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.

 

 

Wellness Committee Fall Challenge

Have fun this fall with the newest Wellness Committee Fall Challenge!

Take time each day of the week to focus on a different area of your wellness. From October 1 to 28, 2023, complete an activity at least 3 days each week to be entered in a prize drawing! There are some ideas on the second page, but feel free to get creative! Just write a short note about what you did on the day you completed it and check the last column if you completed activities at least 3 days that week.

Please email your completed sheet to wellness@uwgb.edu by November 8, 2023.

Fall Wellness Challenge

Summer Bingo Challenge

It’s finally summer and the Wellness Committee has a new summer challenge!

Complete at least 6 activities to receive a prize of your pick(ex: T-shirt, cutting board, lunch box, and more).

Complete all 36 activities and receive a Power Bank Charger.

Email your completed forms to wellness@uwgb.edu by August 13, 2023

If you have any questions, please email wellness@uwgb.

PDF Here – SUMMER Challenge

Well Wisconsin Radio: Let’s Talk Mindfulness and Guided Meditation

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

April Episode: Mindfulness and Guided Meditation with Dan Tyler

Explore the practice of mindfulness with a fellow Wisconsin colleague from the Department of Transportation. Dan Tyler leads two weekly mindfulness sessions for Well Wisconsin program participants. In this episode he talks about what you can expect from those events, health benefits associated with mindfulness and how he got started in this practice. Learn more about guided meditation and gain tips for incorporating this practice into your routine. Hopefully you will tune in!

Listen HERE!

Note to those eligible for the 2023 Well Wisconsin incentive: Two episodes of Well Wisconsin Radio from Season 2, dated November 2022 and later will qualify for well-being activity credit. 

March Madness Challenge Reminder

The Wellness Committee’s March Madness Challenge can be completed and submitted by March 31st to wellness@uwgb.edu. Please send your t-shirt size, as all participates will receive a t-shirt for completing the challenge.

Please visit our original blog post HERE.

Email wellness@uwgb.edu if you have any questions.