Rebecca Schubert, GMHEC Employee Well-being Program Coordinator, shares this week’s awesome lineup of opportunities to move, connect, and stay healthy!
We are three quarters of the way through our GMHEC/DIEMlife “Quest to Connect” and there is still time to get in on the action. In this four week Quest, faculty and staff are encouraged to seek out creative ways to connect with themselves, with others and with their communities. The theme this week is to “Connect to community”. To learn more and join the Quest, click here. Share what you’re up to around the weekly themes in a newsfeed post in the Quest and comment on your colleagues posts. Everyone who makes or responds to a post will be entered into the weekly drawing to win some cool prizes. Four winners from last week each took home a $50 Amazon gift card and one lucky winner took home a $100 gift card to City Market in Burlington. We hope to see you in the Quest and at some of our events this week.
Before I get into the events happening this week, the week of April 20th, I wanted to share a few resources.
· During the week of April 14th a group of faculty and staff came together for two facilitated discussions led by educator and coach Sarah Richardson of RiseandShine.Run. Based on those conversations Sarah developed a web page of resources related to well-being, resilience and self-care. Take a look here.
· For those of you who enjoy podcasts, the “Checking in with Susan David” podcast was recently rated by TED as one of the top podcasts addressing health and well-being during this challenging time of Covid 19. Susan David, PhD is a founder of the Institute of Coaching at Harvard McLean Hospital, is a professor of psychology at Harvard University and is author of a wonderful book called Emotional Agility. I encourage you to check out her work.
· In addition, I wanted to remind everyone about the resources that your college and Cigna have to support your well-being, especially your mental well-being as this is a very difficult time. You can learn more about those resources here.
Okay…without further ado….here’s what we’ve got going on to support our faculty and staff well-being this week…
Financial well-being:
· This is a not to miss with one of the best and brightest in the financial world….Let’s talk finances with Frankie: Join Frankie Corrado, Certified Financial Planner and Principal and Managing Director at Robertson Stephens for a presentation about financial planning strategies, how to benefit from the CARES Act stimulus and how you can take advantage of the financial options within your control during this challenging time. There will also be time for Q&A. Learn more about Frankie here. Thursday, April 23rd 5:00-6:00 pm EST. https://zoom.us/j/96749440595
· MySecureAdvantage, a multi-dimensional financial coaching and educational platform is offering a number of free webinars this week including Budgeting When Income is Uncertain and Investor Education: Strategies during volatile markets. Preregistration required. Click here to register. Middlebury faculty and staff are also eligible for free financial coaching through MSA. To find out more about that benefit click here.
Mental/emotional well-being:
· Rock Solid Skills for Turbulent Times: Join Coach Cami, founder of Guided Resilience for a presentation aimed at providing you with the tools and skills you need to master yourself during these challenging times. Sunday, April 19th 4:00-5:00 pm EST. Preregistration required. To register for “Rock Solid Skills for Turbulent Times” send a request to cami@guidedresilience.com
Worksheets for session available at:
www.guidedresilience.com
Download: Personal Stress Warning Signals, Holistic Well-Being Assessment, MAP (My Action Plan)
· Chaplain’s Moment: Join the chaplains from the Scott Center for Spiritual and Religious Life at Middlebury every noon time on Monday, Wednesday and Friday for the foreseeable future for a 15 minute reflection on what is happening around us and within our spirits. Rabbi Danielle, Chaplain Saifa, and Dean Mark will take turns leading a brief meditation on some piece of literature, poetry or world wisdom. There will be room for silence and reflection, and a bit of interaction to conclude. https://middlebury.zoom.us/j/8101629085
· Guided mindfulness with Kendra: Join Kendra Smith, yoga and meditation teacher for an hour of relaxation and time to reconnect with yourself. Kendra will provide guidance and time for quiet reflection. Ongoing Tuesdays 5:00-6:00 pm EST. https://zoom.us/j/94204980963
For the kids:
· It’s playtime!…Grab your kids (grades K-5) and join CrossFit coaches Grant and Chanelle Shymske of Upper Arlington CrossFit for some fun and play. This class involves movement, fun and games and is a great way for parents to have some fun with the kids and be active as well. Suitable for children who enjoy some focus, building of skills, and some light hearted competition. No equipment necessary but a backpack with books and some toys/furniture to climb on would be great. Tuesdays and Thursdays through April 30th. 10:00-10:30am EST. https://us04web.zoom.us/j/931401684
· Art for Kids with Erin: In this art project, Erin Sparler teaches your kids how to turn a picture of a rock into a fairy house. All you need is the photo which you can print at home and a Sharpie, some crayons, colored pencils or markets. (If you have a photo printer and/or glossy paper make sure to use Sharpie pens.) This activity is great fun for kids ages 7 through 14. Download your photo to print here photos and join the zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3843530867 Password: kidsrule. Thursday, April 23rd 7:00-7:30pm
· Yoga for kids: Led by instructor Deonne Myrick of True Center Yoga in Randolph this yoga class will enhance your kids’ flexibility, strength, coordination, and body awareness as well as their sense of calm and relaxation. Ongoing Tuesdays, 3:15-4:00 pm EST. Zoom info available here.
