Posted on Wednesday, September 27th, 2023
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.
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.
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!
Posted on Tuesday, June 13th, 2023
Supporting the LGBTQIA+ community: Tips for being an ally:
Even if you don’t identify as someone within the LGBTQIA+* community, you can always support coworkers, loved ones, and the com[1]munity by becoming an ally.
Here’s how to get started.
Posted on Wednesday, May 24th, 2023
Are you feeling financial pressure? Concerned about inflation rates? You’re not alone. With the rise of global economic uncertainty, financial anxiety is inevitable. Read more on How to build an emergency fund (article); Invest in your wellbeing: Thriving on a budget – Episode 5 (Video); Money and your mind: Taking care of your finances and mental health (Article); Tens steps to ease financial stress during difficult times (Article).
Posted on Wednesday, March 8th, 2023
Whether a significant loss, a mental health concern or a physical health issue, it’s natural to want to help and support those around you. Discover ways to be supportive of others, while respecting your limits. Click the here to connect to March 2023 Heartbeat Newsletter.
Posted on Tuesday, February 7th, 2023
- Heartbeat Newsletter February Addition – Aging Well(February 1, 2023) – This month’s newsletter provides tips for lifelong vitality!
Posted on Wednesday, October 5th, 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!
Posted on Friday, September 23rd, 2022
Flexible working has certainly taken on more meaning in recent years. Let us help you find ways to adjust, adapt, and thrive in a new or non-traditional work arrangement. Click here to read more LifeWorks – Monthly Newsletters
Posted on Friday, September 23rd, 2022
Wellness and Abilities is very excited to confirm that LifeWorks Employee Assistance Program platform is live for ALL employees!
This is a newly expanded service that will now be available to both full-time and our other-than-full-time employees. LifeWorks is a confidential Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and an exciting and innovative well-being solution that we will all love to use. Click here to read more HR Digest – September 2022
Posted on Thursday, August 11th, 2022
Many people find that their relationships change as they grow older. This is natural for all adults. In midlife, you may want to strengthen your ties to family and friends and make new acquaintances. This can help to keep you healthy and your relationships strong all through life. Read more click here Keeping Relationships Strong as we Age – Canada (lifeworks.com)
Posted on Thursday, August 11th, 2022
Saving as much as you can for the day you stop working makes sound economic sense. And you may have options you hadn’t considered. Depending on your goals, you may want to take a fresh look at your spending habits, revise your savings plan, or get help from a financial advisor or debt-counselling service. The most important thing is to make saving a top priority and keep looking for new ways to save until you find the way that works best for you. Read more click here: Ways to Save More for Retirement – Canada (lifeworks.com)
Posted on Thursday, August 11th, 2022
It is widely known that humans are social creatures. And our friendships play a vital role in our mental and social wellbeing. This month explore the benefits of friendships and ways to find and develop these important social connections. Click here to read more Newsletter Content Archive – Canada (lifeworks.com)
Posted on Thursday, May 5th, 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!!!!
Posted on Monday, January 31st, 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
Posted on Monday, January 24th, 2022
LifeWorks offers a newsletter subscription to their Balance, Healthy Living, and Healthy Working newsletters. They provide information on a variety of health and wellness topics.
Check out the newsletter(s) LifeWorks – Monthly Newsletters | Algonquin College – Wellness
Posted on Thursday, December 2nd, 2021
Re-Igniting a Sense of Meaning and Purpose in a Post Pandemic Workplace
The prospect of returning to an in-person work environment can be daunting. While the changing nature of the COVID-19 pandemic keeps many employees working from home, the shift back to a traditional office environment is anticipated once the pandemic subsides. To facilitate the conversation on return-to-work anxiety, Algonquin College hosted a webinar with Dr. Bill Howatt on Dec. 16, 2021. Check out the live recording.
Mental Fitness 101 – Live virtual session recording
Have you ever thought about your mental fitness? Similar to your physical fitness, which is impacted by a number of factors including, how well you eat, sleep and exercise. Your mental fitness is significantly impacted by your habits and routines and without intentional focus specifically in times of uncertainty you can begin to experience adverse effects. There is no better time to take a break and check out this live recording hosted virtually by Dr. Bill Howatt January 18, 2021 and the Mental Health Playbook.
Navigating the “New” Normal – Live virtual session recording
Life has many demands coming at us, and when experiencing major change this can increase the pressure of our existing demands and/or add new ones to your plate. This can result in feeling like you are in a pressure cooker. This thirty (30) minute session hosted virtually March 26, 2021 by Dr. Bill Howatt will help you recognize the signs of feeling overwhelmed and provide you with some micro-skills for “depressurizing”.
Posted on Thursday, December 1st, 2022
Holidays can be an opportunity to celebrate the values you cherish and the people you love. They can also add to your stress. At a traditionally joyous time of year, you may have many extra tasks and events that need to be squeezed into an already tight schedule. You might find yourself trying to do the impossible in a short amount of time, on a limited budget, and with conflicting demands pulling you in different directions. Download the full article here for more information.
