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Living a healthy lifestyle
What is lifestyle management and how can it support my wellness?
Lifestyle management means choosing realistic actions to prevent illness, promote self-care and increase healthy behaviours. Healthy behaviours can include everything from nutrition, going for walks, or managing a budget. It can even be as simple as changing your environment like getting outside once a day or bringing a new plant into your home.
Lifestyle management can look different to everyone. But no matter what that looks like for you, it begins with gradual change, incorporating healthier behaviours one day at a time until you achieve your best state of wellness. So go easy on yourself—healthy habits come with time and practice.
What is lifestyle management and how can it support my wellness?
Lifestyle management means choosing realistic actions to prevent illness, promote self-care and increase healthy behaviours. Healthy behaviours can include everything from nutrition, going for walks, or managing a budget. It can even be as simple as changing your environment like getting outside once a day or bringing a new plant into your home..
Lifestyle management can look different to everyone. But no matter what that looks like for you, it begins with gradual change, incorporating healthier behaviours one day at a time until you achieve your best state of wellness. So go easy on yourself—healthy habits come with time and practice.
The World Health Organization estimates at least 80% of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and 40% of all cancers are preventable through lifestyle management.1
Approximately four in five Canadian adults have at least one chronic disease risk factor that can be changed.1
Adopting just one healthy lifestyle habit can extend life expectancy by two years.2
What factors contribute to my wellness?
Wellness is influenced by many factors, such as personal health practices, social support networks and even working conditions. All of these factors, some of which are within our control and others influenced by our social conditions, impact the well-being of people and communities. At Alberta Blue Cross®, we want to help simplify wellness, which is why we have focused our initiatives around four key areas of wellness: physical, mental, social and financial. Each of which plays a role in our overall well-being.
Adopting healthy habits, such as eating nutritious foods, getting enough sleep, maintaining your social connections and managing your budget all enhance your wellness.
Making wellness accessible for all
We recognize the importance of making healthy choices accessible for all and we are committed to creating supports, programs, products and services that help our employees, customers and communities live their best lives no matter where they are on their wellness journey.
Remember, wellness is personal and will look different for everyone. It is important to achieve an authentic balance on which areas of wellness best support your goals and align with your values.
Take charge of your wellness by understanding each of the four key action areas of wellness below and how they can help you build a strong foundation for living your best life.
Finding Balance®
Check out Balance®, our online wellness program that provides Alberta Blue Cross® members with personalized health and wellness support so they can focus on what matters most.
Physical wellness
—taking care of your whole body to be healthy in the present and stay healthy in the future.
How the Balance® program can support your physical wellness
As an Alberta Blue Cross® member you can take the next step in your fitness journey with hundreds of resources from Canadian experts on nutrition and movement as well as tools to track your steps and sleep, monitor your blood sugar, cholesterol and more. Engage in fun and interactive challenges to improve your physical health.
Public resources
Healthy living resources from Alberta Health Services.
Learn about healthy food choices, mindful eating habits, recipes, tips and resources.
Learn more about Prescription to Get Active and find fitness activities that suit your lifestyle and help you get moving.
Mental wellness
—looking after your emotional and psychological well-being to help you manage life's challenges and stressors and develop resilience.
How the Balance® program can support your mental wellness
Balance®, our online wellness program for Alberta Blue Cross® members, can help grow your understanding of your mental health with interactive challenges and resources, informing what impacts your mental well-being. Learn from Canadian experts on managing stress, depression, anxiety, loneliness and many other mental health related topics.
Public resources
Stronger Minds by MindBeacon provides wellness resources, cognitive behavioural supports, and insightful blogs on such topics as stress and anxiety, mind and body and relationships.
Learn how mindfulness can support your mental wellness.
Find resources, support and benefit information for mental health.
Social wellness
—building and maintaining positive relationships and support networks with family, friends and the people in your communities.
How the Balance® program can support your social wellness
Learn how to build a social support network, manage caregiver relationships or how to communicate effectively in your workplace. Try a 30-day challenge on 'Connecting with Friends and Family' on Balance®, our online wellness program for Alberta Blue Cross® members, and receive email tips and creative ideas for building your support network.
Public resources
Find pathways for volunteerism and civic engagement in Alberta.
Use this resource to assess and build your social support network.
Connect to your community through the Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues. Find your local community league and learn how they support the unique needs of Edmonton residents through programs, amenities and community advocacy.
Discover Calgary with the Federation of Calgary Communities. Find community associations and other non-profit organizations near you that work to bring neighbours together and build a sense of community in Calgary.
Financial wellness
—being able to meet current and ongoing financial needs and having the security to make financial choices, which allow you to enjoy your life.
How the Balance® program can support your financial wellness
Learn from Canadian experts about budgeting, credit, debt, retirement and more. Track your savings and sign up for fun and interactive challenges to improve your financial outlook.
Public resources
A free resource full of financial topics such as budgeting, banking, credit reports and more to help you take charge of your finances.
Receive credit counselling, budgeting help and debt consolidation options.
Financial help for Albertans who don’t have resources to meet their basic needs, such as food, clothing and shelter. Provided by the Government of Alberta.
1-866-644-5135Alberta debt relief and financial education.
Balance® is a registered mark of the Canadian Association of Blue Cross Plans, an association of independent Blue Cross plans.
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[1] Public Health Agency of Canada. How healthy are Canadians? Available at: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/healthy-living/how-healthy-canadians.html..
[2] Monique Tello. Healthy lifestyle: 5 keys to a longer life. Available at: https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/healthy-lifestyle-5-keys-to-a-longer-life-2018070514186