World Heart Day

World Heart Day

by | Aug 30, 2022 | Health Assessments, Uncategorised

Thursday 29th September 2022

Heart disease is the number one cause of death in Australia, claiming the life of one person every 12 minutes.  This equates to on average, 118 people dying of heart disease every day.

Did you know that three quarters of Australians are at risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD); with CVD affecting more than 4 million Australians?

This World Heart Day, (Thursday 29th September) do something to improve your heart health and reduce your chances of becoming a statistic.

World heart day is an international day that is used to raise public awareness of cardiovascular disease and the steps you can take to reduce your risk.  The focus is on prevention and their worldwide effect.

Heart disease is a broad term for conditions that affect the structure and function of the heart muscle.  It differs from cardiovascular disease as CVD includes all diseases of the heart and blood vessels.  (It includes any part of the cardiovascular system).

Risk factors for cardiovascular disease can be divided into two groups.  Modifiable and non-modifiable.  The Modifiable risk factors are ones that with changes to our lifestyle, can be improved.  These include:

  • Smoking
  • Lack of physical activity
  • Excessive alcohol consumption
  • Diet
  • Being overweight or obese
  • High blood pressure *
  • High cholesterol *

* Sometimes These risk factors can also be considered non-modifiable.

 Non modifiable risk factors are ones that we can’t change.  These include:

  • Family history (genetics)
  • Age
  • Ethnicity
  • Diabetes

The Heart Foundation recommends the below 10 steps to protect your heart:

  1. Follow a heart healthy eating program
  2. Move more
  3. Be smoke-free
  4. Maintain a healthy weight
  5. Drink less alcohol
  6. Reduce stress
  7. Manage your cholesterol
  8. Manage your blood pressure
  9. Manage your blood sugar
  10. See your GP for a Heart Health Check

What does healthy eating to protect your heart look like? 

We are told that healthy eating can improve our overall health and can also help protect our heart.  So, what does that look like?

Below are some recommendations from the Heart Foundation.

  • Enjoy a wide variety of fresh foods including vegetables, fruit and wholegrains

Fresh fruit and vegetables contain a variety of vitamins, minerals, fibre and antioxidants.  Whole grains are full of fibre and can help lower your cholesterol.

  • Include a variety of healthy protein-rich foods. (Plant-based proteins are better options).  These have been shown to reduce your risk of developing heart disease.
  • Include milk, yoghurt and cheese in your diet. (Choose healthier options with no added sugars or flavours.)
  • Include healthy fats and oils
  • Limit your use of salt. Use herbs and spices to flavour foods instead
  • Limit/reduce your intake of processed foods
  • Avoid over-eating.

To donate to The Heart Foundation, click here – https://donate.heartfoundation.org.au

Feeling more motivated?  Start preparing now for the Heart Foundations MyMarathon.  Registrations are now open for MyMarathon – The fundraising race where you set the pace. www.mymarathon.com.au

World Alzheimer’s Day

World Alzheimer’s Day

by | Aug 30, 2022 | Mental Health, Uncategorised, Workplace Education

Wednesday 21st September is World Alzheimer’s Day.

Alzheimer’s disease is a type of brain disorder that causes problems with memory, thinking and behaviour.  It is a gradually progressive condition.

Some people use the terms Alzheimer’s and Dementia interchangeably however they are not the same.   Dementia is the general term that is used to describe a group of symptoms that affects memory, thinking an interferes with daily life.  Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of Dementia, affecting up to 70% of all people with dementia but it’s not the only one. (Source: dementia.org.au (2021).

World Alzheimer’s Day highlights the importance of talking about Alzheimer’s, raising awareness of how it impacts the daily lives of people affected by the condition and challenge the stigma that surrounds it.

Symptoms:

  • Vagueness in daily conversation
  • Memory loss – Misplacing items
  • Taking longer or having trouble to do regular tasks
  • Forgetting well-known people or places
  • Difficulty processing questions & instructions
  • Decline in social skills and withdrawal from friends, family and community
  • Repetition – asking the same question several times
  • Increased confusion and disorientation
  • Apparent loss of enthusiasm for previously enjoyed activities
  • Difficulties with problem-solving
  • Trouble with speech or writing
  • Becoming disoriented about times or places
  • Mood and personality changes
  • Emotional unpredictability
  • Problems with short and long-term memory

Factors known to increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s include age, family history, genetics, head injuries and past head trauma.  There is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s, however there are treatments available that can slow progression and help manage the severity of your symptoms.

