HR Newsletter - Health and Wellness

THE HR NEWSLETTER HEALTH AND WELLNESS ISSUE NO. 6

HRN • 1 Miss nicola martin Director, Employee Relations, Health, Safety and Welfare MEGJC and Health and Wellness Now that's a snack, a look at 2 5 what is Health and Wellness? healthy snack alternatives Let's talk about Mental Health 3 6 A Healthy Body, a Healthy Mind, 4 and a Healthy Spirit The Social Welfare Committee 7 Highlights: MEGJC Summer 8 - 1 0 Escape Fun Day 2019

HRN • 2 MEGJC AND HEALTH AND WELLNESS In keeping with the Government’s aim to promote a healthy workforce, the Ministry of Health in a bold move has changed its name to add Wellness, to demonstrate the policy direction of promoting healthy lifestyle and wellness among the Jamaican population. To further reflect and concretize this change, several programmes have been streamlined and introduced including, Jamaica Moves, to offer more options to the public in developing an awareness of the issues related to health and wellness. Progammes have been introduced in Ministries, Agencies and Departments across Government, as it is intended for the Public Sector to lead the process for a healthier population. This of course, will assist us to achieve the goals of VISION 2030 National Development Plan. It is against this background that we are introducing and promoting a health and wellness programme to the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation. The officer with this responsibility is, Miss Nicola Martin who is currently acting in the capacity of Director Employee Relations, Health, Safety and Welfare. She will be responsible for assisting in the development and implementation of programmes for this Ministry including: Increasing awareness of healthy lifestyle Developing a positive health and safety culture, As well as stimulating participation in health and wellness activities With our Ministry strategically positioned to impact greatly on mega projects for national development, it also requires a healthy staff performing at their optimum to achieve our targets. Therefore, having recognized this need, the Ministry will be embarking on several initiatives that will engage you, its staff in matters of health, safety and welfare. We crave your usual cooperation and support as we work together in becoming a healthier MEGJC.

HRN • 3 what is Health and Wellness? The World Health Organization defines Health as \"a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.\" The McKinley Health Center at the University of Illinois defines Wellness as: \"A state of optimal well-being that is oriented toward maximizing an individual's potential. This is a life-long process of moving towards enhancing your physical, intellectual, emotional, social, spiritual, and environmental well-being.\" These days, more and more professionals in the dedicated field take a holistic approach towards achieving this state of better health and well-being. “Wellness encompasses a healthy body, a sound mind, and a tranquil spirit. Enjoy the journey as you strive for wellness.”  ~Laurette Gagnon Beaulieu The holistic approach focuses on the health of not just the body, but that of the mind and the spirit/soul as well. Each distinct part - mind, body, and soul - must be at its best for the individual to achieve true wellness and perform optimally. Health and Wellness take work and active commitment but to ensure longer, happier lives it's something we need to dedicate time to. This issue  of the HR Newsletter will help you begin your own journey. Bon Voyage!

Healthy Body HRN • 4 A 'healthy' body varies from person to Healthy Mind person and comes in all shapes and sizes. An exercise routine and diet should be As Skills You Need puts it: \"The mind is chosen based on your body. However, shaped by all the experiences, ideas and there are a few helpful tips for a healthier thoughts to which it is exposed. To a certain body you can consider. extent, then, you can choose what you ‘feed’ your mind, just as you can choose Eat plenty fruits and vegetables. what you feed your body. Your ‘mind diet’ Get regular exercise. can make your mind more or less ‘healthy’, Reduce sugar and salt intake. and certainly more or less interesting.\" Eat regulary, but control the portion To  improve your mind diet consider the size. following: Drink plenty of water. Balance your content intake: e.g., read a Limit how much book to learn and watch a comedy just alcohol you drink. Take care of your for fun. skin. Wear Make time to socialize with sunscreen etc. friends and family. Get at least seven Quit poor/unhealthy hours sleeps. habits. Visit a mental health Remember: having a professional. healthy body image is as important as having a healthy Do regular mental body. Do not compare your exercises journey to someone else's. Exercise regularly. Develop healthy coping mechanisms for dealing with stress. Healthy Spirit Nurturing your spirit means different things to different people. Far from being something religious, this is the pursit of connecting with your deeper self. This can be done through*: Focusing on your goals, values and beliefs. What brings you hope, joy and comfort? What do you care about most? How can you make a difference in the world? Keeping a journal to help you express your deepest thoughts and feelings. Reading inspiring stories or essays to unearth insights and philosophies that can enrich your life. Being open to new experiences.  Nurture your spirit with nature, music, art or whatever sounds appealing. Looking at what's good in yourself and others. Notice the sacred in and around you. Sure, there's plenty of bad stuff, but you'll find greater peace and joy by focusing on the positive. *Excerpt From Mental Health America

HRN • 5 NOW THAT'S Discussions about a healthy diet and meal planning sometimes have one important gap: snacks. The effectiveness of a healthy A SNACK breakfast, lunch and dinner are reduced considerably if every snack is an unhealthy one. Here we will look at tasty, healthier options to reach for instead of the unhealthy alternative. Make the switch: ice cream to  frozen yogurt white/milk french fries to choclate to sweet potato dark choclate wedges soda to milkshake sparkling to water smoothie potato chips and other snacks to  carrot sticks and apple slices or other delicious fruits and vegetables. sweets to candy bars to dried fruits crunchy granola bars

HRN • 6 The World Health Organization defines Mental Health as a state of well-being in which every LET'S TALKindividual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his ABOUT community. Our society's great stigma surrounding the issue of mental health and our refusal to acknowledge or discuss it in some cases is profoundly harmful to all of us. To begin with, Mental Health is not just the absence of a MENTAL mental illness. It also depends on the ability to: enjoy life bounce back after difficult experiences HEALTH achieve balance adapt to adversity feel safe and secure achieve your potential Treat your mental health the way you treat your physical health: See a doctor if you are in pain.  A mental illness, like depression, and a physical illness, like cancer are both in need of treatment. Make time for a check up.  Exercise control over what you choose to consume.  This especially applies to the kinds of people and energy you allow into your space. Your mental health is your responsibility, however, it is important that we remember to be kind to one another. Be the reason someone has a smile at their desk - not the reason they dread coming to work. Give positive Stop a rumor, feedback on don't start one. work well done. Hold the Give a elevator for listening ear someone in a and advice when needed  rush. Surprise team mates on birthdays. “Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.” ― J. M. Barry

THE SOCIAL Mr. raymond HRN • 7 WELFARE poyser COMMITTEE Ms. nicola martin Ms. vashtie Mr. oshane Mr. andrew bacchas mckay adams Ms. kerry- Mr. michael Ms. tiffany ann webber hylton mccalla Mr.shandel Ms. Natalya Mrs. hannam Ferguson charmaine mccalla

HIGHLIGHTS: MEGJC SUMMER ESCAPE FUN DAY 2019

HIGHLIGHTS: MEGJC SUMMER ESCAPE FUN DAY 2019

HIGHLIGHTS: MEGJC SUMMER ESCAPE FUN DAY 2019

MINISTRY OF ECONOMIC GROWTH AND JOB CREATION PREPARED BY THE HRM&D BRANCH ISSUE NUMBER 5, PUBLISHED SEPTEMBER 2019