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Faculty/Staff POWER UP Newsletter: January 2019

02/20/2019, 03:05:01 PM

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Power up Newsletter
HR Health and Wellness	January 2019
HAPPY NEW YEAR! Ready for Resolutions? For many, the start of a new year brings an opportunity to reflect and acknowledge all they’ve been grateful for over the past 12 months. Many also use the opportunity to create New Year’s resolutions for themselves, seeing the new year as a fresh start for adopting a new behavior or changing an existing one. Regardless of which you may be contemplating, first think through your decision and consider what will help you succeed. There are a number of resources online and elsewhere that can provide you with recommendations for achieving your goals. Three initial tips include being realistic, creating a plan and starting small, but there are many more actions that can help support you throughout the process. Whether it’s to eat more fruits and vegetables, exercise more or some other behavior change, think about your plan of action first. Brainstorm with a friend or family member different tools and strategies that will help you be successful. Chances are they may have some good ideas and could help keep you accountable throughout the process. GRATITUDE AND YOUR HEALTH This past November, Rev. Eileen O’Brien, Episcopal campus missioner for Houston Canterbury based at the University of Houston, presented "The Power and Practice of Gratitude," the final POWER UP Lunch and Learn for the fall semester. If you missed these presentations, click here for a brief article provided by the Employees Retirement System’s health promotion department that discusses the practice of gratitude and how it can positively affect your health. WINTER BREAK YOGA AT THE CRWC For the first time ever, the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center (CRWC) will have group fitness classes available for employee members over the winter break. From Jan. 3-10, yoga will be offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays, noon-12:45 p.m. Over the course of the spring semester, two classes per week will continue to be offered on Tuesdays and Fridays, 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m. For more information on group fitness/yoga offerings, click here. Need Consultation? LET'S TALK! "Let's Talk" is a free consultation service for the UH community. Each semester, University Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) therapists hold walk-in hours at five different locations on campus, Monday through Friday. Faculty and staff are encouraged to utilize this program to consult about individuals or situations of concern, or for their own personal support. Click here for more information, including the hours and locations for the different sessions. WEIGHT MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES Indulged a bit too much over the holidays? Two online weight management programs are available to eligible BCBSTX employees. Naturally Slim is a self-paced 10-week program that focuses on how and when to eat versus what to eat. Real Appeal offers year-long group sessions that focus on specific aspects of weight loss. To learn more about each of these online programs and how to join, click here. UH Weight Watchers at Work meets Thursdays on campus, 12:15-1 p.m., in the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center. Membership in these in-person workshops includes weekly guidance and support, program materials and access to online digital tools. Stay active and motivated by having the Weight Watchers Freestyle program come to you via these convenient workshops on campus each week. To join, stop by an on-campus workshop or contact POWERUP@uh.edu. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF MEDITATION THURSDAYS For many, meditation is a stress-reduction strategy; however, a new study suggests that practicing meditation might shore up one’s commitment to being physically active as the seasons change. If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to exercise more this year, then becoming more mindful of your body and state of being may help keep you moving during the colder months. This spring, you can reap the benefits of meditation by practicing weekly in the UH Wellness Classroom, located in Suite 1038 on the first floor of the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center, each Thursday from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m. Engage in three different types of meditation on a rotating basis: general mindfulness, guided meditation and compassion-focused meditation. Visit UH Wellness online for the schedule. Sessions are open to all students, faculty and staff, and no pre-registration is required. Just show up and join in! Happy New Year! Court Stein HR Wellness Administrator CONTACT US phone: 713-743-3988 web: http://www.uh.edu/human-resources/PowerUP-Wellness/ email: POWERUP@uh.edu	In This Issue Happy New Year! Ready for Resolutions? Gratitude and Your Health Winter Break Yoga at the CRWC Need Consultation? Let’s Talk! Weight Management Strategies Take Advantage of Meditation Thursdays Quick Bites Spring POWER UP Lunch and Learn Series Attend QPR Training EAP at Your Service Featured Wellness Notes QUICK BITES from UH Weight Watchers at Work! Avoiding Holiday Weight Gain Snow-Capped Chocolate Yule Log How Rewards Can Help You Reach Your Goals Why Weight Training Could Be So Good For You How Much Exercise Can Improve Your Mood? Spring POWER UP Lunch and Learn Series This spring, join POWER UP Employee Wellness for one or more Lunch and Learns. Review the schedule today and sign up for one or more! In January, attend a Lunch and Learn presentation by UH faculty member and Registered Dietitian Nancy Graves to receive tips and recommendations for healthier eating in the new year! Tuesday, Jan. 22, noon-1 p.m., at the UH Technology Bridge, Building 1, Room 214 Thursday, Jan. 24, noon-1 p.m., in the Elizabeth D. Rockwell Pavilion on the second floor of the M.D. Anderson Library Register here. Attend QPR Training QPR (Question, Persuade and Refer) training is a nationally recognized suicide prevention program designed to help laypersons assist others who are suffering from emotional distress that may lead them to consider suicide. Since staff and faculty often encounter students in distress, this program can help you learn specific, vital steps you can take to support such students by showing that you care, offering hope, and assisting them in the process of getting the professional help they need. University CAPS offers QPR training most Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout each semester during the academic year. These are held on campus at the Counseling and Psychological Services office, from noon to 1 pm. To reserve a place, contact Turia Abdulrahman at tabdulra@central.uh.edu. EAP at Your Service With all that the holidays entail, the stress of the season can run high. If you find you need support, the University’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is available to you. The EAP offers employees a variety of services, including counseling services, legal and financial resources, as well as work/life referrals. To access the EAP, click here or call 713.500.3327. The EAP is available to you 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
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