Wellness and Support

The Ontario Council Member Support Program is available to assist any volunteers or employees that require professional counselling. The request for support is matched with an appropriate counsellor, and should specialized counselling be required, a referral is made to the appropriate professional agencies. Contact your Branch Manager to access these services through Council’s HR Department if needed.

How a Traumatic Event Can Affect You

STAYING HEALTHY

During COVID-19, many of us may be self-isolating for several weeks to months without ever developing symptoms. Everyone’s lives have been impacted, but we are all in this together. Keep in touch. We are physically isolated but not socially isolated. Continue connecting with friends, family and co-workers on virtual platforms like Skype, WhatsApp, Face-time or Duo. Text, e-mail, or preferably use a telephone for personal contact. Remaining connected is important. We do not need to be close or physically see one another to be together. Do not sit and focus on the gloomy news all day. Try to create new routines, new structure and find positivity to create comfort in the home. Engage in self-compassion, self-kindness, and be kind to one another.

Why not use this time to start implementing lifestyle adjustments that we’ve been ignoring because we are all too busy? You have no excuse now. Maintain a healthy diet and ensure proper sleep. Consider connecting with a virtual Personal Trainer. Take a virtual exercise class. There are many great Apps and YouTube videos to help train yourself in meditation, exercise without equipment, yoga or Tai Chi. Take along walk, but practice physical/social distancing with those you meet along the way. Just stay at least two metres apart... remember, the walk’s more about exercising than socializing.

Understandably, there is currently a heightened sense of anxiety throughout society, particularly for those with symptoms or loved ones with symptoms. Developing meditation and relaxation techniques now will be more important than ever. Look for balance. Ensure that all your information comes from credible government or media sources. Watching the news for 8 hours a day is generally unhelpful and likely harmful to our mental health. Watch just enough in the morning and just enough in the evening to be up-to-date on any events of the day. Then, read a book, watch a movie, or catch up on that TV series instead.

There is light at the End of the Tunnel. Remember that these physical/social distancing measures are temporary. COVID-19 will pass and life will once again return to normal, albeit likely a changed normal.