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People and businesses everywhere are feeling the effects of inflation and rising costs. One way that you as an employee can stretch the value of a dollar is to check with your HR provider to see if your employer offers any discount programs for services that are not covered.

You should also be aware of and take advantage of what you have access to through your benefits. Your benefits can provide additional financial security beyond your salary.

Did you know that many Canadians have employee health benefits plans and most major insurers (seven out of ten) include dietitian services in their standard plan?

Many employers offer paramedical coverage as well as spending accounts, this coverage offers reimbursement for a variety of practitioners not usually covered under a provincial health plan.

​Many of us spend most of our time focused on those around us and work rather than on ourselves. When we finally carve out time for ourselves, the last thing we want to do is work on ourselves. In the meantime, issues and difficulties we are having continue to build.

Did you know humans are the only species who project into the future? Worrying about what might happen or planning for what is next without being present in the now. Did you know that focusing on the future breeds anxiety? All other species, plants and animals collectively focus on the present, they go with the flow of the life cycle and truly thrive in the moment.

Striving for a perfect work-life balance can cause us to feel anxious and overwhelmed and it will set us up for failure. Sometimes we are focused on one or two areas in our lives, whether that's for a day, a few months, even a year. But things change and our priorities and focus in life changes over time.

The term work/life balance is often referred to when describing a healthy approach to living. When we consider the definition of balance, according to Oxford Definitions: ('a condition in which different elements are equal or in the correct proportions'), it is easy to understand how the term, when used to describe a lifestyle goal, might seem unattainable. Perhaps instead try using the term 'work life wellness. Work life wellness implies that even though most of us have to work, we still need to consider our health and wellbeing at the same time. Creating more space in your day to exercise, taking time for eating better, managing your work hours, and getting to bed on time can increase the chances of living a healthier and more balanced life.

• ​Your colleague has a habit of belittling you in front of your peers.
  
• Your friend calls again at 2 a.m. in distress.
• A family member insists on dropping in at inopportune times.
• Your partner has a habit of yelling at you.

Balancing the deep desire for a traditional holiday gathering while combating the feelings of loneliness and isolation because of the Covid 19 pandemic can feel overwhelming.

Just eat less and move more. Has that worked for you?

NO! We've been told this for decades, yet people around the world are getting bigger. 

​Mood and anxiety disorders are among the most common types of mental disorders in Canada. In fact, according to the Canadian Mental Health Association, in any given year, 1 in 5 people in Canada will personally experience a mental health problem or illness.