EAST HANTS: Do you wonder how you can get a better night’s sleep? Have you thought about the connection between what you eat and how you feel? Do you want to improve your strength but are not sure where to start? Are you looking for effective strategies to parent your teenager?
Nova Scotia Health is offering a variety of online wellness programs this fall for adults of all ages on healthy eating, physical activity, mental wellness, parenting, and reducing one’s health risks.
All of the sessions are free for anyone who lives within the province; a valid Nova Scotia health card is required to register.
“We have 30 wellness sessions that are offered at different times throughout the day, including some that are offered over the noon hour or in the evening,” said Tina McPhee, team lead, Community Health Teams, Nova Scotia Health. “We’ve been offering wellness sessions online since April, and have had really good participation so far.
“Our sessions are a great way for Nova Scotians to try something new from the comfort of their own home, and to learn new skills or information to help them improve or maintain their health.”
The wellness sessions are offered online in a friendly group setting using Zoom for Healthcare, and are facilitated by health care professionals, including dietitians, physiotherapists, social workers, and occupational therapists.
Most sessions are an hour in length, and generally consist of a presentation, followed by a moderated group discussion.
“I’ve learned something from each of the sessions that I have done so far … [and] it was easy to join the group online,” said a participant. “I really liked that I could participate from home at a time that worked for me. I’ve been recommending these sessions to my friends.”
Some of the online sessions consist of a series, such as Your Way to Wellness, which is a six-week program that helps people with ongoing health conditions, such as diabetes or arthritis, to overcome daily challenges, take action, and live a healthy life. This particular program is led by trained volunteers, most of whom have chronic conditions themselves.
Visit www.HealthyNovaScotia.ca to see a full list of the online wellness sessions available this fall and to register online.
