Feature
The start of each new year brings new opportunities for us to connect, thrive and transform our lives. We are once again confronted with developing our intentions to eat healthier, exercise more, and become a better version of ourselves. The Faculty and Staff Assistance Program (FSAP) is bringing back “Leap into Well-being,” a 28-day challenge in February offering UM employees an opportunity to actively participate in webinars and activities meant to improve our collective well-being.
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Clarity . Connection . Comfort
Feeling well connected to others contributes to mental health, meaning in life, and even physical well-being. When loneliness or isolation becomes chronic, human brains and bodies suffer, straining a person’s long-term well-being as significantly as major health risks like obesity and air pollution. Discover four research proven behaviors which enhance feelings of social connection.
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Mental Health Corner
According to the American Psychological Association’s annual Stress in America Survey, work-related stress is consistently reported as a major source of stress for most Americans. Whether it is multiple deadlines, excess workloads, or lack of support from co-workers, it is imperative to learn to cope with chronic stress. Discover seven suggestions that are within your sphere of control.
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Guest Article
If you have good or excellent credit, you may qualify for a credit card offer with an introductory 0% APR. Avoid common pitfalls that could turn your smart shopping plan into a regrettable mistake. Before you charge anything to a 0% APR credit card, check out these five tips on how much you can save and a few missteps that could throw your repayment plan off course.
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Activity
Begin the new year by engaging in a deep breathing technique partnered with feelings of goodwill for yourself and others. This technique is impactful because you are effectively breathing in positivity and the present moment, leaving no room for negativity or outside factors that contribute to feelings of tension.
Try this simple, yet effective technique when you are in need of serenity:
- Find a comfortable place to sit. Rest your hands on your lap or by your side.
- Close your eyes or lower your gaze.
- Take some deep breaths to settle into this moment. Let your breaths be slow and steady.
- As you breathe in, imagine you are breathing in all the love in the universe. You can feel it rushing with the air, filling you with light, joy, and warmth.
- As you breathe out, imagine you are breathing out pure peace. As you breathe out you are adding an immeasurable amount of peace to the world with every exhale, making it a calmer, more serene place.
- Continue breathing this way for at least three minutes.
As you breathe in love and breathe out peace, you build your innate capacity for feeling calm and patient. When you finish this practice, you will have a well of peace to draw from any time you need to feel at ease.
Source: The Book of Patience: 250 ways to a more patient you. Courtney E. Ackerman. 2021.
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Did You Know?
Research has found a link between an upbeat mental state and improved health, which includes lower blood pressure, reduced risk for heart disease, healthier weight, better blood sugar levels, and a longer life. There is no need to sugarcoat reality, just work on maintaining a hopeful and balanced perspective.
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Virtual Wellness Webinars
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“Happiness is not by chance, but by choice.”
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