Wellness by the month

• Feel-good holiday recipes from UC
  The holiday season is here and whether you’re planning get-togethers with loved ones or looking for a healthy treat while you snuggle up on the couch, check out these recipes from UC kitchens.
  
  

• Cook Well Berkeley - Brought to us from Be Well At Work, this page has a list of amazing recipes and handouts on everything from 10 Ways to Cook Eggs to Pantry Staples. And be sure to check out the recipes from their cooking classes

• Toolkit: Self Coaching Wellness Guide from Be Well at Work
  Be Well at Work is excited to announce a new Self Coaching Wellness Guide! This step-by-step guide is a tool designed to directly support you in making behavior and lifestyle changes. As the name suggests, this guide is self paced and specifically designed to be flexible throughout your daily life.
  
  

• Get Outside in December - Enjoy a walk, run, bike or stroll on a Bay Area Trail
  
  

• Guided Meditation: Consider what you want to make space for in your life in this 6-minute contemplation guided by Alex Elle.

• Upcoming Events (click here for the full calendar):

  • Mon- Weds - Fri -Stretch Breaks have returned! 

  • 12/6 - Preparing for Retirement - Fidelity (also on 12/14)

  • 12/8 - Webinar: Candid Conversations About Women’s Health: peri-menopause & menopause

  • 12/13 - Thriving During the Holidays - Kaiser Wellness Presentation (open to all employees)

  • 12/14 - The Gift of Health - Health Net (open to all employees)

  • 12/15 - Cooking Demo: Eating Healthy During the Holidays - Kaiser (open to all employees) 

• One Minute for Wellness - December

• “Movember” is Men’s Health Awareness Month
  Movember is an annual event involving the growing of moustaches during the month of November to raise awareness of men's health issues, such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and men's suicide
  
  

• Burnout: In 2019, the World Health Organization officially recognized burnout as a work related phenomenon and defined it as “syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed.” The IDEAs-in-Action website has a new resource page on the topic with articles and recorded workshops that describe what burnout is, what it's not, and suggestions on how to mitigate it on your team.
  
  

• Winter Wellness Nov 14 - Dec 19: Join Healthy & Well at LBNL this Holiday Season for 5 weeks of healthy eating, moving, thinking and being! Each week, on one day, we'll host a Zoom or in-person gathering at lunchtime where we come together to discuss and participate in topics such as food prep and meal planning, drinks and hydration, mindfulness and meditation, healthy exercise and stretching. Sign up to join us!
  
  

• Benefits Corner: Open Enrollment continues through Nov. 18th. Take a look at the open enrollment website for more information.
  
  

• Ergo Angle: October was National Ergonomics Month - learn more about everyday ergonomics.
  
  

• Good Reads: 

  • Burnout Is About Your Workplace, Not Your People - Harvard Business Review

  • Six Causes of Burnout at Work - Greater Good Science Center

  • Your Body Knows You’re Burned Out - NY Times
    
    

• Guided Meditation: Mindful Breathing
  A way to build resilience to stress, anxiety, and anger.
  
  

• Podcast: Burnout Isn't Just Exhaustion. Here's How To Deal With It - NPR’s Life Kit

• October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
  October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an annual campaign to raise awareness about the impact of breast cancer.
  
  

• Be Well at Work Fall Workshops: Check out the list of 10 upcoming webinars and workshops on everything from elder care with siblings to finacial saving goals to understanding anxiety.
  
  

• Ergo Angle: Take Time to S T R E T C H
  Sometimes we all need to remember to take a break and stretch our bodies during the workday…
  
  

• Benefits Corner: October is the start of this year’s Open Enrollment period: Oct. 27 - Nov. 18th. Take a look at the open enrollment website for more information. 

• Upcoming Events:

  • Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace - Oct. 13th, 12 noon

• Good Reads:

  • Two Keys to a Calmer, Emotional Life

  • In a Virtual Workplace, How Can I Get a Sense of Connection?

