Quarterly Update Spring 2018

Healthiest You …moving forward for a healthier organization

Healthy employees making a contribution to the

organization within a healthy workplace environment.

Inside this Issue

Have You Taken the Challenge?

Page 2 Inspiring Better Workplaces: Home Care

Page 10 Bike to Work Day

Page 4 When to Use EFAP

Page 8

Practice Mindfulness in 5 Easy Steps

"I took a walk in the woods and came out taller than the trees." - Henry David Thoreau

A Walk in Nature Donna Chalifoux, Healthy Workplace Consultant

Recently I’ve added a walk to my daily routine during the work week. I’ve been noticing the different ways that people approach “taking a walk.” Some are focused with a serious stride; others are out for an easy stroll. I see many people with ear buds listening, I imagine, to music, a book or podcast. Some are alone and others are in pairs or small groups. Of course it all depends on the intention and goals of the walker.

Spring is bursting with the energy of buds and blooms, birdsong and children laughing and running, rain and sunshine. Taking the time to be in nature can increase your own sense of renewed energy and creativity. An introvert at heart, I adore a long, solitary walk by the river or through the trees when we’re up at the lake. The sounds of my footsteps on moss and leaves, water rushing over the weir, rustling trees and birds flitting through branches, the rich smells of earth and composting forest floor …after an hour of immersing myself in nature, I often find myself in a relaxed, calm and creative frame of mind. Research clearly shows that the closer we are to nature, the happier we feel.

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Continued on Page 5

Healthy Workplace Champion Summit

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Quarterly Update Spring 2018

inspired workplace Fresh thinking on creating a better work environment

…for champions, by champions

Inspiring BETTER WORKPLACES …ideas in action for healthier work environments

CHA

Last October we challenged teams to have some “Fun at Work”. Having fun at work can help create a positive work culture, improve morale, motivation, teambuilding, and increase overall job satisfaction. Teams were invited to brainstorm a few ides to make the work area more “fun” and to keep track of activities completed throughout the month in a “Fun Log” Here are some of the creative ways Home Care at Idylwyld Centre came up with to put more fun into their workdays!

To share your team’s inspiring ideas in action contact Healthy Workplace

Home Care Knows How to Have Fun!

Celebrate employee of the week with

funny picture and gift

Co-worker lunch

Send selfie to co-worker who is off to

tell her she’s missed

Make a fun bulletin board

Welcome back a co-worker after being

off with a coffee and cookie break

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Quarterly Update Spring 2018

Thank you to the team from Homecare, Idylwyld Center for sharing your photos and creative ideas for putting a healthy workplace into action!

Healthy Workplace relates to all aspects of your work life from the health and safety of your physical and psychological environment to work life balance, to opportunities for professional growth and development. Healthy employees thriving in a healthy work environment are able to provide exceptional care and service to patients, residents, clients and families.

WORK HARD + HAVE FUN = MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

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Quarterly Update Spring 2018

To get started with Shepell’s Professional Counselling Services, call

1-844-336-3136 or browse through their available services online at

workhealthlife.com.

Employee and Family Assistance Program – EFAP

Your Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP) is a support service that can help you take the first step towards change. Check out what’s available to you and your eligible dependents through your EFAP today!

All SHA employees and eligible dependents have access to the EFAP program, whether you are full time, part time, or casual. EFAP offers counselling services for personal issues as well as lifestyle and specialty counselling in areas such as life balance, health issues, managing stress, family, legal and, financial concerns. This service is funded by SHA and is confidential and private. No one at work will know that you are using your EFAP. It is available in person, by telephone or on-line, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so you can choose what works best for you.

EFAP Can Help!

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Quarterly Update Spring 2018

…continued from page 1

Why should you consider taking more walks in nature?

• It has a host of mental health benefits such as decreased

depression, improved well-being, and lower perceived stress.

Brisk walking boosts endorphins, the feel-good hormones that

improve your mood and lower stress and mild depression.

Walking gives you more energy, which also improves your

positive feelings.

• It can increase attention and sense of happiness as aspects of the

natural world can be very soothing and help to lift our moods.

• It is a simple and active mindfulness practice that promotes being

present. Walking through green spaces can put the brain into a

meditative state, where you are able to pay attention to the

world around you, while creating the calmness needed for

reflection. It’s in this calm, quiet reflective state where our

creativity can flourish.

• It provides exercise and can help you keep in shape.

Tips for Walking in Nature

• Listen to the sounds – birds chirping, insects buzzing, wind in the

trees.

• Take your time and savour what comes up.

• Immerse your senses in the sights, smells, sounds – get up close

to flowers, insects, tree buds, notice colours and shapes.

• Go alone or remain silent – focus on what’s around you. Talking

makes it difficult to tune in to nature.

• Notice any physical sensations or feelings such as the feeling of

warm sunshine on your face, a cold breeze or your feet touching

the ground with each step. Notice without judging or getting

caught up in thinking about them.

