The holiday season can be a time of joy and celebration, but it can also be a period of heightened stress and overwhelm. From the pressures of hosting family gatherings to the financial strain of gift-giving, to balancing cultural traditions with mainstream celebrations, the season often carries a weight that impacts our physical and emotional health.
Honoring your emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual well-being is essential during this time. Here are some practical ways to prioritize yourself during the holidays so you can create a more balanced and fulfilling holiday experience for yourself and those around you:
Spend Time with the Land
Connection to the land is at the heart of many teachings and our over all health. Spending time outdoors, whether it’s walking in the forest, sitting by the water, or simply feeling the snow beneath your feet, can provide grounding and healing. The land is a source of refuge and balance—its rhythms remind us that we, too, are part of a greater cycle.
Honor Your Feelings Through Ceremony
The holidays often bring a range of emotions, from joy and gratitude to sadness and grief. Traditional practices can help you acknowledge and honor these feelings. If it aligns with your traditions, you might smudge with sage, sweetgrass, or cedar to cleanse your spirit and invite a sense of calm. A small fire ceremony can be a meaningful way to release burdens, letting the smoke carry your thoughts and emotions. You may also find peace through traditional activities like storytelling or throat singing. If jigging or playing the fiddle is part of your culture, embrace these practices to bring joy and lightheartedness to the season.
Nourish Your Spirit with Cultural Foods
Food is more than sustenance—it’s connection to culture, community, and ancestors. Whenever possible, incorporate traditional foods into your holiday meals. Whether it’s bannock, wild game, smoked fish, seal, or berries, these foods carry the spirit of the land and your heritage. Sharing a meal with loved ones or community can deepen these connections and remind you of your roots.
Strengthen Community Ties
The holidays are a time to lean into the strength of your community. Reach out to Elders for wisdom and stories that can guide you through this season. Gather with family, friends, or your broader community to share laughter, songs, and support. If you’re feeling isolated, consider joining local events such as feasts, powwows, or community gatherings to reconnect.
Practice the Teachings of Reciprocity
One of the core values in many Indigenous cultures across turtle island is reciprocity—giving back to others as a way of nurturing relationships. This can take many forms during the holidays: offering a meal to someone in need, gifting handmade crafts, or simply listening deeply to a loved one. Acts of generosity and gratitude can help you feel more connected and uplifted.
Create Space for Reflection
The holidays are also a time to reflect on the teachings and wisdom of your ancestors. Use this season to connect with their stories and traditions, whether by crafting, drumming, singing, or engaging in quiet contemplation. Journaling about your experiences and the lessons you’ve learned throughout the year can also be a powerful tool for clarity and balance.
Balance Rest and Movement
The teachings of balance remind us to care for both the body and spirit. Stay active by engaging in activities that align with your cultural traditions, such as snowshoeing, jigging, or dancing. At the same time, honor the need for rest. Sleep deeply and take time to restore your energy, knowing that rest is a sacred act of self-care.
Seek Support When You Need It
It’s okay to ask for help. Whether from a family member, a trusted Elder, or a counselor, sharing your struggles can lighten the load. Indigenous-focused services and resources are available to provide support that honors your identity and experiences.
By weaving these practices into your holiday season, you can find balance, connection, and strength. Remember, the teachings of your culture and traditions are always there to guide you back to wellness.
For culturally safe and trauma-informed resources:
Hope for Wellness Help Line offers immediate mental health counselling and crisis intervention by phone or online chat. Call toll-free 1-855-242-3310 or start a confidential chat with a counsellor at hopeforwellness.ca.
Indian Residential School Crisis Line is a national service for anyone experiencing pain or distress as a result of their residential school experience. Call toll-free 1-866-925-4419.
Kuu-Us Crisis Line Society provides crisis services for Indigenous people across BC. Adults/Elders line 250-723-4050; youth line 250-723-2040. Or call toll free 1-800-588-8717. Learn more at www.kuu-uscrisisline.com.
Métis Crisis Line is a service of Métis Nation British Columbia. Call 1-833-MétisBC (1-833-638-4722).
Healing Burnout Using Indigenous Traditional Knowledge
If you are feeling exhausted, overwhelmed and unable to meet the day-to-day demands of your life, you may be suffering from burnout.
