Healthiest You. October is Healthy Workplace Month! A Healthy Workplace Initiative. Inside This Issue

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Quarterly Update Fall 2013 Healthiest You A Healthy Workplace Initiative Healthy employees making a contribution to the organization within a healthy workplace environment.

October is Canada s Healthy Workplace Month and from October 1-31, the Healthy Workplace Leadership Team is offering a month of interactive health activities aimed to inspire employees to have

This focus this year will be to inspire individuals to think about their own health and wellness and to promote awareness of resources, services and opportunities available to employees of Saskatoon

1 Quarterly Update Fall 2013 Healthiest You A Healthy Workplace Initiative Healthy employees making a contribution to the organization within a healthy workplace environment. October is Healthy Workplace Month! October is Canada s Healthy Workplace Month and from October 1-31, the Healthy Workplace Leadership Team is offering a month of interactive health activities aimed to inspire employees to have Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds, and Healthy Work habits. This dedicated group has been working towards the wellness of all employees and healthy workplaces since This focus this year will be to inspire individuals to think about their own health and wellness and to promote awareness of resources, services and opportunities available to employees of Saskatoon Health Region. In support of our shared value of Stewardship there are a variety of low to no cost fun and informative options for staff participation. Inside This Issue Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Meet Your Healthy Workplace Team! Can We Talk? Self-Care and Health Care Be Active in Both! Bust a Move Saskatoon Healthy Workplace Month Activities October also marks in motion month and the start of the Influenza Immunization Program. Lot s of ways to help you focus on YOUR health and wellness! Continued on page 7

Looking for some Inspiration? Earlier this year, West Winds Primary Health Center Population and Public Health staff took on a 200 squat challenge.

Employee, Volunteer, and Physician Influenza Immunization Occupational Health Nurses and Certified Nurse Influenza Immunizers will focus immunization efforts at the

2 Looking for some Inspiration? Earlier this year, West Winds Primary Health Center Population and Public Health staff took on a 200 squat challenge. Some participants started out at max 12 squats and ended well above 200. WAY TO GO!!! The Influenza Immunization Program will begin Monday, October 21, Employee, Volunteer, and Physician Influenza Immunization Occupational Health Nurses and Certified Nurse Influenza Immunizers will focus immunization efforts at the three Saskatoon hospitals. Immunization will take place in the OH&S satellite offices. For more information, visit: 2

Meet Your Healthy Workplace Team! The Healthy Workplace Leadership Team is an advisory committee, formed in 2009 to represents the broad diversity of employees in terms of location, role and level.

3 Meet Your Healthy Workplace Team! The Healthy Workplace Leadership Team is an advisory committee, formed in 2009 to represents the broad diversity of employees in terms of location, role and level. It includes front-line, management, union, rural and physician members. This passionate group of healthy workplace leaders has collaborated on many initiatives focusing on meeting the heath and wellness needs of employees and the organization. Each Update, we will introduce these dedicated folks to you! For more team information and resources, visit Healthy Workplace on the Infonet. Melissa Leier Organizational Effectiveness Consultant People and Partnerships I participate on the Healthy Workplace Leadership team because I love to see people find enjoyment in being active and seeing how it can enhance someone s overall quality of life. I value the endless benefits of living a healthy lifestyle and like to be a leader encouraging and supporting these practices in others. My personal health and wellness story includes (learning to; helping others to, etc.) I grew up in Melville, SK and was actively involved in competitive team sports and realized my true passion for health and fitness by age 15. After a high school ACL tear knee injury, I went from basic injury rehabilitation to training in the gym with my physiotherapist who also encouraged me to take it to the next level and start leading group fitness classes shortly after. At this point, I was hooked and knew I wanted to further my own education to live the lifestyle of wellness. In 2005, I achieved my B. Sc. Kinesiology degree at the U of S, specializing in Exercise Science. During these years, I continued to work as a Group Fitness Leader and presented at the 2008 SaskFit annual conference as a Bootcamp Instructor, as well as the 2008 Women in Sport Conference. I became licensed with the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology as a Certified Personal Trainer, then also became a Professional Fitness & Lifestyle Consultant, and post-degree achieved the Certified Exercise Physiologist designation. I have always been driven to competition and continually taking on new challenges. In 2008, I started going to a boxing club just for a different type of fitness class workout; within 3 months the coach pushed me to try actually competing in a boxing match as an amateur boxer, which is something I had never dreamed I would try as a sport. I ended up winning a bronze medal in the Alberta Silver Gloves tournament. As much fun as it was, boxing matches weren t what I was after for the long-term, so I decided I wanted to take my physique to the next level competitively and go for one of my dreams of competing as a Figure Athlete. I competed in the Saskatchewan Amateur Bodybuilding Association Novice and Provincial shows in 2010 and placed 2nd in both, and then went on to win SABBA Provincials and competed as a National Athlete in the CBBF Canadian Nationals in 2011 and In addition to my own enjoyment in fitness activities, I like to promote fitness within my community. I currently represent provincial members of the Saskatchewan Kinesiology & Exercise Science Association as the Health & Fitness chair of the provincial board of directors. I also sit on the SaskFit annual conference planning committee and the Saskatchewan Fitness Advisory Council. I also contribute monthly wellness columns to the local Saskatoon Well Being Magazine. I am inspired by others who are also interested in pushing themselves to the limits and taking their training to the next level and I am now coaching others to achieve personal goals as a Fitness Coach and Personal Trainer in Saskatoon and with athletes across the globe. I am also looking forward to being part of the planning team for the Bust A Move fundraiser event coming to Saskatoon in Spring 2014, which will be an enormous event of a day-long fitness participation raising funds for breast cancer research. The health and wellness activities that I currently practice include 5AM daily morning sweat sessions various activities from climbing stairs to jogging to morning power walks: evening strength training, including circuit training and plyometrics daily: trips to the Dog Park 2-3x/week trying to keep up to my Lab puppy : family Bike Rides 1-2x/week with my partner and my puppy: Hot Moksha Yoga once per week: Nutrition Planning with my family I use the following health and wellness services that are already in existence at Saskatoon Health Region SCH Fitness Facility gym, Education and motivational seminars through Healthy Workplace initiatives 3

