healthy & well
AT LBNL
Welcome
Healthy & Well at LBNL is a centralized location for Lab staff to find support and resources to help build their health, wellness and well-being. The website is intended to get you thinking about the things you can do to foster health and wellness in your life - both at work and at home. In each section you’ll find a collection of resources from the Lab, UC Berkeley and the community that touch on different aspects of health and wellness.
Why does it matter?
You know the safety advice when flying “Secure your own oxygen mask before helping others”? The same goes for health and wellness – caring for ourselves is an integral part in caring for our families, friends and loved ones. Caring for ourselves gives us the capacity to better handle stressful or demanding situations both at home and work.
The site is a collaborative effort between Health Services, Human Resources and the IDEA Office to support the health and wellness of Berkeley Lab employees and their families. Questions? Please email us at IDEA@lbl.gov.
March resources
Health Services: March is National Nutrition Month - Beyond the Table
A healthy diet throughout life promotes and supports normal growth, development and aging, helps to maintain a healthy body weight, and reduces the risk of chronic disease - leading to overall health and well-being. It’s also a good idea to think beyond the table and consider where your food comes from and how to shorten the distance between the farm and your plate. Learn more from Health Services, at Eat Right.org and explore the nutrition resources on the Healthy & Well website.
Wellness Topic of the Month: Building Community at Berkeley Lab
Are you looking for a little connection to add to your day or week? Berkeley Lab and Be Well at Work have a series of ongoing, drop-in groups on a variety of topics that are open to everyone. The Lab's Employee Resource Groups and Employee Activity Associations also host regular events that are open to all staff, and there are a myriad of ways to volunteer.
Good Reads: How Does Social Connectedness Affect Health?
Ergo Angle:
Spring into ergonomics: Refresh your workspace this month!
Adding plants to a workspace doesn’t just beautify the area; it brings a slice of nature’s calm to your daily grind. Studies suggest that having plants in the workplace can reduce stress, clean the air, and even enhance creativity and concentration.Get up from your desk!
A new study shows that prolonged sitting while at work isn’t good for your health.
Benefits Corner:
Retirement Process Webinars - Planning on retiring this year? Check out the upcoming webinars about the process.
Medicare Webinars - Learn more about Medicare benefits.
NEW! Introducing RASC’s Retirement one-on-one Counseling and Advisory Services
Check out the Benefits Calendar for the full list of upcoming classes and workshops.
Upcoming Events (for all events, check out the calendar):
529 College Savings Plans
Thu 3/7; Noon – 1 pmCaring for Elderly Family Members: Roles, Responsibilities, Reluctance, & Resilience
Wed 3/13; Noon – 1:30 pmPracticing Self-Compassion for Working Parents
Thu 3/14; Noon – 1 pmIdentifying How to Collaborate with Neurodivergent Family Members, Students, and Staff Who Learn Differently
Tue 3/19; Noon – 1:15 pmParenting: Take Care of YOU; Take ON Challenging Behaviors - Bright Horizons
Tues 3/19 9 – 10amFundamentals of Retirement Income Planning
Thu 3/21: Noon – 1 pmAll UC Retirement Classes - women and investing, mindful investing, understanding social security and more.
Event highlights
10 Minute Morning Stretch Breaks are Back!
What are stretch breaks?
Stretch breaks are a short, fun, and easy way to get up from your desk and bring a little movement into your day. The ten-minute stretch breaks, led by your fellow Berkeley Lab colleagues, feature simple and accessible stretches and a great community of like-minded employees.
Days: Monday, Wednesday & Friday
Time: 9:15 - 9:25 am
Add the breaks to your calendar
Stretch Break Leaders Needed
Morning stretch breaks are community led, by employees just like you, and we need volunteers to keep the program going. If you would like to join the leading team, but are not sure where to start we're happy to provide resources, suggestions and coaching to help you put together 10 minutes of easy, accessible stretches. Please contact Ashley Dawn (ashleydawn@lbl.gov) if you're interested.
Be Well at Work February - May 2024 Classes
Join the Be Well At Work Faculty and Staff Health Programs to discover experiential insights, practical tips, and effective strategies to enhance your well-being. The workshops provide a supportive environment for learning and nourishment with a focus on mental wellness, financial literacy, and caregiver resilience.
These workshops are brought to the Lab by the Employee Assistance Program: Employee Assistance provides no-cost confidential counseling and referral for LBNL.
Click on the link to register - registration in advance is required to receive the login information.
Identifying How to Collaborate with Neurodivergent Family Members, Students, and Staff Who Learn Differently
Tue 3/19; Noon – 1:15 pmUnderstanding Your Relationship to Work
Wed 4/3; Noon – 1:15 pm
Elder Care
Caring for Elderly Family Members: Roles, Responsibilities, Reluctance, & Resilience
Wed 3/13; Noon – 1:30 pmFinancial Planning for Long Term Care
Thu 4/25; Noon – 1:30 pmLiving with Illness: Planning for Life and Quality of Life
Wed 5/29; Noon - 1:30 pm
Practicing Self-Compassion for Working Parents
Thu 3/14; Noon – 1 pmBreastfeeding Your Baby/Returning to Work or School
Tue 4/2; 1 – 4:15 pm
529 College Savings Plans
Thu 3/7; Noon – 1 pmFundamentals of Retirement Income Planning
Thu 3/21: Noon – 1 pmOther UC Retirement Classes, Feb 2024 - women and investing, mindful investing, understanding social security and more.
Monthly BIPOC Support Group
Every 2nd Tuesday of the Month, 12 - 12:50 pm
Facilitated by Kiran Johl, LCSW. Employee Assistance Counselor
First group meets on Tuesday, October 10th at noon
This virtual space is for Black, Indigenous, and staff and faculty of Color to join together in community for discussion, support, and encouragement. Topics such as challenges and successes of working at UC Berkeley, intersection of identities, current events, and fostering one’s mental and physical health will be explored.
Email kpatchell@berkeley.edu for registration and zoom link.