What is “burnout”? Burnout is a state of complete emotional, mental and physical exhaustion. It happens when someone is repeatedly exposed to high stress over a long period of time. Burnout can happen to anyone, inside of or outside of the workplace, and affects many Canadians – up to 78%! However, First Nations, Inuit and Metis people may experience burnout differently due to the complex and lasting effects of colonization, generational trauma and the needs their communities might have of them.
Recognizing the Signs of Burnout
Some of the symptoms of burnout can seem like you are just tired or overwhelmed, however if you feel like this all the time or have other symptoms like frequent illnesses, lack of motivation and anger, it may be more serious. Some other warning signs might be:
Feelings of alienation, from work and other activities, viewing them as stressors and emotionally distancing yourself from the activities.
Headaches, Stomach aches and other digestive issues.
Emotional exhaustion, feeling drained, irritated, unmotivated and unable cope with day-to-day stressors and tasks.
Difficulty focusing and concentrating, lack of motivation and creativity.
Increase of illnesses, you are more vulnerable to colds and other viruses.
Lose of appetite, disinterested in food and the joy of eating.
Feelings of anxiety, depression and sometimes anger.
If you are experiencing any number of these symptoms, you might be heading to burnout or are already there. But don’t worry, there are ways of managing it that can help you heal, regain your balance and recover.
Healing from Burnout
Thankfully there are many strategies you can implement to help you find your path to recovery and heal from burnout. Finding the source of your stress, setting healthy boundaries and making important changes to your routine and life can be very important steps in your recovery. However, we also know that in traditional First Nations, Metis and Inuit practices a holistic approach works best for our communities. With that in mind, you would need to look at the spiritual, emotional, physical and social realms of your life and see if they are out of balance and how to bring them back into alignment to facilitate healing. Something to remember as you look at these realms of your life is that they are all interconnected. If one is out of balance, it will affect another also. The same is true if you begin healing one area, it will affect and improve another.
Emotional
Sometimes when you are trying to meet all the demands of your job, your family and your community you can forget to connect with yourself. Take the time to listen to what your heart is telling you. Reconnect to your wants and needs. What it is that you are feeling? Acknowledge those feelings. Our emotions tell us when something is wrong, out of alignment or needing to change. It’s important that we listen to our feelings and honour them. Then, with your newfound insights you can take the necessary steps to fulfill those needs.
For example, are you needing more time alone to rest and recharge? Do you need to change the toxic job you are working? Maybe you need the help of a co-worker or friend to take some work off your plate and lessen the load. Once you have identified those needs you can take steps to meet them.
Social
Lean into your community for support, take time with good friends and family. Spending quality time with the people who love you, make you laugh and have fun with can help restore joy and happiness to your life, rejuvenating your spirit and mind. Being in community, sharing stories, sharing your life with your people and your Elders reinvigorates bonds, reaffirming your connection to culture and identity which will help give you strength and the tools and ideas you will need to resolve the cause of your stress.
Spiritual
Participating in ceremony, dancing, singing, sweat lodges, sharing stories, making art, using traditional medicines or being on the land can be powerful tools to connecting to spirit and nature. Go where your heart calls you and with what brings you joy and connection. This will look different for everyone and for each tradition, but which ever you choose, it can be powerful medicine for you in your healing journey.
Physical
“Movement is Medicine. Motion is the lotion”, says knowledge keeper Saa Hiil Thut (Gerry Oleman) of St’at’imc Nation. Moving your body not only keeps you physically healthy but clears the mind and helps you stay present. Moving your body in a way that makes you feel good will also help you process your thoughts and feelings, helping you connect better to yourself and what you are feeling and needing. Remember when we suggested you can connect with your community? Perhaps start walking with friends and family in the evenings or start a running club. Making the movement social to help deepen your connection to your people and yourself.
Remember, you won’t always feel this way. You can get better over time, by taking small steps every day in a positive direction. Make sure to you give yourself a lot of compassion and grace when you are overwhelmed or exhausted as healing takes time. You’ve got this!
For more information, stories, culturally sensitive resources and supports check out the links below:
Hope for Wellness Help Line offers immediate mental health counselling and crisis intervention by phone or online chat. Call toll-free 1-855-242-3310 or start a confidential chat with a counsellor at hopeforwellness.ca.
Indian Residential School Crisis Line is a national service for anyone experiencing pain or distress as a result of their residential school experience. Call toll-free 1-866-925-4419.