  • The Next Walk You Take Could Change Your Life
    
    

• Guided Meditation: Six Minutes to Connect with Your Body - Dedicating a little time to tune into your body fortifies you to better handle the stresses of daily life.
  
  

• One Minute for Wellness - October

• September is Flu Awareness Month
  Flu season is around the corner. With Covid-19 infections still happening all around us, this year it's important we do all we can to keep healthy and stop the spread of Flu.
  
  

• Ergo Angle: Lab Ergonomics
  Here at Berkeley Lab we do more than typical office jobs. We work in Labs- be they plant-based, magnetic-based or laser-based (to name a few). We bend, pinch, reach, grab, and move in ways that can be hard on our bodies. This month, let’s look at how to keep our bodies safe while we continue to lead in and contribute to the world of Science.
  
  

• Benefits Corner: Check out the upcoming events and information from our benefit partners: 

• • Hydration article from Kaiser 

  • Retiree Health Benefits - Frequently Ask Questions - 9/21

  • Preparing for Retirement - Fidelity - 9/22

• Upcoming Events:

  • Be Well at Work: Caring for Those Who Care - Meeting the Needs of Diverse Family Caregivers - 9/13

• One Minute for Wellness - September
  
  

• Good Reads: This month we’re exploring the intersection of mindfulness and IDEA principles. 

• Mindfulness Meditation Reduces Implicit Age and Race Bias: The Role of Reduced Automaticity of Responding

• Brief loving-kindness meditation reduces racial bias, mediated by positive other-regarding emotions

• Mindfulness: If you’re curious about mindfulness after reading the articles above, check out our mindfulness resources.
  
  

• Podcast: How to Ground Yourself
  Connect to yourself and the land you stand on in under 10 minutes with this grounding practice led by Indigenous scholar Dr. Yuria Celidwen.

• Guided Meditation:  Natural World Sound Meditation
  A 12-minute meditation to refresh your day and prime you for a deeper presence with the natural world. 

• Don’t Forget to Hydrate!
  August is HOT! The days are hotter and longer as we head into the Dog Days of Summer and hydration is the key to helping us enjoy this sun-filled time.

• Building Community at LBNL
  A sense of connection and belonging at work is essential to our well-being and  it can reduce stress and a sense of feeling burned out. Check out the link above for ideas and suggestions on getting connected and building community at work through support groups, ERGs, and volunteering.
  
  

• Ergo Angle: Summer Housekeeping

People are heading back into the Lab, the office, or the cubicle. Once there, they look around and realize…this place is a bit of a mess. What to do? These tips will help you keep yourself safe while tossing all those old files.

• Benefits Corner - Big Changes in Your Life?
  Getting married? Getting ready to welcome a new baby into your life? Kid has of college? Check out the benefits website for all the qualifying life events that allow you to change your benefits coverage.
  
  

• Upcoming Events:

  • EAP Workshop - Navigating Change - Aug. 17 | 12:00 - 1:00 pm

  • Be Well at Work Elder Care Caregiver Summer Series Event: Turning Challenges into Gifts: A Caregiver's Perspective - Aug.  30 | 12:10 - 1:30 pm

• Good Reads:

  • How to Follow the News Without Spiraling into Despair - NY Times

  • 8 Steps to a Happier Vacation

• Practice of the month: Three Funny Things
  Many of us spend our days on serious matters, doing serious work and having serious conversations. Taking some time to reflect on the silly could help you reclaim some playful lightheartedness in your life. 

• July is Sun Safety Health Month
  Take care in the sun! Spending time outside is a great way to be physically active, reduce stress, and get some Vitamin D. You can work and play outside without raising your skin cancer risk by protecting your skin from the sun. Learn more with these tips and resources.

• July is also National Minority Mental Health Month: National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month is observed each July to bring awareness to the unique struggles that racial and ethnic minority communities face regarding mental illness in the United States. Read the article and access Lab mental health resources at the link below. 

• Mental Health Resources
  We continue to live in turbulent times. If you, your family or your dependants would like counseling or referrals, please contact the Lab’s Employee Assistance Program. The Healthy & Well website has their contact information as well as insurance and community based resources.

