Healthy You

Mindfulness Meditation Series – Back by Popular Demand in September!!

Mindfulness is a concentrated state of awareness that can help us see and respond to situations with clarity. It’s gaining popularity as a wellness practice both inside the workplace and out.

Three decades of scientific research suggest that mindfulness can positively, and often profoundly, affect people’s ability to reduce their medical symptoms and psychological distress. Regular practice actually creates observable, physical changes in the brain—changes that impact thought patterns and the body’s physical response to stress. In the class noted below, participants will learn about and practice mindfulness meditation.

Developing mindfulness helps you to:

• Better manage tension and stress

• Be more objective

• Communicate and make decisions more effectively

• Be more productive

• Enhance creativity

Location:  Multi Faith Room, Houghton Chapel             

Dates and times:      The series will begin on September 19^th and will be held each Thursday from 12 to 1pm (the first and last sessions will go to 1:30), in the Houghton Chapel Multi Faith Room. Space is limited to the first 25 employees, to rsvp go to http://www.wellesley.edu/hr/empdev/signup or call x3289    

Dates: Sept. 19, 12-1:30pm, Sept. 26, 12-1pm, Oct. 3, 12-1pm, Oct. 10, 12-1pm, Oct. 17, 12-1pm, Oct. 24, 12- 1:30pm.                                         

For additional information on mindfulness, please visit www.harvardpilgrim.org/mindfulness

Weight Watchers - if there is enough interest, we will be able to bring Weight Watchers on campus. If you are interested in participating in the weekly meetings email healthyu@wellesley.edu or call x 2212 or x 2248

Due to the success of the Weight Watchers Program that we previously had on campus, we are planning to organize another session.  If you would be interested in attending the onsite Weight Watchers program please send us an email at healthyu@wellesley.edu.   The cost for the program will be $156.00 per person for a 12 week series.  Incentives and prizes will be awarded!  The meetings will likely be held on Thursdays during lunch. Once we know if there is enough interest, we will schedule the program. We must have at least 15 people interested to run the program on campus. If we have enough interest to move forward with the program, we will send out sign-up instructions with details. Learn how you can lose weight and feel great this Spring!  Email at healthyu@wellesley.edu and let us know if you would be interested! 

Harvard Pilgrim Online Resources

Using the Harvard Pilgrim website you’ll find resources for: 

• Locating a doctor
• Searching for information on prescription drugs, including proper usage, precautions, and side effects
• Understanding medical conditions, tests, and treatment options
• Accessing your Personal Health Record through the HPHConnected secure site

 

You’ll also find links to the Harvard Pilgrim Prepared for Care program, savings on health-related products and services, and lifestyle and wellness topics.

Meet our new Healthy You Employee of the Month!

Deborah Feld-Fabisiewicz

Deborah: I have been participating in one of the Welleness Program's classes, "Full Body Workout" for the past few months.  It is led by Mary Ellen Clark.  It's an hour long class in the morning before work in which we do some aerobic warm up and then we go down to the weight room and do some weight training.  I can't say enough good things about this class.  Mostly Mary Ellen is just terrific and the other people in the class (it's small now with 4 people plus Mary Ellen) are wonderful as well.  I particularly like this class because Mary Ellen gets me doing weight training that otherwise alone I would never do.  I've always been very active as a runner but now that I am getting older I know that it's very important especially for women to include weight training in any workout routine.  But I never really was able to stick with it by myself.  And the best part is that I really feel that my body--even in this short time--is changing for the better and really toning up. I'm very enthusiastic about this class.  I truly feel better after the class and for a longer time. 

Healthy You: Do you go to the class every morning? At what time? Do you do any other workouts on your own?

Deborah: I work out every day.  I work at Wellesley Monday-Thursday and I go every morning to work out before I start my day at work.  I'm usually at the sports center around 7:10 AM.  I find it one of the best "perks" of working at Wellesley.  I do some sort of aerobic workout, either on the elliptical machine, stationary bike or just running on the track for about an hour.  The best part of the morning is a quick sauna and shower before work.  I feel just great after my work out and ready to face the day at work and beyond. 

HY: How did you decide to enroll in the class?

Deborah: I always keep my eyes and ears open to wellness classes.  I participated in the meditation classes last year which I found very interesting.  This particular fully body workout class I discovered first from afar--watching a class work out and noticing that the instructor, Mary Ellen Clark was extremely pleasant, upbeat and encouraging.  So the next time it opened up for a new session, I thought I would try it. 

HY:Was there anything that surprised you when you started the class or along the way? What are the benefits/changes that you have noticed?

Deborah: It's the weight training part of the class that I surprised myself by enjoying the most.  It's something I know I should do, but don't--at least not by myself.  Mary Ellen is so motivating and supportive, she makes it fun and she really knows what she is doing.  I really feel that my body is "lining up" better and is starting to be a bit more sculpted in a way that I've always wanted to happen but didn't know how to achieve.  I can now do 7-8 push-ups (albeit from my knees) which is about 7-8 more than I could do before the class!  It's a very low-key class with amazing benefits.  The days I do the weight training, I feel better for longer in the day than when I just do my own aerobic workout.  I really love it.  The other people in the class are wonderful.  There is camaraderie amongst us with Mary Ellen that is delightful.  I highly recommend it for anyone who just wants to start getting in shape.  You do as much as you can do.  Mary Ellen is there for encouragement and to help with form and correct technique.

HY:How do you plan to continue with your health habits in the future?

Deborah: Exercise to me is a way of life.  It's part of my daily routine like brushing my teeth.  I like to go early in the morning to get it over with.  The only excuse I have at that hour is I'm tired.  But once I get going, I'm set for the day.  If I don't exercise, I really find that I'm lethargic for most of the day.  

HY:Do you have any advice for people who want to start exercising?

Deborah: My advice for people who want to start exercising is just do it.  Find whatever activity that works for you and stick with it.  For some it might be yoga, for others ballet or tennis.  Yoga is not for me.  I like to work up a sweat, so running is what I like most to do.  But whatever you choose, it's important to get a full body workout and I just can't say enough good things about Mary Ellen and this particular class.

You can submit nominations of yourself or others for Healthy You Employee of the Month at healthyu@wellesley.edu.