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.

Well Wisconsin Radio: Let’s Talk Finding Forgiveness

If you are looking for well-being tips and advice from local experts, Well Wisconsin Radio is the podcast for you!

April 2024 Episode: Finding Forgiveness & Resolving Conflicts

Are you wondering if it is time to start the process of forgiving another or yourself? Guest on this episode, Dr. Rober Enright, a founding board member of the International Forgiveness Institute, often described as the “father of forgiveness research” because of his commitment over the past four decades to research and implementing forgiveness programs. This episode discusses the connection between forgiveness and well-being, and steps you can take to begin your forgiveness journey.

Listen HERE!

Note to those eligible for the 2024 Well Wisconsin Incentive – Listening to two episodes of Well Wisconsin Radio from Season 3, dated November 2023 and later, will qualify for your well-being activity credit.

March Madness Wellness Committee Challenge

The Wellness Committee has created another March Madness Challenge for faculty/staff to complete.

This challenge can be completed by picking activities from 4 different categories and completing them, then choose which activity you would like to advance to the next round.

Completed challenges must be emailed to wellness@uwgb.edu by April 12th, 2024 to receive a prize.

If you are enrolled in the State Group Health Insurance complete this challenge as part as your well-being credit for the $150 incentive!

Follow these instructions to report your completion for your well-being activity – Report completion for Well-being credit – March. Make sure to select Physical Activity in Step 7!

2024 March Madness Challenge

Positive January Challenge

This time of year, can have people feeling the winter blues, the next Wellness Challenge is here to help. From January 7th to January 27th, we are going to focus on positive thoughts!

For one week keep track of how many times you complain. Then the next 2 weeks focus on not complaining or changing those complaints into positive thoughts on your situation instead.

Please email completed forms to wellness@uwgb.edu by February 7th to be put in a prize drawing.

If you are enrolled in the State Group Health Insurance complete this challenge as part as your well-being credit for the $150 incentive!

Follow these instructions to report your completion for your well-being activity – Report completion for Well-being credit – January. Make sure to select Kindness in Step 7.

Need some inspiration on this challenge? Attend the Well Wisconsin Changing Your Thought Pattern Webinar on Thursday January 11, 2024 11:30 am – 12:00 pm. Register here, or check out the blog post for more information on the webinar.

PDF: Positive January Challenge

Well Wisconsin Changing Your Thought Patterns Webinar

Understand ways of thinking that cause people to view reality in inaccurate ways and identify how to change your thought patterns. Explore the benefits of practicing self-compassion and reflection. Discover new resources available through the Well Wisconsin program that can help you feel happy, healthy and at home as you work toward well-being.

Join the webinar Thursday January 11, 2024 11:30 am – 12:00 pm.

Register HERE!

If enrolled in the State Group Health Insurance attending two Well Wisconsin Webinars throughout the year will earn your well-being credit for the Well Wisconsin $150 incentive. Also complete the health assessment on WebMd.com, and complete a health check, to get the incentive. Available for spouses also enrolled in your State Group Health Insurance.

For more information on the Well Wisconsin Program or to complete your activities, log in to webmdhealth.com/wellwisconsin/.

 

Well Wisconsin Radio: Let’s Talk Winter Movement, Plus a Bonus Episode

Well Wisconsin Radio podcast discusses topics of health and well-being from experts around the State of Wisconsin

New Episode: Moving Outdoors this Winter

Janet Hutchens, expert from the Department of Natural Resources shares ideas for movement and education this winter in Wisconsin State Parks, including candlelight hikes the OutWiGo snow event and much more. Discover how you can get free entry to state parks, try out equipment like snowshoes and access to adaptive equipment.

Bonus Episode: Managing Anxiety with Exercise and Active Living

In this bonus episode two experts from UW-Whitewater – Logan Edwards, PhD., Associate Professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Jen Kaina, Assistant Director for Fitness and Aquatics – who share mental health benefits associated with exercise, activities to reduce anxiety, and tips for staying active at every age.

Listen HERE!

 

Well Wisconsin Radio: Let’s Talk Reducing Holidays Stress with Aromatherapy

Well Wisconsin Radio podcast discusses topics of health and well-being from experts around the State of Wisconsin.

New Episode: Reducing Holiday Stress with Aromatherapy

Join this episode for an interview with Robin Kourakis, a board-certified aromatherapist and trauma-informed sensory consultant, to discover the science behind aromas and their ability to bring up good or bad memories. The expert shares ideas for using aromatherapy to reduce stress this holiday season and discusses emotional rebalancing. You don’t want to miss this conversation that covers how to safely and effectively use essential oils and holiday aromas to find balance.

Listen HERE!

Wellness Committee: Winter Mindful Challenge

This time of year can be known to be stressful, and chaotic for people as we turn our focus on giving and making sure others needs are met. The Wellness Committee wants you to focus on yourself and reduce your stress. From November 26th to December 23rd be mindful/meditate for at least 10 minutes for at least 3 days a week, during the 4 week span. Use the form below to check off each day you are mindful/meditate, email your completed forms to wellness@uwgb.edu by January 10th to be put in a prize drawing.

Winter Meditation Challenge

Being Mindful/Meditation can help by releasing physical tension held in our bodies, which can help release worries buried in our minds, ease anxiety, stress and low mood. Meditation can even help have a more restful sleep.

Not sure where to begin we got you covered! Here are some resources and helpful tips on how to meditate.

UWGB has a subscription to YOU.uwgb which is sponsored by UW System and available not only for students but faculty and staff as well. You.uwgb has mindful/meditation examples that may help you.

One way to start would be to find a comfortable place to sit, typically cross legged with good posture and closing your eyes and just focus on your breathing.

Some other ways that the Mayo Clinic recommends is:

Walk and Meditate – Can do this when walking anywhere whether it be a path or on busy sidewalks. Have a slow walking pace and focus on each movement with your legs or feet. Focus on sights, sounds, and smells around you.

Read and Reflect – Read poems and take a few moments to reflect on their meaning. You can journal and write your reflections down.

Scan your body – Focus attention on different parts of your body, be being aware of various sensations such as pain, tension, warmth or relaxation.

Meditation apps are available. A free option is Insight Timer

How to meditate for beginners – Mental wellbeing tips – Every Mind Matters – NHS (www.nhs.uk)

Meditation: Take a stress-reduction break wherever you are – Mayo Clinic