Kuu-Us Crisis Line Society provides crisis services for Indigenous people across BC. Adults/Elders line 250-723-4050; youth line 250-723-2040. Or call toll free 1-800-588-8717. Learn more at www.kuu-uscrisisline.com.
Métis Crisis Line is a service of Métis Nation British Columbia. Call 1-833-MétisBC (1-833-638-4722).
The Benefits of Disability Insurance – Short Term and Long-Term disability
We all strive to never become seriously ill or injured, however things happen, and it is better to be prepared than not. One way you can prepare yourself and your family is to have short term or long-term disability insurance in place through an employer or as an individual.
What is Disability Insurance?
Disability insurance can provide financial assistance to you and your family if you were ever to become seriously ill or injured. Disability insurance can protect you by replacing a portion of your income. You receive this benefit if you were ever diagnosed with a covered medical illness, mental health issue, or injury that prevents you from working.
While Disability insurance is a type of health insurance like critical illness insurance, it is different in that it is directly tied to your ability to work and produce an income. There are many different types of disability insurances, from group plans to individual plans to government provide plans like ones covered under CPP, we will be focusing on the differences between Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance and how they can benefit you.
Short-Term Disability Insurance
Short-term disability covers a portion of your income, usually up to a maximum of six months if you were to become ill or injured. The waiting period before receiving benefits is typically shorter than other types of disability benefits like long-term.
Long-Term Disability Insurance
Long-term disability has a longer waiting period before benefits start, and usually only begin when one of the following ends:
short-term disability insurance
sick leave from your employer
EI sickness benefits
Many long-term disability benefits pay between 60% and 70% of your normal income. While each policy is different, some will pay up to 2 years while you recover from your injury or illness and unable to work.
So how could disability insurance benefit you?
Disability Insurance can help pay the bills when your income stops due to illness or injury. Even if you don’t work a physically demanding or risky job, disability insurance can help you in the event of other conditions. For example, let’s say you are diagnosed with serious depression and are unable to work because of it. You could receive a portion of your income from your policy which will allow you to take time off work and focus on your mental health. Another excellent example of how Short-term and long term benefits can help you and work in tandem together is provided by Benefits and Design. Click the link here for the detailed infographic.
Things to consider before getting Disability Insurance
If you are self-employed, it may be a good idea to get an individual disability insurance plan. However, if you are employed, check with your employer or plan administrator to see if you already have short-term or long-term disability insurance.
Some things to look out for if you are searching for an individual plan:
how much the policy will cost
if you still need to pay premiums while living with a disability
the amount of money you’ll get each month
if the benefits are taxable
if the insurance company adjusts benefits for inflation
how long you need to wait before receiving benefits
if the plan includes partial disability benefits
if the insurance company allows you to increase your coverage without a medical exam
Also, each insurer may define disabilities a little differently. The definition may vary from different plans from the same insurer, so be sure to look over each one before purchasing.
If you have any questions, would like some guidance on finding an individual plan for you or to check if your health benefits currently include LTD or STD insurance, please reach out by contacting us here.
Sometimes, the amount of stress in our everyday lives can build up and seem overwhelming and unmanageable. From work to family obligations, to paying the bills, the number of things we need to do in a day can add up and put a lot of pressure on your physical and mental health. This stress can inhibit your emotions, your joy and even your ability to think clearly, throwing you out of balance.
But with the right tools the stresses of everyday life can be managed until those stresses are eased. Here are some tools you can use to self regulate and bring yourself back into balance:
Get out and ground yourself in nature
Spend time outside on the land wherever you are, whether that is your yard, a garden, your communities’ land, a park or a nearby hiking trail. Being outside and communing with the land and mother nature can act as refuge from everyday stresses and help you disconnect from the causes of your anxiety.
Release your emotions
Sometimes when we are overwhelmed, we hold everything inside and forget to release what we are feeling. It’s okay to cry, to vocalize the stress and pain, to talk about what you are feeling and release that energy. If needed, find a trusted friend, or loved one, or maybe a counsellor with whom you feel safe with and let those emotions flow.
Reach out to your community
If you are feeling stressed and overwhelmed, you don’t have to go it alone. Speak to your family, to your friends and elders and let them know what is happening for you. Let them help you with their wisdom, their laughter and their love. Strengthening your connection to your community and your loved ones in difficult times can help ease the burden that stress is causing you.