• Ergo Angle: Revisiting the Recharge
  Recharging is not just a break, it’s a way to refuel what’s needed so you can tackle the rest of the day or week. Check out this list of tips, ideas and suggestions and consider adding them to your schedule to give yourself a boost.

• Benefits Corner - Retiree Health Benefits FAQ Workshop - July 20 This webinar is intended for those considering retirement from UC within the next 4-12 months. We will review in great detail the eligibility rules for retiree health coverage, your health plan options, and projected costs including Medicare coordination so that you can budget for these expenses in retirement.

• One Minute for Wellness Slides

  • July Wellness Resources

• Upcoming Events:

  • Eldercare Summer Program - This summer, Be Well at Work Elder Care Program will provide a three part experiential series targeting the emotional wellbeing of Family Caregivers.  To register, please email employeeassistance@berkeley.edu

    •  “Loss, Losing and Loosening” Lessons of Grieving and Caregiving - Tuesday, July 26th 2022, 12:10 - 1:30 pm via Zoom

    • Turning Challenges into Gifts: A Caregiver's Perspective - Tuesday, August 30th 2022, 12:10 - 1:30 pm via Zoom

• Good Reads:

  • Positive vibes at work make your heart healthy
    We all know that feeling in sync and good about our workplace team makes life easier. Now, a study by UC San Diego has revealed that actively appreciating our coworkers may also improve our heart health and reduce stress! Researchers found that teammates who thanked each other before performing high-stress tasks had better cardiovascular responses than those who did not. Explore the results.

• Practice of the month: Savoring Walk

How a stroll outside can help build lasting happiness. Why you should try it: We're often too distracted to notice our surroundings. This practice can help you tune in to the beautiful, pleasant things in your everyday environment. 

• Podcast: Gratitude Break: A 10-Minute Guided Practice
  We guide you through a reflection of three things you're grateful for today. This practice is shown to boost happiness, connection, and motivation while reducing stress.

• June is Men's Health Month
  June is Men’s Health Month, a national observance used to raise awareness about health care for men and focus on encouraging boys, men and their families to practice and implement healthy living decisions, such as exercising and eating right. 

• Ergo Angle: Ergo on the Road
  How do we stay ergonomic in new set-ups, shared housing and hotels? These tips and tricks from the Ergo Team will keep you safe. 

• Benefits Corner: Upcoming Benefits Workshops
  The Benefits Office has compiled a great list of upcoming workshops: medical coverage for college bound kids, estate planning, and preparing for retirement. 

• One Minute for Wellness Slides

  • June Wellness Resources

• Be Well at Work Elder Care Program
  The Elder Care program offers confidential, free assistance to Berkeley Lab employees who are caring for or concerned about an elder or dependent adult. The Elder Care Program offers:

  • Free, confidential counseling, consultation, assessment, and referral to local and long-distance resources.

  • Consultation for supervisors, managers and colleagues regarding faculty and staff who are experiencing stress and/or performance problems due to caregiving responsibilities.

  • Informative workshops and webinars.

• Upcoming Events:
  Caregivers connect: Caregivers Connect is a support group for caregivers concerned about or caring for an elder or younger adult with a chronic health issue.  

  • The group will meet virtually on the first Tuesday of the month, and the third Friday of the month from 11 am -12 pm. 

  • To register, please email kpatchell@berkeley.edu
    
    

Eldercare Summer Program

This summer, Be Well at Work Elder Care Program will provide a three part experiential series targeting the emotional wellbeing of Family Caregivers.  

• • Moving Beyond the Burden of Guilt - Thursday, June 3 - 12:10 - 1:30 pm

  •  “Loss, Losing and Loosening”*: Lessons of Grieving and Caregiving - Tuesday, July 26 - 12:10 - 1:30 pm 

  • Turning Challenges into Gifts: A Caregiver's Perspective - Tuesday, August 30 - 12:10 - 1:30 pm
    
    To register, please email employeeassistance@berkeley.edu

• Good Reads: 

  • Can’t We Talk About Something More Pleasant? – Roz Chast
    New Yorker cartoonist Roz Chast brings her signature, and often hilarious, humor to the topic of aging parents. Told through four-color cartoons, family photos, and documents, this funny and touching memoir brings both comfort and comic relief to family caregivers.

