Not all struggles are visible. In fact, we rarely know what the people we encounter daily are grappling with. It may be something minor—think a bad day or tiff with a loved one—but these small challenges can still make us feel isolated or misunderstood in the moment. We all know how frustrating that feeling is, and it’s unfortunately something that people with invisible disabilities experience regularly.
Understanding the ‘Invisible’
While disability is a complex term, it broadly refers to any condition or impairment that affects a person’s ability to participate fully in society, in part due to external barriers. Disabilities can be physical, mental or intellectual. They can exist from birth, develop later in life, range in severity and change over time. Recent survey findings show that approximately one in four Canadians aged 15 and older have at least one disability that impacts their daily life. Many are invisible disabilities—those that aren’t always outwardly apparent—like mental health conditions, pain disorders, chronic illnesses and mobility issues, among others. The symptoms and effects are very real for the person experiencing them, but often intangible to everyone else. Each October, Invisible Disabilities Week recognizes the prevalence of hidden disabilities, and serves as a reminder to everyone who has them: we see you, and we believe you. At Arcora, we understand that there’s much more to each of us than what can be seen on the surface, and our EAP counselling and supports reflect this.
Supporting Whole-person Well-being
Wellness encompasses several dimensions that are constantly interacting and influencing each other, and we tend to feel our best when there’s harmony between them. Even though the right ‘balance’ is unique to each of us, there are a few common ways we can all work to improve our overall well-being.
Get Good Rest
It’s well known that sleep is crucial for the recovery and functioning of our brains and bodies. However, one in three to four Canadian adults are not getting enough. Current guidelines recommend seven to nine hours a night, though individual needs vary. Many disabilities can be especially draining, increasing the amount of sleep and daily rest required. No matter the length of your ideal slumber, everyone can benefit from practicing good sleep hygiene, including a consistent routine and relaxing environment. If you’re experiencing ongoing troubles, Arcora’s EAP counselling can help—our network includes counselling professionals with experience addressing sleep issues and potential underlying causes, like anxiety or stress.
Nourish Your Body and Mind
Eating ‘healthy’ seems simple, but there’s more to it than just getting your daily servings of fruits and vegetables. Nutrition needs can vary widely from person to person. On top of this, many factors impact our eating habits, including our schedule, abilities and relationship with food, as well as the options readily available to us. There’s also an overwhelming amount of disinformation out there, which further complicates things. With nutritional guidance through Arcora, you can connect with a registered dietitian who will create a plan that suits your needs and lifestyle—whether you have specific wellness goals, are managing a chronic illness or simply want to improve your diet.
Prioritize Stress Management
While stress is inevitable, frequently experiencing it at high levels or for prolonged periods can have significant impacts. Some people are just more susceptible than others, but when it comes to health conditions, stress can become a tricky cycle: health concerns cause stress, and that stress exacerbates symptoms. We may not always be able to control our stressors, but we can work to control how they affect us. The first step to proactive stress management is taking care of your needs. Beyond sleep and nutrition, this includes regularly doing physical activity that you enjoy, taking any medication as prescribed and making time for intentional rest beyond bedtime.
Being aware of your mental and emotional well-being is also key. Through Arcora’s EAP, you have access to the Hugr mental health app, where you can keep track of your emotional, flourishing and energy levels over time, as you progress through a self-directed mental fitness plan. For more support, EAP counselling can help you build resilience and gain the skills to effectively manage personal or work-related stress in the long term.
Offering Inclusive Care
Systemic issues with accessibility continue to create barriers for people with disabilities. While there’s still much progress to be made, increased use of terms like neurodiversity and body diversity is helping more people recognize that, as humans, we’re complex and multifaceted beyond our views, experiences, backgrounds and identities—there are many ways for us to be and belong.
Arcora offers inclusive care that embraces individuality. Our services are carefully designed with real people in mind. Whatever challenges you’re experiencing, know that you can connect with us for accessible, goal-oriented support when you need it.
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