Lean into your cultural and spiritual teachings
If you have a favorite cultural or spiritual practice that you enjoy, like smudging in the mornings, jingle dress dancing, drumming, creating art, or singing, embrace them. Lean into those things that bring you joy and connection in your traditions and spirituality.
Eating a balanced diet
Getting proper nutrition when you are feeling overwhelmed is an important part of managing stress. It will help make your body feel whole and strong and keep your emotions and mental health balanced. Make sure to eat a nutritious and balanced diet of proteins, carbohydrates and fruits and vegetables. Whenever you can, incorporate your traditional foods into your meals and fun foods as well! The joy in eating what is familiar, comforting or fun can help boost your mood and nourish the spirit.
Take regular exercise
Move your body in ways that make you feel good. Whether that’s playing your favorite sport, swimming, going for a walk outside or dancing. The important thing is to move your body and move your body regularly. The more joy you can have in your movement the better it will make you feel.
Get enough Sleep
An important part of bringing yourself back into balance is getting enough sleep. Some ways to help make sure you get those needed hours of rest are getting off your phone/screens at least an hour before bed; give yourself a regular bed time; regular exercise can also help relax you and get that deep restorative sleep you need.
Above all, make sure you give yourself a lot of compassion and grace when you are feeling stressed. It can be confusing as to where to begin helping yourself when you already feel overwhelmed. Start small by incorporating one healthy habit at a time, and slowly build on the confidence that the positive changes bring.
For more information, culturally sensitive resources and supports, check out the links below:
Hope for Wellness Help Line offers immediate mental health counselling and crisis intervention by phone or online chat. Call toll-free 1-855-242-3310 or start a confidential chat with a counsellor at hopeforwellness.ca.
Indian Residential School Crisis Line is a national service for anyone experiencing pain or distress as a result of their residential school experience. Call toll-free 1-866-925-4419.
Kuu-Us Crisis Line Society provides crisis services for Indigenous people across BC. Adults/Elders line 250-723-4050; youth line 250-723-2040. Or call toll free 1-800-588-8717. Learn more at www.kuu-uscrisisline.com.
Métis Crisis Line is a service of Métis Nation British Columbia. Call 1-833-MétisBC (1-833-638-4722).
The term called ‘Gamification’ became popular in the early 2010s, and since then this engaging and behaviour developing new approach is changing our work lives. With Gamification, organizations can;
• and make behavioral changes promoting good-natured competition for employees to achieve physical and financial wellness goals. When an employee is hungry, reaching for an apple instead of a candy means mastery, autonomy, and control which are the same motivations for a gamer.
Question is can managers reward their employees with their achievements while lowering healthcare costs and decrease absenteeism?
However, the question is can managers reward their employees with their achievements while lowering healthcare costs and decrease absenteeism?
According to Ross Smith, the Director of Test, Skype at Microsoft, it can be accomplished; however, the attendance to the games should be voluntary. Determining what make things fun for employees is the challenge that managers need to solve. However, once it is figured out, the games increase participation rates and creates transparency and high trust within the organization.
The primary objective of Getting to Your Gold program is to maximize employee engagement for employees` own health outcomes. In order to make it accessible to users, the program is hosted on an online portal that houses different Olympic spirit-themed challenges, athlete videos, health & wellness polls and expert advice. With this program employee engagement and total wellbeing are optimized through fun and informative Olympic spirited challenges.
Tragic events can happen to anybody; to ourselves, our friends, our family, our children or our colleagues. It is reassuring to know that there is a system in place to help and overcome those difficult times [1].
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provides a confidential and voluntary consultation support to employees and their families. It is completely confidential within the limits of the law [2]*. The program can be initiated over the phone, by personal appointment or online and self-guided resources.
Today the services are very comprehensive and extended to: • Alcohol & Substance Abuse, • Residential School and Historical Trauma • Depression • Relationship Issues • Stress and Managing Anger • Financial and Legal Issues • Domestic Violence • Retirement Concerns and Planning • Mental Health Issues • Workplace Conflict and many more…
The main goal for the program is not to punish employees but rather to: • Encourage them to receive services needed to deal with personal issues • Provide advice and consultation to managers and supervisors • Promote healthy work-personal life balance • Maintain and promote a positive work environment • Increase employee engagement.