  • Being a Caregiver: Our Favorite Reads - Harvard Business Review

• Meditation of the month:
  Mindfulness is one of the greatest tools caregivers can develop to combat stress and uncomfortable feelings associated with being a Caregiver. The Zen Caregiver Project is offering various classes from May-July 2022 on Mindfulness as it relates to Caregiving: https://zencaregiving.org/events/
  
  

• May is Mental Health Awareness Month
  Mental Health Awareness Month raises awareness about the importance of mental health and its impact on the well-being of children, adults, families, and communities.

  • General Resources

  • LBNL Resources on the Healthy & Well Website

  • Mindfulness Resources for Mental Health Month
    
    

• May is Seasonal Allergy Awareness Month
  May is the peak season for allergies - learn more about why you're sneezing all the time, how to cope, and how to tell the difference between allergies and Covid.
  
  

• Ergo Angle: Posture!
  Your posture has a huge impact on your overall health. Take action to become more aware, gain control and adjust your posture at work, at home and at play.
  
  

• Benefits Corner
  Please visit our Employee Discount site for Columbia's Employee Store invitation for the limited time offer to Lab employees.  While you're there, check out the Ticket at Work offerings for May . 
  
  

• Upcoming Events:
  Leading Change Workshop for Managers & Supervisors - Tuesday, May 24 at 12 noon
  This workshop discusses elements of organizational change, the nature of resistance, and strategies to help lead people through a change process.
  
  

• One Minute for Wellness Slides

  • May Wellness Resources

  • Seasonal Allergy Awareness Month
    
    

• Good Reads: 

  • White House Proclamation on National Mental Health Awareness Month, May 2022

  • How We’re Overcoming the Stigma of Mental Health Issues 
    
    

• Practice of the month - Gratitude

  • Gratitude Letter - Feeling gratitude can improve your health and happiness; expressing gratitude also strengthens relationships. This exercise encourages you to express gratitude in a thoughtful, deliberate way by writing—and, ideally, delivering—a letter of gratitude to a person you have never properly thanked. 

  • Berkeley Lab's Bucketlist - Thank your colleagues for a job well done on LBNL's very own gratitude platform.
    
    

• Guided Meditation of the month: Body Scan for Sleep
  This short 13 minute guided meditation is designed to help you relax and drift off to sleep. 

  • Audio

  • Transcript

  • UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center meditations

• April is National Minority Health Month
  According to the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities this month is “a time to raise awareness about health disparities that continue to affect racial and ethnic minority populations and encourage action through health education, early detection, and control of disease complications.”
  
  

• Ergo Angle: Let’s Get Back to Work!
  As more and more of us return to The lab, we might notice that things have changed. This handy check-list from the Ergo team will get you thinking about your work station set up whether you’re going back full time, plan to be hybrid or will continue to be fully remote. It also has a lot of other resources to make your return to on-site as smooth as possible.
  
  

• Return-to-Sites Website
  If you’re new to the lab or just haven’t been back in a while, this great website has everything you need to know in one place.

• Get Outside
  Returning to onsite work on the hill? Check out the new outdoor seating map to find a place to have lunch with colleagues or host an in-person meeting.
  
  

• Upcoming Events:
  Wellness in the New Normal - Every two weeks, on Tuesday at 12:15 pm. Looking for community and support as we transition to onsite/hybrid work? Have you found approaches that enhance your resilience around the challenges of hybrid work that you can share? Connect with fellow Berkeley Lab colleagues and join in on short facilitated discussions once every two weeks to share tips on being well throughout this challenging time. 

• One Minute for Wellness Slides

  • April Wellness Resources - Return to the Office Toolkit

  • Minority Health Month Information
    
    

• Good Reads: 

  • Going back to the office? 6 tips to help you adjust
    This thoughtful article from Ted.com reminds us to bring compassion with us when we return to the office, how to have realistic expectations, set boundaries and create new routines. 

