Communities throughout Simcoe Muskoka will soon see a change related to the Good for Life program. The Ministry of Health Promotion is instituting a Healthy Communities Ontario initiative as a replacement for the Heart Health and FOCUS (alcohol and substance use prevention) projects effective January 2010. The Healthy Communities Ontario initiative will require an integrated community based approach for implementation of efforts to address multiple risk factors including physical activity, nutrition, tobacco use prevention, injury prevention, alcohol and substance misuse prevention and mental health, with an emphasis on policy development. This will be accomplished through establishing “Healthy Communities Partnerships” with participation from a wide variety of stakeholders. Stay tuned for more information on how this initiative will be rolled out in your community.
Good for Life is a community-based healthy lifestyle project in Simcoe County made up of partners who support, organize and advocate for initiatives that help local residents eat well, stay active, become smoke-free and check stress. These are lifestyle choices that will reduce the population’s risk of heart disease, stroke, Type 2 diabetes and some types of cancer. They will also help residents to feel good, have fun and enjoy life.
Eat well - You can't get away from it; you are what you eat. Eating healthy foods protects you from disease and keep you looking as good as you feel.
Keep active - When you get active it keeps your heart and body healthy. Even people with busy schedules can make time to get moving and enjoy life.
Be smoke free - Becoming smoke free is not easy, but it's not impossible! Become a non-smoker with a smoke-free home. Breathe easier and live well.
Check stress - Stress is no laughing matter, but laughing is a great way to relieve it. Find a balance to keep it in check. Relax, refresh, have fun.
