Social Media Sabotage

BoardGame

Social media sites, such as Facebook and Twitter, help meet your need to connect and communicate. Plus, posting a flattering photo or positive update may give you a quick ego boost. But online friends are no substitute for the off-line kind. If you’re already feeling lonely and blue, spending endless hours with only a screen for company may make the problem worse.

What you can do:

  • Put face time first. Make a rule: no phones, tablets, or TV at meals. Plus, look for other opportunities to enjoy gadget-free time with family and friends. Start a conversation, play with your kids, or invite a coworker to lunch.
  • Find new off-line friends by taking a class, volunteering for a cause, or joining a support group. Like so many things, gadgets are healthiest when used in moderation

Article from the StayWell Company, LLC

Why is mindfulness important?

Mindfulness

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

MindFull

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!

Well Wisconsin Webinar: 2018 Program Overview and Portal Demo

EatAtComputer

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

NovWebinar

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.

 

How much do you know about Mindfulness?

 

Take this Mindfulness Quiz from StayWell to find out!

A. Mindfulness is:ManStanding

  1. A cultural belief that is only practiced by certain groups of people
  2. A practice that cannot be learned or taught
  3. Analyzing thoughts in order to change them
  4. A medically approved practice that enables individuals to systematically reduce and manage stress

B. Which of these statements is false?

  1. Job stress alone is estimated to cost US industry more than $300 billion a year in absenteeism, turnover, diminished productivity, medical, legal, and insurance costs.
  2. 80% of people who have taken mindfulness programs are unsuccessful.
  3. Stress is the causative factor of illness underlying more than 70% of all visits to the family doctor.
  4. Mindfulness can reduce anxiety and depression-related symptoms by 60-70%.

C. Some benefits of mindfulness are:

  1. Strengthens immune system
  2. Improves cardiovascular health
  3. Builds resiliency
  4. All of the above

D. People who participate in mindfulness programs:

  1. Must eat a specific diet
  2. Wear special clothes
  3. Are business professionals, hospital employees, military personnel, schoolchildren, and athletes
  4. Have to be perfectly serene and peaceful

E. What are some experiences a person may have when practicing formal mindfulness?

  1. Fall asleep
  2. Have lots of thoughts
  3. Experience restfulness
  4. All of the above

F. The ability to pay attention correlates to a person’s performance and effectiveness.  Mindfulness teaches us to pay attention to:

  1. Only the things that matter to us
  2. Our aches and pains
  3. The moment-to-moment daily activities with nonjudgment
  4. Thoughts about the past and future

G. The benefits of mindfulness are shown physically, mentally, and emotionally. Which one is NOT a benefit of mindfulness?

  1. Improved brain functionPortal
  2. Ability to rehash the past and rehearse for the future
  3. Greater concentration and focus
  4. Gives more meaning and purpose to our lives

H. To begin a home mindfulness practice, it is suggested to:

  1. Sit quietly for 5-20 minutes while focusing on the breath
  2. Sit in a perfect cross-legged yoga position
  3. Light candles all over the room
  4. Play devotional chanting music

Answers: A – 4; B – 2; C – 4; D – 3; E – 4; F – 3; G – 2; H – 1

How did you do?  Are you interested in learning more about mindfulness?  There are some great resources on the StayWell portal!  To access the StayWell 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. To check out the mindfulness resources on the StayWell portal, please click on “Programs” after logging in, then scroll down to “Mindfulness Collection” and click on “Learn More” (image at right).  You will see the 21-day Meditation Experience with helpful videos to watch each day to improve your mindfulness!

Quiz from The StayWell Company, LLC