This will be a challenging winter for many of us. As experts in supporting the financial, physical and mental well-being of Canadians, Canada Life wants to see everyone thrive – and not just survive – the season ahead.
That’s why we’ve partnered with Mary Ann Baynton and the team at Workplace Strategies for Mental Health to bring you ways you can be proactive about your financial, physical and mental well-being.
We’re all dealing with a lot, and it’s natural to feel overwhelmed. Making a plan can help you handle those moments as they come (and they will).
Start by remembering: Not all change is bad, and not all good change is easy.
Take 5 minutes. Get up from your desk. Turn on some music and dance!
Knowing how situations will impact you helps you respond positively.
We know it’s cold, but grabbing even a few minutes in nature can be a major mood-booster.
Description: Mary Ann stands in her backyard with her coat on. A fence and path with trees are behind her. She speaks to the camera.
Mary Ann Baynton: Hi everyone, it's Mary Ann Baynton from Workplace Strategies for Mental Health.
Description: A square appears in frame with Mary Ann’s name and title: “Mary Ann Baynton, Director of Strategy and Collaboration, Workplace Strategies for Mental Health.”
Mary Ann: And today's tip, as you might imagine,
is about getting out into the fresh air.
We've been told that this is safe, that going out in the fresh air is fine.
You need to socially distance by at least six feet. You need to not touch things that are outside because we don't know who else has touched them.
But ultimately, that fresh air is so good
for your mental health. So good for your focus. So good to help you to relieve some of the stress and the anxiety.
So, if you live in an apartment building, just go out on your balcony. If you have a backyard,
step out into it.
You don't have to go far, if it doesn't feel comfortable for you. The idea is to breathe in the fresh air. If nothing else, open up a window.
It's spring in Canada. Things are getting better. And we can really enjoy it.
So, get out, breathe in that fresh air.
Make the most of this time in any way that you can to manage your mental health and your wellbeing.
Take care, stay safe.
The frame fades to the Canada Life logo with words “Workplace Strategies for Mental Health” beside. A legal line appears: “Canada Life and design are trademarks of The Canada Life Assurance Company. canadalife.com 1-204-946-1190”
Description: Mary Ann stands in her backyard with her coat on. A fence and path with trees are behind her. She speaks to the camera.
Mary Ann Baynton: Hi everyone, it's Mary Ann Baynton from Workplace Strategies for Mental Health.
Description: A square appears in frame with Mary Ann’s name and title: “Mary Ann Baynton, Director of Strategy and Collaboration, Workplace Strategies for Mental Health.”
Mary Ann: And today's tip, as you might imagine,
is about getting out into the fresh air.
We've been told that this is safe, that going out in the fresh air is fine.
You need to socially distance by at least six feet. You need to not touch things that are outside because we don't know who else has touched them.
But ultimately, that fresh air is so good
for your mental health. So good for your focus. So good to help you to relieve some of the stress and the anxiety.
So, if you live in an apartment building, just go out on your balcony. If you have a backyard,
step out into it.
You don't have to go far, if it doesn't feel comfortable for you. The idea is to breathe in the fresh air. If nothing else, open up a window.
It's spring in Canada. Things are getting better. And we can really enjoy it.
So, get out, breathe in that fresh air.
Make the most of this time in any way that you can to manage your mental health and your wellbeing.
Take care, stay safe.
The frame fades to the Canada Life logo with words “Workplace Strategies for Mental Health” beside. A legal line appears: “Canada Life and design are trademarks of The Canada Life Assurance Company. canadalife.com 1-204-946-1190”
Nourishing your body can boost your overall sense of wellness too.
Description: Mary Ann sits on the couch in her bright living room. She smiles and speaks to the camera.
Mary Ann Baynton: Hi, everyone, it's Mary Ann Baynton from Workplace Strategies for Mental Health, and today's topic is about healthy eating.
Description: A square appears in frame with Mary Ann’s name and title: “Mary Ann Baynton, Director of Strategy and Collaboration, Workplace Strategies for Mental Health.”
Mary Ann: So, this is kind of the pot calling the kettle black because I do love my chocolate, I do love my sweets.
And so healthy eating is something that I have to put an effort in for.
But it's more important right now, when we are locked up, when we really need to increase our immune system and stay healthy as possible.
And if you don't have access to fresh fruit and vegetables, that's all right, get the canned stuff,
get the frozen stuff.
Sometimes they say the frozen is fresher than the fresh because it comes right off of the field and gets flash frozen.
But do try to get your servings in.
I know it can be tough, but it'll make a difference in how you feel as you're going through this.
So feed your body healthy food right now.
Take care and stay safe.
Description: Mary Ann takes a big bite of an apple.
The frame fades to the Canada Life logo with words “Workplace Strategies for Mental Health” beside. A legal line appears: “Canada Life and design are trademarks of The Canada Life Assurance Company. canadalife.com 1-204-946-1190”
Description: Mary Ann sits on the couch in her bright living room. She smiles and speaks to the camera.
Mary Ann Baynton: Hi, everyone, it's Mary Ann Baynton from Workplace Strategies for Mental Health, and today's topic is about healthy eating.
Description: A square appears in frame with Mary Ann’s name and title: “Mary Ann Baynton, Director of Strategy and Collaboration, Workplace Strategies for Mental Health.”
