Dimensions of Wellness
Health practices stem from various wellness dimensions. Proactively embedding health practices into our daily routines bolsters our resiliency. Remember: Self-care is not selfish, but essential to your well-being and those around you.
Is your wheel balanced?
Take the Wellness Wheel Self-Assessment to find out and then develop your own self-care action plan.
Open each wellness dimension accordion below to access ideas and resources to support your self-care and well-being.
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Physical
Physical activity is a key component of a healthy lifestyle and the need extends beyond the workplace. It is important to take breaks from sitting and being physically active is one of the most important actions that a person can take to improve or maintain their health.
- Move more, reduce sedentary time, and sleep well - make your whole day matter via Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines
- Explore the Flex Fitness Centre, personal training, group & virtual classes offered through the Campus Recreation and Wellness Centre
- Virtual Fitness at your Fingertips via LIFT Fitness App - Sign up today for Free!
- Eat a variety of healthy foods each day via Canada's Food Guide
- Healthy Eating & Nutrition Tips from the Campus Recreation Resource Library
- Aim to drink 8-cups of water daily
- Break up long periods of sitting as much as possible and take Time To Stretch
- Visit the Ergonomics webpage to ensure your workstation is a safe work environment
- Take a Body Break
- Achieve quality sleep with these 7-tips
- Visit the Durham College Spa for affordable massage therapy treatments, makeup application and esthetic services provided by student practitioners.
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Social
Social wellness involves developing communication skills, building healthy relationships, and creating a support system of family, friends, and peers. Having good social wellness contributes to our resilience, self-esteem, and a sense of belonging.
- Have lunch with a colleague
- Join the Ontario Tech Book Club today! Bonus - the copy of the book is yours to keep!
- Visit the Engagement Opportunities webpage to learn other ways to connect
- Take advantage of Employee Perks and Discounts
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Vocational
Involves using your skills, talents, and gifts to gain personal satisfaction, happiness, and enrichment from your work to live a fulfilling life. Vocational wellness also refers to seeking out endeavors such as volunteerism and interests that are rewarding, provide meaning and enact positive change.
- Start a 'Thankful Thursday' routine by Sending a Thank you! eCard to welcome a new team member, send congrats to a colleague - there are 16 different card options to choose from!
- Achieve your goals via the Goal Setting Tip Sheet
- Attend a professional development course or leadership development program - learn more on the Learning and Organizational Development webpage.
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Environmental
Refers to how the environment impacts our wellness and involves learning about—and contributing to—the health of our workplace and our planet. Environmental wellness promotes connecting with nature, establishing a sustainable lifestyle, protecting natural resources, eliminating waste and reducing environmental triggers in the workplace.
- Sustainability at Ontario Tech
- Become a Green Office Program Ambassador
- Participate in Ontario Tech's Recycling and Reuse Programs
- Spend time outdoors exploring more than 350km of recreational trails in Durham Region
- Learn more about Scent Sensitivity in the Workplace and how to avoid allergy triggers
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Financial
Involves the ability to meet financial obligations, feeling secure about your financial future and making choices that allow you to enjoy life. Financial struggles are a common source of stress and anxiety and can impact all aspects of wellness.
- Set financial goals
- Establish weekly or monthly budgets
- Utilize your Benefits Plan
- Set-up a Financial consultation through our Employee Assistance Program, TELUS Health, by calling 1.844.671.3327
For Pension Plan Members:
Request a personal advisor meeting at www.sunlife.ca/MeetMyAdvisor -
Spiritual
Involves developing a set of guiding values, morals, principles, and beliefs that give direction to one’s life by providing a sense of meaning, and purpose. While spirituality may involve engaging in religious practice, it's not required to achieve spiritual wellness.
- Write in a gratitude journal
- Practice compassion & forgiveness of self and others
- Make time for reflection
- Engage in Professional Development Courses, specifically, Indigenous Programming
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Mental
Includes all aspects of mental health and emotional wellbeing. It includes how you feel, think and cope with challenges in your daily life. Mental wellness also includes the ability to experience a range of human emotions and to develop positive feelings about yourself. Mental wellness can impact all other dimensions of wellness.
- Practice self-regulation and grounding strategies
- Try this Box Breathing relaxation technique
- Mindful Meeting Starters and Mindful Self-Care Practices (May 2023-June 30, 2024)
- Use positive self-talk - You got this!
- Join the Campus Connected Movement
- Register for The Working Mind Training
- Learn more about resilience and self-care from Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe
- Book an in-person, phone, video, chat or group counselling session through our Employee Assistance Program provider, TELUS Health, by calling 1.844.671.3327
- HeadsUpGuys: Men's Mental Health: A resource for supporting men who experience depression by providing tips, tools, service information, and success stories.
Resources Supporting Multiple Wellness Dimensions
Ontario Tech University's Employee Assistance Program (EAP), TELUS Health, is more than counselling services, supporting multiple dimensions of wellness through financial, legal, and nutrition consultation, LIFT fitness videos, and much more! The EAP is available 24/7/365 to employees and their dependents by calling 1.844.671.3327. Additional resources can be found on the TELUS Health One App. If you haven't received your email invite to join, please email wellnessatwork@ontariotechu.cato have your invitation resent.
Sun Life is more than a benefits provider. Access their Tools and Resources webpagefor articles, tips, and tools to help you manage our health & wellness and money & finances.