Today, employers explain EAP is a proactive, preventive effort to help employees identify and resolve personal issues before they have serious medical, family, and/or workplace consequences. The program also provides advice and consultation to managers, supervisors, and plan administrators to spot performance and morale issues when they occur, so the company can address the situation appropriately.
Here are some of the most common questions asked by Human Resources and Finance Managers, and business owners regarding Employee Assistance Programs.
Does EAP increase company health care costs?
Contrary to popular belief, EAP actually Reduces Company Costs. According to Davidson Trahaire Corpsych, with help from EAP, it is possible to increase employee productivity and happiness and still reduce company costs. The company did a survey in 2013 with 4,707 EAP user companies both before and after they had accessed EAP services. The results determined that; • The average Return on Investment (ROI) due to improvements in employee productivity was around $9,800 per employee per annum, • ROI due to reduced absenteeism was about $280 per employee per annum. In total, the ROI per employee was more than $10,000. Morneau Shepell also looked at EAP ROI in 2011. According to the study EAP helps with a 25% reduction in health-related lost productivity costs for employers, providing an $8 return on every dollar invested.
It would be great to have EAP but, it is difficult to get everyone on board.
According to Statics Canada, in any given year, it is expected that one in five Canadians will experience a mental health or addiction problem. EAP can always provide professional assistance and guidance to employees. The program is very beneficial because it increases work morale, employee productivity and harmonized work environment while reducing absenteeism, turnover, and conflicts. If employees have access to counseling and support, everyone wins! In addition, researchers found that EAP lowers sick days and disability claims, and increases work morale and productivity. For companies, the best scenario is to be proactive and provide access to such services like EAP.
Implementing an employee assistance program can be costly
The cost of EAP is negligible compared to the loss of productivity and performance in your organization. Like everything, of course, there are costs associated with implementing EAP, however, supporting employees with work-personal life issues; lowering company turnover and absenteeism rate doesn’t cost that much. Right now in BC, the average cost of EAP is $5.00 per employee per month, and the cost varies depending on the size of your company.
As being the decision-makers, you can promote the well-being of your employees in a truly confidential and professional manner. If you and your employees have questions, EAP has the answers!
Before making your final decision, it is better to spend some time and do your own research. However, if you don’t have the time or experience to find the best possible options, then contacting an Independent Financial Advisor can make things easier for you. With the guidance, you can make your decision with confidence.
A new year brings many different opportunities and challenges. It’s also the time that many people try and improve themselves through New Year’s Resolutions. But for most, these are often easier said than done. Even if we do manage to start on our lists, it’s usually the follow through that derails our efforts. Despite our good intentions, we let other aspects of our lives get in the way of these goals. Here are a few tips that may help you complete some of your 2016 resolutions.
Getting Started
Once you have mustered your resolve and decided to tackle your resolutions, you should try these simple steps to help you get started.
Make a list
Keeping your resolutions in your head and leaving them at the mercy of your memory may not be the best idea. Treat them like any other important tasks and write them down. If you can write down your grocery list, why not your resolutions?
Start small
If you’ve decided on several things to change this year, prioritize and do them one at a time. Getting fit, taking guitar lessons and starting a blog all in one month may not be the best approach. You may overwhelm yourself and increase the likelihood of sabotaging your efforts. Start with one goal and once you feel comfortable to add the others. You should also take it slow. Ease into your new activities and keep in mind that consistency is the key.
Be realistic
This goes hand-in-hand with taking it slow. It’s great to have goals and aiming high is not a bad thing, but make sure they are attainable. Having unrealistic expectations will only lead to failure. Wanting to lose 30 pounds may be your ultimate goal, but aiming to lose the first 5 pounds is much less daunting and more realistic.
Sticking with it
Starting is only the first step, now you have to stick to your resolutions.
Think about why you are doing it.
Remembering the reasons behind any action is a powerful way to reinforce it. Knowing the Why is extremely important. It gives your efforts meaning. Why did you want to get fit this year? Perhaps it’s for your children. You want to be healthier because you want as much time with them as possible. Doing anything just for the sake of doing it is a sure fire way to failure.
Keep a visual reminder.
Having a visual reminder where you can see often it is a great way to remind yourself of your resolution. It keeps it top-of-mind so you never forget. For example, if your resolution is to drink more water, having a note on your computer monitor will constantly remind you to keep hydrated at work. Alternatively, you can use the alarm function on your cell phones as reminders.
