Category: Emotional Wellness

Emotional Wellness is the ability to understand ourselves and cope with the challenges life can bring. The ability to acknowledge and share feelings of anger, fear, sadness, or stress; hope, love, joy, and happiness in a productive manner contributes to our Emotional Wellness.

Good-For-You Giggles

Did you know that laughter offers health benefits? We’re not kidding.

GOOD-FOR-YOU GIGGLES
Research shows that laughter may:

  • Strengthen your immune system
  • Lower your blood pressure
  • Decrease inflammation
  • Enhance your memory

EMBRACING HUMOR IN TOUGH TIMES
We know that belly laughs may not be at the top of your priority list right now. But that may be even more reason to seek out humor.

Studies show that humor and laughter can:

  • Reduce stress
  • Improve your resilience
  • Boost your mood
  • Help you cope with difficult situations

JOIN US FOR A SELF-CARE BOOST CHUCKLE
Well Wisconsin Self-Care BoostThis week, we have something to make you laugh: Kristi Mulcahey talks with Wisconsin native and comedian Charlie Berens. Click here or on the link below to watch the video.

 

WATCH HERE AND LAUGH

Want more giggles? Here are a couple more of Charlie’s videos that hit pretty close to home:

QUESTIONS? Contact the StayWell HelpLine at 800-821-6591 or wellwisconsin@staywell.com.

Source: The StayWell Company, LLC

Looking for calm? Try the virtual reality meditation app from StayWell

We all need a little calm in our lives. Especially with everything going on right now.

That’s why we’re pleased to offer you access to Provata VR, a FREE virtual reality meditation app.

‘WHAT’S A VIRTUAL REALITY MEDITATION APP?’
It’s a mobile application that guides you through short meditations. These include audio tracks and peaceful visuals.

‘WHY WOULD I WANT TO MEDITATE?’
Because meditation can help you:

  • Reduce stress
  • Improve focus
  • Lower blood pressure
  • Reduce risk for stroke and heart attack

And it’s really easy.

The guided meditations help you to slow down and be mindful about your thoughts and your body. You can start with a two-minute guided body scan, or you can choose longer meditations.

‘WHAT DOES A VIRTUAL MEDITATION LOOK LIKE?’
Get a preview by watching this video.

‘HOW DO I GET THE APP?’
You’ll need a new wellwisconsin.staywell.com account set up for 2020, so set one up if you haven’t already.

Then, follow these steps, using your smartphone or tablet:

  • Search for “Provata VR” in the App Store or on Google Play.
  • Download the app.
  • Create your account, using the same email address and password used for your Well Wisconsin account.

‘WHAT OTHER STRESS-RELIEF RESOURCES ARE THERE?’
Well Wisconsin has several tools and resources that can help with your emotional well-being.

The Resources section has e-learning modules such as:

  • Meditation & Relaxation
  • Depression
  • Stress Management

And since emotional well-being is so closely tied with physical, financial and social well-being, we’d encourage you to explore all the tools and resources available at wellwisconsin.staywell.com or on the My StayWell app.

JOIN US FOR A WELL WISCONSIN SELF-CARE BOOST
Well Wisconsin Self-Care BoostAs our stress levels rise during this uncertain time, we’ll talk about why meditation is important for reducing stress. Then we’ll walk you through a 20-minute guided meditation.

Click here or on the button below to get started and use the password 3H$$1#!2.

LISTEN HERE

How about a good laugh next week? We will be interviewing Charlie Berens from the Manitowoc Minute and watching some of his videos.

QUESTIONS? Contact the StayWell HelpLine at 800-821-6591 or wellwisconsin@staywell.com.

Can five minutes a day help? YES.
See whether you can dedicate five minutes every day this week to slow down or reset. You just may notice a big change.

Source: The StayWell Company, LLC

Coping with Kids and COVID-19 Webinar

Our Employee Assistance Program provider, FEI, is offering a free webinar on Coping with Kids and COVID-19.

