Wear Red Day

Friday, February 2

Wear red on Friday, Feb. 2, to raise awareness for heart disease.

Your Wellness Network Heart Health Demo

Tuesday, February 6; 12 p.m. 

Learn about all the ways Your Wellness Network can support your heart health. 

In-person Zumba Class Series

Tuesdays, Feb. 6, 13, 20, and 27; at 4:15 and 5:15 p.m., at Fitness Center Group Exercise Studio (Albert Sherman Center, third floor)

OWB is partnering with Corporate Fitness Works to offer weekly, in person Zumba classes available to all employees, staff and students at UMass Chan. Questions? Send an email to: fitnesscenter@umassmed.edu.

Virtual Heart Health Meditation

Wednesday, February 7; 12 p.m. 

Tuesday, February 27; 12 p.m.

Take 20-minutes to relax and breathe during this guided meditation that will calm the body and mind. 

Virtual Heart Health Panel Discussion

Monday, February 12; 12 p.m.

Join OWB, cardiovascular specialist, Dr. David McManus, and cardiac arrest survivors Amanda Gonzalez and Alexandria Dean for an educational webinar. The panel will discuss cardiovascular issues, populations at risk, provide actionable steps to improve heart health and offer strategies for managing stress. Hear from survivors as they share their amazing personal stories.

7-Day Walking Challenge on Your Wellness Network

Challenge runs Monday, February 12 through Sunday, February 18.

Registration opens February 1.

Walking is a simple and effective way to improve your overall health. It can help reduce the risk of chronic diseases, improve your mood, and boost your energy levels. That's why OWB is excited to invite you to join this walking challenge on Your Wellness Network.

Challenge yourself to go for a 10-minute walk each day, and experience the benefits of walking. By joining the challenge, you'll be able to connect with like-minded individuals who share the same passion for fitness and well-being. 

OWB Information Table and Blood Pressure Screenings

Wednesdays, February 14 and 21; 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Albert Sherman Center - MPR East

In partnership with the Tan Chingfen Graduate School of Nursing and Corporate Fitness Works, get your blood pressure checked by nursing student, complete a step test, and learn about the resources and services UMass Chan provides to support your heart, health and well-being. No registration is required.

Activation vs. Avoidance: A Key to Self-management

Thursday, January 18; 12 - 1 p.m. 

Activation involves direct pursuit of behaviors and experiences that are consistent with our values and goals, even when such pursuits may make us anxious or uncomfortable. In contrast, avoidance places a priority on short-term escape from uncomfortable emotions, at the expense of progress on values and goals.  Understanding and managing the activation/avoidance distinction is a key to intentional and healthy self-management. This workshop will explore both the origins and consequences of avoidance, and strategies for blocking avoidance and increasing activation across many domains of life. 

Social Connectedness and Well-being

Thursday, February 15; 12 - 1 p.m. 

Humans have a fundamental need for social connectedness, even when the stresses and trials of daily living leave us wanting to retreat into ourselves and avoid social contact. What kinds of relationships enhance our well-being and what kinds of relationships are more likely to be a drain on our resources? How can you intentionally create and maintain healthy interpersonal relationships at work, with friends, and with family? This one-hour workshop will provide an overview of the psychology of social connectedness/support and concrete strategies to improve the quality of your relationships with others. 

Mental Health Help-seeking 101: Types of Help and What to Expect from the Process of Change

Thursday, March 21; 12 - 1 p.m. 

Seeking help for depression, anxiety, loneliness, conflict, or other mental health challenges can be a daunting process.  Many people lack clarity on the differences between psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, counselors, and life coaches. Some also wonder what's reasonable to expect from these helping sources. Should the process be comfortable or uncomfortable? Will I have to talk about my childhood or my current life? How do I know if I need medication of some kind? These questions and others will be addressed in this one-hour workshop designed to help you understand the diverse landscape of seeking help for problems in living. 

Creativity and Well-being: Finding, Nurturing, and Developing Your Creative Self

Thursday, April 18; 12 - 1 p.m. 

Creative pursuits enhance feelings of self-confidence, relaxation, purpose, accomplishment, and a sense of "flow."  

Creative activities are widely available to us all regardless of whether we view ourselves as "creative types."

This one-hour workshop will explore why and how creative activity is beneficial to our well-being and provide concrete strategies for initiating and maintaining such pursuits in your ongoing life. 

Managing Your Own Well-being When Supporting Others: the Challenge of Caregiving

Thursday, May 16; 12 - 1 p.m. 

As we continue through adult development, many people find themselves in the position of caring for others with significant mental or physical health challenges. The process of caregiving involves providing both emotional and tangible support and can create substantial challenges for the caregiver including burnout, depression, anxiety, hopelessness, and anger.  

This one-hour workshop will provide a framework for thinking about the specific challenges of being a caregiver and strategies for prioritizing and supporting your own well-being, even when it is ultimately in the service of others. 

Sex, Drugs, Gambling, and Chocolate: The Psychology of Addictions

Thursday, June 20; 12 - 1 p.m. 

The idea that addictions are a disease has gained a good deal of traction in society. Indeed, there is ample evidence that addictions are difficult to change, that they depend on specific brain mechanisms, and that they run in families.  At the same time, much can be learned about managing addictive behaviors by considering the psychology of addiction more broadly.

This one-hour virtual workshop will explore the role of basic learning processes in succumbing to and overcoming addictive behaviors.