5 Ways to Well-Being:
The COVID-19 pandemic highlights an important time to focus on your mental health and well-being.
Connect! Talk and listen. Be there. Feel connected.
Practicing physical distancing can be difficult and may affect your mental health. It may leave you feeling lonely. Be sure to stay connected with your family, friends and colleagues. Building connections will support and enrich you every day. Use video chat, telephone, email or text to stay connected and to give and receive support during this tough time.
Take notice! Appreciate the simple things that give you joy.
Be curious. Notice the beauty of nature, and the little things that surround you. Savour the moment. Be aware of the world around you and what you are feeling.
Notice the feeling of the breeze on your skin or the sunshine on your face or the laughter of your child or the playfulness of your pet. Focus on your breath or the sounds around you. By taking notice of these experiences, you will appreciate what matters to you.
Keep Learning! Embrace new experiences. See opportunities. Surprise yourself.
Try something new. Sign up for an on-line
course or improve a skill you already have. Read a book, learn to play a new card game with those you live with or cook a new dish. Set a challenge that you will enjoy achieving.
Be active! Move your mood. Do what you can. Enjoy what you do.
Although in person group classes and going to the gym is no longer an option,
there are plenty or ways to remain active while physically distancing yourself. Go for a walk or run. Step outside. Cycle. Play a game. Dance. Join an online group workout. Exercising makes you feel good, so find the activity that you enjoy and get moving.
Give! Your time. Your words. Your Support.
Provide virtual support to loved ones and friends. If you can afford it, donate to a 
local food bank. If you are healthy, offer to do groceries or pick up medications for individuals who are at high risk of COVID-19 complications that should remain home. See yourself and your happiness linked to others.
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YOU ARE NOT ALONE! HELP IS AVAILABLE!
Telehealth Ontario 1-866-797-0000
Hornepayne Community Hospital 1-807-868-2442
Porcupine Health Unit 1-800-461-1818
Hearst – Kapuskasing – Smooth Rock Falls Counselling 1-705-372-1933
Kids Help Phone 1-800-668-6868
Bounce Back 1-866-345-0224
Free skill-building program managed by the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA)
1-866-531-2600
Addiction, Mental Health, and Problem Gambling Treatment Services
Good2Talk 1-866-925-5454
Distress and Crisis Ontario 1-416-486-2242
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255
Addictions and Mental Health Ontario 1-416-490-8900
Available for download at the App Store:
Calm - #1 App for Sleep, Meditation and Relaxation
Head Space – App offers meditations, sleep, and movement exercises
