The Best Things Are Ahead
Recently I blogged on our department’s Healthy Workplace Initiative Program (HWIP) blog –
Mission Fit Possible - about my new
Best Thing tradition.
Basically, the idea is that we should start talking about and prioritizing the Best Thing (BT) in our lives.
No, I’m not talking about my beautiful new shoes or my sweet cruiser bike. As Art Buchwald said, “The best things in life aren’t things.”
The Best Things can also change a lot, but some are consistent. There are small BT’s and large BT’s and things and people in our lives that we know will never ever be even a part of a BT.
So as September brings the changing of the leaves, the winding down of long, lazy summer days, and the return of a busy, bustling campus, I ask you: What are your Best Things and how are you going to prioritize them in this busy time of year?
So far, today my long-term BT is the excitement I feel about the incredible line-up of Healthy UBC Programs that we are offering for free this fall to all of you! (I’m hoping to create some BT’s for you this fall with our programs!)
My short-term BT is sharing a good joke with a few of my close colleagues (after spending far too long complaining about things in life).
Share your thoughts on my blog post, and I’ll be able to share some of them next month.
All my best,
Suzanne Jolly
HSE Coordinator (Health Promotion Programs)
604-822-8762
Stand Up for Mental Health - Two Free Comedy Shows
Mental Illness Awareness Week (October 4 - 9)
Most people think you have to be nuts to do stand-up comedy. Counselor and stand-up comic David Granirer offers it as a form of therapy. The result is the comedy show that looks at the lighter side of the mental health journey.
On Monday, October 5, Healthy UBC will host the show Stand Up for Mental Health in collaboration with the UBC Wellness Centre (Student Health Service) and Counselling Services.
The performance injects humor into the experience of taking meds, seeing counselors, getting diagnosed, and surviving the mental health system.
There will be two performances on October 5:
• 12 – 1 pm, designed specifically for faculty and staff (but also open to students)
• 8 - 9:30 pm for students, staff and other community members
Come and share the laughter with your colleagues. Register here.
Watch a video clip of previous Stand Up for Mental Health performances.
“Stand Up For Mental Health teaches stand up comedy to people with mental illness as a way of building confidence and fighting public stigma, prejudice, and discrimination.” (www.standupformentalhealth.com)
Amazing Race Wellness Challenge
Join us from November 2, 2009 to December 4, 2009 in this year’s race to a healthier you - the Amazing Race Wellness Challenge.
In teams of at least four, collect points by competing in a variety of health challenges.
These activities can include anything from eating a nutritious breakfast to sorting out personal finances.
The team with the most points will be declared the champion
and will receive the grand prize. Participants will also be eligible for weekly draw prizes.
The contest includes health challenges in all five dimensions of wellness: physical activity, nutrition, intellectual, psychological and social/community.
For more information on signing up for the Challenge contact EFAP Clerk
Thea Treahy-Geofreda at 604-827-3047.
Faculty Culture and Meaning Making
Challenges and Opportunities for the New Global Century
What are some of the forces that seem to get in the way of long-term faculty success?
How might faculty turn apparent 21st century challenges into opportunities?
How can faculty members address aspects of faculty culture to better enable themselves and their colleagues to live healthy, successful lives?
On Tuesday, October 27, 2009, we host Dr. Kevin Kecskes, Associate Vice-Provost of Portland State University who will talk about faculty culture and faculty health.
The event which runs from 1:30 - 4 pm is part of Celebrate Learning Week at UBC and will be followed by a reception.
Join us in taking a closer look at how culture impacts faculty members’ abilities to choose healthy behaviors. For more information contact Suzanne Jolly at 604-822-8762.
Healthy UBC Network
The Healthy UBC Network is composed of a cross section of faculty and staff who - often on a volunteer basis - develop and coordinate prevention-oriented health and wellness programs in their respective units. Each month we feature the work of one of these Network members.
Weight Watchers
Once again the UBC Bookstore is hosting Weight Watchers (WW) meetings every Thursday between 12:30 – 1:00 pm.
As staff member Sandra Blackmore explains, “a few of us in the Bookstore wanted to lose some weight, but our excuse was that we didn't have the time to do anything about it after work. Well, with the WW program, we don't have that excuse any more.”
Each week, the group discusses a different weight loss topic set by WW and led by the WW leader. They celebrate any successes in the program, talk about what's working and “generally have a laugh or two.”
During the Bookstore's first 20-week WW program this past spring, the group collectively lost over 300 pounds. Says Blackmore, “we also made friends, had fun and began to change the way we approached eating in the workplace and at home.”
From 12 – 12:30 people drop in and get weighed (privately). The WW meeting runs until 1 pm.
The meetings are open to all UBC staff members.
For more information - including price - contact
Sandra Blackmore at 604-822-8200.
Free Healthy UBC Programs
Spend a lunch hour with colleagues picking up a new skill. These monthly free events are available to all UBC faculty and staff members.
Mondays and Fridays. Power Walking Club. Now you can get your power walking fix at lunchtime on Mondays as well as Fridays. Get your walk on with walk leaders Debbie McPherson (Mondays) or Arlene Decaire (Fridays).
More.
Sept 4. Foundations of Effective Parenting. Learn effective strategies to facilitate positive behaviour, prevent misbehaviour and deal effectively with inappropriate behaviour.
More.
Sept 9. Responsible Optimism. When adversity and challenges arise, we can either respond with optimism or gloom. Optimism, however, leads to health. Learn how to adopt a more positive outlook.
More.
Sept 16. Sleep and Restfulness. Find yourself nodding off in the workplace? Discover strategies for better nighttime rest and increased energy levels during the workday.
More.
Sept 30. How to Set Boundaries and Be Assertive. If you have difficulty speaking up in conflict situations or put aside your own requirements in favour of others’ needs, this workshop is for you.
More.
Healthy UBC is a publication from UBC's Department of Health, Safety and Environment and it provides health promotion information to UBC staff and faculty on a monthly basis.
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Department of Health, Safety and EnvironmentUniversity of British Columbia
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Content: Suzanne Jolly, Erin Creak
Production: Erin Creak