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Tag Archive for: Physical Activity

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COPING WITH COVID– Staying Active

FunctionAbility’s Elly Baker and Lynne Harford discuss staying active while working from home and review some helpful exercises to help keep you moving.


About the Expert:

Elly Baker is the Director of Physiotherapy Services at FunctionAbility. Previously to this role, Elly spent many years in the role of Physiotherapy Practice Leader at Toronto Rehab, University Health Network, as well as a physiotherapist on the inpatient, Acquired Brain Injury program. She has extensive experience helping individuals living with mild to complex neurological and orthopedic injuries and has special interests in concussion management and higher-level balance re-training post-traumatic brain injury.

Lynne Harford, BA, MSW, RSW, D.VATI is a Registered Social Worker, Director of Pediatrics and a Clinical Supervisor with The Social Work Consulting Group. She obtained a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Toronto and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Glendon College-York University. Prior to her university studies, Lynne pursued a career in business and received a Marketing Administration Diploma from Seneca College of Applied Arts and Technology. In 2013, Lynne achieved her designation of Art Therapist graduating with an advanced diploma in Art Therapy from the Vancouver Art Therapy Institute.

Lynne has had an extensive work history in both the private and public sectors. Prior to joining The Social Work Consulting Group in 2008, she was employed at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) where she spent five years providing clinical social work services to children and their families in the Trauma Program. Throughout her career, Lynne has been an active member in the larger community participating in various committees as well as presenting at a number of community-based, insurance and legal conferences. Other areas of specialization in which Lynne has focused and devoted her practice to include, acquired brain injury in children and youth, acute and chronic illness, domestic violence, separation/divorce and issues related to grief and loss. Lynne is both a therapist and advocate who is committed to enriching the lives of children and adults in the aftermath of physical and emotional trauma.

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Stay Active for Good Health No Matter Your Age or Ability

Being physically active is one of the most important things you can do for your mental, physical and cognitive health.  It is recommended that adults have 150 minutes per week of heart-pumping activity and the good news is that no matter your age or ability there are activities anyone can engage in.  Take a look at the following care of Participaction that provides some great resources on how anyone can be active.

Participaction:  Activity is for Everyone– How to Get Active at any Age or Ability

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The Relationship Between Physical Activity and Depression

We have talked a lot on our blog about the benefits of regular physical activity for your physical, cognitive and mental health.  Why?  Because quite simply, other than laughter, physical activity is the best medicine!  A study recently published in The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Psychiatry looks at the relationship between regular exercise and depression.  Learn more about this study here care of the New York Times.

The New York Times:  Exercise May Help to Fend Off Depression

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Adaptive Physical Activity Guidelines for Children with Disabilities

Participaction and the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology, have created a fantastic resource for parents of children with disabilities.  The Ability Toolkit’s purpose is to ensure that all children are meeting daily movement requirements.  The toolkit helps to break down what a healthy day should look like for children and youth and provides ways to modify and adapt activities for many physical disabilities.  Take a look at the Ability Toolkit here and if you’re struggling to find adapted physical activities for your child consult an Occupational Therapist who are experts in providing solutions for living.

The Ability Toolkit

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Safe Ways for Seniors to Remain Active in the Winter

Winter has fully arrived in Ontario bringing with it freezing cold temperatures, icy surfaces and lots of snow!  If you don’t enjoy any of the these, that’s okay.  Though you may not be able to safely or comfortably enjoy the great outdoors there are still great ways to remain active during the Winter season.  The following care of the McMaster Option Aging Portal discusses some great ways for seniors to stay active without the dangers that can arise when trying to brave the elements.

McMaster Optimal Aging Portal:  Four ways to stay active this winter

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O-Tip of the Week: Encourage Active Kids with “Build Your Best Day”

Our O-Tip of the week series we will be providing valuable “OT-Approved Life Hacks” to provide you with simple and helpful solutions for living. 

Spring has finally sprung and it’s time than to add some healthy activity to your life.  So, for the month of May our series will be providing tips to help you get physical!

We came across this great tool for helping kids ensure they are meeting physical activity, screen time, and sleep recommendations each day.  Check out Build your Best Day by Participaction to help kids find fun ways to get the 60 minutes of physical activity they need each and every day!

Participaction: Build Your Best Day

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O-Tip of the Week: Not Enough Exercise? Sneak it in!

Our O-Tip of the week series we will be providing valuable “OT-Approved Life Hacks” to provide you with simple and helpful solutions for living. 

Spring has finally sprung and it’s time to add some healthy activity to your life.  So, for the month of May, our series will be providing tips to help you get physical!

You don’t have to spend an hour each day at the gym to be active.  There are many ways you can “sneak exercise” into your busy day.  Some examples include:

  • Walking or biking to work
  • Taking a walking lunch or a walking meeting
  • Taking the stairs instead of the elevator
  • Parking a little further away so you can have a short walk
  • Walking every aisle in a store, instead of just the one you need

How do you “sneak” exercise into your day?  Share with us as we’d love to hear some new and fun ways to get moving! 

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O-Tip of the Week: Need Some Motivation? Phone a Friend!

Our O-Tip of the week series we will be providing valuable “OT-Approved Life Hacks” to provide you with simple and helpful solutions for living. 

Spring has finally sprung and it’s time to add some healthy activity to your life.  So, for the month of May, our series will be providing tips to help you get physical!

One of the best ways to get and stay motivated to be active is to exercise with a friend.  Find yourself a “workout buddy” to go to the gym or latest yoga class with, or to walk or run together.  Having a friend to exercise with can keep you determined and accountable!

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O-Tip of the Week: Time to Get Physical!

Our O-Tip of the week series we will be providing valuable “OT-Approved Life Hacks” to provide you with simple and helpful solutions for living. 

Spring has finally sprung and it’s a great time to add some healthy activity to your life.  So, for the month of May, our series will be providing tips to help you get physical!

When it comes to exercising regularly one of the biggest stumbling blocks for many is time.  Many find that there is no time in their busy and hectic lives to incorporate exercise.  So what’s the key to overcoming this obstacle?  Schedule it in!  Like you would schedule a meeting or an appointment, schedule in an hour or ½ hour daily for some sort of physical activity.