If you have been diagnosed and are still working, you will need to consider how Alzheimer’s will affect your work.  Some of the effects of Alzheimer’s on your work may include:

  • Difficulty communicating your thoughts
  • Trouble concentrating
  • Forgetting important meetings or appointments
  • Difficulty managing several tasks at one time
  • Losing confidence in work abilities
  • Feeling uncertain about making important decisions

It is important to seek guidance and support.

How can your workplace help support somebody in the workplace with Alzheimer’s?

Whilst it’s not often widely talked about, people suffering Alzheimer’s can still infact work and have a meaningful career.  The impact of Alzheimer’s not only affects the sufferer but also their caregivers.

If you have someone in your workplace that has Alzheimer’s or is a caregiver, you can help support them by:

  • Offering education to the staff to increase awareness
  • Promote conversations
  • Offer support and flexibilities
  • Offer caregivers benefits to juggle work & personal responsibilities
  • Address stigmas
  • Choose tasks fit for the person’s ability
  • Provide simple written instructions
  • Help limit distractions
  • Help plan daily activities
  • Show compassion
  • Provide ongoing support
  • Eliminate less meaningful job functions to enable focus on more important priorities
  • Divide large tasks into smaller tasks
  • Make reasonable adjustments
  • Encourage open dialogue
  • Provide memory aids (notes, reminders, to-do lists, calendars) and assistive technology
  • Employee and employers – work together
Migraine and Headache Awareness Week

Migraine and Headache Awareness Week

by | Aug 30, 2022 | Uncategorised, Workplace Education

The migraine and headache awareness week “Commit to Care” is this year being held from the 19th – 23rd September.

Most of us will experience a headache at some stage of our life.  Infact, headaches are one of the most common symptoms experienced by humans.  Migraines, (a more severe form of a headache) is more common than you may think.  It is estimated that 4.9 million Australia’s are currently suffering from migraines.  Whilst it’s obvious that a migraine has a massive impact on the individual suffering from it, it also has a significant economic impact.  “The total economic cost of migraine in Australia is $35.7 billion. This consists of $14.3 billion of health system costs; $16.3 billion of productivity costs; and $5.1 billion of other costs.”  (Source: Deloitte Access Economics – 2018)

What is a headache?
A headache is a very common condition that causes pain and discomfort in the head, scalp, or neck. Headaches can sometimes be mild, but in many cases, they can cause severe pain that makes it difficult to concentrate at work and perform other daily activities.

What is a migraine?
A migraine is a severe or intense pain in the head that is usually longer lasting than a headache.  Migraine sufferers frequently report throbbing pain that worsens with normal activity.”

What is the difference between a headache and a migraine?

Whilst some people use both terms interchangeably, there are noticeable difference between a headache and a migraine.  The main one being the severity of the pain.  There are also some other significant differences.

Headache

  • Mild, dull pressure/tightness
  • Distracting pain (not debilitating)
  • Steady ache
  • Mild to moderate pain
  • Short lived
  • Treatable with medicine, rest & water

Migraine

  • Pain on one side of the head (can be on both sides)
  • Moderate to severe pain
  • Intense pounding or throbbing pain
  • Steady ache
  • Nausea and dizziness
  • Sensitivity to light or sound
  • Aura before onset
  • Can last for days

What can cause a headache in the workplace? 

There are many factors in the workplace that that trigger a headache.  Some may require easy fixes while other factors make require long term changes.  Having a headache can significantly affect your productivity at work so it’s important you get them under control.

  1. Workplace stress
  2. Dehydration and/or caffeine withdrawal
  3. Prolonged exposure to computer screens
  4. Eye Strain
  5. Poor posture. Poor posture strains your muscles and can cause tension headaches
  6. Poor Nutrition
  7. Lack of sleep
  8. Exposure to odors and fragrances.

How to deal with a headache in the workplace
Usually, a headache does not require time off work. Headache sufferers can help themselves by practicing the following:

  • Identify the cause of the stress and then take steps to help reduce it
  • Regular breaks especially if work repetitive or using computers
  • Relaxation techniques to rid the body of tension and stress
  • Making the work environment as comfortable as possible.  (Seating, lighting, fresh air, reduce screen glare, etc.)
  • Varying position to avoid stiffness and tension
  • Communicating and keeping work informed so a colleague could stand in the event of a headache
  • Explaining their headaches to colleagues so they understand the necessity of time off from work
OCD and Anxiety Disorders

OCD and Anxiety Disorders

by | Aug 30, 2022 | Uncategorised, Workplace Education

OCD and anxiety disorders week (9-15th September)

Anxiety is the body’s natural reaction to dangerous, stressful, or unfamiliar situations.  Every one of us experiences anxiety from time to time.  It helps us to stay alert and aware and avoid danger.  It is normally short-lived, and the feelings subside after a short period of time.  Whilst it’s normal to feel a certain level of anxiety, for those suffering from an anxiety disorder, these feelings can be debilitating and can significantly impact their day-to-day life.

