By choosing healthy lifestyle practices and addressing the risk factors you have the ability to influence and improve your health and reduce the chance of developing certain illnesses including chronic diseases. It's never too late to start making healthier choices- whether its increasing vegetables in your diet, adding physical activity to your day, building relaxation time into your schedule, or developing a plan to quit smoking or reduce your consumption of alcohol - these are all steps toward improving your health and reducing your risk of illness.
Conduct a personal health assessment today to find out about your own specific risk factors and what steps you can do to improve your health, wellness and longevity. Be sure to check out the numerous online resources and counselling services available through Homewood Health - Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP).
Reduce Your Stress
While a certain level of stress is healthy and causes us to feel motivated, challenged, and productive, ongoing high levels of stress can have negative effects on our emotional and physical well-being. Take the Stress Index Assessment now to find out how well you're managing your stress. Read Manage Your Stress and Managing Stress at Work to find out what steps you can take to keep your stress in check.
Watch “The single most important thing you can do for your stress” by Dr. Mike Evans. Renowned for his compelling videos on preventative medicine, Dr. Mike Evans will show you the most simple and practical things you can do now that will have the greatest impact on your health.
Silent Meditation at KGH
Meditation clears the mind by reconnecting you with your self so that you can live in the moment. The Chapel at the KGH site is open for individual silent meditation practice 24x7.
Sleep and Shift Work
Despite the importance of sleep to our overall health, many of us don't get the recommended 7 to 9 hours each day. Working shiftwork adds further challenges by interfering with your circadian rhythm (internal clock). Shiftwork not only increases your risk of developing heart and gastrointestinal problems, diabetes, obesity and depression, but increases the chances of having a workplace injury or accident. Learning how to get quality sleep is key, particularly if you work shiftwork.
Find out about how you can improve you sleep and minimize common sleep disruptors, how to successfully manage shiftwork, and when to seek medical attention for a sleep problem.
- Good Sleeping Practices
- How to Calm your Worries & Sleep Better
- Relaxation Techniques
- Tips for Shift Workers
- Nutrition for Shift Workers
- Your Guide to Healthy Sleep
Disease Prevention and Management
Managing Blood Pressure
Is your blood pressure within normal limits? As we age, it's important to periodically monitor it since elevated pressure is the number one risk factor for stroke and significant risk factor for heart disease. If you've been diagnosed with borderline or high blood pressure, speak to your Occupational Health Nurse about regular monitoring, Track your Blood Pressure Readings, and follow the DASH Diet. For more information see Heart and Stroke Foundation.
Managing Diabetes
With an aging population, increased obesity, and sedentary lifestyle, the incidence of Diabetes is on the rise. Find out if you are at risk for developing Pre-Diabetes or Type 2 Diabetes by viewing this.
Visit the Canadian Diabetes Association for more information.
Cancer Prevention
Sun Safety and UV Exposure
Protecting yourself from the harmful rays of the sun and those from tanning beds is important for the prevention of skin cancer. Are you at risk for developing skin cancer? Take the Sun Sensitivity Test to find out. Get the Facts on Sun and UV Exposure, find out the Hidden Truth about Tanning Beds, and test your Sun Smarts. Learn more about possible signs of skin cancer so that you can proactively address any skin concerns with your health care provider.
Quitting Smoking
Although quitting smoking isn't easy it is the single most important thing you can do for your health. Get the facts about the health effect of tobacco, and calculate your cigarette savings. To develop your personalized quit plan, receive text or phone support, daily inspirational e-tips, and much more, visit Quit Now.
Make an appointment with a KHSC Occupational Health Nurse x4389 to find out more about KHSC's Employee Smoking Cessation Program.
- Smokers Helpline or phone 1-877-513-3333
- Homewood Health - EFAP for 1:1 personalized coaching and access to e-course, call 1-800-663-1142.
- STOP on the Road workshops - education, resources and cost-free 5 week kit nicotine replaced therapy (NRT).
Contact a KHSC Occupational Health Nurse today at KGH ext. 4389 to see if you are eligible for up to $300 worth of nicotine replacement therapy or medication to help make your quit attempt successful.
Cancer Screening
There's no doubt... cancer screening saves lives. Screening for breast cancer, cervical cancer, and colorectal cancer can be helpful in detecting cancer even before the onset of symptoms. While regular screening is effective in detecting certain pre-cancerous changes and early cancer, by modifying certain lifestyle behaviours, like eating a healthy diet, living an active lifestyle, quitting smoking, limiting alcohol consumption, and avoiding UV sun exposure, we can reduce are risks for cancer. To learn more about preventing cancer, visit Cancer Care Ontario, the Canadian Cancer Society, or take a personal health risk assessment today (see below).
Take action against cancer with the new cancer screening tool, My Cancer IQ. Learn your risk by completing a cancer risk assessment and get your personalized action plan now.
Personal Health Risk Appraisal Tool
As a KHSC employee, you have free access to the Health & Wellness Companion, EFAP’s secure and comprehensive health risk assessment tool. Based on your responses to a variety of questions on such factors as your nutrition, blood pressure, family history, height and weight, sleep, activity level, and stress, this tool will show you what your greatest opportunities are for reduced risk to your health. And it doesn't end here- this tool will also help you create a specific plan to reduce your risk and track your progress along the way. Conduct a health risk assessment today by registering contacting Homewood Human Solutions at 1-800-663-1142.
For Manulife Benefit Plan Members
Another health risk assessment option for employees with Manulife Benefits is to access Health eLinks. Not only will you get a personalized summary report to use in setting your health improvement goals, but you can browse through the Health eLinks Library for information on medical conditions, medications, tests and procedures, and more. If you are a plan member, open your Manulife Benefits account and go through your plan benefits here.
