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

Well-Being Resources for Employees

In line with Chancellor Alexander’s email on Tuesday, October 17th, we recognize that this has been difficult few weeks for UW-Green Bay employees and those in higher education across the State of Wisconsin. We acknowledge that this has likely caused stress and uneasiness and would like to provide a reminder that UW-Green Bay has extensive well-being resources available for employees.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is administered through Kepro. Our EAP is a free, confidential service to you, dependents, spouse, and anyone living in your household. Kepro is available 24 hours, 7 days a week with counseling and online services.

Kepro provides up to six in person or virtual visits per person per issue per calendar year. All services are confidential and intended to help with mild to moderate symptoms for various mental health and well-being topics (including but not limited to anxiety, depression, relationship issues, and stress). Kepro also has recorded webinars/videos and other resources available to access.

To log in, visit the website at https://sowi.mylifeexpert.com/.

Company ID: SOWI

Phone number: 833-539-7285

State Group Health Insurance

Employees, spouses, and dependents who are enrolled in the State Group Health Insurance (depending on health insurance plan design) can receive services. Depending on providers and plan there may be out-of-pocket costs for using mental health services through this program.

Using State Group Health Insurance, Kepro provides confidential mental health services directly by your primary care physician or specialist. Services are intended to provide treatment for mild to severe symptoms for various mental health and well-being topics (including but not limited to anxiety, depression, and stress).

Services are covered by the health insurance carrier you selected when you enrolled. Contact your primary care physician for additional information or contact your health insurance carrier to help you locate in-network providers that can assist with mental health services.

Well Wisconsin Program

Employees who are enrolled in the State Group Health Insurance and covered spouses are able to use this program. Services are employer-paid/ there is no cost for using mental health services through this program.

WebMD has certified health coaches who are available for confidential one-on-one conversations to support mild symptoms for various mental health and well-being topics (including but not limited to anxiety, depression, and stress).

Contact WebMD at 800-821-6591

Website: WebMD ONE – Login (webmdhealth.com)

Mental Health

2023 Benefits and Wellness Fair

Thank you to everyone who visited the Benefits and Wellness Fair on Thursday, September 28th!  Twenty-two vendors attended and a lot of employees and retirees stopped by to learn more about their wellness, enjoy a cookie, talk about retirement or finances, or get answers to their insurance benefit questions.

 

 

October 13th is Well Wisconsin Incentive Deadline

Earn your $150 Well Wisconsin Program incentive* by completing a health assessment, health check, and one well-being activity by October 13, 2023.

    1. Health Assessment: Log into the WebMD website and answer the assessment questions online. The assessment will take approximately 10-15 minutes.
    2. Health Check: Choose from the options below to complete this requirement:
      • Biometric Screening: Check the WebMD website for clinics located near you.
      • Health Care Provider Form: Report your height, weight, and blood pressure from a visit with your health care provider. Your health care provider does not need to sign this form.
      • Preventive Dental Exam: Get a dental cleaning and report it through the WebMD website.
      • Health Coaching Call: Discuss your current health with a WebMD health coach, set well-being goals and explore solutions to help you attain your goals.

3. Well-being Activity: Select a WebMD activity, complete it, and report it through the WebMD website.

Once you have earned your incentive, you can choose to receive your gift card electronically or mailed to the address you have on file with the UW System.

* You and your spouse are eligible to earn the $150 Well Wisconsin Program incentive if you are enrolled in the State Group Health Insurance Program.

To learn more, review the UW System Well Wisconsin Program web page.

Source: UW System Human Resources

Annual Benefits & Wellness Fair

Mark your calendar to attend the Annual UW-Green Bay Employee Benefits & Wellness Fair!

When: Thursday, September 28, 2023

Time: 11:30 am to 1:30 pm

Where: University Union Phoenix Room, Green Bay campus

Please stop by to talk about your benefits and wellness to get helpful information as you consider options for the Annual  Benefit Enrollment period.  We’ll have refreshments too!  This year’s Annual Benefits Enrollment period is September 25th to October 20th.

Representatives from the following organizations will be looking forward to talking with you during the fair:

  • Common Ground (Health Insurance)
  • Dean Prevea (Health Insurance)
  • Network (Health Insurance)
  • Robin by HealthPartners (Health Insurance)
  • UnitedHealthcare (Health Insurance for Retirees)
  • Optum (Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts)
  • Securian (Life Insurance)
  • Zurich (Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance)
  • HealthChoice (Long-Term Care Insurance)
  • Fidelity (Supplemental Retirement Program)
  • TIAA (Supplemental Retirement Program)
  • Wisconsin Deferred Compensation
  • Edvest College Savings Plan
  • Kepro (Employee Assistance Program)
  • WebMD Well Wisconsin Program
  • UW-System Benefits Counseling
  • UW-Credit Union
  • UW-Green Bay University Recreation
  • UW-Green Bay Wellness Committee
  • UW-Green Bay Office of Sustainability
  • UW-Green Bay Safety & Environmental Management

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

Onsite Health Screening

Time to register for your onsite health screening!

A free health screening* event has been scheduled for employees (and spouses) who are enrolled in the State of Wisconsin Group Health Insurance Program.

At an onsite screening, you’ll learn your measurements for blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), cholesterol (HDL, LDL and total), triglycerides and glucose, and be in and out in 20 minutes. Register today!

  • LOCATION:  Phoenix Room # 2114, Sheboygan campus
  • DATE: Thursday, September 14, 2023
  • TIME: 8:00 am to 12:00 pm
  • Unfortunately the Sheboygan screening event has been cancelled due to not meeting the minimum number of participants.
  • LOCATION:  University Union, Phoenix Rooms, Green Bay campus
  • DATES:  Wednesday, September 20, 2023
  • TIME:  8:00 am to 1:00 pm

Please register at webmdhealth.com/wellwisconsin by clicking Benefits, and then Get Started on the Biometric Screening card.

Earn your $150 Well Wisconsin Incentive

Complete three activities by October 13, 2023 to earn the $150 Well Wisconsin incentive.

  1. Get a health screening or complete another health check option (ex. dental exam or coaching session).
  2. Complete the health assessment at webmdhealth.com/wellwisconsin – it takes about 10 minutes and is mobile and tablet friendly!
  3. Complete a well-being activity (ex. complete a challenge, listen to two Well Wisconsin pod casts, etc.).

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

*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.

Bellin Run 2023

It’s time to register for the 47th Annual Bellin Run!  The Bellin Run will be an in-person and virtual event on June 10, 2023 in Green Bay.  This 10K & 5K event is for runners and walkers of all participation levels.

UW-Green Bay is part of the Bellin Run Corporate Challenge.  Being part of this program gets you these perks if you register by May 15th:

  • An early incentive gift (fanny pack) with the Bellin Run logo on it
  • Your race packet (bib and race shirt) will be delivered to the Green Bay campus and available for you to pick up in the Human Resources office about a week before the event (we’ll email you when it’s ready).

Friends and family can be registered on our team so that they receive these benefits as well.

In addition, the Department of Employee Trust Funds (ETF) is investing in the health of our employees by paying for $10 of your registration fees.  This discount will input during the registration process.  This discount does not apply to friends & family members.

Employees, family and friends are encouraged to sign up to participate as part of the UW-Green Bay Corporate team!

To register:

  1. Click on this link:  https://raceroster.com/events/2023/67305/bellin-run/register?team=508198 
  2. Step #1 may ask you to create an account on Race Roster, if you don’t already have one (enter your email and create a personal password)
  3. Team password: UWGB23
  4. Team discount code: UWGB23  (for employees only)
  5. Insert discount code during registration here:

Check out the helpful training information online such as tips, videos, training plans, free training runs and walks, etc. at https://www.bellinrun.com/training 

Questions? Please contact wellness@uwgb.edu.

Onsite Health Screening

Time to register for your onsite health screening!

A free health screening* event has been scheduled for employees (and spouses) who are enrolled in the State of Wisconsin Group Health Insurance Program.

At an onsite screening, you’ll learn your measurements for blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), cholesterol (HDL, LDL and total), triglycerides and glucose, and be in and out in 20 minutes. Also, Kristi Mulcahey from WebMD/Well Wisconsin will be in the Phoenix Room on May 22nd to answer any questions you have about the Well Wisconsin program.  Register today!

  • LOCATION:  University Union, Phoenix Rooms, Green Bay campus
  • DATES:  Monday, May 22, 2023 or Wednesday, September 20, 2023
  • TIME:  8:00 am to 1:00 pm
  • LOCATION:  Phoenix Room # 2114, Sheboygan campus
  • DATE: Thursday, September 14, 2023
  • TIME: 8:00 am to 12:00 pm

Please register at webmdhealth.com/wellwisconsin by clicking Benefits, and then Get Started on the Biometric Screening card.

Earn your $150 Well Wisconsin Incentive

Complete three activities by October 13, 2023 to earn the $150 Well Wisconsin incentive.

  1. Get a health screening or complete another health check option (ex. dental exam or coaching session).
  2. Complete the health assessment at webmdhealth.com/wellwisconsin – it takes about 10 minutes and is mobile and tablet friendly!
  3. Complete a well-being activity (ex. complete a challenge, listen to two Well Wisconsin pod casts, etc.).

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

*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.