Tell your friends and family.
Telling those close to you about your goals will allow them to be supportive. If you are trying to be more financially responsible in the New Year, and your friends are aware, they may be less likely to pressure you into those impromptu dinners. Your family could support you emotionally if you are quitting smoking for example.
Keep track
Nothing is more disheartening than not seeing results. By keeping track of your progress, it will encourage you to follow through your resolutions. If the results are not positive, then it may help you identify areas in which you need to improve to reach your goals.
Most of us see the New Year as a great starting point to better ourselves. The tradition of New Year’s Resolutions helps to remind us of this. But the key to change is not in the thinking, but in the doing.
Cancer is the leading cause of death in Canada. In fact, it is responsible for 30% of all total deaths in our country. It is estimated that 2 out of 5 Canadians are expected to develop some form of cancer in their lifetimes, and 1 out of 4 of those diagnosed will die from it.
With those grim figures in mind, it is no surprise that most of us are on the constant look-out for ways to protect ourselves from the disease. Perhaps the best defence, however, is quite simply to live healthy, active lives, and there’s no better place to start than your diet. Although not a magical cure for cancer, certain food items have cancer-fighting properties. Including these in your diet, coupled with regular exercise, are sure-fire ways to decrease your risk of cancer.
A predominantly plant-based diet is ideal for warding off cancer. Meals should contain at least 2/3rd plant type foods. Amongst other health benefits, this ensures a diet low in saturated fats.
Folate-rich foods
There is a correlation between levels of folate in the body and the chances of DNA mutation. Eating folate-rich foods such as cereals, oranges and spinach may decrease your risk of pancreatic cancer by up to 50%.
Source foods
Cereal
Pasta
Orange
Spinach
Romaine leaves
Dried beans
Asparagus
Brussels sprouts
Tea
Teas contain antioxidants called flavonoids. Once such flavonoid called kaempferol has been shown to work well against cancer. Women in a study who increased their kaempferol intake showed a lower rate of ovarian cancer, and post-menopausal women had a decreased risk of breast cancer.
The recommended dose for this antioxidant to work well against cancer is an about 10-12 milligrams daily or approximately 4 cups of tea.
Source foods
Various types of teas
Vitamin D
Vitamin D has been known to cut the risks of breast cancer by half. It works by curbing the growth of cancerous cells in the body. It is recommended that an adult should receive a minimum daily dose of 1000 IU of vitamin D.
Source foods
Sunshine
Milk
Cod
Shrimp
Chinook salmon
Eggs
Cruciferous vegetables
Cruciferous vegetables such as kale, cabbage and Brussel sprouts have all been shown to help with the prevention of prostate and colon cancer. It is important to note however that studies have shown that these health benefits are activated only by chewing or cutting the vegetables.
Source foods
Kale
Turnip greens
Cabbage
Cauliflower
Broccoli
Brussel sprouts
Curcumin
Curcumin’s anti-inflammatory properties are its essential trait for fighting cancer. Recent studies have shown that curcumin suppresses the transformation and invasion of cancer cells, by disrupting cell-signalling pathways in the body. Its benefits have been shown to be effective against bladder and gastrointestinal cancer.
Almost everyone has moles on their body. While a majority of them are harmless, some can be deadly. A normal or benign mole is often evenly colored, round or oval in shape, about ¼ inch in diameter and can either be flat or raised. Some moles are present at birth, but the majority appear during childhood. New moles that show up on adults should be examined closely as they could be a sign of melanoma.
Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer and can develop anywhere in the body that has pigments. It is however curable if diagnosed in its early stages. Certain factors may significantly increase your risk of skin cancer, such as chronic sun exposure, severe sunburn as a child, a family history of the disease or by simply having fair skin.
How do you to tell if a mole is cancerous?
One of the best way to tell if a mole is cancerous is by the way it looks. Aside from the sudden appearance of a mole a change in shape, size or color of an existing one is the most probable sign of melanoma.
Dermatologists recommend using the ABCDEmethod to identify possible signs of the disease during your routine screening. It determines if mole is cancerous by using the following characteristics as indicators:
A = Asymmetry: One side of the spot is very different from the other.
B = Border: The spot has irregular edges. Either notched or blurred.
C = Color: If the color is inconsistent throughout the spot.
D = Diameter: If the spot is larger than the size of a pencil eraser or ¼ inch.
