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.

Why is mindfulness important?

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We all have stress in our lives.  Regardless of the cause, your body’s reaction to stress can make you more likely to get sick, so finding ways to de-stress is important to your health. Mindfulness can be the key to slowing down and enjoying the moment.

What can mindfulness do for me? 

  • lower stress levels
  • reduce blood pressure
  • help you sleep better
  • improve depression and anxiety symptoms
  • enjoy food more and maintain your weight
  • reduce fatigue and increase energy
  • improve your health
  • better brain function
  • sense of calm

Mindfulness involves paying deliberate attention to the present moment in a nonjudgmental way. By becoming more aware of the present, you can recognize anxious thoughts and free yourself from their grip. When we practice mindfulness at work, we think more clearly.  We respond rather than react.  We take events less personally.

How can I become more mindful?

  • Attend mindfulness sessions on campus led by an expert in this field (click here for details and to sign up to attend one, some, or all 5 sessions being held this spring)
  • Take the 21 day meditation challenge on the StayWell website (click on Programs > Well-Being Activities > 21 Day Meditation Experience)
  • Learn about meditation through videos, articles and quizzes on the StayWell website (click on Programs > The Best Possible You)

The latest research shows you can gain mindfulness benefits anytime by just stretching or taking deep breaths.  Once you learn these techniques, you can practice them on your own to continue reaping the benefits of mindfulness.

Article contents from the StayWell Company, LLC

Mindfulness Sessions

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Back by popular demand!  Last spring, Reed Hardy lead mindfulness/meditation sessions for employees, which were well received, and employees asked for more!  Thanks to a wellness grant from the Department of Employee Trust Funds, we are offering five more sessions this spring led by Reed Hardy!  These sessions will be at the Richard Mauthe Center at Noon to 12:30 p.m. on the following dates, and there is no cost to employees to attend:

  • Friday, March 16th
  • Thursday, March 29th
  • Friday, April 13th
  • Thursday, April 26th
  • Friday, May 11th

Please register to attend by clicking on this link: http://uwgreenbay.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3sKmT9dkQ2HOo5L

You can wear your work clothes – no need to change or bring anything with you.  Thank you to the Richard Mauthe Center for sponsoring the room fee!  Please contact the Wellness Committee at wellness@uwgb.edu or ext. 2203 with any questions.

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Self Defense Workshop held February 28th

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If you were walking past University Union Room 103 on February 28th between 11:00 a.m. and Noon, you may have heard eighteen women yelling “BACK OFF!”  Herb Blue’s Total Self Defense LLC presented a self-defense workshop to employees on Wednesday, February 28th.  Instructors Herb, Betsy, and Aaron demonstrated self-defense techniques and shared valuable information about how to protect and empower ourselves.  We learned how to get away from an attacker, create a barrier with our body, and use our voice as an effective tool to prevent attack.  We laughed a lot too!  Thank you to Herb Blue’s Total Self Defense LLC for presenting this excellent workshop!

Wellness Email Newsletter

Do you want to stay in-the-loop when it comes to wellness?  Sign up for the UW-Green Bay Wellness email newsletter on the Human Resources website under Wellness (http://www.uwgb.edu/human-resources/benefits/wellness/).  You would receive an email every other week or so, with information about wellness events and activities, recipes, articles, etc.  Over 30 employees have signed up already!  Thanks to Kimberly Vlies and Jen Schanen for their work setting up the wellness email newsletter!

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Well Wisconsin Webinar: 2018 Program Overview and Portal Demo

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Make this the year you focus on your health and well-being. Join us to learn all about the 2018 Well Wisconsin Program and resources available to assist you, including how to earn your $150 incentive!

Date: Wednesday, February 21, 2018

Time: 12:00 to 12:30 p.m.

Location: Cofrin Library, 7th floor, room 735

No need to RSVP – just mark your calendar to join us, and bring your lunch!

You could also participate in this webinar at your workstation if you prefer – please visit wellwisconsin.staywell.com and go to Wellness Webinars to register.

