BELL LET'S TALK DAY │ JANUARY 26, 2022

• The national Bell Let’s Talk Day is an opportunity to start a conversation in your workplace, with a friend or colleague, and help decrease the stigma surrounding mental health. Access the project’s website for more information, as well as resources to help you support someone close to you.

NATIONAL NON-SMOKING WEEK │ JANUARY 16-22, 2022

• Did you know smoke-free outdoor spaces help keep our communities healthy and safe? Smoke-free outdoor spaces help to de-normalize smoking and vaping, keep outdoor places like parks, sidewalks, and parking lots free from litter, and help people who are actively trying to reduce smoking or stay smoke free, to do so. Explore ⇒

BENEFIT SPOTLIGHT: THE IMPORTANCE OF FINANCIAL WELLBEING 

• Financial wellbeing plays a significant role in our health and happiness. It impacts our mental health, work productivity, engagement, and overall wellbeing. Explore ⇒

February 2022

• Here is the lineup of events and webinars from the Municipal Wellness Program for February 2022. Explore ⇒

Wellness Thrive Month: Want to Join the Planning Committee? 

• The Wellness Thrive is a month-long wellness initiative that features one activity each workday dedicated to improving mental and physical health. Fitness events, virtual workshops, recordings, articles, videos and other learning resources can help employees reshape their daily routine and maintain a long-term healthy lifestyle. We’re looking for people to join the Wellness Thrive Month Planning Committee. This initiative is in celebration of Municipal Wellness Day (May 23^rd). Join the Committee ⇒

Apply for a Municipal Wellness Grant

The deadline to apply is March 11, 2022

• Applications are now open for Municipal Wellness Grants, providing up to $1000 in funding for Municipalities to start a workplace wellness initiative.  Explore ⇒

Free Mindfulness Opportunities with Mindwell-U

• The 30-Day Mindfulness Challenge is a free online training program offered to all Nova Scotians. This challenge helps reduce stress while increasing joy and peak performance in all areas of life, including leadership, interpersonal communication, conflict management, and decision-making in decision-making the workplace. Explore ⇒

Gym Membership Discounts: GoodLife Fitness 

• Are you looking for ways to get moving? The Municipal Wellness Program offers all municipal employees and elected officials access to corporate gym memberships at GoodLife locations. Explore ⇒

March 2022

Financial Wellbeing Webinar Series

Back by popular demand, we are offering another series of Financial wellbeing webinars. These skills-based virtual webinars are intended to improve your knowledge and help you make informed lifelong financial decisions. *This series is not part of the wellness bundle.

• Financial Planning 101: March 9 from 10:00-11:00 a.m
• Your Finances and Covid-19: March 23, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m
• Executorship & Wills: March 30, 10:00 – 11:30 a.m

Learn More and Register here ⇒

Apply now for a Municipal Wellness Grant │ Deadline Quickly Approaching

There's still time to apply for a Municipal Wellness Grant! If your municipality is interested in promoting wellbeing in the workplace and needs some start-up funds to get going or to expand on an existing program, the deadline to apply is March 11, 2022.  Explore ⇒

Free Opportunities with Mindwell-U

This March, MindWell is offering live programs and classes to help you uplevel your life in all of these areas. Here are two that might be of interest:

• Healthy Meals Made Easy: Back by popular demand, Chef Kristin will show you how to take the stress out of healthy eating through easy-to-prepare recipes that will keep you full and fueled throughout the day.

• Improve Your Sleep: For the month of March, join our Studio Be class 'Experience Mindfulness' each Friday with Ross to learn how to tackle restlessness and get a better nights' sleep.

Learn More ⇒

Sun Safety at Work

Did you know? Under the 'general duty clause' in OHS legislation, employers need to ensure that sun exposure is appropriately controlled to ensure that health issues such as sunburn, skin cancer, and heat stress do not occur. Winter is the perfect time to start thinking about creating, or improving, sun-safe environments for employees working in public works, recreation, parks, and other outdoor settings. Explore ⇒

EFAP Resource SpotLight

Eating for Health. This online self-help program can help you apply healthy eating strategies to support disease prevention and management. You will learn about the latest facts and information on nutrition to manage various health risks. Included in this program:

• Risk factors and mitigation tactics for cardiac disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes
• Health & attitude checklist
• Readiness for behaviour change index

This resource is only for those enrolled in NSFM Benefit Plan.

Wellness Spotlight Lunch and Learn – Free event

Thursday, April 28^, from 12:00 – 12:40pm

Why reinvent the Wheel? This session will allow you to hear from three municipalities on their recently implemented workplace wellness activities and how these initiatives have helped enhance employee health and build more supportive workplace cultures. This 40-minute virtual session will showcase initiatives on:

• Make your Move at Work project from the Municipality of Argyle
• Not Myself Today Program from the Town of New Glasgow
• Workplace Garden Initiative from the Town of Wolfville
• PLUS, Rebecca will briefly share some insight on the Wellness in May initiatives.  

Register here ⇒ The deadline for expressions of interest is Wednesday, April 27

Municipal Wellness Grant Recipiants

The Municipal Wellness program would like to congratulate 15 Municipalities on receiving grant funding to help support their wellness initiatives. Please visit the Municipal Wellness Program website for a list of recipients and a description of their initiatives. Explore ⇒

Not Myself Today^® (NMT) Initiative│ Call for Expression of Interest (Round 2)

Creating Mentally Healthy Workplaces with Not Myself Today Program

The Municipal Wellness Program has been working with seven municipalities to pilot a new mental health program called Not Myself Today^® (NMT) initiative. Based on the pilot groups' success, we would like to open up the program for other municipalities to participate. The NMT is an evidence-informed initiative that aims to help employers and employees enhance mental health by increasing awareness and understanding, reducing stigma, and fostering safe and supportive work cultures. The deadline for expressions of interest is Friday, April 29. Learn More and Register here ⇒

Wellness Webinar Series│ POSTPONED until July

We are offering another round of Wellness Webinars hosted by experts on a variety of health-related topics that align with our five dimensions of wellness. They are designed to help build employees' and employers knowledge and skills, and promote health in the workplace and beyond. Please visit the Municipal Wellness Program website for a list of webinars and the associated costs. Learn More and Register here ⇒

Upcoming Webinar: Money Management: Do You Know Where Your Money Goes?

MAY 25, 2022 @ 10:00 – 11:00 A.M.

In an age of preauthorized checking, automatic withdrawals, and automatic monthly credit card charges, it is easy to forget all the financial commitments. This session will help you understand where your money goes and the importance of managing your money and spending it wisely. As well as teach you how to apply some basic money management concepts and techniques. Learn More and Register here ⇒

Wellness In May Campaign │ Come Celebrating Wellness With Us

My favourite time of the year is when we celebrate Municipal Wellness Day (May 23). We extended our celebration to a month-long event this year, starting on May 2, 2022. During the Month of May we will come together to learn about, talk about and explore ways to support our mental health and physical wellbeing. Learn More ⇒

Move More Challenge │ Sign Up Today

We are offering our always popular physical activity challenge to celebrate Wellness Thrive Month! For four weeks, starting on May 2, 2022, we will be traveling virtually from Yarmouth to Sydney, Nova Scotia (680 km), and back if you need the extra challenge?. The more Kms you accumulate, the more chances to win great prizes! The deadline to register is April 29 at 4:30 pm. Register here ⇒