The Boost Your Health series returns with a new lineup of activities and events focusing on healthy living through disease prevention, eating right, exercise and stress reduction. From February through May, there is guaranteed to be something for everyone! Brought to you by the team of the McGill Health & Wellbeing Program for Faculty and Staff. Here's to a healthy and happy winter/spring!
February 8: Adopting a Heart Healthy Lifestyle to Prevent Cardiovascular Disease: What Really Works? with Dr. Steven Grover
Dr. Steven Grover, Professor of Medicine, McGill University, is the founding Director of the McGill Cardiovascular Health Improvement Program (CHIP). At CHIP, over 1000 teenagers and adults have learned how to make healthy lifestyle changes that really can make a difference in the prevention and treatment of heart disease, diabetes and obesity: while improving sleep, lowering stress levels and reducing the risk of depression. Learn how small changes in your daily habits can make a difference.
Date: Friday, February 8, 2013
Time: 12:15 pm - 1:15 pm
Location: Leacock 232
To register go here:
February 15: Chair Yoga with Lena Stuart
If you work at a desk all day, this form of yoga can be a great pick-me up and tension reliever. It is common to spend hours on your chair at your desk. As time slips by, neck, shoulder and back muscles tighten. If, every few hours, you take a few minutes to do some chair yoga poses and focus on your breathing, your mind and body will stay alert and flexible. Lena Stuart, McGill Athletics & Recreation, will demonstrate a series of yoga exercises you can do sitting at your desk that will rejuvenate you. Come give it a try!
Date: Friday, February 15
Time: 12:15 pm - 1:15 pm
Location: Presbyterian College
To register go here
February 22: Take Heart! with Wendy Wray
Did you know that heart disease is the most common cause of death for women in Canada, and that women are 16% more likely than men to die from a heart attack? According to Ms. Wendy Wray, RN, Founder of the Women’s Healthy Heart Initiative, the first a nurse-led heart disease prevention clinic in Canada, too many women still mistakenly believe that breast cancer is the greatest threat to their health while in reality it is heart disease. As a result, they may miss or dismiss the symptoms of a heart attack, delaying or not seeking medical help, potentially putting themselves at serious risk.
The Women’s Healthy Heart Initiative’s mission is to increase awareness, and prevent and treat heart disease in women. Ms. Wray will discuss how women are at risk for heart disease, the myths surrounding women’s heart disease, and because it is mainly a lifestyle disease, how they can reduce their risk. Ms. Wray will also explain why traditionally there has been so little awareness of women’s risk of heart disease, and the gender difference between men and women when it comes to heart attack symptoms.
Date: Friday, February 22
Time: 12:15 - 1:15 pm
Location: Leacock 232
To register go here
March 5 and 7: Healthy Cooking Demonstrations & Tasting with Chef Oliver Volpi
Healthy eating does not have to mean boring! A healthy diet involves consuming a wide range of whole foods, including vegetables, fruits, cereals, lean meat, fish, eggs, nuts and reduced fat dairy products. Enjoying a variety of foods from each of the food groups provides nutritional benefits that help you stay healthy, live longer and reduce the risk of developing lifestyle diseases. Chef Oliver of McGill’s Food & Dining Services will demonstrate how to cook a simple, tasty and healthy dish.
Date: Tuesday, March 5 and Thursday, March 7 (same menu)
Time: 12:15 pm (sharp) to 1:15 pm
Location: RVC cafeteria, 641 Sherbrooke
Cost: $10 - to cover the food (must be paid one week in advance)
Maximum number of participants: 15
For the complete menu click here: menu_for_chef_oliver_de_volpi_-_february_2013.docx
Sign up for either the March 5 or March 7 session. To register go here
March 15: “Best Food Forward: Plan Shop Cook Enjoy! with Stacey Yunger and Samantha Morielli (Macdonald Campus)
Canadians think they are eating well but research shows us otherwise. 'Dietitians of Canada' has found that 63% of Canadians struggle with making healthy food choices at least half of the time they shop. Nutrition Month 2013 is dedicated to helping Canadians put their best food forward when grocery shopping for healthy food. Stacey Yunger and Samantha Morielli from the School of Dietetics and Human Nutrition will provide you with valuable information to help you plan a healthy diet for you and your family and make wise food choices at the grocery store.