Anxiety disorders are the most common group of mental health conditions in Australia and affect 1 in 4 Australians at some stage in their life.  (Source: Healthdirect.gov.au)

OCD and anxiety disorders week first began in 2009.  It aims to share knowledge and reduce stigma around OCD and anxiety related disorders.

There are six different types of anxiety disorders:

  1. Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) – Frequently worrying and feeling anxious about several different things.
  2. Panic Disorder (PD) – Regular and unexpected panic attacks. (Periods of intense discomfort or fear.)
  3. Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) – Having a noticeable and constant fear of being criticised, embarrassed, or humiliated in one or more social or performance situations.
  4. Specific Phobia – Fear of a specific object or situation. Noticeable anxiety when exposed to a specific feared object or situation.  This often leads to avoidance.
  5. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – Develops following a traumatic event and is characterised by intrusive thoughts about the incident, recurrent distress/anxiety, increased physical and mental tension, distressing flashback, and avoidance of similar situations.
  6. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) – Ongoing unwanted/intrusive thoughts and fears that cause anxiety and compulsive behaviours. Although they may acknowledge these thoughts as insignificant, they often try to alleviate their anxiety by performing certain repetitive behaviours and rituals.

Symptoms

  • A sudden feeling of panic & fear (Panic attack) – (Feeling apprehensive or powerless)
  • Increased heart rate (racing heart)
  • Chest pain
  • Shortness of breath
  • Dizziness or lightheaded
  • Hot flashes (sweating) or chills (sudden trembling)
  • Cold or sweaty hands and/or feet
  • Numbness in the hands and/or feet
  • Uneasiness, nausea, or cramps (churning stomach or stomach-ache)
  • Memory problems – Difficulty concentrating
  • Sleep-related problems
  • Persistent, repeated, and unwanted thoughts
  • Obsessions and compulsions. Compulsive or ritualistic behaviour to get rid of the thoughts

Causes

The exact cause is not completely known or understood. It may be associated with:

  • Changes in the chemistry and functioning of the brain
  • Family history
  • Environmental factors and stress
  • Infections
  • Stressful and traumatic life events
  • Other mental illness/conditions
  • Physical health issues
  • Substance or alcohol use/abuse

It’s time to see your doctor or mental health professional if anxiety is impacting your everyday life.  This is the first step to getting the help and support you need.  If left untreated, anxiety disorders can lead to many complications and possibly life-threatening complications in severe cases.

R U OK? Day

R U OK? Day

by | Aug 30, 2022 | Uncategorised, Workplace Education

Thursday 08th September 2002 is national R U OK? Day.

We’ve all heard about and seen the advertisements about R U OK day, but do you really understand what it means?  It is more than just asking someone R U OK? on the day.  It goes beyond this.  It is a National Day of Action when Australian’s are reminded that not just on the 08th September, but every day is the day to ask, “R U OK?”  It’s never too early to start a meaningful conversation about suicide prevention and mental health.  It also encourages people going through difficult times, that it is ok to reach out and ask for help.

 

The key is to not wait until somebody is visibly distressed or in a crisis. Make it a point to ask your work colleague, family member or friend how they are really going.

 

What can you do in the workplace?

It is extremely important for workplaces to develop and nurture a workplace culture, free of stigma, by encouraging all staff to check in on each other especially if things don’t seem right.  People need to feel confident asking and answering this simple yet important question.  R U OK?  Managers need to be proactive in talking to their employee making sure they are ok.

Another step a workplace can take to help their employees with their mental health is to offer an Employee Assistance Program, (EAP).  Not only should a workplace have an EAP but this needs to be easily accessible to all staff.

If you are a workplace and looking for some fantastic resources to start the conversation visit: https://www.ruok.org.au/work

To help you recognise the signs of someone struggling with their mental health and encourage people to reach out we have compiled a list below.

Signs

  • Change in behaviour – confused, irrational, withdrawn, behaving recklessly, lack of concentration
  • Changes in mood – anxious, worried, moody
  • Overly concerned – future, burden, being trapped, negative thought patterns
  • Changes in appearance – hygiene, tiredness, restless
  • Lonely or lacking self-esteem
  • Losing interest in what they used to love
  • Changes in their life – relationship, health, work, stress, financial difficulty, loss of someone or something they care about.

Whether it be a close friend, family member or a work colleague, there are 4 steps that could change a life.

  1. Ask
  2. Listen
  3. Encourage action
  4. Check in

So, this R U OK? Day, connect with someone and help stop little problems turning into big problems.