By Linda Scales
If your New Year’s resolutions about getting healthier have already fizzled, take heart uOttawa students and employees. From January 22 to 26, 2018, more than 20 free activities have been scheduled to help you get back on track.
Are you interested in the benefits of mindfulness or of reducing stress? What about learning to play a drum with renowned percussionist Mélissa Lavergne? Maybe you want to have fun and win prizes?
The fourth annual Wellness Week launches on Monday, January 22, with a visit by Ottawa’s own funny girl Jessica Holmes. Performing in the Agora, she’ll give a frank account of her experience with depression. Registration is not required for this and most other activities.
It’s easy to lose sight of the importance of taking care of yourself when you’re struggling with a crowded schedule. Who better to understand this than uOttawa students and employees? Wellness Week and other activities are sponsored by Human Resources, which would like to thank its campus partners for helping to make good health a priority for all.
Visit the Mental Health and Wellness site for the complete Wellness Week schedule. But first, check out the sample of activities below.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness is considered a valuable wellness practice. This workshop, in English, by Professor David Paré from the Faculty of Education will introduce participants to mindfulness and guide them in some exercises. The workshop will conclude with some information on developing a personal mindfulness practice.
Thursday, January 25 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. (Fauteux 361) (maximum 25 participants)
Employees have until June 22 to take the 30-day mindfulness challenge. Support your mental health by becoming present in your own life.
Pet Therapy
Spend some time chilling with the therapy dogs. Trained to help reduce stress and anxiety, these joyful furballs make every interaction downright happy and fun.
Tuesday to Friday, January 23 to 26 from noon to 1 p.m. (Terminus)
Stress Management and Self-Regulation
Natalie Durand-Bush, a sport psychologist at the School of Human Kinetics, will give a workshop on stress and burnout, the impact of each, as well as self-regulating strategies to help with both. (In English)
Tuesday, January 23 from noon to 1:00 p.m. (Fauteux, Room 147-B)
Active on Ice
Come skate with the Health Promotion team. See you on the ice and don't forget to bring your skates! NOTE: This activity is held every Thursday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. It’s free.
Thursday, January 25 from 1:30 p.m. to 2:20 p.m. (Minto Sports Complex)
Badminton: The Longest Rally Challenge
Your chance to win bragging rights and a four-month, all-inclusive gym membership in the longest rally competition! You and a partner (plus a witness) will have 60 seconds to pass the shuttlecock between you as many times as possible.
Tuesday, January 23 and Thursday, January 25 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Montpetit, Gym 3)
Yoga
During Wellness Week, the Art of Living offers free yoga sessions to employees and students (as it does every Monday). Bring your water bottle and a yoga mat (although Health Services will have some on hand if you don’t have one).
Monday, January 22 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. (90 University, Room 140)
Money Management
For staff and faculty only.
This financial literacy workshop will stress the importance of managing your money, determining where it goes and how to apply some basic money management concepts and techniques.
Wednesday, January 24 from 11 a.m. to noon (English) and 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. (French) (Desmarais 12101) (10 - 30 participants)