Whenever someone changes to a healthier habit, they go through several stages of change. Knowing these stages can help you achieve your change goals. Pre-Contemplation: This is before you see it as a problem or are motivated to change it. / Contemplation: You are aware of the problem but still deciding whether to change. / Preparation: Willing to change and making plans. / Action: Do the plan. intentionally choose new habits. / Maintenance: Sustain the new habit with increasing less effort over time (6 months.) / Slip: Brief return to previous habits. Can happen anytime. It is a natural part of the process.

Do you know someone who thinks they are a “high-functioning alcoholic”? Alcoholism is progressive, so they are likely in the early stages. They won’t stay there forever. Over time, they will need to drink more to feel the same effects. This will progress until they are no longer “functioning” as they once were. The longer they wait to cut back or stop drinking, the harder it is to change. It is never too early to be aware of how alcohol or other drugs are affecting your life and start making changes.

Jordyn Burnouf says stewardship of land is a key piece of reconciliation and fighting climate change. “Conservation is a foundational tenet of Indigenous worldview,” she told CBC. “In Indigenous knowledge systems, you don’t take more than you need …that treaty was our promise to be stewards of the land.” She believes approaching the treaty with mutual recognition, mutual respect, and shared responsibility will play a key role in both reconciliation and the fight against climate change. Jordyn Burnouf is a member of the Black Lake First Nation, and she grew up in the Métis community of Île-à-la-Crosse.

If you are experiencing work-related stress, consider these strategies. Exercise regularly: This helps your body build resilience to stress. Focus on your breathing. Breathe slowly and evenly. Focus on what’s going on in your body as you inhale and exhale. Remember, what you are experiencing is temporary. Understand what you can and cannot control. Work on changing the things you can. Practice accepting the things you cannot change. You can still change how it affects you, and how you respond to it.

When you are ready to take back control of your life, we can help. SRWC has been helping people get and stay sober for 25 years. We are open-minded, non-judgmental, and we help people enter a life of recovery from substance use, addiction, and other mental health issues. We are a diverse group of professional staff and volunteers, committed to providing personalized, ongoing recovery support. Our groups, individual counselling and day or evening programs are designed to fit your schedule. SRWC is conveniently located in downtown Winnipeg, 225 Vaughan Street (2nd floor).

Hobbies are a great way to keep your mind engaged and prevent boredom. Activities that don’t require a lot of moving around include cooking, baking, birdwatching, knitting, crochet, indoor or container gardening, playing a musical instrument, or learning a language. Reading is also a fun way to spend time and keep your brain engaged whether you choose books, magazines, an e-reader, or listening to audiobooks. Organizing a book club with friends combines the joy of reading with socializing. What interests and hobbies did you have before that you might try again?

Did you know that your unique genetic profile can determine how your body processes certain medications? For some people, they may metabolize drugs too quickly and as a result, get little or no benefit from a particular medication. For other people, they may metabolize medications too slowly and as a result, have an increased risk of side effects. Genetic testing can help to personalize your treatment by using genetic information to customize drug therapy and the doses that work best for you. As your DNA does not change, the testing only needs to be performed one time.

The holiday season has begun and overwhelm is a reality for many. If you are juggling, work, anxiety around the pandemic, and family needs, a little bit of mindfulness can help us gain perspective. The science indicates just five minutes a day can help us be more focused, less stressed and less anxious. Try one of these three tips. One: take five minutes a day to just observe non-judgementally. Two: practice the 5/5 rule by noticing five things about each of your senses once a day. Three: Try uni-tasking (doing only ONE thing at a time) as much as possible. For free resources to cultivate a healthy culture at work, visit wellnessworkscanada.ca ~ Victoria Grainger, Wellness Works Canada