• Miscellaneous Mondays – take part in a variety of topics and activities;
• Talking Tuesdays – participate in weekly speaker series events to learn from health and wellness experts;
• Workout Wednesdays – join a free fitness class to get moving and try something new;
• Thursday Tips – learn important health tips to help you stay on track;
• Foodie Friday – get a new healthy recipe every week to help transform your routine and take the steps to incorporating more whole ingredients into your diet.

By participating in the weekly activities, patrons will gain the knowledge and confidence to help support their wellness journeys and establish healthy routines.

This program is generously supported by local Real Estate Brokers, Paul and Lea Kane.

To register for the activities and events taking place, visit bracebridge.ca/BeActive or call 705-645-3037

The post Ride The Wellness Wave All Month Long In Bracebridge appeared first on Muskoka411.

Nutrition plays a significant role in mental health and well-being, but it can be hard to know where to start when it comes to eating healthy.

Focusing on a varied diet that’s rich in whole, minimally-processed foods and that emphasizes plants, lean proteins, and healthy fats is the best way to maximize your intake of mood-boosting nutrients.

Factor is Canada’s new ready-to-heat meal delivery service that makes clean eating easy and delicious.

Factor meals are designed by dieticians, who work hand-in-hand with expert chefs, to ensure every meal is packed with premium ingredients that support optimal health.

Folate, for example, is a naturally occurring B vitamin that plays a crucial role in the body by supporting the production of feel-good chemicals like serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine.

“A great source of folate-rich foods include dark greens like spinach, brussels sprouts, broccoli, and zucchini,” said Factor’s Culinary Lead Erica Podlowski. “Legumes, nuts, and fortified grains are also high folate ingredients that we include in many Factor meals.”

Fibre is another mood booster. Foods rich in fibre include fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, nuts, and seeds.

“In the frigid winter months, I make sure to eat foods rich in antioxidants like blueberries, apricots, cranberries, bell peppers, tomatoes, and beans,” said Podlowski. “Consider adding olive oil, nuts, and spices like turmeric and ginger to increase your intake of antioxidants.”

Chef Erica’s Tips:

• If you’re feeling stuck, you’re not alone! Start with just one thing, whether that’s swapping milk chocolate for dark chocolate, adding berries and nuts to your yogurt, or sneaking in some extra veggies on your pizza.
• Take it easy by making small tweaks that feel good and remember to be kind to yourself along the way.
• Picky kids? Smoothies are a great way to sneak in the greens!

Chef Erica’s Kid-Approved Smoothie Recipe:

• High protein yogurt
• Orange juice
• Spinach
• Blueberries (masks the colour of the spinach)
• Banana
• Hemp hearts (high in protein and add creaminess)
• Milk or non-dairy alternative

The post Foods That Can Help Lift The Winter Blues appeared first on Muskoka411.

The joint research initiative was conducted by Dialogue Health Technologies Inc. (“Dialogue”), Canada’s leading health and wellness virtual healthcare platform, and Environics Research, a market research firm providing evidence-based solutions to real business problems, to measure Canadians’ attitudes towards virtual care and the country’s public healthcare systems.

56% of Canadians are more conscious, now than before, of their health as a result of the pandemic. 25% of Canadians indicated that the pandemic has worsened their overall health, while almost half (45%) said that mental health concerns like stress and anxiety have worsened as a result of the pandemic.

As Canadians look to make stronger commitments to their health and wellness, 50% said that the pandemic has made it more difficult to access quality healthcare. As COVID-19 creates additional strain on public healthcare systems, 25% of Canadians claimed that it typically takes four to seven days to see a healthcare professional for a minor health concern, while 23% said it can take more than a week. For Canadians concerned about their mental health, 52% believed that they should be able to get same-day support for the care they need. The reality is that 39% accessing mental health support had to wait eight days or more before getting the necessary support.

“We need to take advantage of this collective commitment to health and wellness by providing Canadians with easier, more convenient access to quality care,” said Dr. Marc Robin, Medical Director, Dialogue. “Leveraging online virtual care platforms like Dialogue offer immediate multidisciplinary support and empower Canadians to be more proactive with their physical and mental health.”

Employee benefits were identified as a key driver for Canadians working to get back on track with their physical and mental health goals. However, many are still unclear about what benefits they have, how to access them or whether they adequately meet their healthcare needs. According to the study, 26% do not know how to access their employee benefits. 24% of Canadians with benefit plans indicated that the mental health support available in their benefit plan is not sufficient, while 17% indicated that they aren’t even aware of what mental health resources are available in their employee benefits plan.

Virtual care platforms like Dialogue are making it easier for employers to ensure that employees have more streamlined access to quality healthcare benefits and more. 82% of working Canadians agreed that employers should provide virtual care services for their employees, and about 70% said that virtual care can allow them to be more proactive about their own health and mental health, as well as their family’s.

“The research shows that Canadians believe virtual care isn’t a pandemic-related trend or need, rather they see the long-term benefits virtual care can offer them and their families in maintaining health and productivity; as well as the benefits it offers employers – reducing absenteeism and maintaining a productive workforce.” said Ahsan Sadiq, Director of Market Insights, Environics

Canadians remain optimistic about how virtual care can help improve their health and wellness, as approximately 70% agree that “virtual care represents the future of healthcare,” and 60% confirmed they would likely use virtual care if it’s available through their benefit plan. For employers, this can have a positive impact on absenteeism and productivity in the workplace, as 81% of Canadians agreed that virtual care can help them avoid missing work (or school).

SOURCE Dialogue Health Technologies Inc.

The post Canadians To Rely On Employee Benefits To Take Better Control Of Their Health And Wellness In 2022 appeared first on Muskoka411.