Healthy Lifestyle Resources

Exercise/Movement

Ottawa Outdoor Club

The Ottawa Outdoor Club organizes daytime, evening, and multi-day, environmentally-sound, outdoor recreational activities year-round at minimal cost for residents of and visitors to the Ottawa and Gatineau communities. Check out their website if you have an interest in:

 

  • Biking
  • Canoeing
  • Hiking
  • Skating
  • Skiing
  • Snowshoeing
  • Walking
  • Social activities

Running Groups in Ottawa

If you’re interested in running and would benefit from doing it with others, Meetup has a list of Ottawa and area running groups. Maybe you’re looking for accountability or maybe you’d love to turn running into a social event. Whatever your reason might be, this is a great place to start!

Motivated (Podcast by ABC Radio)

Motivated is an upbeat podcast for people who simply want to learn more about health, nutrition, and wellness. During the episodes, Schiavocampo interviews fitness experts and doctors about interesting health trends. 

The Ultimate "Deskercise" Routine (Healthline)

A collection of easy to follow tutorials to work out those computer kinks!

The Ultimate "Deskercise" Routine (Healthline)

A collection of easy to follow tutorials to work out those computer kinks!

Moving Through the Winter (Podcast by Stitcher with Katy Bowman)

It’s hard to feel motivated to exercise outside during the winter months. In this podcast episode, learn why it matters not only that you get outside, but that you move outside. They also share tips and tricks for getting the entire household moving before you all feel a case of cabin fever take hold!

Mental Health/Meditation/Mindfulness

The following are a listing of meditation/mindfulness resources in the Ottawa area.

Centre for Mindfulness Studies

Do you experience moderate anxiety or depression or have a history of depression?

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) might be a great fit for you. MBCT is an evidence-based group therapy for preventing depressive relapse. It also reduces acute depression, anxiety and stress. The Centre for mindfulness studies can help you to learn to manage anxiety & prevent the relapse of depression.

Simply Meditation

Simply Meditation offers free meditation workshops, kirtan, yoga asana classes, day retreats, and other activities in the Ottawa, Gatineau, and Wakefield areas.

The casual, welcoming atmosphere is a great place to make new friends.

Metta Movement and Meditation Studio

The Metta Movement and Meditation Studio devotes itself to bringing the genuine elation of authentic, natural movement, along with the joyful bliss of mindful meditation, to the people of Hintonburg and beyond.

Ottawa Shambala Meditation Centre

The Ottawa Shambhala Meditation Centre is part of a global community that aspires to awaken kindness, goodness and wisdom within society. This vision is rooted in the principle that every human being has a fundamental nature of basic goodness.

Nutrition

Ottawa Lifestyle Medicine

Are you interested in harnessing the power to prevent, treat or reverse chronic illness through nutrition & other daily activities? Ottawa Lifestyle Medicine may be exactly what you’re looking for.

«Services covered by OHIP»

Whole Health Services

Cathy Cochrane’s holistic approach to nutrition is refreshing. If you are interested in digging deeper where your food journey is concerned and come out of it feeling nourished in your body, your soul, and in your life, we encourage you to reach out to Whole Health Services for a consultation.

Cathy also works out of the Ottawa Integrative Health Center.

Ottawa Farmer's Market

The Ottawa Farmer’s Market offers a market in 4 convenient locations across the city!

  • Lansdowne
  • Westboro
  • Orleans
  • Barrhaven
We’ve linked you straight to the “what’s in season page” so you can see exactly which foods are in season & when, but there’s a ton of other information on this site.

Seasonal

Everything You Need to Know About Vitamin D

Living in the northern hemisphere means that we struggle to keep our vitamin D levels at an optimal level, especially as the winter lingers on. This article tells you:

 

  • Why vitamin D is so important
  • 3 ways to get vitamin D
  • Spells out how much you need based on your unique circumstances
  • Just how much we can take in before worrying about toxicity

Avoiding Back Pain or Injury When Shoveling (Alberta Chiro)

Take 30 seconds to learn these important snow shovelling tips for keeping your back healthy and injury free!

How to Stay Healthy During Cold & Flu Season (Dr. Axe)

Tips & tricks to help you stay healthy during the cold & flu season. Plus, ways to treat when you do get sick.

Predominant Pollen & Spores in Ottawa

Be better prepared for the seasonal allergy season by knowing when particular pollen & spores are at their peak in the Ottawa area. If you use their app you can join their pollen forecast alert program to be really in the know!

10 Alternatives To New Year’s Resolutions (Sam Laura Brown)

These alternatives to traditional new year’s resolutions are sure to provide you with inspiration for ways to work towards your health, wellness & personal goals.

Extreme Heat (Government of Canada)

An excellent overview on the effects of heat exposure and safety tips you can follow.

7 Strategies for a Happy, Healthy Holiday Season (Chopra Center)

We care deeply about your overwell wellness & stress will wreak havoc on our well-being. Because the holiday season can turn into a source of heightened stress, we’re bringing you a great list of strategies you can use to take care of yourself around this time of year.