Canada’s Healthy Workplace Month

Week 1 Theme | October 6-10: A Growth Mindset
This week’s theme is “A Growth Mindset.” October 6-10 also marks Mental Illness Awareness Week, while October 10 is World Mental Health Day.

A “growth mindset” means shifting your thinking to see learning and self-improvement as an ongoing process. When you have a growth mindset, the barriers you encounter can be transformed into opportunities that allow you to grow.

Learn more about “growth mindset” and how it can help support your agility and success in the workplace.

Try a Healthy Workplace Challenge: Progress wall

Create a physical or digital wall where team members can post goals, progress, and lessons learned to help you visualize growth and progress.

Try a Healthy Workplace Challenge: “Failure Forward” spotlight

Have a “Failure Forward” spotlight at your team meeting this week by taking turns sharing stories of professional challenges or failures and what was learned from them. This practice helps normalize setbacks and reinforces that failure is a part of growing.

Try a Healthy Workplace Challenge: Step out of your comfort zone

Try one thing that’s outside of your comfort zone, from volunteering for a task you haven’t tried before to learning a new tool.

World Mental Health Day

Take the opportunity to learn about the mental health and wellness resources that are available to you as a Defence Team member.

Week 2 Theme | October 14-17: The Power of Belonging

This week’s theme is all about “The Power of Belonging.” International Conflict Resolution Day also takes place on October 16. A workplace where everyone feels welcome is one where everyone can thrive, both personally and professionally.

Canada’s Healthy Workplace Month WellnessFair

DND is hosting an in-person and virtual fair to showcase the wellness resources, programs and supports available to the Defence Team.

Attend in-person : Kiosk representatives will be on-site and available to discuss the programs and supports they offer. Stop by to meet program representatives, explore the various resources available to you, and to ask questions.

Attend virtually: Attend the fair virtually at a time that fits your schedule. Take a tour of the various wellness resources, programs, and supports available to you!

International Conflict Resolution Day (ICRD)

ICRD is a global commemoration celebrating peaceful resolutions of conflict, in the workplace and beyond.

Try a Healthy Workplace Challenge: Learn more about the importance of belonging at work

Read the article “Power of Belonging: Caring for Yourself and Others” on The Maple Leaf.

Week 3 Theme | October 20-24: Physical and Mental Synergy

This week’s theme is “Physical and Mental Synergy.” The mind-body connection is one that shouldn’t be overlooked – having balance in body and mind is a key part of your health.

Defence Team Word Puzzle: Canada’s Healthy Workplace Month edition

Look out for the Defence Team Word Puzzle today. Hint: think Canada’s Healthy Workplace Month!

Try a Healthy Workplace Challenge: Mindful Minutes

To start and end your day, try taking two minutes for guided breathing or another mindful practice that gives you a sense of calm.

Webinar: Building Resilience: Understanding Challenges, Learning Strategies, and Accepting Change

This webinar aims to help break negative thought patterns and offer healthier ways of thinking and behaving. Participants will be introduced to a variety of effective, practical tools to improve physical health, respect mental/emotional health, and cultivate a strong social support network.

Try a Healthy Workplace Challenge: Creative Break

Suggest regular short sessions for your team to help reset the mind, like doodling, colouring, or another crafty activity.

Week 4 Theme | October 27-31: Sustainable Balance

This week’s theme is “Sustainable Balance.” Taking some time to reflect on your daily habits, including ones you’d like to add and the ones you’d like to remove, is a practical way to develop a daily pace that’s right for you.

Try a Healthy Workplace Challenge: Get outside

Why not enjoy the fall weather while it’s here? Take short walks outside for an impactful health break.

Try a Healthy Workplace Challenge: Mindful commute

Introducing mindfulness into mundane or stressful activities like commuting can make a big difference. Try listening to calming music, a podcast, or simply enjoy some intentional silence.

Try a Healthy Workplace Challenge: Track your habits to help establish balance

Try keeping track of daily habits like your screen time, mood, and energy levels. You may be surprised by what you find out!