  • Why You’re So Anxious About Going Back to the Office - Harvard Business Review “Feeling anxious about going back to the office doesn’t mean you’re fragile or have poor coping skills. There are good reasons that these types of transitions spike our anxiety.”
    
    

• Podcasts:

  • The Great Awkward - Brené Brown. With her trademark humor, Brené Brown talks with her co-worker about just how awkward it’s going to be to go back to the office.
    
    

• Practice of the month - Small Talk
  Remember making small talk at the office? It’s been a while! This easy practice reminds us why social connection is important to our well-being and sense of belonging.
  
  

• Guided Meditation of the month: Common Humanity
  This short 10 minute guided meditation will remind you that we’re all human, facing similar problems, including the anxiety of returning to the office! 

• Nutrition & Health:
  This month we look at what our bodies need nutritionally. What fuels us, what helps us to have less inflammation, what can get us revved up, and what can calm us down. It's all found in what we eat and drink!
  
  

• The Employee Assistance Program
  The Employee Assistance Program provides no cost confidential counseling and referral for Berkeley Lab employees. The program is available to employees, and their families and dependents. The services are completely voluntary and there is no fee for services. Give them a call if you need some support.
  
  

• Ergo Angle:
  This month we “focus” on eye health. While there has been much talk about “blue light” and the subsequent eyeglasses, filters, etc. that followed, it still remains somewhat controversial. Instead- let's look at how we can keep our eyes their healthiest when looking at our multiple screens throughout our day.

• One Minute for Wellness Slides

  • March Wellness Resources

  • Nutrition and Health

  • Ways to Reduce Eye Strain
    
    

• Watch:
  UC Berkeley Campus Conversations: Mental Health & Wellbeing - A conversation with professors of psychology Christina Maslach, pioneer of research on the definition, predictors and measurement of job burnout, Dacher Keltner, founding director of the Greater Good Science Center, and Peter Cornish, director of Counseling and Psychological Services as they discuss issues surrounding stress, burnout, and well being.
  
  

• Guided Meditation of the month:
  Health & Wellness Meditations from the UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center. 

• February is Heart Month:
  February is American Heart Month, a time when we focus on our cardiovascular health. Remember that your heart is a muscle, and just like your other muscles, the harder you exercise and the more activity you do, the stronger it becomes!
  
  

• Financial Planning in 2022
  It's a great year to ace financial planning. From spending less or saving more to planning for retirement and, the beginning of the year is a great time to take advantage of the free financial planning tips, tools and advice that are available through Fidelity Investments.
  
  

• Ergo Angle:
  This month we take a page out of the Facilities playbook to talk about the best body mechanics for lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, standing and reaching.
  
  

• Upcoming Events:
  UC Berkeley's Be Well at Work Program offers a wealth of workshops open to lab employees. Check out their eldercare and parenting workshops. Be sure to sign up in advance!

• One Minute for Wellness Slides

  • February Wellness Resources
    
    

• Good Reads: 

  • How to Improve Your Mental Health - New York Times

  • Relaxing is a Skill - New York Times
    
    

• Meditation of the month:
  Thich Nhat Hanh was a global spiritual leader, poet and peace activist, revered around the world for his powerful teachings and bestselling writings on mindfulness and peace. He  passed away on Jan 22, 2022. Listen to a few of his talks for free on Insight Timer.
  
  

• Feel Good Podcasts:
  Whether you’re exercising, cleaning, commuting or simply seeking some off-screen entertainment, podcasts are a great way to connect while disconnecting. UC has compiled their favorite happiness-inspiring, surprising and motivating episodes from UC podcasts last year. Check them out here.

• Back to Basics… Eat Well, Move, Feel Better!
  If it’s true that “we are what we eat” then why not eat HEALTHY? If this is the year that you’re going to give yourself the gift of health, read on!
  
