeking friendly, knowledgeable volunteers to provide assistance, support, and directions to our new and returning students during the week of January 5. Help us to greet our students with a warm welcome (or welcome back!), and demonstrate what an amazing community Algonquin College is.

To schedule a time slot and location of choice, please click here. We encourage all College staff and faculty to volunteer for at least one shift. For more information, please contact Dan Cuddy at ext. 5522 or Michelle Tait Eburne at ext. 6315.

Stretch at your Desk! (Routine Plan provided)

Everyone knows that sitting for long periods of time is bad for your body and your mind. Tightness in the shoulder, neck, and back often leads to fatigue, injury, soreness, and lack of mobility. It’s a casualty of the modern desk job.

Good flexibility allows a muscle to lengthen and the joints to operate through a full range of motion. Getting the blood flowing helps you stay fresh with creativity, boosts energy and helps your body work more efficiently. Many of us don’t have the opportunity to get up and move around as often as we should. Here are 12 simple stretches you can do while sitting to improve your mind and body.

A Exercise 1 (6)A Exercise 2 and 4A Exercise 3 (1)
A Exercise 4A Exercise 5 (1)
A Exercise 6 (1)A Exercise 7 (2)A Exercise 8 (1)A Exercise 9 (1)A Exercise 10A Exercise 11 (4)A Exercise 12 (2)

TEDMED Coming to Algonquin

“What would happen if the whole world came together for one week every year to focus on what’s new and important in health and medicine?” Algonquin College is about to find out when we host TEDMED Live 2014 September 10-12. The TEDMED conference is held once a year and was created by the founders of Ted talks. It is simulcast to medical organizations, academic institutions and government facilities in 100+ countries.

You need to apply to get access and Algonquin has just been approved and will live stream the event this Fall. If you want to get involved and help advance this initiative here at the college, please contact Kevin Holmes – Health and Wellness Research Centre, Office of Applied Research and Innovation (holmesk@algonquincollege.com)