No matter the time of year or weather, the pursuit of a healthy, balanced lifestyle is always a priority, and Western believes in strongly supporting its faculty and staff in that pursuit. It does take some time and patience, but we promise that you can find your groove. You can choose activities that suit your lifestyle and your goals. Our special Winter Wellness program has been organized to help you be your best, even as the weather seems to grow colder! Built on the foundation of the seven domains of wellness, we offer physical activities, workshops, webinars and more to help each of us reach our wellness goals.

See our Winter Wellness poster for a great overview of what's available!

Scheduled activities

Monday, February 12

Rise & Shine Yoga – 6:30 to 7:00 a.m. - Virtual
Set the tone for your day by joining rise and shine yoga! This moving meditation is a choreography of breath and movement to help focus the mind on the present moment and improve mobility as well as enhance concentration. Ease yourself into the work day with a little self-care.

Webinar - Telus Health: The art of managing conflict
Noon to 1:00 p.m. - Virtual
Facilitated by TELUS Health, with Jonathan Zinck
Conflict is a common part of life, a natural result of people having different points of view, values, and beliefs. When well-managed, conflict can enhance your relationships, deepen your understanding of yourself and others, and stimulate change and growth. This seminar will provide participants with a framework for assessing the types of conflict common in the workplace and propose strategies for their resolution.

Tuesday, February 13

Living Well @ Western - Yoga with Tracy
12:10 to 12:50 p.m. - Arts & Humanities Building, 2B15
Join Tracy Ishmael in her weekly yoga class. This activity class focuses on improving posture, balance, coordination, strength, and breath control by practicing a series of physical postures. Use the power of positive thinking to develop harmony in the body, mind, and environment. Namaste. Please bring your own yoga mat!

Living Well @ Western - Zen Meditation Break
2:00 to 2:20 p.m. - Arts & Humanities Building, 2B15
Meditation has shown to reduce anxiety and stress by helping you feel grounded and more present. In these sessions, you can expect a simple guided practice, led by a Western employee who is experienced in facilitating sessions that are accessible to beginners and experienced meditators alike. Chairs, yoga mats and cushions are available; you are welcome to bring your favourite yoga mat or cushion for a more comfortable experience.

Put Your Plan to Work - Financial Webinar - Facilitated by Sun Life
Noon - Virtual
Your Western Pension Plan is a great way to reach your financial goals. Join Sun Life’s Senior Education Consultant, Andrea Ruttan, to learn more about how to navigate the investments offered under the plan and stay on track with your saving goals by using the tools on the Sun Life member site and with support from consultants at Sun Life.

Wednesday, February 14

Sexual Wellness Fair emotional physical
10:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. - UCC Atrium
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner making it the perfect time to learn more about the sexual health and wellness resources available to you on campus and in our community. Whether for yourself, your children, or your students, staying up-to-date with the latest information about sexual health is important to help destigmatize and celebrate sexual health for all. On February 14 from 10:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. drop by the UCC Atrium to play games, win prizes, use the photobooth, and gain lots of information from campus and community partners attending include Regional HIV/ AIDs Connection, LIHC Options Clinic, USC Health Promotions, Western Bookstore, and the Middlesex London Health Unit.

This event is eligible for wellness rewards. To receive the code, attendees can connect with the staff at GBSV Education booth.

Living Well @ Western - 20-Minute Body Weight Workout physical
12:10 to 12:30 and 12:30 to 12:50 p.m. - Arts & Humanities Building, 2B15
Join Fitness instructor JJ Keck for 20-minute body weight workout! There will be two 20-minute classes back-to-back. You can stay for one or both, allowing you more flexibility to attend.

Thursday, February 15

Webinar - The Sandwich Generation emotional
1:00 to 2:00 p.m. - Virtual
Facilitated by TELUS Health, with Stacey Moore
Giving to work and family at the same time can be difficult for anyone, but for people in the sandwich generation—those who care for children and elderly parents—life can be especially demanding. This seminar will encourage participants to tune into important considerations in their lives with respect to caring for elderly family members, caring for children and grandchildren, as well as caring for themselves.

Staying the course in changing times - Financial webinar
3:00 to 4:00 p.m. - Virtual
Facilitated by Sun Life as part of their Financial Wellness Webinar Series
Learn more about how to navigate your investments and stay on track with your savings goals even during uncertain times.

Friday, February 16

Webinar - More than the Birds and the Bees
12:00-1:00 pm – virtual

Facilitated by Kelsey Adams, GBSV Educator, Student Experience along with a community expert from ANOVA are hosting a talk:

“As caregivers, we understand that we are creating the foundation for our children's future relationships with their bodies and themselves, but knowing how to do that can sometimes be difficult. This interactive session will provide tangible strategies for how to move away from the one-and-done 'birds and bees' conversation, and instead be more intentional in how we weave those values throughout our daily interactions whether with our small children or young adult children. Parents will leave with a deeper understanding of how personal and cultural values instilled in childhood impact young adults as they begin exploring romantic and sexual relationships of their own.”

Monday February 19 - Family Day - Enjoy!

Tuesday, February 20

Living Well @ Western - Yoga with Tracy
12:10 to 12:50 p.m. - Arts & Humanities Building, 2B15
Join, Tracy Ishmael in her weekly yoga class. This activity class focuses on improving posture, balance, coordination, strength, and breath control by practicing a series of physical postures. Use the power of positive thinking to develop harmony in the body, mind, and environment. Namaste. Please bring your own yoga mat!

Wednesday, February 21

Getting Restful Sleep - Webinar
12:00 to 1:00 p.m. - Virtual
Facilitated by TELUS Health, with Jonathan Zinck
Sleep is critical to our functioning. It increases your ability to concentrate and focus, allows you to approach challenges with a more positive attitude, and can have positive effects on your memory and health. This seminar will also describe sleep’s vital role in maintaining health along with valuable and practical tips and strategies that participants can apply to get quality, restful sleep and stay alert.

Living Well @ Western - 20-Minute Body Weight Workout physical
12:10 to 12:30 AND 12:30 to 12:50 p.m. - Arts & Humanities Building, 2B15
Join Fitness instructor JJ Keck for 20-minute body weight workout! There will be two 20-minute classes back-to-back. You can stay for one or both, allowing you more flexibility to attend.

Thursday, February 22

Effective Communication at Work - Webinar occupational
11:00 a.m. to 12:00 - Virtual
Facilitated by TELUS Health, with Stacey Moore
In order to communicate effectively, individuals have to master the techniques of effective listening and self-expression. These skills involve verbal and non-verbal behaviours as well as the ability to speak with persuasion and confidence. This seminar will examine both of these essential sides of the communication equation. It will address key communication elements such as active listening and show participants how to present messages in a way that is more compatible with the receiver’s style.

Living Well @ Western - Zumba
12:10 to 12:50 - Arts & Humanities Building, 2B15
Join Darlene Willie, Certified Zumba instructor for a lunch time Zumba class!

Wellness Walk
11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. - Biological & Geological Sciences (BGS)
Western employees are invited to join in a wellness walk across campus including some of our beautiful nature trails. Some days walks are moved to Fridays.
Email Ben Souriol to get updates on the wellness walk schedule.

Friday, February 23

Open Skate and Open Track physical
11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. - Thompson Arena
Join your colleagues at an open skate and/or use the indoor walking track, anytime between 11 am -12:30 p.m. There will be hot chocolate, and cookies!

At your own pace

Check out some other on campus, or community resources when thinking about your wellness!

Physical

Be your own tour guide! See our PDF self-guided walking tour of our beautiful campus!
Occupational Health, Safety & Well-being: In Workplace Health there is a full-time Occupational Health Nurse and Occupational Health Physician is available for medical treatment of occupational and non-occupational illness/injuries, and general health concerns.
Give the gift of life. To learn more about how you, and your team can arrange a group trip (by bus, free of charge) to donate blood, please email: livingwell@uwo.ca
Visit the Living Well @ Western webpage to learn about the free wellness programming and internal Wellness Rewards program available to all staff and faculty. While there, sign up for our Living Well @ western email list to receive monthly calendars of activities, learn of special events and stay up to date on the Internal Wellness Rewards prize winners!

Financial

Your Western Pension Plan provides a great foundation to save for retirement. Feel good about being on top of your decisions by checking out one of the on-demand videos made just for Western plan members or call Sun Life at 1-866-733-8612 for support in managing your account.

Spiritual

A multi-faith space is available for students, staff, and faculty to book in Middlesex College, 15C. Book online here.
Western Chaplains maintain a list of places of worship off-campus in our community. You can see the list here.
Mindfulness practice resources:
Learning Development & Success has recorded guided medications, a 31-day calendar of mindful learning, and some prompts to assist you to begin mindful journaling.
Read the January 2022 article from Western News about Tanaz Javan, then PhD candidate and wellness instructor on how she helps employees and students focus on their emotional and spiritual well-being. Included is a 10-Minute guided meditation YouTube video.

Environmental

Book a sustainability tour: a tour of the different sustainability features on campus.
Download the Sustainable Living Guide prepared by Western Sustainability.

Occupational

Did you know that Telus Health, your Employee (and family) Assistance Program offers career counselling and care now programs related to work?
Are you familiar with Western’s Disconnecting from Work policy?
Western Continuing Studies provides opportunities for everyone to keep learning at Western University. Check out the offerings today!
Check out the Staff & Leader Development pages for workshop and learning opportunities!

Community

Stay up to date on the various events happening on campus by visiting the main Western Events Calendar

Emotional

Explore some of the Mental Health resources we have on campus and complete the Mental Health module on OWL. After successful completion of the module, participants receive a certificate confirming their participation.
Sign up for your Telus Health account. Telus Health is your confidential provider of our Employee (and family) Assistance Program (EAP). Services are available to all Western employees and to immediate family members. Help is available by phone anytime, or by video or online chat. In-person counselling is also available - masks are required. You are also encouraged to register to access the Telus Health website and app. There you can take advantage of tools, podcasts, and other resources.
Based on the National Standard for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace, Healthy Minds is a program that looks to adopt the Standard in a practical way for our campus community.

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The Seven Domains of Wellness

Your evolving wellness journey