Workplace Wellness Toolkit by

We're Partnered With VHI!

laurendunican2 — 2024-02-12 11:40:34 UTC

This is a confidential service that provides you with easy access to confidential counselling and information services in coping with personal, work, financial or legal issues 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

We recognise that whilst most of the time we can depend on our own resourcefulness to cope with whatever comes our way, every now and then we may need a little help.

This link will bring you to the VHI Wellbeing log in hub, your log in details used daily will log you in.

laurendunican2 — 2024-02-12 11:47:11 UTC

Bike To Work Scheme

This scheme aims to encourage you to cycle to and from work. Under the scheme your employer can buy a bicycle and safety equipment for you. This benefit will not be taxable.

There are three limits, depending on the type of bicycle purchased.

€3,000 on cargo and ecargo bikes
€1.500 on pedelecs and ebikes
€1,250 for other bikes.

The above limits include related safety equipment.

We are partnered with Buckley Cycles, Athlone.

Please see link below:

https://www.buckleycycles.ie/services/cycle-to-work-scheme

What is Physical Health?

laurendunican2 — 2024-02-12 12:07:27 UTC

Regular physical activity is one of the most important things you can do for your health.

Being physically active can improve your brain health, help manage weight, reduce the risk of disease, strengthen bones and muscles, and improve your ability to do everyday activities.

What is Social Health?

laurendunican2 — 2024-02-12 12:12:38 UTC

Maintaining an optimal level of social wellness allows you to build healthy relationships with others.

Having a supportive social network allows you to develop assertive skills and become comfortable with who you are in social situations. Surrounding yourself with a positive social network increases your self-esteem.

What is Mental Health?

laurendunican2 — 2024-02-12 12:15:31 UTC

Mental health is a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community.

It is an integral component of health and well-being that underpins our individual and collective abilities to make decisions, build relationships and shape the world we live in. Mental health is a basic human right. And it is crucial to personal, community and socio-economic development.

Pains And Aches

laurendunican2 — 2024-02-12 12:39:36 UTC

Muscle aches and pains, also called myalgia, can be felt anywhere in the body where there is muscle tissue. Muscle pain usually affects a specific part of the body at a time. It often occurs after a particular movement or activity. Sometimes muscle pain can be more widespread and affect many parts of the body at once.

Here are some videos designed by HSE physiotherapists for individuals suffering with body aches and pains, with chronic conditions, including arthritis.

10 minute - Warm Up Exercises

laurendunican2 — 2024-02-12 13:02:27 UTC

The aim of this video is to raise your heart rate, get you breathing in that bit faster, and get your muscles and lungs primed for the next exercise video.

10 Minute - Upper Body Chair Exercises

laurendunican2 — 2024-02-12 13:03:00 UTC

This is an upper body exercise program consisting of 5 different upper body exercises that target different areas between the shoulders and arms.

Equipment needed:

500ml bottle of water
1l bottle of water
Walking stick / Handle of broom or mop

10 Minute - Gentle Exercise

laurendunican2 — 2024-02-12 13:03:19 UTC

The aim of this video is to get your heart rate up and get your body moving. It consists of 4 different exercises and repeating them 3 times.

10 Minute - Lower Body Resistance (Part 1)

laurendunican2 — 2024-02-12 13:03:42 UTC

Equipment Needed:

Chair
Walking stick / Handle of broom or mop

10 Minute - Lower Body Resistance (Part 2)

laurendunican2 — 2024-02-12 13:03:59 UTC

10 Minute - Cooldown Exercises

laurendunican2 — 2024-02-12 13:04:22 UTC

The aim of this video is to bring your heart rate back down to normal, and make your body feel nice and relaxed.

laurendunican2 — 2024-02-12 13:48:30 UTC

Specialist Mental Health Services

laurendunican2 — 2024-02-12 13:54:52 UTC

HSE LIVE - Guidance and support for navigating the Irish public health system - 1 800 700 700 | 8am-8pm Monday to Friday, and 10am-5pm on Saturdays | hselive@hse.ie

For a list of registered counsellors and pyschotherapists contact:

Irish Association for Counselling & Pyschotherapy www.iacp.ie
Irish Council for Pyschotherapy www.pyschotherapycouncil.ie

Seeking Help

laurendunican2 — 2024-02-12 14:01:06 UTC

The first step is to visit your GP who will be able to guide you on a range of helpful options available. It may be difficult, but asking for help is a sign of strength and can make a real difference.