Due to COVID-19, parents and kids have been put into a position of continual family time. While not all bad, it can increase stress for the whole family. This webinar is designed to provide insight into what the stress is doing to our brains, behavior, and communication. We’ll discuss ideas to help everyone feel safe and offer strategies for parental self-care.

Two webinar dates available – pick which works best for you:

Please check out the UW System Employee Well-Being webpage (https://www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/well-being/webinars/), which has a list of upcoming webinars, including FEI’s pre-recorded webinar on the topic of How to handle change during COVID-19.

FEI is our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provider.  You can visit the FEI website at www.feieap.com (username: SOWI). 

How can you improve your well-being?

What are some things you are doing to improve your mental and physical well-being?  Here are some things that your co-workers reported they are doing or recommending:

      • Taking online yoga classes
      • Using video chatting via Facebook or Facetime to have some human contact
      • Streaming workouts
      • Trying new recipes using items on hand in the freezer or pantry
      • Exercising by doing dance routines from YouTube
      • Picking up the phone to call co-workers rather than sending countless emails
      • Taking walks outdoors
      • Utilizing free online platforms to do better team collaborations
      • Having a daily routine/schedule

Be intentional – make your well-being a priority.  What will work for you to reduce your anxiety and stress, and improve your mental and physical health?  Create a plan and start today!  You will feel better mentally and physically.

Online Well-Being Resources

We recognize the recent unprecedented events may cause stress and other life challenges for you and your family members and friends. Here are some online well-being resources that may be helpful.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP): We encourage employees to utilize individual providers through your health insurance program and/or UW-Green Bay’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP), which is available for all employees, to include student employees. EAP offers services to support employee well-being and resilience in work and life, including navigating anxieties related to COVID-19.  Online resources about emotional/mental health, work/life challenges, legal/financial circumstances, and monthly webinars are available.

Telemedicine*: This is the remote diagnosis and treatment of patients by means of electronic communication. So, you can access health care through a video chat or a ‘virtual house call.’ Through telemedicine, a doctor may be able to recommend treatment, prescribe medication, refer you to a specialist or tell you, based on your symptoms, if you should see a doctor in-person.  These services vary among insurance carriers, so check your carrier’s website for details.  click on this link to see the health insurance carriers (ex. Dean Prevea 360, Network, WEA Trust-East, etc.), and then click on your carrier’s name.  For example, with WEA Trust-East, this service is called “Amwell” and Dean Prevea 360 has “Virtual Visit.”

Pharmacy Benefits*: Click here for information about the process to get a 90-day supply of prescription medications, or use a the Serve You mail order program.

Wellness*: Use the StayWell website to participate in wellness challenges, make progress towards your Well Wisconsin $150 Incentive, and take advantage of online health coaches and resources such as videos, articles and healthy recipes.  Have you downloaded the StayWell Mobile App yet?  It’s easy and convenient. The “My StayWell” app is available via the App Store or Google Play.

*This information is specific to those who are enrolled in the State of Wisconsin Health Insurance Program.

Questions?  Please contact us at payrollandbenefits@uwgb.edu or (920) 465-2390.

StayWell Portal Change

StayWell, the administrator for the Well Wisconsin Program, has a new employee portal in 2020. Remember, the Well Wisconsin Program is available to you and your spouse in 2020 if you have enrolled in the State Group Health Insurance Program for 2020.

You and your spouse will need to create a new account through the new StayWell portal (http://wellwisconsin.staywell.com/).  Please click Sign Up in the upper right corner the first time you go to the new website to create your new account.

NewSTaywell

Note: The only information that will transfer to your new StayWell account is your 2019 biometric screening data.

Want to see a demonstration of the new portal?  Register for the StayWell webinar on Tuesday, January 14th at 12:00 pm by clicking here.

Please review the Well Wisconsin Program page to learn more about the Well Wisconsin Program.

‘WAIT … DIDN’T I READ SOMETHING ABOUT $150?’
Yes, you did!

