A healthy lifestyle looks different for everyone but incorporating healthy habits into your daily life can lead to you feeling better mentally and physically. Being physically active, eating well, getting regular physical and dental check-ups and addressing health concerns early are components in living a healthy lifestyle.
Use the links below to explore the resources available:
The Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) is a confidential and voluntary support service to help you with solving issues related to personal life and other issues. Whether the problem is inter-personal such as child or elder care, seeking support for a personal medical condition or adjusting to job or personal responsibilities, EFAP can be a helpful service to address these challenges through a full range of support services.
All staff, faculty and their immediate family members can call EFAP toll-free 24 hours a day, seven days a week for immediate, confidential help. There is also an online portal with 24/7 access and resources on many topics.
Learn more about EFAP on the YU Link Page.
Explore dental care resources below:
- CDA – How to Find a Dentist
- Free or Low-Cost Dental Resources in the Toronto Region List of low-cost or free dental resources available in Toronto compiled by Unity Health.
Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices.
Explore mental health resources:
York's value meal program
- To support community members who dine on campus at different price points, York introduced a value meal program which ensures that community members can access healthy and exciting meal options with a two week cycle at a value price point. More information, including the menus catering to varying dietary needs may be found here: Value Meals | Food Services (yorku.ca)
Additional resources regarding nutrition and food access:
- 211Central is a helpline and webpage available to connect to the social services, programs and community supports including food access.
- Government of Canada: Canada Food Guide EN | FR
- Government of Canada: COVID-19 and Food Safety EN | FR
- Harvard Health Publishing: Eating to improve your mood and lower stress
- Unicef: Easy, affordable and healthy eating tips during the COVID-19 pandemic
Regular physical activity improves your health and well-being. It has benefits for all ages and abilities including reducing your risk of developing many chronic diseases, increasing your energy, improving your self-esteem, and improving your sleep.
Explore physical activity resources:
A free, secure and confidential service you can call or access online 24 hours a day, seven days a week to get health advice from a registered nurse or find health services or information. Visit the website to chat with a registered nurse, find a health service, check your symptoms, or learn more about medical terms or conditions. Call 811 or Toll-Free 1-866-797-0000 or Toll-free TTY line at 1-866-797-0007 to speak with a registered nurse. Services are available in English and French, with translation services available for other languages.
Additional resources for finding clinics and primary care providers:
Self-care is the ability of individuals, families and communities to promote health, prevent disease, maintain health, and cope with illness and disability with or without the support of a healthcare provider – World Health Organization.
Explore self-care resource below:
York is committed to supporting a healthy lifestyle for the university community.
Explore sexual health resources below:
City of Toronto: Sexual Health Clinics EN | FR
Services provided include birth control supplies and counselling, pregnancy testing, and testing for HIV and other STIs. The closest location to York U Keele Campus is at Black Creek Community Health Centre (Yorkgate Mall). In-person drop-in visits are available. No appointments required. Mondays & Tuesday 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Phone: 416-249-8000
City of Toronto's Sexual Health Infoline Ontario (SHILO) EN | FR
The Sexual Health Infoline Ontario (SHILO) is a free, anonymous and inclusive eChat and phone service for Ontario residents. This service is staffed by counsellors who provide information, support and referrals in English, French and other languages on sexual health topics.
Get information on sexual health, STIs, and reproductive health. Live chat available seven days a week.
Explore resources about sleep:
- Coping Better with Night Work: Interactive Web Tutorial EN | FR
- Public Health Agency of Canada: Are Canadian adults getting enough sleep? EN | FR
- TED Talk: Sleep is your super-power! (19 minutes, 3 seconds)
Harm Reduction Resources:
- York U’s Opioid Exposure Control Program: A Guide for the Safe Administration and Disposal of Intranasal Naloxone Hydrochloride (Narcan)
- Ontario Harm Reduction Network: The Ontario Harm Reduction Network (OHRN) supports harm reduction efforts in Ontario through various means.
- Toronto Public Health's The Works: A Harm Reduction Program for People Who Use Drugs EN | FR provides programs and services to reduce drug-related harm for people who use drugs, including preventing the spread of communicable diseases.
Smoking and Vaping Resources: