Category: Physical Wellness

Physical Wellness is the ability to maintain a healthy quality of life that allows us to get through our daily activities without undue fatigue or physical stress. The ability to recognize that our behaviors have a significant impact on our wellness and adopting healthful habits (routine checkups, balance diet, exercise, etc.) while avoiding destructive habits (tobacco, drugs, alcohol, etc.) will lead to optimal Physical Wellness.

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

YWCA Week Without Violence

Week without Violence is part of a global movement to end violence against women and girls. Join YWCA the Week of October 16th – 21st.

YWCA Greater Green Bay is committed to prevent gender-based violence in our community. This year they will educate our community and raise awareness that centers around tech-facilitated gender-based violence, such as the use of social media in online harassment and stalking. Learn more about what YWCA does every day and help take action.

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.

 

 

Register for Flu Clinic

Protect yourself this flu season by getting your annual flu vaccination!

The Well Wisconsin Program is offering workplace flu clinics.

Flu vaccinations are free and voluntary for all site employees and spouses who are enrolled in the State of Wisconsin Insurance Program.

  • You will be required to present your medical ID card at the flu clinic.
  • After you register for your appointment online, your next step will be to complete the digital consent form.
    • A link to the digital consent form will be available on the appointment confirmation page and in your confirmation email.

DATE: Monday November, 13 2023

TIME: 8:00 a.m to 9:45 a.m

LOCATION: World Unity Room A

The vaccination will protect against the four most likely causes of flu illness during the upcoming season.

The vaccine is preservative-free.

The vaccine is not recommended for the following individuals:

  • Those allergic to eggs or egg product.
  • Those who have an active neurological disorder.
  • Those with a fever, acute respiratory or other active infection or illness.

Preregistration is required. No cash payments or insurance payments accepted. To register for your flue vaccination appointment, log into the wellness portal at webmdhealth.com/wellwisconsin and click “Register Today” on the Flu Vaccination card.

For more information about the flu vaccination, visit cdc.gov/flu.

 

Exercise is Medicine-On Campus: Lunch and Learn Series

On Campus is offering a free Lunch & Learn Series for all UW-Green Bay staff and faculty. Staff and faculty are welcome to bring their lunch to learn about exercise and health psychological skills that can be used in everyday life. The series is offered in-person or via Zoom.

The dates are:

September 25: Movement & Physical Activity into Work Day 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

October 30: Building Confidence in Physical Activity 12:00pm – 1:00 pm

November 27: Motivation and Time Management 12:00pm – 1:00 pm

December 11: Stress Management 12:00pm – 1:00 pm

The Series will be held in the University Union 1965 Room or interested staff and facutly can join via Zoom: https://wisconsin-edu.zoom.us/j/4894327536?pwd=RTlyZGpUMlVpQWJsd0RRVG5CK3NXZz09

Meeting ID: 489 432 7536

Passcode: 236782

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.

Well Wisconsin Radio: Let’s Talk Skin Cancer Prevention

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

New July Episode: Skin Cancer Prevention& Treatment

Looking for tips to reduce your risk of skin cancer while still enjoying time outdoors? Join for a conversation about skin cancer prevention and treatment with Nihal Ahmed, PhD, professor and vice chair for research in the Department of Dermatology in the School of Medicine and Public Health at the University of Wisconsin-Madison/ Have you ever wondered if sunscreen is safe? See what our expert has to say. Plus, we’ll dive into the different types of skin cancers, signs to look for, screening recommendations and the latest treatment approaches.

Listen HERE!