  

• Wellness Seminar Replay:
  This presentation takes a closer look at loneliness and what we can do to de-stigmatize and alleviate it – for ourselves and others. One way is to build community - check out our list of ways to make new connections at the lab.
  
  

• Ergo Angle: What do you do to recharge?
  The EHS Ergonomics Team asked employees what they do to recharge and what can prevent us from taking time to recharge.  Check out the survey summary slides for common hurdles to taking breaks and some creative suggestions to get to you started. Find inspiration to recharge and track your progress daily with this handy checklist.
  
  

• Benefits Corner:
  If you haven't already done so, be sure to check out the new Benefits website for an easy way to see and review all of our benefit information. Also be sure to check out the Employee Discount page - chocolate anyone?
  
  

One Minute for Wellness Slides

• • January 2022 Wellness Resources Overview
    
    

• Good Reads:
  “Serious” Leaders Need Self-Care, Too - This article from the Harvard Business Review makes the case for why self-care is essential for everyone at work.
  
  

• Meditation of the month:
  Get started with a meditation practice using one of the many great available apps - we even get a few of them free! Check out list and more great mindfulness practices on our Mindfulness page.
  
  

• Practice of the month:
  We could all probably be a little kinder to ourselves - try this practice of writing yourself a letter full of self-compassion. It’s a great way to shift your inner dialogue from harsh to kind.
  
  

• Podcast of the Month:
  Ten Percent Happier - Karamo: How to Actually Do Self-Love
  It might sound a little cliched, but there’s science to back up the practice of self compassion. Dan Harris brings his traditional skepticism and humor to the topic in this interview. 

• The Mind-Body Connection
  Mind-Body Connection is the belief that the causes, development and outcomes of a physical illness are determined from the interaction of psychological, social factors and biological factors. Take a look at the link above to find ways to improve your health and boost your mood.
  
  

•  There's still time to sign up for the Winter Wellness Healthy Holiday Challenge
  Join us this Holiday Season for 5 weeks of healthy eating, moving, thinking and being. Signing up will bring you weekly emails where we'll explore new activities, recipes and further reading to move through this Holiday Season with ease.  Our challenge will go from November 15th until December 17th. Interested? Sign up and join us here: Winter Wellness Sign Up Form
  
  

• Ergo Angle:  

  • Get Organized!
    As we march into the end of the year and the thought of some real “downtime”, why not take this time to clear out the clutter and get our home office spaces organized and ready for the New Year? 

  • Recharge this Holiday Season
    Take regular breaks away from your workspace and stretch regularly. Need ideas? Check out how to RECHARGE from ergo.lbl.gov. Have ideas?  Take our SURVEY and share them!
    
    

• One Minute for Wellness Slides

  •  Mind-Body Wellness

  • Winter Wellness Healthy Holiday Challenge

  • December Wellness Resources Overview
    
    

• Good Reads: Gratitude: The best medicine during tough times 

• Practice of the month: Life Crafting

• Podcast of the Month: Why you should make small goals

• November is Movember
  Movember is an annual event involving the growing of moustaches during the month of November to raise awareness of men's health issues, such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and men's suicide. The Movember Foundation runs the Movember charity event, housed at Movember.com.
  
  

•  Winter Wellness Healthy Holiday Challenge
  Join us this Holiday Season for 5 weeks of healthy eating, moving, thinking and being. Signing up will bring you weekly emails where we'll explore new activities, recipes and further reading to move through this Holiday Season with ease.  Our challenge will go from November 15th until December 17th. Interested? Sign up and join us here: Winter Wellness Sign Up Form
  
  

• Benefits Corner: Open Enrollment Ends November 19th
  Open Enrollment is shorter this year:  it ends Friday, November 19th at 5 pm. Visit the Lab’s Open Enrollment website for UCPath Webinars time and date, Top 6 Things to Know, video recordings from the carriers, and if needed schedule a meeting with the Health Care Facilitator.
  
  

• Ergo Angle:  Recharge this Holiday Season
  November usually has us traveling to see family or friends or having them come to visit us. Either way, it’s high time for a VACATION. And because your mental health depends on it, it’s time to make those important connections with people and unplug for a while and recharge.
  
