Posted on Sunday, March 1st, 2015
Did you know that an attitude of gratitude can improve your emotional and physical well-being, help you to sleep better and be less susceptible to illness, including depression? I’m not making this up, science shows it can also map new pathways in your brain that makes it easier to be happy and actually forces people to overcome the innate tendency to dwell on problems or injustices.
For the month of March, our “One Thing” is for you to tell us what you are grateful for today. Tell us every day, because you get an entry to win a $100 gift certificate from Bryson farms grocery home delivery each time you let us in on what’s great. You can be grateful for the potential of having groceries delivered to your front door, grateful for indoor toilets, that your kids made the bus, that it’s Friday, that someone held the door for you, opposable thumbs, your dog… or that your dog doesn’t have opposable thumbs. ;-)
Enter your “One Thing” in the comments section below, or send us an email at wellness@algonquincollege.com.
Hope you win and that you continue to be grateful every day.
Posted on Sunday, February 1st, 2015
After the rousing success of our January “Healthy Eating” initiative, this February we are continuing to ask you to pick “One Thing” you can change today, to improve your overall health and wellness. Again, it doesn’t have to be something huge or all-encompassing or overwhelming. Just one thing that you can do, for yourself, that can help increase your overall wellbeing.
This month we are focusing on mental health.
With The Bell “Let’s Talk” campaign working to break down the barriers associated with mental illness, there are 5 simple things they suggest that you can do today to take the first step to help end the stigma around mental illness.
Language matters
Words can help…but they can also hurt. Pay attention to the words you use.
How you can help
- Explain to friends and colleagues who use words like “psycho” or “nut” without thinking that their comments may be hurtful and provide an alternative view.
Did you know?
2 out of 3 people suffer in silence, fearing judgment and rejection. – Canadian Medical Association.
Educate yourself
Myths exist about mental illness that contribute to stigma. Learn the facts.
How you can help
- Learn more, know more. Be knowledgeable and help fight stigma with facts.
Did you know?
On any given week, more than 500,000 Canadians will not go to work because of mental illness. – Mental Health Commission of Canada.
Be Kind
Small acts of kindness speak volumes.
How you can help
- Don’t stand by if someone is being labelled or bullied.
- Treat a person who has a mental illness with the kindness and care you give to people with other illnesses through a friendly smile, a helping hand, a phone call or visit.
Did you know?
Only 49% of Canadians said they would socialize with a friend who has a serious mental illness. – Canadian Medical Association.
Listen and ask
Sometimes it’s best to just listen.
How you can help
- Don’t trivialize someone’s illness. Instead, say: “I’m sorry to hear that, it must be a difficult time. Is there anything I can do to help?”
Did you know?
Once depression is recognized, help can make a difference for 80% of people who are affected, allowing them to get back to their regular activities. – CMHA.
Talk about it
Start a dialogue, not a debate.
How you can help
- Break the silence. Talk about how mental illness touches us all in some way directly or through a friend, family member or colleague. Stories of lived experience are the best way to help eradicate stigma.
- Support mental health and anti-stigma programs in your community.
You can find more information about the Bell “Let’s Talk” campaign here: http://letstalk.bell.ca/en/
What “one thing” can you do to help move towards meaningful change and building greater awareness, acceptance, and action when it comes to your own mental health and well-being?
Email us at wellness@algonquincollege.com with your “One Thing” for your chance to win a $100 gift certificate to Bryson Farms Organic Home Delivery (www.brysonfarms.com).
Posted on Thursday, January 1st, 2015
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….
Drink more water- Roast instead of fry
- Pick non-processed snacks
- Bring lunch to work at least once a week
- Eat all the vegetables on your plate before you eat anything else
- Make smart ingredient swaps, ie. try using avocado instead of mayo
- Eat as many colors as you can every day
- Have a piece of fruit with breakfast instead of a glass of juice.
- Try to eat meals that are at least half vegetables.
- Try portioning your meals and snacks out the night before
Posted on Thursday, December 18th, 2014
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.
Posted on Monday, December 1st, 2014
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.
Posted on Saturday, November 1st, 2014
How do you spend your lunch break? Is it spent doing work? Do you even take a break?
Breaks are important, as they recharge our minds and keep us from crashing too early. Using your breaks to their fullest can keep you on your toes for the rest of your day, keep you productive, and most of all: keep you well!
General Tips
- Actually take a break! Step away from your work, and avoid taking working lunches.
- Unplug from technology when you can, and avoid social media.
- Include your friends and co-workers. Be social, and talk about things other than work.
- Try something new every day. Make a calendar to track the things you want to try and stick with it!