Can We Talk? Do you want a team that thrives, has less conflict and fewer power struggles while enjoying greater creativity and innovation? Then this may be the workshop for you!

It will introduce the What (the theory of integrative problem solving), the How (the skills necessary for difficult discussions) and the Why (the value of a commitment to reconciliation and

4 Can We Talk? Do you want a team that thrives, has less conflict and fewer power struggles while enjoying greater creativity and innovation? Then this may be the workshop for you! Can We Talk explores the collaborative process for resolving and preventing difficult situations. It will introduce the What (the theory of integrative problem solving), the How (the skills necessary for difficult discussions) and the Why (the value of a commitment to reconciliation and productive interactions). Specific topics include dealing with differences and conflict resolution; managing the 5 styles of conflict; listening skills; speaking assertively and respectfully and creating win/win solutions For more information and to register visit the Training Registration System at or if you are a manager, contact your Client Service Specialist to inquire about sessions delivered to your area. This workshop is offered through Organizational Learning and Effectiveness. Are you interested in arranging a lunch and learn for your unit, department or area? Contact Mimi at mimi.lodoen@saskatoonhealth region.ca and/or Donna, donna.chalifoux@saskatoonhe althregion.ca and let s talk! Mimi has a number of topics such as Getting Motivated to be Active at Work How to Start a Walking Club Stretching and Yoga Techniques at Work We are also happy to chat about options and ideas for creating a healthier environment in your work area. If you would like to book any of these or have an idea for a session, let us know! Add some relaxation and rejuvenation to your daily work break by subscribing to the new TakeYourBreak weekly service offered by Workplace Strategies for Mental Health. TakeYourBreak activities are focused on improving mental health at work. They may also encourage you to actually take some regular breaks even during the busiest workdays! Register at to get ideas on nocost to low-cost activities to help you and your co-workers become calmer, more energized and more physically relaxed at work.. Provided by The Great- West Life Centre for Mental Health in the Workplace 4

