October is Healthy Workplace Month

Here is a list of activities that might inspire you to “Take Action” on your Mental Health in the Workplace this week: 

Pay a compliment to a colleague
A quick and easy way to brighten someone’s day and hopefully your own
Send an e-card.

Participate in a Sudoku Challenge

Play a game with coworkers

Manage your work stressors
Understanding your stressors and how to manage them helps you cope and be prepared for future stressors.

Get some natural light and/or fresh air
Sometimes a change of focus is as good as a break. Enjoy the scenery just for one minute per hour daily and reflect on the good things in life.

Have a proper lunch break
Relax over lunch, for even just a short time, for a more energized afternoon. 

Work on self-awareness
Take time to reflect on your intentions and actions.

No work at home week
Make this the week you don’t take work home. Enjoy time with family or friends instead. It may be  helpful to do an activity to transition from work to home such as taking a short walk, doing a crossword puzzle or listening to music before beginning your evening routine.

Talk it out
If you have a rough day, talk it out with family or friends. Talking can help you feel better and resolve problems.

Family Meal Night
Designate at least one night a week as Family Meal Night. No television, cell phones or distractions-just a nice meal and catching up with everyone’s busy lives.

No screen night
Declare one evening a week as “No Screen Night”. Turn of the tv, video games, computers, PDA’s and Ipods. Read a good book or go for a walk with a family member, friend or neighbor.

Family outing day

Board games night
Have a good ol’ fashioned board games night with family or friends

No PDA’s allowed
For one evening, turn off all PDA’s and cell phones from 6:00pm until the next morning

Meet a friend for supper

Girl’s/Boy’s night out

Writer a thank you letter
When is the last time you wrote a letter?? Take this time to send a letter of appreciation to someone who has been an important influence to you

Learn about Mental Health Issues

Shut off negative inner voices
Focus on the positives. Write a list of things that make you feel good and review them when you’re down. 

Access your accomplishments
Ask yourself , “what felt meaningful today?”. At the supper table maybe invite your family to share the best part about their day. 

Try something new
Try a new activity and see what happens!

Friendly photos
Keep loved ones close to you all day by taking a photo and posting it in your workspace. 

Any other activity you feel promotes your Mental Health 

Please remember that this is just a sample of activities you may want to try incorporating into your daily lives. If you already have activities you do, you’re way ahead of the game! And if you have other ideas of things you would like to try great! The hope is that starting in the month of October we will all participate in making a conscious effort to work towards creating a Healthy Workplace. This is something we want to continue with all year and hope it becomes a normal part of our workplace. 

Provided by: 
AHS

For more information, please visit the Healthy Workplace Month website.

Create a workplace physical activity challenge

The LBD PCN staff recently participated in an activity challenge at work. We did a 50-day activity challenge where we had to get at least 30 minutes of moderate to high activity each day. Each staff member was allowed to miss no more than 8 days total over the 50 days.  

To encourage and motivate the staff, we collected a $20 sign up fee from each participate and put each participating staff member’s name on a poster. Each day the completed the 30 minutes of activity, they got to put a sticker on the board. Everyone was very excited and motivated by the shiny stickers and looked forward to putting them on the board each morning!

Sixteen out of our 18 regular staff members took part in the challenge.  At the end of the 50 day challenge, each staff member who completed the challenge with no more than 8 days off had their name placed in a hat for a draw. The person who’s name was pulled won all of the money collected at the start. Our only caveat was that the money was to go towards something for themselves like a massage, new workout clothes, new runners, etc. The winner of our challenge put the money toward a year membership at her local gym.  

The goal behind these types challenges is to create a habit that will continue past the 50 days and become a regular part of everyday routine. The majority of our staff continued on with 30 minutes of activity day after the challenge was over, the habit was formed.

Corinne Cutler

Leduc Beaumont Devon Primary Care Network

Exercise Specialist

October is Healthy Workplace Month

October is Healthy Workplace Month

Looking to add more activity to your workday? Here are some simple ideas:

• Walk to an employee’s desk instead of emailing or calling
• Use the washroom or water cooler on a different floor
• Set a timer every hour or two to get up and stretch and walk around
• Walk a flight of stairs or two whenever possible
• While waiting at the fax or photocopier machines due some heel raises or wall push-ups
• While filing do a few extra squats
• If there is the option to have adjustable desk heights to promote more standing
• Sit on stability balls while working at the computer
• Start a walking group at lunch or even set up a staff activity challenge

~ Corinne Cutler, LBD PCN Exercise Specialist

Don't overlook the benefits of stretching. It can increase circulation, balance and flexibility and improve your posture, all of which can be issues for those who sit at a desk for long periods of time. Click the poster to view larger or print for your workplace:

For more information:

Healthy Workplace Month