All webinars are recorded and available to Well Wisconsin Program participants on the StayWell wellness portal after the event date.

To access the StayWell wellness portal, you must be an employee, retiree, or spouse enrolled in the State of Wisconsin or Wisconsin Public Employers Group Health Insurance Programs.

Winter Wellness Bingo Challenge

2018The Wellness committee is offering Winter Bingo as our next healthy challenge! All faculty and staff are invited to participate in the challenge the month of January. There are 24 health and wellness activities for you to choose from. You are able to pick the day in which you complete each activity, and only one activity is allowed per day. To qualify for a chance to win a prize, a minimum of 20 activities must be completed within the month of January.  Please click here for the Winter bingo card: http://www.uwgb.edu/UWGBCMS/media/hr/Wellness%20Items/Winter-2018-wellness-BingoCard.pdf

SnowmanWinter Bingo begins January 1, 2018 and ends January 31, 2018. Completed forms can be e-mailed to the Wellness committee at wellness@uwgb.edu or hand-in to the Human Resources front desk in the Cofrin Library, 7th floor, room 710 by Friday, February 9, 2018.

Challenge your co-workers to join in the fun and do some of the activities together!  Share pics of you and your co-workers completing the activities by emailing them to wellness@uwgb.edu.  Begin the new year by making healthy choices and then enjoy your increased energy level, positive outlook, and improved health in 2018!

 

December Wellness Webinar: Celebrate with Energy and Cheer

The holidays are fast approaching and you might be feeling excited and anxious at the same time. Past experience shows you head back to work after the holidays feeling a bit drained instead of energized. Join us for this webinar for tips on truly celebrating with energy and cheer through the New Year.

Date: Wednesday, December 20, 2017HolidayShopping

Time: 12:00 to 1:00 p.m.

Location: Cofrin Library, 7th floor, room 735

No need to RSVP – just mark your calendar to join us, and bring your lunch!

You could also participate in this webinar at your workstation if you prefer – please visit wellwisconsin.staywell.com and go to Webinars to register.

Wellness webinars highlighting various health and well-being topics will take place the 3rd Wednesday of each month. All webinars will be recorded and available to Well Wisconsin Program participants on the wellness portal after the event date.

To access the wellness portal, you must be an employee, retiree, or enrolled spouse/domestic partner enrolled in the State of Wisconsin or Wisconsin Public Employers Group Health Insurance Program.

November Wellness Webinar: The Greatness of Gratitude

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Before you dive into the turkey or turn on the game, don’t forget to count your blessings. When you focus on the good things, your upbeat attitude helps fight stress and depression. Research shows that practicing gratitude may also improve your social life and enhance your physical health. Join us to learn more.

Date: Wednesday, November 15, 2017

Time: 12:00 to 1:00 p.m.

Location: Cofrin Library, 7th floor, room 735

No need to RSVP – just mark your calendar to join us, and bring your lunch!

You could also participate in this webinar at your workstation if you prefer – please visit wellwisconsin.staywell.com and go to Webinars to register.

Wellness webinars highlighting various health and well-being topics will take place the 3rd Wednesday of each month. All webinars will be recorded and available to Well Wisconsin Program participants on the wellness portal after the event date.

To access the wellness portal, you must be an employee, retiree, or enrolled spouse/domestic partner enrolled in the State of Wisconsin or Wisconsin Public Employers Group Health Insurance Program.

 

9/11 Memorial Stair Climb

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IMG_3642 IMG_3631 IMG_3633IMG_3638 IMG_3639IMG_3629Thanks to all who helped and participated in the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb on Monday, September 11th.  About 50 people walked the stairs from the 2nd to 8th floor of the Cofrin Library, including members of the military, Public Safety, Green Bay Metro Fire Rescue, UWGB Swim & Dive Team, firefighters, employees and students.  Members of Vets 4 Vets and Public Safety were on hand and had a table of items displayed, as well as refreshments for walkers, and Wellness Committee members handed out flag pins and provided encouragement to walkers.