Mary Ann: So, this is kind of the pot calling the kettle black because I do love my chocolate, I do love my sweets.
And so healthy eating is something that I have to put an effort in for.
But it's more important right now, when we are locked up, when we really need to increase our immune system and stay healthy as possible.
And if you don't have access to fresh fruit and vegetables, that's all right, get the canned stuff,
get the frozen stuff.
Sometimes they say the frozen is fresher than the fresh because it comes right off of the field and gets flash frozen.
But do try to get your servings in.
I know it can be tough, but it'll make a difference in how you feel as you're going through this.
So feed your body healthy food right now.
Take care and stay safe.
Description: Mary Ann takes a big bite of an apple.
The frame fades to the Canada Life logo with words “Workplace Strategies for Mental Health” beside. A legal line appears: “Canada Life and design are trademarks of The Canada Life Assurance Company. canadalife.com 1-204-946-1190”
Choose any sporting activity you can do safely and join us Dec, 4-6 for 24h Tremblant, a virtual relay race in support of 3 children’s charity foundations.
We’re here to help you navigate this brave new world of work.
Juggling your work and your kids is a struggle – without a global pandemic. Cut yourself some slack.
Description: Mary Ann sits on a chair in her kitchen. She smiles and speaks to the camera.
Mary Ann Baynton: Hi, everyone, it's Mary Ann Baynton from Workplace Strategies for Mental Health.
Description: A square appears in frame with Mary Ann’s name and title: “Mary Ann Baynton, Director of Strategy and Collaboration, Workplace Strategies for Mental Health.”
Mary Ann: And today I want to talk about distractions. I think we all get stressed out when we're trying to focus on something and there's things that are taking our attention away from it.
Whether it's children or it's pets, or it's a partner, or any family members, working from home has its own challenges.
Sometimes it's just the need to get the garbage out or the laundry done when you know
that you should really be focusing on work.
So, here's the advice that I have, try to focus a hundred percent on whatever it is that is in front of you at that moment.
So, if your children come into the room and you actually focus on them a hundred percent, what happens is they can't sustain it for very long.
You spend a couple of minutes with them, five minutes with them and they get tired of you.
And so, you can spend the time, take a break from the call.
Everybody understands right now
that we're trying to do the best we can.
Children don't understand that if you're home,
that they aren't the center of your universe,
but make things work.
I was on a call the other day with someone
who was in his daughter's bedroom with the door shut because she was watching cartoons.
We can be creative about how we do this. But the biggest thing is to let go of the need to have it perfect.
To be able to be in the moment with whatever it is you're doing. And to accept that things aren't the way they always are when you're at work.
Description: Mary Ann leans to the side, revealing her adult son sitting at the kitchen table behind her.
Mary Ann: It's okay. Say hi, Ty. (laughing)
Description: He smiles, waves at the camera and takes a bite of a cookie.
Mary Ann: Take care and stay safe.
The frame fades to the Canada Life logo with words “Workplace Strategies for Mental Health” beside. A legal line appears: “Canada Life and design are trademarks of The Canada Life Assurance Company. canadalife.com 1-204-946-1190”
Description: Mary Ann sits on a chair in her kitchen. She smiles and speaks to the camera.
Mary Ann Baynton: Hi, everyone, it's Mary Ann Baynton from Workplace Strategies for Mental Health.
Description: A square appears in frame with Mary Ann’s name and title: “Mary Ann Baynton, Director of Strategy and Collaboration, Workplace Strategies for Mental Health.”
Mary Ann: And today I want to talk about distractions. I think we all get stressed out when we're trying to focus on something and there's things that are taking our attention away from it.
Whether it's children or it's pets, or it's a partner, or any family members, working from home has its own challenges.
Sometimes it's just the need to get the garbage out or the laundry done when you know
that you should really be focusing on work.
So, here's the advice that I have, try to focus a hundred percent on whatever it is that is in front of you at that moment.
So, if your children come into the room and you actually focus on them a hundred percent, what happens is they can't sustain it for very long.
You spend a couple of minutes with them, five minutes with them and they get tired of you.
And so, you can spend the time, take a break from the call.
Everybody understands right now
that we're trying to do the best we can.
Children don't understand that if you're home,
that they aren't the center of your universe,
but make things work.
I was on a call the other day with someone
who was in his daughter's bedroom with the door shut because she was watching cartoons.
We can be creative about how we do this. But the biggest thing is to let go of the need to have it perfect.
To be able to be in the moment with whatever it is you're doing. And to accept that things aren't the way they always are when you're at work.
Description: Mary Ann leans to the side, revealing her adult son sitting at the kitchen table behind her.
Mary Ann: It's okay. Say hi, Ty. (laughing)
Description: He smiles, waves at the camera and takes a bite of a cookie.
Mary Ann: Take care and stay safe.
The frame fades to the Canada Life logo with words “Workplace Strategies for Mental Health” beside. A legal line appears: “Canada Life and design are trademarks of The Canada Life Assurance Company. canadalife.com 1-204-946-1190”
If you’re feeling anxious about your money situation, here are 3 resources that can help you feel a bit more in control – or at least prepared – for the future.
Start saving for tomorrow today. If you have a workplace pension, your employer may match a portion of what you contribute – try to take advantage because it’s additional money to save for your retirement.