“I am alarmed when it happens that I have walked a mile into the woods bodily, without getting there in spirit.”

― Henry David Thoreau

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Quarterly Update Spring 2018

Three Ways to Take the Challenge!

There are a number of different ways you can take the 30 Day Mindfulness Challenge…

1. ORGANIZATION: You and your buddy can join an organization-wide Challenge scheduled throughout the year. Next Challenge begins May 8, 2018

2. TEAM: You and your colleagues/team can pick a start date that suits everyone and then all start on the same day (buddies too). If your team or group is interested in this option, contact us and we will arrange a start date just for you!

3. INDIVIDUAL: Weekly start dates are now available, so that you can start the Challenge with a buddy any Monday that you like from now until November 2018. If you’d like to take the Challenge with more than the one buddy provided, you can pay a small subsidized fee to add more buddies.

While MindWell-U's trainings are accessed on your smartphone, desktop or tablet, the focus is to become mindful in the middle of whatever you’re doing - meeting with colleagues, operating machinery, or having a meal with a loved one.

Have You Taken the Mindfulness Challenge Yet? To date, 1106 employees from across Saskatchewan Health Authority have taken advantage of the free Mindfulness Training through MindWell-U offered by the Healthy Workplace Initiative. The overall satisfaction rate is 96% with participants reporting:

99% experiencing improved mental health

98% managing conflict better

97% focusing better

97% managing stress better

96% learning skills for the workplace

Developed using evidence-based curricula, this innovative, online training is geared towards employees looking to incorporate mindfulness into the workplace. Content is delivered via any device, anytime and anywhere and focuses on simple yet powerful and achievable learning objectives. Past participants in Saskatoon area have found the challenge helps to lower stress, increase resilience, improve teamwork, and strengthen leadership skills.

The Challenge teaches ‘mindfulness-in-action’ so people don’t need to stop what they are doing to become calmer, present and more focused, all of which lead to a happier, healthier work environment.

After just 10 minutes a day for 30 consecutive days, you can become healthier, more productive and better able to problem-solve and work in a team.

Why not sign up for a challenge today!

Visit Healthy Workplace for more information and to register.

“The little things? The little moments?

They aren’t little.” – Jon Kabat-Zinn

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Quarterly Update Spring 2018

“What day is it?” asked Pooh. “It’s today,” squeaked Piglet. “My

favourite day,” said Pooh.

Mindfulness in Healthcare Study – Help Wanted! The Healthy Workplace Initiative is partnering with the U of S College of Nursing to explore meditation and mindfulness practices used by health care providers in Saskatchewan. We are looking for volunteers to take part in a study of mindfulness-based interventions and programming. All SHA employees are welcome and encouraged to participate. As a participant in this study, you would be asked to either: participate in a computer-based online survey (10-15 minutes), or attend an in-person discussion session (max 30 mins). In-person discussion sessions will be held on:

Wednesday, May 16th @ Royal

University Hospital 438 CAF

Thursday, May 17th @ St. Paul’s

Hospital Café 4

Friday, May 18th @ City Hospital 0108

From 0600-0800, 1130-1330 & 1800-2000 Online survey: https://www.surveymonkey.ca/r/mindfulnesshealthcaresk Please see poster for more information.

Refreshments will be served

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Quarterly Update Spring 2018

Conversations are the stem cells of learning.

– Jay Cross

This workshop opportunity is reserved for REGISTERED HEALTHY WORKPLACE CHAMPIONS.

If you would like to register as a Healthy Workplace Champion for your team, area or department, please complete the Registration form online. Once your registration is complete, you will be eligible to attend the summit.

We are always looking for new champions to join the network!

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Quarterly Update Spring 2018

Awe is the feeling we get in the presence of something vast that challenges our understanding of the world, like looking up at millions of stars in the night sky or marveling at the birth of a child. Could your life be more awesome? Take this quiz

5-Second Rule for Motivation The Rule: If you have an impulse to act

on a goal, you must physically move

within 5 seconds or your brain will kill

the idea.

The moment you feel yourself hesitate

(when you know you should do

something) start counting backward 5-

4-3-2-1, then GO. The Rule is a proven,

form of metacognition. When you use

it, you shift mental gears, interrupt your

habit of overthinking and awaken your

pre-frontal cortex – making change

easy. The rule acts as a “starting ritual”

that breaks bad habits and triggers

positive new behavior change. Curious?

Check these links out…

Mel Robbins TED Talk

The Secret to Self-Motivation

Self-Compassion Break TIME REQUIRED:

5 minutes. While it may be challenging to do this practice every time you face a

stressful situation, an initial goal could be to try it at least once per week.

HOW TO DO IT

1. Think of a situation in your life that is difficult and is causing you stress.

2. Call the situation to mind and see if you can actually feel the stress and

emotional discomfort in your body.

3. Now say to yourself, “This is a moment of suffering.” This acknowledgment is a

form of mindfulness—of simply noticing what is going on for you emotionally in

the present moment, without judging that experience as good or bad. You can

also say to yourself, “This hurts,” or, “This is stress.” Use whatever statement

feels most natural to you.

