Well-being Resources

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
• Visit the Wellness Walks webpage for dates, times, and where to meet for these free and fun walks.
• Explore the Flex Fitness Centre, personal training, group & virtual classes offered through the Campus Recreation and Wellness Centre
• 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 and Safe Computer Use webpage to ensure your workstation is a safe work environment

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

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.

Refers to how the environment impacts our wellness and involves learning about—and contributing to—the health of the planet. Environmental wellness promotes connecting with nature, establishing a sustainable lifestyle, protecting natural resources, and eliminating waste.

• Go Green at Ontario Tech
• Become a Green Office Program Ambassador
• Join The Blue Team
• Participate in Ontario Tech's Recycling and Reuse Programs
• Spend time outdoors exploring more than 350km of recreational trails in Durham Region
• Join Gretchen Rubin's 'Go Outside 23 in 23' Challenge to reap the benefits of the outdoors

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 finanical goals
• Establish weekly or monthly budgets
• Utilize your Benefits Plan
• Set-up a Financial consultation through our Employee and Family Assistance Program, LifeWorks, by calling 1.844.671.3327

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

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 moment: Brief body check-in practice (1-3 min)
• Use positive self-talk - You got this!
• Join the Campus Connected Movement
• Register for The Working Mind Training
• Mindsight - Become certified today!
• 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 and Family Assistance Program provider, LifeWorks, by calling 1.844.671.3327
• Join the weekly virtual mindfulness sessions
• Register for the virtual, 4-module course Applying Mindfulness at Work by March 31st