E = Evolving: Is it changing in size, shape or color.
Not all melanomas fit the descriptions above, so if you have any doubts about a spot on your body it is best to consult your doctor right away.
To help decrease your risks of getting melanoma you should limit your exposure to sunlight and use sunscreen when possible. Since early detection is key to prevention, regularly screening your body for irregular spots is very important and may even save your life.
When we hear the word immunization, we often think they are for children. But being protected from contagious diseases is important for all of us.
Immunization is the process by which a person is vaccinated for a certain type of infectious disease, to boost their resistance or immunity. The treatment stimulates the immune system’s antibodies to help better combat the infection. These vaccines save lives. In fact they have decreased the death rate of infectious diseases to less than 5% to date. It is important to know that even though you were vaccinated for a particular type of disease as a child, you may need to get it done again later in life. This is especially important for seniors and those with weakened immune systems.
What should I be immunized for as an adult?
Flu
Although rarely fatal, the flu virus may cause complications with those that have compromised immune systems. High risk individuals such as seniors and pregnant women should be vaccinated every year, as the flu virus may have evolved and changed.
Shingles
The shingles is caused by the same virus as the chicken pox. This is why it is very dangerous to contract the chicken pox as an adult. Shingles causes painful skin rash and blisters, which may spread to the face and eyes and could cause blindness. Even if you have already had chicken pox as a child, the virus could stay in your body and re-activate when your immune system is compromised due to complications or age. Chances of getting the shingles increases after the age of 50, but getting the vaccine reduces your chances by 12-50%.
Travel
Depending on your destination, there may be multiple types of diseases you should be vaccinated for. But if you are and avid traveller you should be immunized for polio, diphtheria, hepatitis and the measles regardless. If you are unsure which shots you need, speak to your doctor or visit a travel clinic. Just make sure to give it plenty of time as some vaccines may take up to 2 weeks to become fully effective.
Other
Adults who did not receive the following vaccines as a child should make sure they get them right away:
Tetanus
Diphtheria
Pertussis (whooping cough)
Measles/Rubella (German Measles)
Mumps
Varicella (chicken pox)
Pneumococcal disease (pneumonia) – over the age of 65
Adults may have better developed immune systems than children, but that doesn’t make us immune to diseases. Make sure you get all the necessary immunizations today.
1. Attracts prospective talents and helps retain current ones
Paramedical services are often described as a nice-to-have addition to employee benefits plans instead of must-haves. But more and more employees are seeing the importance of these services. Having Paramedical services in your group benefits not only will attract prospective talents to your First Nations organization but also will help retain your employees.
2. Increases employee morale and loyalty
Creating a Work-Life balance can be difficult for today`s workforce. With services like “Massage Therapy” employees can relieve tension and pain. Giving your employees access to Paramedical services can help them to lead to better health, such as to overcome stress and increase morale.
As a Plan Administrator, are you worried about the cost?
Generally, employees pay a certain portion of the cost. This amount usually reduces the longer employees stay with your Indigenous organization.
3. Costs can be controlled
Making paramedical services work for you and your employees relies on sustainability. In order to include Paramedical Services in your benefits plan, you need to manage the costs and have a budget.
Unfortunately, runaway expenses can quickly derail your plan. Managing and monitoring plan benefits usage is crucial to identifying patterns, which can be used to modify the offerings for future sustainability.
In addition, adding minor restrictions to the plan can also help mitigate bloated costs. Enforcing a per-visit or per-practitioner limit is a good idea, but can still be expensive if the plan members have large families. Many companies have adopted this option instead of a family maximum, which encourages employees to be more responsible for their usage.
Another option for cost control can be to implement a tiered-based coverage based on tenure.
Offering paramedical services to your workforce is a great way to keep them healthy and happy, but being cognizant of the accompanying costs is also extremely important. Finding a balance between employee morale and the costs is the bottom line to the successful employee benefits plan.
April 2nd is Employee Benefits Day. The day was organized by the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans (IFEBP), as a day of appreciation for those in the benefits profession. It is meant to recognize the work these individual do, to educate both employee and employers about the wide range of benefit topics and issues.
Every year the IFEBP brings focus on a particular subject, and this year they have chosen Wellness 2.0.This is the growing movement to expand employer wellness programs to encompass all areas of total well-being: body, mind, wallet, community and work. Today everyone is encouraged to examine what initiatives your organization could offer to increase your employees’ overall health
Check out the IFEBP website for some great tools to start incorporating the Wellness 2.0 movement in your workplace.