There are also a number of voluntary organisations that can help you to tackle the causes of stress and advise on how best to manage stress.

Samaritans Ireland

The Samaritans telephone service is available 24 hours a day. For confidential, non-judgemental service support:

Freephone 116 123

Email jo@samaritans.ie

Visit www.samaritans.ie for details of your nearest branch.

Yourmentalhealth.ie

For advice, information and support about services for mental heallth and wellbeing go to:

www.yourmentalhealth.ie

HeadSpace App

laurendunican2 — 2024-02-12 14:44:54 UTC

Headspace provides a variety of meditation programs and courses tailored to different needs and goals, including stress reduction, anxiety management, focus and productivity, relationships, and personal growth. Each guided meditation session is accompanied by soothing music and calming voice, guiding users through mindfulness practices such as body scans, breathing exercises, and visualization techniques.

In addition to meditation, Headspace offers sleep meditations, bedtime stories for adults (Sleepcasts), mindful workouts, and mini-meditations (SOS sessions) for moments of stress or anxiety.

The app also features tracking tools to monitor progress, reminders to encourage regular practice, and themed meditation packs on specific topics like happiness, resilience, and creativity.

Stress Control Class

laurendunican2 — 2024-02-12 14:49:55 UTC

For many people, stress can include or be linked to feelings of anxiety or low mood.

The HSE's 'Stress Control' course can help you learn stress management skills.

This is a free course, no sign up or log in necessary. See link below:

https://stresscontrol.ie/

Upcoming Session Dates for March 2024

Session One: 9am Monday 4th
Session Two: 9am Monday 11th
Session Three: 9am Monday 18th
Session Four: 9am Monday 25th
Session Five: 9am Monday 1st April
Session Six: 9am Monday 8th

Pain and Aches Supports

laurendunican2 — 2024-02-12 14:59:17 UTC

Chronic Pain Ireland | 01 8047567.

The telephone support service is available 3 days a week (Tuesday, Thursday & Friday) from 9:30 am to 5 p.m.

Arthritis Ireland | 0818 252 846 | helpline@arthritisireland.ie

The telephone and email service is available Monday to Friday from 10am to 4p.m.

LUNCH & LEARN

laurendunican2 — 2024-02-12 15:50:49 UTC

What is Lunch&Learn?

laurendunican2 — 2024-02-12 15:53:15 UTC

Lunch & Learns are voluntary "meetings" that take place during lunch, and where food is provided by the employer.

laurendunican2 — 2024-02-12 15:55:56 UTC

Increasing dialogue amongst colleagues: Lunch-and-learns allow employees to mingle in a personal manner that's less common in formal meetings or training sessions.
Sharing knowledge and information: These meetings give employees the opportunity to share important information or offer advice and tips on industry best practices or professional skills.
Promoting teamwork: Since the speaker usually addresses all employees in attendance as part of the same team, these lunches can increase unity overall.
Boosting employee morale: Meeting informally with colleagues helps employees foster personal relationships at work.
Finding areas for growth: Meeting informally with colleagues helps leaders see where employees experience pain points or could use formal training to improve their professional skills.
Providing leadership opportunities: Employees of all ranks and in all departments can facilitate or lead a lunch-and-learn, which helps develop leadership skills.

laurendunican2 — 2024-02-12 15:57:58 UTC

Employee Assistance Programme

laurendunican2 — 2024-02-24 19:13:03 UTC