5 Self-care and Healthcare Be active in both! A key aspect of taking charge of your health is becoming a vital member of the healthcare team. Find out how one Saskatoon Health Region employee did just this and learned the value of taking responsibility for her own health influencing my own health has given me a new sense of well-being and a feeling of control over my own life Submitted by Lynn Warren This summer I had an experience that showed me how valuable preventive healthcare and taking responsibility for my own health can be. In June I was diagnosed with an ovarian cyst and uterine fibroids. They were causing me problems and causing my doctor to be concerned. She informed me that a hysterectomy may need to be considered and scheduled me for a follow-up ultrasound in six weeks to monitor any changes. Then I went home to think about the options we had discussed. I didn t want surgery, who does? Even though I am past my childbearing years, I was aware of the risks involved with surgery and I didn t take them lightly. So I decided to find out if there was anything that I could do to improve my situation and it turns out that there was. I found out that simple lifestyle modifications could help ease my symptoms and in some cases even eliminate them. I decided that there was no harm in trying everything I could and if I still ended up needing surgery then at least I d feel better knowing that I d done all I could. My doctor s office called to schedule a follow-up after my second ultrasound. I nervously waited for the appointment with dread in my heart. The thought of surgery and an extended recovery period left me feeling deflated. Much to my surprise, my doctor had extraordinary news for me! According to the second ultrasound my cyst had disappeared and my fibroids had shrunk considerably. My doctor was astonished and wanted to know what I had done to get such remarkable results. Here s what I did; I altered my diet by only eating whole fresh foods and restricting sugar and processed food, I made sure that I got enough exercise so that my body could more effectively eliminate toxins and increase my oxygen levels, I managed my stress levels with yoga, breathing exercises and making sure I had enough leisure time for myself, I applied old fashioned castor oil packs along with a heating pad to my abdomen every night. This was by no means an all-inclusive list. I read about several other things that I could try, but I chose these ones because they made sense to me and because I could fit them into my life. Were these changes responsible for my great results or was it simply my determination and commitment to my health that made the difference? It might have been a bit of both but I don t think it matters. The important thing is that influencing my own health has given me a new sense of well-being and a feeling of control over my own life. I m happy and healthy and I m totally worth it. 5 Lynne Warren is a Library Technician with Population and Public Health, SHR

Bust a Move is the celebration of a healthy, active lifestyle. On April 12th, 2014, you can witness a celebration like no other!

ca Bust a Move for Breast Health TM is a community fundraiser celebrating positive advancements for breast health.

Each host city chooses its cause and funds stay in that community to support its breast health initiative. Ma

6 Bust a Move is the celebration of a healthy, active lifestyle. On April 12th, 2014, you can witness a celebration like no other! Get Registered Collect Pledges Form Teams Get Fit Have Fun Join us in this day of amazement, fun and fitness. For More information and to register go online to Bust a Move for Breast Health TM is a community fundraiser celebrating positive advancements for breast health. While event day is a challenge, it is truly a celebration of the community coming together for a life saving cause. Each host city chooses its cause and funds stay in that community to support its breast health initiative. Make it A Date! Bust a Move Launch Event When October 22, 2013, 2:30 P.M. Where SCH Atrium See a fitness demo and hear from Penny Murphy, Chair, Bust a Move Saskatoon Everyone Welcome 6 Fall Health Promotion Days Why not plan some of your healthy workplace activities around these observances? October Healthy Workplace Month /en/ Fall in motion Influenza Immunization Awareness Month November Diabetes Awareness Month Movember Canada Check out the entire calendar of health promotion days at

the month. Grab a friend or your whole team and get active!

7 continued from page 1 challenges mindfulness sessions free fitness classes SHR s largest zumba class are just a few activities being offered throughout the month. Grab a friend or your whole team and get active! Check the Healthy Workplace Site on the Infonet page for a Calendar of Events and to register. 7

Become a Healthy Workplace Champion Our goal is to create a Network of Champions that will play an important role in sharing information and inspiring

Creating a network of Champions helps to build supportive environments and fosters a culture that reflects our shared values of respect, collaboration,

Visit Healthy Workplace on the Infonet at http://infonet.sktnhr.ca/healthyworkplace/pages/hwchampionnetwork.

ca a healthy workplace Healthiest You Update is published quarterly. Do you have a healthiest you story or tip? How does your unit stay healthy?

8 Become a Healthy Workplace Champion Our goal is to create a Network of Champions that will play an important role in sharing information and inspiring colleagues in their work unit, department or site, as well as providing information back about staff needs/wants and ideas. Creating a network of Champions helps to build supportive environments and fosters a culture that reflects our shared values of respect, collaboration, excellence, compassion and stewardship. We are looking for champions in all areas of Saskatoon Health Region and would love to hear from you! Visit Healthy Workplace on the Infonet at for more information, or contact: Donna Mimi donna.chalifoux@saskatoonhealthregion.ca mimi.lodoen@saskatoonhealthregion.ca a healthy workplace Healthiest You Update is published quarterly. Do you have a healthiest you story or tip? How does your unit stay healthy? To share your ideas or if you would like help planning for a healthier workplace in your area, contact: Donna Chalifoux, Healthy Workplace Consultant, donna.chalifoux@saskatoonhealthregion.ca OR Mimi Lodoen, Healthy Workplace Educator, mimi.lodoen@saskatoonhealthregion.ca

HANTS HEALTH & WELLNESS TEAM

HANTS HEALTH & WELLNESS TEAM FREE HEALTH & WELLNESS PROGRAMS To Registercall 902-460-4560 Like us on Facebookof Trudy Lake Photo courtesy facebook.com/communityhealthteams THE MUNICIPALITY OF THE DISTRICT