Walmsley

Smart reads

Short, helpful advice on the most asked-about topics

Mental Health and Workplace Safety

Mental Health and Workplace Safety

May 01, 2023

It is Mental Health Week in Canada, so there is no better time to shine a light on something many Canadians struggle with: mental health at the workplace, and in particular, how it affects our safety and well-being. When it comes to managing our mental health in a workplace setting, there are several factors at play, chief among them is the awareness of how we are thinking and feeling while on the job, and how those thoughts and feelings can impact our safety and productivity.

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The Cycle of Depression and How to Interrupt It

The Cycle of Depression and How to Interrupt It

Apr 17, 2023

Depression can feel like a dark cloud constantly looming over you. It might feel like you are moving through life carrying a backpack full of heavy rocks, or as if you’re stuck on a hamster wheel, going around and around but never forward. Depression looks different for everyone, but some common symptoms include feelings of sadness, loss of interest or enjoyment, low mood, changes in sleep, low energy, feeling hopeless or worthless, and difficulty focusing.

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Left Behind in the Pandemic

Left Behind in the Pandemic

Apr 03, 2023

2020... the year a pandemic was declared. It was scary and unknown, but friends and family, and even strangers rallied together, at a distance, to keep one another safe; and those who were considered higher-risk for serious illness or death, were the ones we gave up “normal” life for. Over 2 years later, we saw a shift – the world wanted normalcy. People saw the light at the end of what had been a very dark and unpredictable tunnel. People deserved to see the light, to have some hope, to be able to get back to a semblance of the life they had known; after-all, it had been a tough two years for everyone.

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The Secret to Successfully Changing Your Eating Habits: Small Steps

The Secret to Successfully Changing Your Eating Habits: Small Steps

Mar 16, 2023

Have you tried to change your eating habits, only to fall off the wagon and return to your old ways? It’s frustrating, but not uncommon. In this article I’ll share the secret to successfully improve your eating habits. March is Nutrition Month. It’s a great opportunity to take steps to improve our health through our eating habits. And, recognize how dietitians can help you navigate the confusing world of conflicting nutrition information to unlock the health benefits of food.

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Women and Mental Health

Women and Mental Health

Mar 07, 2023

March is Women’s History Month, which is a perfect opportunity to examine some of the difficulties and challenges women face, specifically in the world of mental health. Accessing a counsellor can be difficult for anyone, but there are specific challenges women may encounter, including stigma, indifference, and wrongful assumptions about their motivations.

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Pink Shirt Day

Pink Shirt Day

Feb 21, 2023

Wednesday February 23rd marks Canada’s annual Pink Shirt Day, where people across the country wear pink to raise awareness and visibility to bullying. This tradition started in 2009 by two high school students in Nova Scotia who knew the effects of bullying firsthand and wanted more people to understand what they, along with thousands of other school-aged kids, were going through. Today, over 110 countries worldwide participate in Pink Shirt Day, indicating that there is real need to continue to talk about this particular issue. Bullying in the workplace is no different than the schoolyard variety; it can still result in shame, anxiety, dread, and depression, no matter the age of those involved.

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Burnout, Compassion Fatigue & Vicarious Trauma

Burnout, Compassion Fatigue & Vicarious Trauma

Feb 06, 2023

Increasing demands at work and at home (now often the same place) can push people into a state of emotional, physical and mental exhaustion. The solution is simple some say. Listen to what your body and nerves are telling you and take a step back. Do less for others and take time for yourself. Ha! Easier said than done in a work hard, play hard culture, where “better, faster, more!” is often the reality of competing, earning that promotion, paying the mortgage, and keeping up with the 100’s of Jones that we can now watch on our social media feeds.

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Grounding

Grounding

Jan 23, 2023

So, you’ve been told to try grounding exercises… maybe you have heard this from your counsellor, a friend, a blog, or social media. Are you wondering what this means, how it’ll help, and how to do it? First of all, what is grounding? Grounding brings you back to the present moment, it anchors you by shifting the focus away from memories, thoughts, flashbacks, and worries and onto our immediate reality. It literally grounds you in the here and now.

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New Year, New You?

New Year, New You?

Jan 09, 2023

2023 has come, and with it, there are the usual ideas of setting new resolutions and turning a new page as we stare down the next 12 months. You’re likely bombarded by ads for gym memberships, vitamin supplements, and new sneakers, which all add pressure to make big changes very quickly. Meanwhile, you’re returning to work after the holidays, getting back to your old routines, and potentially working through that post-holiday dip in mood, otherwise known as the winter blues. New Year’s resolutions seem wonderfully shiny at first; who doesn’t love the promise of a fresh start, a clean slate?

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