  

• One Minute for Wellness Slides

  • November is Movember

  • Winter Wellness Healthy Holiday Challenge

  • Open Enrollment 2021
    
    

• Good Reads: How Nature Helps Us Heal
  
  

• Practice of the month: Gratitude Journal
  
  

• Meditation of the Month: Gratitude meditation

• October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
  October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which is an annual campaign to increase awareness of the disease. Check out our resources for a few ways you can help women in need this month. Learn more about breast cancer.
  
  

• Take a break and recharge
  Phones, Pods, Pads and Watches all have to be re-charged to work- what about you? Take some time to recharge your own batteries...Stretch, Rest, Breathe. Take a deeper look at our website for stretch breaks, yoga, meditation, places to get outside for a walk, and more.
  
  

• Get Ready for Open Enrollment
  Open enrollment will take place from October 28 - November 19 this year. UC's 2021 Open Enrollment website will go live during the week of October 25th, but here is the Sneak peek article found on the UCNet website. Take a look at the LBNL Benefits Office page when Open Enrollment starts for more information.
  
  

• Ergo Angle: Take a Break and Get Moving
  Breaks are so important we're telling you about them twice this month! Not only are they good for your mind, but they're essential for your body and a key part of staying ergonomically safe. Take a look at these 1-Minute-for-Safety slides and share one at your next meeting.
  
  

• One Minute for Wellness & Safety Slides

  •  Breast Cancer Awareness

  • Take a Break & Recharge
    
    

• Good Reads

  • How Resting More Can Boost Your Productivity
    
    

• Watch: UC Irvine's Wellness Adds Up video library 

  • Start improving your mind, body, spirit and environment, one short video at a time, at this UC Irvine wellness site. Topics include strength, flexibility, stress management, sustainability, nutrition and motivation.
    
    

• Practice of the month: Give it Up

• Podcast of the month: What Happens When We Play 

• Meditation of the Month: Explore a variety of meditations from the UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center (MARC) 

• September is Flu Awareness Month
  Along with the flu, this fall and winter may bring a new wave of COVID-19 cases. A flu vaccine can reduce the risk of the flu and help conserve potentially scarce health care resources needed to fight the coronavirus pandemic. Learn more about the flu vaccine.
  
  

• Explore your Health Plan's Wellness Benefits
  All UC health plans offer wellness benefits--such as wellness coaching, classes, and discounts. Explore what your health plan offers on a new website created by UC Berkeley: Health Plan Resources.
  
  

• Ergo Angle: Lighting, Glare and Vision
  Days are getting shorter and nights longer, we have longer shadows and more intense glare through our windows that can make for squinting dry eyes and fatigue as we struggle to see our computer screens! This month, we take a hard look at glare, lighting and vision.
  
  

• One Minute for Wellness Slides

  •  Flu Awareness

  • Health Plan Wellness Benefits
    
    

• Good Reads

  • Five skills we need [for the rest of the year]
    
    

• Watch: Need a little awe in your life? Watch these two short videos: 

  • Yosemite from above

  • Adrift

• Website of the Month: 12 Keys to Wellbeing

• Meditation of the Month: Reset: Decompress your body and mind 

• August is Immunization Awareness Month
  National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM) is an annual observance held in August to highlight the importance of vaccination for people of all ages.  Learn more about the vaccines you need.
  
  

• Build Your Resilience
  Building resilience involves behaviors, thoughts, and actions that anyone can learn and develop. Like building a muscle, increasing your resilience takes time and intentionality. Check out the One Minute slide and this website for Berkeley Lab and community resources, suggestions, and practices.
  
  

• Ergo Angle: Telework Resources
  How's your home setup treating you? Sticky keys on that keyboard? Mouse clicking more than you need to to get it to respond? Still sitting in a wooden kitchen chair? Take a look at the Telework catalog on eBuy and order yourself something new.
  
  

• Benefits Corner
  24-Hour Fitness membership discount and more.
  
