Physical Wellness – Page 21

Use the right form when walking today

You probably give little thought to walking. Whether we’re hurrying to work or strolling outdoors, we walk so often we do it automatically, without paying attention to what we’re doing—except when we’re injured, sore, or wearing uncomfortable shoes. While mindless walking may be the go-to most of the time, using proper form when you walk for exercise will help you reduce the risk for injury and make for a better workout.

Start by wearing sturdy, comfortable shoes. Walk with your toes pointed forward, not out or in. Take comfortable steps, aiming to let the heels of your feet touch the ground first (instead of walking on your toes). Keep your shoulders back and your chin up, scanning the horizon and letting your arms swing naturally as you stroll. Practice this today.

Article from the StayWell Company, LLC

Listen to a sleep podcast today

We’ve all been there—nodding off during a slow movie or a particularly long meeting. It’s no secret that boredom can help induce sleep, even at inconvenient times. So if you have trouble dropping off, why not try the latest in fall-asleep strategies and listen to a sleep-inducing podcast? The aural opposite of a page-turner, these podcasts are typically dull in subject matter and delivery. The idea is that listening to a boring subject distracts your brain from the things you might ordinarily be thinking of, letting you relax into sleep. Search for “sleep podcast” to find lots of options. Listen to one tonight, and you may find that the next thing you know, it’s morning!

Article from the StayWell Company, LLC

Well Wisconsin Incentive Deadline is October 19, 2018

Have you earned your $150 incentive yet? Employees and their spouses enrolled in the State Group Health Insurance program are eligible to participate, and you have until Friday, October 19, 2018.

1. Log into the StayWell website (https://wellwisconsin.staywell.com/).

2. Click on My Progress in the middle of the menu bar. This will show the three steps needed to get your $150 incentive and your progress. (Please note that it may take up to three business days for activities to show as completed.)

3. Health Screening: If you haven’t yet completed your health screening, you can ask you doctor to complete a Health Care Provider form during your annual physical, but you must have it completed and submitted by October 19, 2018. If you completed your health screening at UW-Green Bay on April 25, 2018 or September 21, 2018, you have completed the Health Screening step.

4. Health Assessment: Click “Go Here” in the Health Assessment box and complete the questionnaire (it takes about 10 minutes).

5. Well-Being Activity: Click “Go Here” in the Well-Being Activity box to see your options. The easiest and quickest option is to complete the Health Benefits and Preventative Care Quiz. Another option is to complete 20 daily challenges found in Daily Dash emails that you receive each morning – the challenges will help improve your fitness, sleep, stress level, and nutrition.

After you have completed all three steps, you will get an email asking you to make your gift card selection on the StayWell website. Please note that it may take up to three business days for activities to show as completed. Please follow the steps in your email to select the way you want to receive your $150 incentive, and make sure to complete this step by October 31, 2018. You’ll have the option to have the gift card mailed to you or you can choose to have it instantly sent to you via an email code and then download the gift card to your phone or computer to be used for online purchases and at some local retailers.

Both you and your spouse can earn the $150 incentive if you are enrolled in the State Group Health Insurance. The $150 gift cards are taxable income. Make sure to use your gift card before it expires. If you need help with logging into the StayWell website, please contact them at 1-800-821-6591 or wellwisconsin@staywell.com. The deadline is Friday, October 19, 2018.

Flu Shot Clinic

Fight the flu this season by getting your annual flu shot! StayWell is offering a flu shot clinic during our Benefits & Wellness Fair. Flu shots are free and voluntary for all employees and spouses who are enrolled in the State of Wisconsin Group Health Insurance Program.

Date: Tuesday, October 9, 2018

Time: 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Location: University Union, Phoenix Rooms

The shot will vaccinate against the four most likely causes of flu illness during the upcoming season, including the H1N1- strain of influenza.

The vaccine is not preservative free and is not recommended for the following individuals:

Those allergic to eggs or egg products
Those who are sensitive to the mercury-based preservative thimerosal
Those who have an active neurological disorder
Those with a fever, acute respiratory or other active infection or illness

If you are pregnant, you should receive the vaccine directly from your physician.

Pre-registration required. No walk-ins, cash payments or insurance payments accepted. To register for your flu shot appointment, log into the StayWell wellness portal at wellwisconsin.staywell.com and click on Programs, then Learn More on the Flu Shot Clinics box, and then Register Now. Scroll through the list of available clinics and look for the October 9th clinic at UWGB and click Register. Then select your preferred time, and complete the registration process. You will receive a confirmation email.

What if I am not eligible or available to make the flu shot clinic offered by StayWell? The UW-Green Bay Counseling and Health Center offers flu shots to employees at a cost of $25, which can be paid by cash or check. You can call them at ext. 2380 to schedule an appointment. Appointments are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and you should have your Campus ID card ready when you call to schedule your appointment.

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

Please contact us at wellness@uwgb.edu or ext. 2203 if you have any questions about the Flu Shot clinic.

Annual Benefits & Wellness Fair

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

When: Tuesday, October 9, 2018

Time: 11:30 am to 2:00 pm

Where: University Union Phoenix Rooms

Please stop by to talk with vendors about your benefits and wellness, help yourself to some refreshments and goodies, and get helpful information as you consider options for the annual It’s Your Choice benefit enrollment period. This year’s annual benefits enrollment period is October 1st – 26th. There will also be a flu shot clinic during the fair.

Representatives from the following organizations will be looking forward to talking with you during the fair: Aging & Disability Resource Center, Aurora, Chartwells, Cornerstone Chiropractic, UWGB Counseling & Health Services, Curative Connections, Dean Health, Delta Dental, Edvest College Savings Plan, Department of Employee Trust Funds (ETF), Fidelity, Foundation Chiropractic, Green Bay Custom Health, Herb Blue’s Total Self Defense, Kress Events Center, Massage Envy, Navitus, Network Health, UWGB Public Safety, Rediscover Yourself Energy Sound Healing, Reflexology, Robin with HealthPartners, Securian Life Insurance, Social Security, StayWell, T. Rowe Price, TASC, TIAA-CREF, United Health Care, Unity Hospice, UW-Credit Union, VSP, WEA Trust, UWGB Wellness Committee, Wisconsin Deferred Compensation, YMCA Green Bay, and Zurich.

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

9/11 Memorial Stair Climb

Thanks to all who helped and participated in the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb on Tuesday, September 11th. About 35 students, employees, community members, area protective services representatives, and members of the military walked the stairs from the 2nd to 8th floor of the Cofrin Library.

Thank you to Tony Decker and Dave Jones of Public Safety, as well as representatives of UWGB ROTC and Vets 4 Vets for sharing military and protective services items for display, being on hand during the event, and putting up the posters on each level which served as a poignant reminder. Thank you also to Elaina Koltz and Lisa Schmelzer for handing out flag pins and providing encouragement to walkers, and to the Wellness Committee for providing refreshments.

Fitness Bootcamp at Kress this Saturday

UW-Green Bay welcomes Peter Kraus, from the Bachelorette, to campus for an exciting 50 minute, full-body, fat burning, fun workout designed to be challenging yet manageable for people of all abilities. With over 8 years of teaching experience, he has created a fitness bootcamp where you use your own body weight to get stronger, leaner and more toned. He’ll be sure to bring the good music, motivation and energy to keep you moving the entire time. IMPORTANT: Be SURE to bring a YOGA MAT (some mats will be provided), WATER BOTTLE, and gym appropriate shoes.

What: Peter Kraus Fitness Bootcamp

Where: Kress Events Center

When: Saturday, September 15 @ 10:00 am

Tickets are on sale through the University Ticketing & Information Center through Friday, 9/14 (link to buy tickets). Available at the door at the Kress Events Center on Saturday morning. UWGB Student tickets are $12, General Public tickets are $22. Appropriate for ages 18+.

Switch it up with plank jacks today

If you want to train your core, there’s arguably no better move than the plank. Simply holding this full-body pose forces your deepest abdominal muscles to engage. This variation, the plank jack, adds an action element to it that ups the challenge. It’s a little like doing a jumping jack on the ground.

Start by lying on the ground facedown, hands next to your shoulders, feet under your hips. Push up onto your hands and toes; you’ll feel your core muscles engage to hold you in place. Keeping your upper body still and your body in a straight line from shoulders to toes, jump your feet out a few inches and then jump them back under your hips. Do this 20 times for a quick all-over strengthener that will get your heart rate up as well!

Article from the StayWell Company, LLC

Summer Yoga Challenge Wraps Up

This summer, 12 employees completed the Yoga Challenge by attending free yoga classes at the Kress Events Center over the lunch hour. Thank you to Alex Reichenberger, Fitness Coordinator (and excellent Yoga Instructor!) at the Kress, for coordinating this challenge! The employees who completed this challenge will select an incentive prize, compliments of the Department of Employee Trust Funds wellness grant!

Do you have any ideas for another Wellness Challenge? Please email wellness@uwgb.edu with your ideas or comments.