4. Next, say to yourself, “Suffering is a part of life.” This is a recognition of your

common humanity with others—that all people have trying experiences, and

these experiences give you something in common with the rest of humanity

rather than mark you as abnormal or deficient. Other options for this statement

include “Other people feel this way,” “I’m not alone,” or “We all struggle in our

lives.”

5. Now, put your hands over your heart, feel the warmth of your hands and the

gentle touch on your chest, and say, “May I be kind to myself.” This is a way to

express self-kindness. You can also consider whether there is another specific

phrase that would speak to you in that particular situation. Some examples: “May

I give myself the compassion that I need,” “May I accept myself as I am,” “May I

learn to accept myself as I am,” “May I forgive myself,” “May I be strong,” and

“May I be patient.”

This practice can be used any time of day or night. If you practice it in moments of

relative calm, it might become easier for you to experience the three parts of self-

compassion—mindfulness, common humanity, and self-kindness—when you

need them most.

Build your resilience to stress with this powerful exercise as a healthier way to deal with stressful situations.

Source: Greater Good in Action

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Quarterly Update Spring 2018

In motion News

As part of the in motion Healthy Workplace Evaluation

(HWE) free learning sessions were offered at each of the six

(6) participating worksites. All individuals who participated

in the first part of the HWE were invited to attend one of the

Healthy Workplace Learning Sessions. Each Learning

Session was facilitated by a qualified coach who worked

with participants to identify challenges that hinder/stop

participation in healthy behaviours as well as identify what

is working and other solutions to overcome the challenges.

Multiple holistic actions were identified to help promote a

healthy workplace culture within SHR. The summary of

participant feedback from the Learning Sessions suggested

that supporting champions throughout SHR who are

helping to transform the workplace experience by

coordinating and conducting training sessions and

advocating for healthy workspaces is one way to start.

Click here to read some of the other ideas your colleagues

came up with during the Learning Sessions to promote a

healthy workplace.

Contact Cora Janzen to learn more about supporting

physical activity in the workplace and/or discuss the SHR in

motion Champions.

cora.janzen@saskatoonhealthregion.ca; (306) 655-4696

May 16, 2018 is Bike to Work Day – make this the start of your summer routine!

Mimi Lodoen, Healthy Workplace Educator

Cycling is a healthy, convenient, and low-cost form of everyday transportation that improves our community by decreasing traffic congestion and reducing air pollution. Think of cycling as a regular means of transportation and experience the benefits of arriving at work feeling refreshed, energized and alert.

Not only does cycling assist in improved cardiovascular function and increased strength, you will be able to enjoy the fresh air and get your regular dose of Vitamin D.

Make cycling a family activity - You can cycle with your kids at an early age teaching them the rules of the roads and paths. This will set them up for success when they are old enough to cycle on their own.

Cycling is easy to do if you prepare in advance.

• Have your bike tuned up in early spring, and make sure you have good tires and a spare in case of a flat.

• Be sure your bike fits your body. It should be comfortable to ride with a good seat, and be sure to have the bars and seat adjusted to your height.

• Invest in the cycling gear you need to make your ride to work easy including a good helmet, saddle bags or a back pack to carry what you need, as well as proper clothing. Prepare for rain so that you are not caught off guard when riding home.

• Wear a bicycle helmet on every ride, no matter how short. Head injuries are responsible for about 85 percent of biking-related deaths, yet only 18 percent of adult cyclists in one study reported wearing helmets while riding. Staying away from cars won't protect you either: about 70 percent of bike injuries occur in situations that do not involve a motor vehicle.

• Be sure you wear bright clothing and have your bike fitted with reflectors as well as a horn or bell.

• Always obey the rules of the road. Being a cyclist carries the same rules as a motor vehicle

TRANSFORM YOUR TRANSPORTATION

BIKE TO WORK DAY YXE: MAY 16

Quarterly Update Spring 2018

WE WANT YOU! Are you enthusiastic?

Do you enjoy connecting with colleagues?

Are you a positive role model?

Do you want to be part of creating a Better Place to

Work?

Why not become a Healthy

Workplace Champion?

Join the Network!

We are looking for champions in all departments of

Saskatchewan Health Authority in the Saskatoon area. For more

information and to register, visit us at

http://shrhealthyworkplace.ca/ or email

healthyworkplace@saskatoonhealthregion.ca.

We’re a large organization which

makes communication and

connection two very large

challenges. Champions are a key

part of reaching people where they

are and helping to keep us all in

the loop! The commitment is

small, the rewards are big.

Healthiest You Update is published quarterly by the Saskatoon Area Healthy Workplace Initiative.

If you would like help planning for a healthier workplace in your area, contact:

Donna Chalifoux, Healthy Workplace Consultant, or Mimi Lodoen, Healthy Workplace Educator at

healthy workplace or visit www.healthyworkplace.ca.