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UNIT 2OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH

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Occupational Health

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Dimensions of Personal Wellness

PhysicalEmotionalSocialIntellectualOccupationalSpiritualEnvironmentalFinancial

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Healthy Practices

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Lifestyle Choices

Nutrition

Physical Activity

Leisure and Rest

Other Risk Factors

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Nutrition

Food & eating patterns have a significant impact on healthUnderstand why, what & when you eatGood eating patterns incorporate Canada’s Food Guide’s 5 principlesDieting not recommended

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4 Components of Physical Fitness

1. Aerobic (Cardiovascular) Fitness

2. Flexibility

3. Strength

4. Endurance

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Leisure and Rest

Balance between need for meaningful work & need for leisure

Individual meaning

Sleep requirements: 7 – 8 hrs/night

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Reducing Other Risk Factors

Avoid smoking & second-hand smokeLimit consumption of alcohol Avoid illegal/street drugsExercise caution with Rx medsPractice safer sexHave regular medical & dental checkups

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Back Injury

Most common injury experienced by educators

To reduce the risk:Maintain 3 natural curves of the spineChange posture every few minutesGet regular physical activityDo stretching exercisesUse proper lifting techniques

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Work Place Injury Reports

The Need to Report

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Reporting Work Place Injuries

Staff have the right and responsibility to report any injury

A completed report in the staff file may be needed for a claim to the Workplace Safety And Insurance Board

Effects of any injury may not be known until later

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Injury reports can help track and prevent further injuries

Assists programs in reviewing proper safety training and modifying problem areas

Injury reports also help to implement practices that can help prevent injury

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Injury Report

The injury report used for children may also be used for staff

It is recommended that staff report their injury to their employer within 72 hours

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The Juggle StruggleThe Juggle Struggle

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Stress DefinedStress Defined

“The wear and tear on our bodies that is produced by the very process of living.”

Elkind, D. (1981) The Hurried Child. Don Mills, ON: Addison-Wesley Publishers

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STRESS IS NOT ALL BAD STRESS IS NOT ALL BAD BUT……BUT……Too much stress can effect:• Your physical health• Your emotional stability• Your relationships with people• Your ability to think clearly• Your sense of purpose in life

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The Stress Factors

Societal

Professional

Personal

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PERSONAL STRESS PERSONAL STRESS FACTORS FACTORS

Short-term example…Long-term example…

How we perceive and cope with personal stress depends on:

• Our personality• Tolerance level• Life experiences

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PROFESSIONAL STRESS PROFESSIONAL STRESS FACTORSFACTORS

• Demands of working with children and families

• Communication with co-workers• Lack of status of the profession• Low wages

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SOCIETAL STRESS SOCIETAL STRESS FACTORSFACTORS

• Expectations to hold down 2 jobs & “do it all”

• Discrimination• World of technology—feeling left

behind• Societal issues such as violence,

economy, etc.

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• Be aware of your reactions to stress• Reinforce positive self talk• Focus on your good qualities &

accomplishments• Avoid unnecessary competition• Develop assertive behaviours

Managing StressManaging Stress

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• Relax, have fun, get a hobby• Exercise regularly• Follow Canada’s Food Guide• Talk with someone about problems• Accept your limits! Set realistic goals• Use time wisely/avoid procrastination• Set priorities