Date: Friday, March 15
Time: 12:15 pm - 1:15 pm
Location: Macdonald Campus, Room: Raymond 3-011
To register, go here
March 22: Healthy Eating, Healthy Aging! with Mireille Moreau (Downtown campus)
Aging is often associated with the development of one or more chronic diseases, but it doesn't have to be that way. As we age our relationship to food changes along with our bodies. When we are in our 20s we might not think twice about grabbing a fast food meal on the run; later in life, however, eating well and selecting the appropriate foods is key to reducing the risk of developing chronic health problems such as heart disease, diabetes,
hypertension or osteoporosis. Learn tips and tricks on how to defy aging with diet. Presented by Mireille Moreau, graduate student, School of Dietetics and Human Nutrition.
During this presentation we will look at some tips and tricks to:
• help you achieve a well-balanced diet according to Canada’s Food Guide
• understand the role of fibers in preventing and managing several chronic diseases
• understand superfoods and their benefits – antioxidants
• know how to read and understand food labels to help you make the best choice at the supermarket
Date: Friday, March 22
Time: 12:15 pm - 1:15 pm
Location: Downtown campus, Leacock 232
To register, go here
April 12: Building Brain Muscle with Dr. Jens Pruessner
Our brains, as much as our bodies, need exercise to stay healthy and fit. Learn how building your brain muscle can help protect you from neurodegenerative disease such as Alzheimer’s. Dr. Jens Pruessner, Director McGill Centre for Studies in Aging will talk about the PONDER (Prevention of Neurological Diseases in Everyone at Risk) project, a joint initiative between the Douglas Hospital Mental Health University Institute and the McGill Centre for Studies in Aging, offering free cognitive training to the general public (online game-like problems and puzzles to test memory, attention and spatial navigation), and explore how being mentally active can help ward off Alzheimer’s and other disorders. Dr. Jens Pruessner will also demonstrate one of the online games available so you can exercise your brain muscle!
Date: Friday,April 12
Time: 12:15 - 1:15 pm
Location: Leacock 232
To register, go here
April 26: Take a Hike! up Mount Royal
Spring is finally here! Why not take advantage of the warmer weather with a lunchtime walk on Mount Royal? We know that we should get 30 minutes of brisk exercise, at least 5 days a week. Being part of a group can give you just the motivation you need. The Health and Wellbeing team is organizing a walk up Mount Royal on Friday, April 26 starting at 12:15 pm. You can self-assign into one of two groups: “pause and smell the flowers”, or the “race you to the top!” group for faster paced walkers.
Date: Friday, April 26
Time: 12:15 - 1:15 pm.
Meeting Place: McTavish Gates opposite 3480 McTavish. We leave at 12:15 pm sharp. You can also meet us 10 minutes later (12:25 pm) at the entrance to the park at the corner of Peel.
Lace up your walking shoes and bring some water!
In the event of rain,the walk will be postponed to a later date.
To register go here
May 1: Gardening 101 (Macdonald Campus)
May 9: Gardening 101 (Downtown Campus)
Have you always dreamed of planting a garden but were not not quite sure where or how to start? Maybe you don’t think you have a green thumb. Gardening is one of the most relaxing and rewarding activities you can find. Christie-Anna Lovat, M.Sc. Candidate, Plant Science Department, will present basic gardening tips and advice to get you started in the right direction.
During this presentation, you will learn:
- The importance of soil quality
- The importance of sticking to sunlight recommendations
- The do’s and don’ts of fertilizing
- Tips for removing the most stubborn garden weeds
- Preparing your garden in the spring and fall
- Plant recommendations for sun, shade
- Fun edible perennials
Whether you are a gardening novice or the seasoned pro, you are bound to gain inspiration for growing a thriving garden!
Macdonald campus:
Date: WEDNESDAY, May 1
Time: 12:15 - 1:15 pm
Location: Faculty Lounge, Macdonald Stewart Building
To register for the Macdonald campus session go here
Downtown campus:
Date: THURSDAY, May 9
Time: 12:15pm - 1:15pm
Location: Leacock 232
To register for the Downtown campus session, go here
May 10: Ovarian Cancer: Knowledge is Power! with Monique Beaupré-Lazure (Ovarian Cancer Canada)
Did you know?- A pap test does NOT detect ovarian cancer.
- Ovarian cancer is the most fatal gynecologic cancer.
- 2,600 Canadian women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer each year and 1,750 die annually
Learn about the signs, symptoms and risk factors of ovarian cancer with Monique Beaupré-Lazure, Quebec Regional Manager, Ovarian Cancer Canada. Ovarian cancer is extremely hard to detect. Until there is a reliable early detection test, the best tool is ensuring that everyone is familiar with the disease and is highly motivated to share the information with their friends and family.
Date: Friday, May 10
Time: 12:15 pm - 1:15 pm
Location: Leacock 232
To register, go here