Winter 2010-2011 Newsletter

Revitalize your commitment to a healthier workplace in the New Year

With another year winding down and 2011 on the horizon, many people are taking stock of their current lifestyle practises and setting goals in the form of new year's resolutions. Research shows that most people relapse soon after the new year settles in and motivation begins to wane.

Providing a supportive workplace environment to sustain healthy behaviour change can help employees reach their goals and can ultimately demonstrate to your workforce that they are a valuable asset worth investing in.

As job satisfaction and organizational commitment have declined in Canada since the early 1990's ¹, there is an opportunity for organizations to improve employee commitment, productivity and engagement by making healthy workplaces a priority. Experts note that the majority of Canadian workers are not intent on leaving their current jobs. Still, they would welcome the opportunity to learn while maximizing their current skill set. They view corporate culture as a prerequisite to job satisfaction.

Revisit your workplace wellness vision statement and the needs and interests of your employees as you set your wellness program goals for the year. Contact York Region Health Connection or visit York Region Workplace Wellness.

Research in review: Volunteering can create balance, an escape from the routine and a culture of social responsibility

As we start into a new year, many people are looking to establish a fresh start. Why not consider volunteering?

Volunteering can give an escape to our everyday routine, an opportunity to learn new life skills and create balance in our lives. It can also make our communities a better place in which to live.

In 2007, Canadians reported that they volunteered almost 2.1 billion hours – the equivalent of close to 11 million full-time jobs according to the recently released Canada Survey of Giving, Volunteering and Participating (CSGVP), conducted by Statistics Canada. Almost 12.5 million Canadians or 46% of the population aged 15 and over, volunteered during the one-year period preceding the survey.

The most frequent types of volunteer activities that Canadians reported were organizing or supervising events, fundraising, sitting on committees or boards and teaching, educating or mentoring.

A recent survey carried out by TimeBank through Reed Executive showed that among 200 of the UK's leading businesses:

• 73% of employers would recruit a candidate with volunteering experience over one without
• 94% of employers believe that volunteering can add to skills
• 94% of employees who volunteered to learn new skills had benefited either by getting their first job, improving their salary or being promoted

Volunteering benefits the workplace by providing:

• A wonderful way to learn new skills and develop interpersonal skills
• Incredible networking opportunities
• An excellent opportunity for team building

Consider ways, either during or after working hours, that you can support your employees to actively participate in volunteer programs for non-profit organizations. For more information, contact volunteer organizations within your municipality or region.

• Statistics Canada, Canada Survey of Giving, Volunteering and Participating, 2007
• World Volunteer Web. Benefits of volunteering  

What's On!
Are you looking for prenatal education classes?

Prenatal education classes for women and partners are facilitated by a Public Health Nurse and prepare expectant mothers and their partners for labour, birth, and early parenthood. Topics include labour and childbirth, relaxation, pain relief, newborn care, breastfeeding and much more!

Classes are offered as six to eight weekly evening classes, or two to four weekend classes at a variety of locations throughout York Region in English, Cantonese and Mandarin. The registration fee is $42. 
More information

Did you know?

A new year is a great time to make healthier choices! Did you know that there are Low Risk Drinking Guidelines for people of legal drinking age? These guidelines state that:

• Zero drinks equals the lowest risk of an alcohol-related problem
• No more than two standard drinks on any one day
• Women - up to  nine standard drinks a week
• Men - up to 14 standard drinks a week

These are not "no risk" guidelines - and they are not for everyone. There are some exceptions. To learn more, visit the Low Risk Drinking Guidelines website.

Your Quit Smoking Plan: Eight tips to make quitting easier

Are you thinking about quitting smoking? Here are some tips that can help make the process an easier one for you:

1. Make a list: List all the reasons why you want to quit and keep the list close
2. Understand why you smoke: Monitor your smoking for a few days. It will help you to recognize your triggers
3. Find healthier substitutes for smoking: Recognize trigger situations ahead of time and opt for a walk or healthy snack instead
4. Change your environment and routine: Small changes around the house and in your routine, such as removing ashtrays from your home and car, can make quitting easier
5. Talk with someone: This will deepen your commitment and provide support
6. Learn from the past: If you have tried to quit before, use that experience to make your next attempt successful
7. Set a quit date: Pick a less-stressful day in the next three weeks and mark it on your calendar
8. Motivate with positive thoughts: Battle negative thoughts with constructive ideas

The Canadian Cancer Society can provide more tips and tools to help quit tobacco use. Contact:

• Smokers' Helpline at 1-877-513-5333 is a free, confidential telephone service with trained Quit Specialists.
• Smokers' Helpline Online is an interactive, web-based service offering tips, tools and support.
• Smokers' Helpline Text Messaging offers support, advice and information via mobile devices. Register online or by phone.

