To promote meaningful engagement at the conference and enhance participant well-being over the course of the conference, you are encouraged to check in with yourself regularly to assess how you are feeling according to the ABCs of well-being:

Awareness – notice the internal signs that your level of engagement may be dwindling, or you are distracted.

• Notice if you feel unsettled and are having trouble concentrating
• Notice if you feel yourself being irritable, anxious, sleepy, or spacey
• Notice if you are ruminating (getting stuck on an idea/element of the content presented), projecting (ascribing your own feelings/experiences onto others); feeling the abrupt need to leave or isolate; feeling excessive anger or criticism towards the conference, the presenters, organizers/staff or fellow participants.  It is helpful to assess whether the intensity of your response feels understandable/appropriate to the circumstances or if the discussion/material presented may be triggering a more personal experience of stress/distress.
• Notice if you find yourself doing some of your common self-soothing activities more frequently (e.g., fidgeting, doodling). This may also indicate that you are experiencing stress/distress without you even consciously noticing.
• Notice physical and emotional responses that may occur outside of the conference hours that may include those listed above or others (trouble sleeping, changes in eating patterns, etc.)

Balance – give yourself permission to balance participation in the conference and other needs that may arise

Suggestions that you might find helpful to maintain your energy level, stay engaged, and feel more settled during the conference:

• Take time to settle comfortably (optimize your personal space as much as possible)
• Take mini breaks
• Keep yourself hydrated and eating well before and while participating in the daily events
• Engage in movement of any kind – standing, stretching, relocating, etc.
• Limit continuous stimulus
• Grounding exercises which are a great way to regain focus, and put your mind in an aware and receptive state (e.g., 5 things you can see, 4 things you can touch, 3 things that you can hear, 2 things that you can smell, 1 thing you can touch)
• Self-care e.g., baths, self-reflection, yoga, meditation, music, make space for laughter and fun.

Note:  As part of C2022’s well-being program, you can take part in free activities. See below for more details.

Connection – reflect on and set up a plan to get support from other conference colleagues, friends and family as needed; depending on levels of stress/distress and their duration, explore the option of formal support from a mental health professional.

Lastly, should you have a code of conduct concern during a C2022 session, you can either let the host know, a conference volunteer, or email us at conferencecommittee@evaluationcanada.ca. Our Code of Conduct lead is monitoring this email address throughout the conference.

Well-Being Events

These will be offered at no extra cost to conference attendees:

Guided Morning Run
With the assistance of two guides, participants of the morning run will lead through a scenic parkway path by the Red River. The run will be set at a comfortable pace (for example about 9:00-9:30 min pace and one slower!)  to ensure participants are able to engage in conversation and take in the sights along the way. Monday, June 13, 7:00am to 8:00am.

Guided Morning Yoga
An experienced teacher will guide the session to help participants focus on their breathing and help improve feelings of well-being.  A perfect way to energize your body and clear your mind with gentle movements and poses led by a certified yoga instructor. This is a unique session for anyone looking for a break from the hustle of the week or a gentle way to start the day for relaxation and stress relief. It is for everyone. Tuesday, June 14, 7:00am to 8:00am.

Guided Morning Walk
Please join one of the Co-Chairs, Ryan Catte, for a morning walk through downtown Winnipeg that will focus on engaging in conversation to help relax prior to the beginning of the final day of the conference. Wednesday, June 15, 7:00am to 8:00am.