Working the Active Way
In This Issue
Workplace Toolkit Pilot Project Update
Welcome to the second edition of our Workplace Wellness e-bulletin. The focus of this spring edition is on encouraging employees to become more physically active. We received favourable feedback from our first edition and hope that you find the information useful in planning your initiatives over the next few months.
The launch of the Project Health Toolkit is quickly approaching. We look forward to seeing everyone on June 2nd from 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. at the Public Health building, room 508 where you will receive your toolkit, hear from the consultants who created the toolkit and have an opportunity to network with your colleagues over lunch. We have uncovered many exciting resources and supports and hope that you are as excited about receiving this toolkit as we are putting it together. Just a quick reminder that the pre-survey to capture the profile of your workplace will be coming out shortly. Please take a few moments to complete the information for us.You will have a choice to complete the survey on the Together 4 Health website or fax back a hard copy. Thank you in advance for this information.
Due to busy schedules we were not able to proceed with a networking session at the end of April. However, the responses we received indicated keen interest in these kinds of meetings. Please feel free to share with us any ideas you may have for speakers or topics so we can meet your needs when planning future networking sessions.
Quick Facts: Working the Active Way
From the Public Health Agency of Canada:
Fifteen million Canadians spend one-half of their waking hours at work. It is vital, therefore, to find ways of increasing physical activity at and around work.
Research suggests that there is a link between active living/fitness and individual employee well-being. Healthier employees result in:
- lower health-care costs;
- lower turnover rates;
- reduced absenteeism;
- fewer medical claims;
- higher productivity; and
- improved employee morale.
There are many ways to include physical activity in your workday. An active living approach means incorporating physical activity into your day wherever you can. Some ideas include taking the stairs instead of the elevator, walking during lunch and breaks, having an active meeting, or biking or walking to work.
Mark Your Calendars
May 6 – June 20 - Summeractive
Be Active your way, every day- for life! Physical activity needs to be a priority for everyone at all ages! Enjoy being active, eating well, living tobacco free and feeling good about yourself.
June 2- 9 - National Water Safety Week
June 10 -11 - Relay for Life in Waterloo
July 17 - Canada Parks Day
Resources
Get Active at Work
This one page resource provides diagrams of stretches that can be done at your workstation to prevent stiffness, feel better and get more work done.
Healthy Tips for Midnight Shift Workers
Includes suggestions on how to eat better and get more physical activity when working the midnight shift.
How can we encourage workers to be active?
Most Canadians spend more than one-third of their waking hours at work. Workplace health programs can help both employers and staff. After all, becoming healthy both leads to feeling better and being more successful at work and that's good for everybody.
Healthy Living @Workplace Action Guide
Provides programming examples and workplace awards criteria to guide you toward implementing a successful workplace wellness program.
Go for Green: Active Transportation
There are more than 14 million cars on Canada's roads. Each travels an average of 16,000 kilometres and pumps out more than 4 tonnes of air pollutants a year.
Small Steps to Big Changes (at Work)
This is an active, healthy lifestyles program that consists of 10 week 1 1/2 hour group sessions led by a trained volunteer.
Hosting Healthy Meetings and Workshops
Follow these simple tips to help participants focus, feel energized & be more productive.
No Time to Exercise?
The number one reason of Canadians for not being more physically active is lack of time. Try this one: how about exercising during the work day?
For more information or to suggest topics you'd like addressed in future bulletins, please contact Heidi Schulz of Together 4 Health's Workplace Wellness Work Group at (519) 742-1481 x 225 or by email at ebulletin@together4health.ca.
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