BMI and Waist Circumference - What do the numbers mean?

With all of the different ways to assess body weight and risk for diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease and obesity, have you ever wondered what weight and waist size mean for your health?

One of the two common measurements is the Body Mass Index (BMI). The BMI is a measurement of your weight in kilograms related to your height in metres to assess any weight-related problems. The BMI suggests that your risk for health problems increase when your BMI falls below 18.5 or is above 24.9.

Classification	BMI Category	Risk for Health Problems
Underweight	Less than 18.5	Increased
Normal weight	18.5 - 24.9	Least
Overweight	25.0 - 29.9	Increased
Obese	30 or greater	High

Health Canada, 2003

While BMI is a valuable tool, waist circumference is a better indicator for an individual's body fat distribution. Research studies over the years have shown that a person who carries more of his or her weight around the abdominal area versus the hip area is at greater risk of developing heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Research studies have identified that men and women who have a waist circumference of less than 102 cm (40 inches) and less than 88 cm (35 inches), respectively, are at lower risk.

You can maintain both a healthy body weight and waist circumference by following the Eating Well with Canada's Food Guide and the Canada's Physical Activity Guide to Active Living.  Also, speak with your healthcare provider to discuss the best options to minimize your risk for developing chronic diseases.

10 tips to revitalize your body and mind

Small steps can lead to large health benefits. Here are some healthy activities to get you started.

1. Go for a brisk walk during your lunch break
2. Drink six to eight glasses of water a day
3. Boost your fruit and vegetable intake
4. Have a good belly laugh every day
5. Volunteer in your community
6. Reframe your negative thoughts into the positive
7. Take up a new hobby – something you've always wanted to try
8. Make note of something you're grateful for…every day
9. Revisit your values and priorities regularly
10. Sign up for a course for personal or professional growth – learning is lifelong

It's time to be mindful of mental health

If you think your workplace is immune to the impact of mental health issues, think again. According to the Global Business and Economic Roundtable on Addiction and Mental Health (2002) mental health has surpassed cardiovascular disease as the fastest growing disability claims category in Canada.

Many workplaces have already recognized the value of raising workplace awareness, offering resources to employees that promote mental health, and instituting manager training to build a culture of understanding. The introduction of Bill 168 has created momentum for workplaces to formalize policies and plans to ensure a psychologically safe and healthy workplace.

How is your workplace supporting healthy minds at work?

Resources are available to support your organization in addressing stress and mental health in the workplace. For additional information, contact York Region Health Connection. 

Other helpful resources can be found at:
Stress Management in the Workplace 
Mental Health Works  

SAVE THE DATE!

Join us on the morning of Wednesday, May 4, 2011 for the 10th Workplace Wellness Conference at Cardinal Golf Club.

Best practices in introducing workplace initiatives to promote mental health will be discussed. There will also be an overview on how addressing these issues proactively can improve organizational capacity for compliance with the new provincial legislation around harassment and violence in the workplace - Bill 168.

Keynote speaker Donna Hardaker is a Workplace Mental Health Specialist at the York Region branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) where she is a consultant, master trainer and program developer for the award-winning Mental Health Works program.

The event will take place during Mental Health Week in May 2011.

Stay tuned for more information!

We welcome your comments and suggestions at workplace.wellness@york.ca. This newsletter may be reproduced in whole or in part with acknowledgement of the source: York Region Community and Health Services.  

Disclaimer: No liability can be accepted for any advice rendered in this publication or on the websites. The information presented is not intended as a substitution for consultation with a health professional or expert. Please note that information in the newsletter should be considered current only at the date of issue.
 

For more information on the Workplace Wellness Newsletter,
contact York Region Health Connection at 1-800-361-5653, TTY 1-866-252-9933