Physical well-being:
· Yoga! Ongoing with our partner True Center Yoga. 15 classes per week. Check out their schedule here.
· Move with Yoo-Sun: Yoo-Sun is Julliard trained violinist, teacher, trainer and co-founder of DIEMlife. Yoo-Sun will lead us through a short but energizing cardio based workout that will leave us feeling energized and ready to tackle the rest of the day. This workout is geared for people of all fitness levels and modifications to all exercises can be made by the instructor. Monday, Wednesday and Friday through April 30th. 12:00-12:30 pm EST. https://zoom.us/j/649464789
· Get the kinks out with Beth: Join Beth Umba, massage therapist and yoga teacher for a stretch session to release the kinks in your neck, back and hips. Sitting for long periods of time promotes muscle fatigue and muscle strain, and over time, pain. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to join Beth as she guides us through some stretches that we can do right from our desk or home office to get our bodies feeling their best. Tuesdays 10:00-10:30 am EST and Thursdays 3:00-3:30 pm EST through April 30th. https://zoom.us/j/5101754836
· Pump up your muscles with Jeff: Join Jeff Morton, founder of Morton Training Systems for a 30 minute, total body strength training workout. Strength training is one of the best types of activities we can do to stay strong, have better body mechanics and prevent the aches and pains of sitting all day. This workout is appropriate for all levels and modifications of all exercises can be made by the instructor. Grab a set of dumbbells or two or a couple of soup cans and let’s get moving. Tuesday and Thursdays through April 30th. 12:00-12:30 pm EST. https://zoom.us/j/3402261177
· Let’s get cooking! Join chef and Registered Dietitian Stephanie Chrapowitzky from Whole Health Nutrition as we prepare a delicious dinner of vegetarian quinoa stuffed peppers. Grab your ingredients ahead of time and cook along with us. Recipe attached. Wednesday, April 22nd 6:00-7:30pm EST. Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/951788437
You can also dial in using your phone.
United States: +1 (312) 757-3121
Access Code: 951-788-437
· Commit to get fit. The Edge online 90 Day Commit to Get Fit Program will be kicking off on April 28th. This comprehensive online wellness program is designed to provide an education to enrich your life and help you become healthier. Over the course of 13 weeks you will work with a health coach, a Registered Dietitian and a personal trainer to support you to adopt and maintain healthy lifestyle behaviors. Topics will include fitness, nutrition, stress management and behavior modification. This program will help you build a customized wellness plan, improve your health risk factors, reduce body fat and gain muscle, practice stress management and gain new energy and learn how to eat right and stay on track. There is a fee associated with this program but a portion may be covered by your health insurance. To learn more, contact Nicole Williams, Director of The Edge Preventative Care at NWilliams@edgevt.com.
· Also from The Edge…. The Edge is offering many free online classes for members and non-members and through a partnership with Les Mills they are offering free access to 85 Les Mills classes including classes for kids. Check out their offerings here.
To stay up to date with all of our events, check out the calendar on the GMHEC Well-being page (password is GMHECWell-Being), join our Facebook group or subscribe to the All Things Well-being listserv by sending a request to Rebecca.schubert@gmhec.org