Taking care of your wellbeing with Alicia Ali

“While working in health care is so rewarding to our diverse population of health-care workers, it’s no secret that it can be very taxing on their health and wellbeing. Finding a career focused on the wellbeing of my health-care colleagues feels like a dream come true for me.”

Alicia Ali was raised by a single mom who worked overtime as a nurse almost every week at different hospitals and personal care homes in Winnipeg. This experience offered her an early look at how rewarding a career in health care can be – but also the significant impacts it can have on mental health and stress without the space and tools available to prioritize personal wellbeing.

Ali now channels this understanding into her work as a workplace wellness consultant at St. Boniface Hospital (SBH), where she focuses on helping health care workers at SBH achieve a “harmonious balance” with their wellbeing.

“Wellbeing, to me, means a holistic state of balance and fulfillment in various aspects of life—physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, financial and social. It involves feeling healthy and resilient, having a sense of purpose and meaningful connections with others, along with the ability to manage stress effectively.”

Ali knows that in fast-paced and, often, stressful health-care environments, staff wellbeing often benefits from having the tools or resources needed to grow, adapt and thrive.

“Workplace wellness is not just an initiative but a vital part of creating a sustainable, healthy and thriving health-care environment. When health-care professionals are well-supported, they can perform at their best, creating a positive impact on both their own lives and the lives of those they care for.”

Since Ali started in this role, she has worked on a number of staff wellbeing programs including collaborative initiatives with the St. Boniface Hospital Foundation focused on staff wellness such as a subscription access to the Calm App and future plans for a room dedicated to staff wellbeing.

These programs have had a demonstrable impact at SBH since launch, achievements that Jordan Forbes, Chief Human Resources Officer at SBH, credits to Ali’s passion for wellbeing.

“Alicia’s motivation and enthusiasm when it comes to wellbeing is evident by her understanding of what wellbeing is and that culture change is at the center of ensuring a healthy workplace,” said Forbes.

“Psychological wellness and safety are equally important,” he said. “The programming and initiatives that Alicia has rolled out is a testament to her passion for wellbeing and understanding that our path forward isn’t just about physical wellness.”

For those looking to improve their wellbeing, Ali offers some practical advice:

Connect with others. Find time to unplug from technology and take focused time with your friends, family and loved ones.

Prioritize self-care. Take breaks when you can, practice good posture and incorporate movement, like walking or stretching, throughout the day.

It’s also important to manage your mental health and stress levels by finding a balance of work and life that works for you.