Read
- Enroll in a course through the College, or find one online. Spend your breaks brushing up on skills you need, or studying something completely new and fascinating!
- Check out Lynda with your College credentials, and learn something new.
- Bring a book from home, swap books with others, and keep a small library in your area.
Write
- Start a blog on a topic of interest, and try writing in it once a week. This can be about a professional interest, or a hobby!
- Or, write something completely different. Try writing short stories, or stories about the people you see around the College. Get creative!
- Or just draw. Do a small doodle of something in your office every day, and see how you improve. Utilize those post-its!
Play
- Play games! There are many games that keep your mind running, such as Chess, Sudoku, and cards. Play online, or start a group with your co-workers! Start teams and make it competitive (and friendly!) The College supports numerous events!
- Start a hobby that you can work on every day. Check out the various clubs we have at the college!
- Go for a walk, or spend some time at the gym. Try yoga or meditation!
Posted on Wednesday, October 1st, 2014
Imagine all that lunch money you can save if you just brown bag it! All that saved money could amount to a new relaxing massage, a one-night getaway, or a new phone!
Studies show meals prepared from home are higher in vitamins, minerals and fibre and lower in fat and calories.
EatRight Ontario has some great ideas to brown bag lunches to work!
Posted on Thursday, August 28th, 2014
“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)
Posted on Friday, August 1st, 2014
What’s a better way to get to meet your fellow colleagues than through a delightful healthy morning meal! You are invited to the annual President’s Breakfast that marks the beginning of a new academic year and provides the opportunity to review plans and set the direction for another successful year at the College.
DATE: Thursday, August 21st, 2014
TIME: 8:30 to 11:00 a.m.
LOCATION: Marketplace Food Court
To register: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/2014-presidents-breakfast-tickets-11843992701
Posted on Thursday, April 18th, 2013
By Wayne McIntyre
In 1976, I learned what a moment in time can do and how it can change your life forever.
I was 32 years old, very active, had a great family, and enjoyed what I thought was important in life. In February of that year, I drove to work and went into my office where my secretary offered to make me a cup of tea. I really don’t remember anything after that moment, because I passed out and woke up 5 days later in a hospital; not knowing who I was, where I was, or even what had happened to me.
I remained in the hospital for six months, followed by 18 months of rehabilitation before I was able to return to a home that was not equipped to support my needs. I could not use the stairs, bedroom, or other rooms. At that time, I thought, ‘for sure my working days are over, and now I will need to be taken care of for the rest of my life’.
When I woke up after my operation, I was not able to walk, move my left side, close my eyes, or even talk. I had very little memory, and really did not know the people around me, even my kids and wife. I had to learn how to do most things all over again, and that is what you can call, ”starting your life all over again”. There were many lessons learned, however, the biggest lesson I learned was to ‘live for the moment’, because you really never know what can change. Remember, at the age of 32 I had to learn how to live all over again. Today, I take great pride that I am a person who can fully look after myself and still help others to reach their goals.
When people tell me about their stresses, issues or problems, I often return to the time when I was down and out in order to pull out a lesson from my life cycle. It is hard for others to understand when they have never been there, but usually all they need to know is that life and options are in the control of the person, and not the situation. Your life and direction is in your hands.
Often stress comes from either not making a decision, procrastinating about making a decision, or making a decision which you do not agree with. The biggest decision in my life was made by my wife. She made the decision that I should undergo surgery that could give me a chance to live some type of life. The odds of success for this type of surgery were not very good at the time, and I could have died during the surgery. In fact, my brother had the same brain tumour, and he only lived six months after the operation. His surgery was just a few years ago. Today, I am still making it thirty-four years later. It was not technology that got me where I am today. Technology helped, but it was a great medical team, a great rehabilitation team, great friends, a family that cared, and most of all me…a person who wanted a second chance to live the best way I could.
What makes me who I am today is happiness. I am happy to be here today. I love my family, my son and daughter, my grandkids, my friends and extended family, and Algonquin College. "I love life"!
Happiness is something I decide on ahead of time, not whether I like something or not. It does not depend on how others see things; it is how I see it in my own mind. Once I make a decision it lives with me every morning when I wake up, until I decide to change it. I had a choice…either I could spend my life in bed recounting my difficulties and let them affect me daily, or get out of bed and be thankful for the many things that have made me who I am today. Each day is a gift, and as long as my eyes open, I will focus on the new day and all the happy memories I have stored away.
I am getting old, but old age is like a bank account…you withdraw from what you have put in. So, my advice to you would be to deposit a lot of happiness in the bank account of memories. I am still depositing. Thank you for your part in filling my memory bank.
