Small signals, big impact: Rethinking everyday health

July 2, 2026 | 5 min read

For many Canadians, showing up to work is a given. Deadlines are met, calendars stay full, and responsibilities are handled. On the surface, everything appears fine.

But small signals -- like fatigue, stress, or difficulty concentrating -- often tell a different story. These early signs of strain may feel manageable in the moment, but over time they can affect wellbeing, resilience, and, in some cases, long-term health.

The key takeaway: those early signals are also an opportunity. With the right support and small, consistent changes, it’s possible to course-correct before challenges grow.

Data from Manulife Canada’s The Wellness Report reinforces this view, highlighting just how common these in-between moments of “struggling, but still coping” really are.

One of the most telling insights from The Wellness Report, based on responses from nearly 4,700 employees across 159 organizations, is the gap between absence and impairment. While absenteeism accounts for about 3% of time lost, a much larger share -- 19% -- is affected by reduced productivity linked to factors like stress, burnout, and fatigue. Together, these impacts add up to roughly 46 days per year. 

“Losing the equivalent of 46 working days per employee isn’t just a productivity issue,” says Ashesh Desai, Head of Group Benefits at Manulife Canada, “it tells us people are struggling in ways we don’t always see.”

These are the moments where prevention matters most -- when challenges are still manageable and support can make a meaningful difference.

The data also points to a disconnect between perception and experience, particularly for mental health. While 93% of respondents rate their overall mental health as “good,” a closer look at specific indicators reveals that many are still experiencing challenges.

In other words, many people feel “fine” while also experiencing early signs of strain.

“Stress builds up differently for different people, so warning signs will vary,” says Dr. Claire Harrigan, psychiatrist with Cleveland Clinic Canada, which is medical director for Group Benefits at Manulife.

 In the 2025 data, those warning signs show up in several ways, including:

• 19% reporting mental fatigue
• 16% saying their mental health limits their ability to work
• 9% being unable to work at times due to mental health challenges

These findings reinforce an important idea: Wellness isn’t defined by the absence of crisis. It’s about how we feel day to day; and noticing when something starts to shift.

A similar pattern shows up in physical health. While many people understand the importance of staying active, 52% of respondents are not meeting recommended activity guidelines. Of those, 32% cite lack of time as the main barrier. Being less active day-to-day can impact how we feel overall, our energy levels, and even our mood and cognition.

This isn’t simply about motivation. It reflects the realities of busy schedules, competing priorities, and the many demands on our time.

Over time, being less active can add up and affect how we feel in the workplace, contributing to physical strain such as back and neck pain, or impacting focus, thinking processes and decision-making.

Again, these are early signals that we might need to take some steps to course-correct. And they point to the value of realistic, sustainable approaches to prevention.

An encouraging takeaway is that improving everyday well-being doesn’t require dramatic changes. In fact, the most effective habits are often simple, consistent, and built into daily routines.

“We often think about health as a long-term investment,” says Dr. Michelle Roseman, primary care physician with Cleveland Clinic Canada. “However, many of the actions we can take to stay healthy long-term can also help us to feel better today.”

Some simple, but helpful, steps that people can consider include:

• taking short breaks to reset during the day;
• incorporating brief periods of movement into daily routines;
• prioritizing sleep where possible;
• reaching out for support early, rather than waiting for challenges to escalate.

For those with workplace benefits, tools like mental health support, virtual care, and Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) are designed to make early action easier. Using support doesn’t require a crisis, and it can be most effective before one develops.

The findings point to a simple but important shift: don’t wait until something feels serious to take action.

Feeling off, even in small ways, is often the first signal that something needs attention. And those moments are an opportunity to make small changes that support both mental and physical health.

By recognizing these early signs and taking manageable steps, people can build stronger habits, improve day-to-day wellbeing, and reduce the need to simply “push through.”

Over time, those small actions can add up to a meaningful difference in how we feel, function, and stay well.