Whether it’s to lose weight or just get healthier, we all wish we had more time to exercise. One of the biggest excuse we tell ourselves is that we are just too busy with our jobs. But imagine if your job helped you to lose weight. Well a company in Dartmouth Nova Scotia did just that. By implementing a workplace wellness program, they were able to help their entire workforce get healthier. With 19% of their employees classified as obese, Efficiency Nova Scotia took action and implemented the program by first doing an Employee Health Risk Assessment. This assessment showed not only the need for the wellness program, but also the willingness of the employees to participate.
So how did they help their employees loose weight?
They set a goal for all participants to increase their physical activities and use pedometers to track their progress. They also monitored their blood pressure, body fat and weight loss throughout the program’s duration. They also used incentives to keep the employees motivated. Those who had the highest number of steps for example would receive a gift certificate. This program aimed not only reduce the participants weight within the time frame set, but also to help them create sustainable habits for the future. Once the program was complete, the results showed that the majority of those that participated found it worthwhile, and believed they would be to maintain the healthy habits.
Would a wellness program be right for your workplace? Call us today to see how we can help.
Chronic illness affects an estimated 17 million Canadians. With conditions such as arthritis, hypertension, diabetes and asthma chronic illnesses are often the result of advance age. And as Canada’s workforce begins to get older, that number will begin to rise. Although these conditions can often be managed by treatments and lifestyle changes, support in the workplace for those inflicted is sorely needed.
Monique Gignac from the Institute for Work & Health points out that chronic illness not only affects employee health, but also the company’s bottom line. For example, a worker with arthritis may cost the company an estimated $11,000 per year in lost of work hours and productivity.
To better support those with chronic illness she recommends using the three ‘Cs of Chronic Disease.’ Which are Communication, Coaching and Checking In.
Communication
Making sure that employees know exactly where to find important resources to help them deal with their health issues is critical. Employee privacy may prevent them from disclosing their conditions to managers or colleagues, so giving them the ability to act independently is important.
Coaching
Ensuring that managers are sufficiently trained to handle situations related to chronic illness will mitigate negative situations. As an example, one of the most common signs of chronic illness is sudden change in work performance. If the employee’s manager is aware of this fact, and is able to create an environment where they feel the issue can be discussed freely, they can work together to find a reasonable solution.
Checking In
Checking in with HR or their managers on a regular basis is crucial to making sure that proper accommodations are being offered. Whether it is flexibility of work hours, or an ergonomically optimized workspace, an open line of communication between all parties is a necessity.
By following these three simple rules, employers can ensure that they are providing the proper support for their ailing workers, and maintaining a happy healthy work environment for all.
More and more companies are recognizing the importance of adding paramedical services to their group benefits plans. One of the more understated of these services is therapeutic massages.
Aside from its most common treatment used for soft tissue and joint pain, massages have many other great health benefits. Massage therapy treatments can reduce stress and support your general health and wellness. It can even prevent diseases and other conditions from manifesting. In other words, the importance of regular massage therapy for most people’s health maintenance simply cannot be overstate
Below are just a few of the newly understood applications for therapeutic massages.
Depression and Anxiety
Hospice Care
Alzheimer’s Care
If you want to see how Eagle Bay Financial can help you with your Group Benefits plan, check out our benefits page by clicking here and contact our team.
We have exciting news: we’ve moved to a new office!
In our ongoing commitment to providing exceptional service, we have relocated to a fresh new space that will allow us to serve you even better. Our new address is: 4180 Lougheed Hwy, #601 Burnaby, BC V5C 6A7
All other contact details, including phone numbers and email addresses, remain unchanged. You can continue to reach us just as before.
We look forward to this new chapter and hope to welcome you to our new location.
Thank you for your continued trust and partnership. Here’s to our ongoing success together!
Contrary to popular belief, EAP actually Reduces Company Costs. According to 
The cost of EAP is negligible compared to the loss of productivity and performance in your organization. Like everything, of course, there are costs associated with implementing EAP, however, supporting employees with work-personal life issues; lowering company turnover and absenteeism rate doesn’t cost that much. Right now in BC, the average cost of EAP is $5.00 per employee per month, and the cost varies depending on the size of your company.