All you need to do to earn your Well Wisconsin incentive* is complete three activities by October 9, 2020:

  1. Submit your 2020 health screening results (we will have onsite health screenings in 2020 like last year, and will let you know when the sign up is open, otherwise you can visit your primary care doctor as well)
  2. Take the 10-minute health assessment on the StayWell website
  3. Complete a well-being activity through StayWell

‘WHAT’S A WELL-BEING ACTIVITY?’
It’s a program, tool or educational session that helps you improve your well-being.

And we’ve got a ton of them for you to choose from, including challenges, health coaching, goal-tracking and more. Go to wellwisconsin.staywell.com for a full listing.

GET STARTED!
Just go to wellwisconsin.staywell.com to get started. It’ll only take a few minutes and you’ll be ready to start improving your well-being.

Download the new My StayWell mobile app: After you register on the website and join a team, you can download the app if you want. Search for “My StayWell” in the App Store or on Google Play.

Remember: The deadline to complete your activities and earn incentives is October 9, 2020—which may seem like it’s a long way off, but think about how quickly we got to the year 2020!

QUESTIONS? Contact the StayWell HelpLine at 800-821-6591 or wellwisconsin@staywell.com.

*The Well Wisconsin incentive program is a voluntary program available to employees, retirees and spouses enrolled in the State of Wisconsin Group Health Insurance Program, excluding Medicare Advantage participants who have incentives available through their health plan. The Well Wisconsin incentive will automatically be issued to eligible participants upon completing the applicable activities. All wellness incentives paid to participants are considered taxable income to the group health plan subscriber and are reported to their employer, who will issue a W2. In some cases, the Wisconsin Retirement System acts as the employer. Retirees, continuants and their spouses will have some taxes withheld from the incentive amount earned.

Source: UW System Human Resources & The StayWell Company, LLC

9/11 Memorial Stair Climb

Thanks to all who helped and participated in the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb on Wednesday, September 11th.  Over 50 people walked the stairs from the 2nd to 8th floor of the Cofrin Library, including members of the military, area protective services members, students and employees.  One group walked up and down the flight of stairs 18 times (8,465 steps on their fitness tracker)!  Thank you to University Police, Vets 4 Vets, and ROTC for attending and for your help, as well as Elaina Koltz for providing the flag pins for walkers, and the Department of Employee Trust Funds for the refreshments!

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Try These Tips for Relieving Work-Related Stress

Stressed out at work? Try these tactics today to get some relief:

  • Resist the urge to say “yes” to everybody. Protect your schedule so you have enough time to get things done.workstress
  • Still overwhelmed? Try focusing on just one task at a time. Ask your boss to help you prioritize what needs to be done. When you can, delegate items to others.
  • Confused about your boss’s expectations? Ask for a written job description that lays out your duties.
  • Take a few deep breaths when you get harried. Shrug your shoulders few times to ease the tension.
  • Colleague getting under your collar? Before letting your anger takeover, try counting to 10—then open your mouth.
  • When you get home, take at least 15 minutes of time for yourself.Use those precious minutes to exercise, play with a pet, or meditate.
  • Discuss your feelings with your family and friends. Your doctor can also recommend some ways to beat stress.

Article from the StayWell Company, LLC

Take a Mental Trip to Fall Asleep

It’s often hard to drift off at night, especially if you’ve had a busy or stressful day. About 1 in 4 adults experiences insomnia at least occasionally. If your regular wind-down routine isn’t doing the trick, try something called guided imagery.

Pound Ridge Golf Course

Think of a place where you’ve been before, and mentally trace the route in your mind. If you like to golf, “walk” the course in your mind. Tune in to the warmth of the sun and the smell of the fresh air, and imagine that you’re there. Or take a walk through your childhood home, or through a museum you’ve visited before. You can also retrace the steps of a walking or running route. Directing your attention in this way—taking a mental trip—can help you ease into restful slumber. Challenge yourself to try out guided imagery before you head to bed tonight!

 

Article from the StayWell Company, LLC