  

• One Minute for Wellness Slides

  •  Immunization Awareness

  • Building Resilience
    
    

• Good Reads

  • Five Science-Backed Strategies to Build Resilience  - The Greater Good Science Center 

  • Building your resilience - American Psychological Association
    
    

• Tool of the month: University of Minnesota Well-being Assessment 

• Watch: UCSF: Resilience and Emotional Well-Being Video Series 

• Meditation of the Month: Common Humanity Meditation

• July is Sun Safety Month
  Spending time outside is a great way to be physically active, reduce stress, and get vitamin D. You can work and play outside without raising your skin cancer risk by protecting your skin from the sun. Learn more about the risk and how to stay safe this summer. 

• Bring a Little Mindfulness to Your Life
  Studies have shown that practicing mindfulness, even for just a few weeks, can bring a variety of physical, psychological, and social benefits such as boosting your immune system, reducing stress, building resiliency, reducing bias and improving focus and compassion. Check out our list of resources for more information. 

• Ergo Angle: Zoom Fatigue
  Welcome to the Ergo Angle! Each month we will highlight an ergonomic issue and offer information, suggestions and resources that can be found here at the Lab or in the community. The Ergo team has prepared a paper and a number of tips on how to understand and combat Zoom Fatigue.  

• One Minute for Wellness Slides

  •  Sun Safety

  • Mindfulness Overview & Resources

  • Combat Zoom Fatigue
    
    

• Good Reads

  • • The Benefits of Mindfulness - The Greater Good Science Center 

    • Introduction to Mindfulness - The Greater Good Science Center
      
      

• Practice of the month: Gratitude Journal 

• Meditation of the Month: Introduction to Mindfulness

• Lab Group of the Month: LBL Mindfulness Meditation Group 

• Men's Health
  June is Men’s Health Month, a national observance used to raise awareness about health care for men and focus on encouraging boys, men and their families to practice and implement healthy living decisions, such as exercising and eating healthy. Men's Health Information
  
  

• Summer's Here! Get Outside!
  Did you know how much getting outside and enjoying a bit of nature - whether it's the tree out by the curb, your neighbor's garden or a local open space - can improve your sense of well-being? Check out our list of ideas. 

Additional June Resources:

• One Minute for Wellness Slides

  •  Men's Health

  • Get Outside

• Good Reads: 

  • How Immersion in Nature Benefits Your Health 

• Practice of the month: Noticing Nature 

• Meditation of the Month: Mindful Walking

Mental Health Resources - May is mental health awareness month. Check out the Mental Health page on this site for Lab and community resources, the All Access drop in group and more. 

Stroke & Blood Pressure Awareness  Learn about the signs and symptoms of a stroke and healthy ways to reduce your risk. Stroke and Blood Pressure Info

• One Minute for Wellness Slides

  •  Mental Health Resources

  • Stroke Awareness

  • Blood Pressure Awareness

• Good Read: 

  • Talking About Mental Health with Your Employees — Without Overstepping - Harvard Business Review

  • Four Things to Do for your Mental Health

• Website of the month: Find Your Words - Talking about Mental Health

• Meditation of the Month: Mindful Breathing

Stress Management - Health Services has compiled a list of tips, tricks and suggestions to help. 

April is Alcohol Awareness Month with a focus on education about alcoholism and addiction and with the aim of reducing the stigma associated with these challenges. 

Building Community - Social connections are essential to our well-being and emotional health. Berkeley Lab has a variety of ways to connect with your fellow employees - everything from daily stretch breaks to Employee Resource Groups.

• One Minute for Wellness Slides

  •  Website Overview

  • Building Community at Berkeley Lab

  • Stress Management

  • Alcohol Awareness

• Good Read: The Seven Types of Rest That Every Person Needs

• Meditation of the Month: Body Scan Meditation

• Podcast of the Month: How Music Soothes Us

March is National Nutrition Month

February is American Hearth Month

Fitness - Start your year off on a healthy note with tips and suggestions to get you moving.