Macro Properties recently shared some wellness resources with our employees across the country. We are now sharing this on our blog as we think they may be helpful to our broader community of tenants, vendors, and other stakeholders that Macro Properties does business with.

We are all impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and we are all in this together! Our focus on Wellness in the workplace has taken on a new meaning in recent months. We would like to share 9 suggestions on the ways we can attempt to maintain normalcy and peace of mind while facing common feelings of uncertainty and anxiety that accompany challenging times like these.

1.            Access community resources:

Wellness Together Canada is providing free and easily accessible tools to assist Canadians with common challenges such as low mood, worry, substance use, social isolation and relationship issues. Visit https://ca.portal.gs/ for more information.

Whether it's your faith community or another one, this is a great time to connect with the community that can help you navigate unique life changes while simultaneously bringing comfort and togetherness to your life – especially when isolation is limiting our social interactions. Online resources are actively becoming available in order to help us connect with different communities. 

The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) is Canada's largest mental health teaching hospital and one of the world's leading research centres in its field. They are offering free online support that can help us navigate our understanding of COVID-19, our fears around it, and how to deal with our new reality. Visit http://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/mental-health-and-covid-19 for more information.

2.            Maintain a routine:

Research shows we all feel better, and function better, when we follow a routine. Whether we are self-isolating, working from home or quarantined, it is recommended we continue to follow our normal routine.

3.            Exercise:

Exercise is a proven treatment for depression and anxiety. We can benefit both psychologically and physically from it. There are more free online home exercise resources than ever before! It doesn't take much exercise to help your brain stay mentally fit; 30 minutes of mild to moderate intensity exercise five days a week is enough. If we are able to leave our home or use a treadmill, a brisk walk for 30 minutes is truly a pick-me up treatment for our mind and body.

4.            Go outside:

So long as we can keep our physical distance (at least 2 meters/6 feet), getting outside and being active is an ideal way to exercise, but better yet, enjoying nature has many benefits to our overall wellbeing! Spending time in a greener environment appears to be an effective way to aid stress reduction. Although many public areas have been closed, there are numerous provincial parks and conservation areas that are open to the public across Canada. It is important to check for regular updates on what spaces are open or closed in your home town as this status continues to change regularly.  

5.            Schedule enjoyable, uplifting and fun time in your day:

Try to do something you enjoy every day! Binge watching our favorites on Netflix might initially be appealing, but you may end up feeling like it is not helping your brain to relax and reset, or maintain a sense of normalcy. This is an ideal time to take up a hobby you had always wanted to try.

It can be fun, uplifting and relaxing to create hand-made mail and care packages for family, especially those who live further away. Sites/apps such as Pinterest and Etsy can provide unique ideas for easy to make sentiments when feeling distant from loved ones has been tough. 

To brighten up your day, schedule time with family and friends to interact virtually using kid friendly apps like Zoom or House Party (which has built in games such as Trivia, Pictionary, Heads Up, and more). You can also choose an activity to do together virtually as a group.

6.            Learn more about mindfulness and meditation practices:

What is mindfulness and meditation? This is a great time to learn all about what it means and how it can be a huge asset to your wellbeing, especially during these challenging and rapidly changing times. 

7.            If in doubt, check it out:

Being informed can help alleviate our stress levels, but there are a couple of things to keep in mind in the process. Being selective about our information intake on COVID-19 can be helpful and it's important to be careful where we get our information. Go to reputable sources, such as the Public Health Agency of Canada, your provincial medical officer, or the World Health Organization as a start. If you hear something that sounds unreliable, check it out on Canada's public health resource. Please urge your family, friends and neighbors to do the same. A lack of accurate information is problematic for all of us.

8.            Helping others:

During times of isolation, uncertainty and stress, it can help to be of service to others during times like these. Check out the ways you can assist your local community or those abroad – possibly as a Macro Team!

9.            Coping with isolation:

Many of us are facing the disappointment of important social events and milestones being cancelled. You aren't alone in facing this new reality! Utilizing community resources, reaching out to your faith community, contacting our EFAP, making the most of technology that connects us with others, and practices like these will be helpful to us all.  

Fortunately, many businesses are providing safe and contactless delivery services to help us receive essentials such as medication, household supplies and groceries. Rexall and Sobeys are 2 examples of pharmacies that provide medication delivery services along with free medical consultation services. Visit https://www.rexalldirect.ca/ and https://sobeyspharmacy.com/pharmacy-services/ for more information.