General Wellness

Participating in a university-based general wellness program over a multi-week period (attending at least 85% of sessions over a minimum of 8 weeks) is necessary to be eligible for this incentive. You must complete an attestation form in HCM by Nov. 30 to earn the incentive. 

Why is this Important?

Health and wellness are critical components of overall well-being and can make a significant difference in the length and quality of peoples’ lives. Enhancing the overall wellness of benefits-eligible faculty and staff is a core value of the CWRU Wellness Program and has been identified by Gallup as a critical factor to enhance work performance, productivity, morale and engagement, and to reduce illness and turnover.

Series topics that would fit into this new category include Eldercare, Environmental Health, Women’s Health, Men’s Health, and more. Stay tuned, as we will continue to add new programs in this category.


The Grief Recovery Method Outreach Program

The Grief Recovery Method is the only evidence-based grief recovery program available in the U.S. It is an action-packed, powerful, directive experience that helps participants recover from their grief and heal their wounds. People experiencing death, divorce and other losses may be interested in attending.

Myths about grief include:  time heals all wounds; replace the loss; grieve alone; be strong for others; bury your feelings.  It is important to know that your feelings are normal and natural. The problem is that we have been socialized to believe that these feelings are abnormal and unnatural. Whether your loss is from death, divorce or end of a relationship, loss of a career, loss of trust, loss of faith, loss of safety, or loss of health, this program is for you. The Grief Recovery Method Outreach Program provides partnerships and guidance to ensure that participants can let go, heal and move on with their lives.

Debbie Nadzam Melnyk, PhD, RN, FAAN will be the facilitator for this 8-week series. Learn more about the grief series via this flyer

Wednesdays, September 25 - November 13, 2024, from 4:30-6:30 pm at the Tinkham Veale University Center's First Floor Conference Room (10/16/24 session will occur in the Thwing Center's Cleveland Room) (Maximum participants = 15)


Self Defense

This 8-week program, taught by the Division of Public Safety, will provide faculty and staff with general knowledge about self defense through a hands-on experience. Participants will learn how to defend themselves and others from bodily harm against hostile actions; develop attack skills, escape techniques, and safe training practices; and foster skills in preventative and situational awareness, applying pressure points and other self defense techniques.

Wednesdays, September 18 - November 13 (no session on Oct. 16), from 12:10-12:50 pm, in person at the Veale Recreation Center, Multipurpose Room (201)


Healthy Habits

Practicing and maintaining healthy habits is challenging for many of us. Our lives are busy, and while we usually have the best of intentions, other commitments can get in the way of our lifestyle change efforts or even block them entirely. Thankfully, a variety of best practices exist and have been used to foster health and well-being through healthy habit implementation. This 8-week series will offer a variety of perspectives and suggestions to maximize your ability to integrate healthy habits into your life. Four different speakers, who each have coaching, development and/or counseling backgrounds, will share their expertise with you. Throughout this series, you will learn about the power of mindset, intention, emotional intelligence, and a step-by-step process that will foster healthy habits in your life.

Mondays from 12-1 pm via Zoom

May 6 - The 3 Secrets to Success - Tamsin Astor, PhD.

May 13 - The Modern Approach to Mindset - Tamsin Astor, PhD

May 20 - The Science of Optimism:  Fostering a "Can do!" Attitude (Kim Langley, MEd) - Listen to the recording

May 27 - Memorial Day Holiday

June 3 - The Power of Intention:  Creating and Living a Life that Expresses Your Authentic Self - Judith Eugene - Listen to the recording

June 10 - Clarify of Course:  How Sustainable Change Happens - Diane Helbig - Listen to the recording

June 17 - Change Your Habits, Change Your Life - Tamsin Astor, PhD

June 24 - Adopting a Solution Focused Mindset - Susan Fee, MEd, LPCC (V) - Listen to the recording

July 1 - How to Work From Home - Tamsin Astor, PhD


Holistic Health Series

Evidence supporting holistic health therapies such as meditation, yoga, Ayurveda, Feng Shui, and Reiki has grown through the years. Learn more about the power of complementary medicine applications to foster optimal well-being through this 8-week series with Judith Eugene, certified yoga instructor, Reiki Master Teacher, and health and wellness educator. 

Wednesdays, July 17 through Sept. 4, 2024, from 12:30-1:30 pm via Zoom.

July 17 - Holistic Healthcare Primer. Session 1 Recording

July 24 - Good Health Through Balanced Energy. Session 2 Recording

July 31 - Guided Nature Meditation. Session 3 Recording

Aug. 7 - Feng Shui for a Healthy Home and Office. Session 4 Recording

Aug. 14 - Coffee Break Stretching. Session 5 Recording

Aug. 21 - The Benefits of Reiki Energy Healing. Session 6 Recording

Aug. 28 - Healthy Living Through Ayurveda. Session 7 Recording

Sept. 4 - Connecting with Your Intuition. Session 8 Recording


Eldercare Series

Learning how to navigate the maze of eldercare needs for family members and friends can be stressful. Topics such as insurance, dementia, communication strategies, and others can be challenging to deal with, and it is usually best to learn more from professional eldercare experts. This 8-week Zoom series will focus on important information faculty and staff may need when eldercare is necessary.

Thursdays. April 11 - May 30, 2024 from 12-1 pm via Zoom

April 11 - Starting or Evaluating Your Journey as a Caregiver:  Tips for Success (Kelsey Loushin, BA, LICDC-CS, CDP) 

April 18 - Basics of Estate Planning (Rick Myers, JD) - Listen to the recording

April 25 - Normal vs. Not Normal Aging (Mary Harrison) - Listen to the recording

May 2 - Do You Hear What I hear? (Carole Klingler, RN, BSN) - Listen to the recording

May 9 - Aging with a Plan - How a Little Thought Today Can Vastly Improve Your Tomorrow (Sharona Hoffman, JD, LLM, SJD) - Listen to the recording

May 16 - Peace of Mind (Julie Skinner) - Listen to the recording

May 23 - Senior Scams & How to Avoid Them (Erin Eurenius, Esq., CPA) - Listen to the recording

May 30 - Driving and Cognitive Decline (Sharona Hoffman, JD, LLM, SJD) - Listen to the recording


Backyard Beginner Gardening

Whether you have gardened for years, a couple months, or just haven't tried, this new gardening series will cover seed sowing to bountiful harvests and everything in between! Join the University Farm's Farm Food Program Team for this new 8-week series.

This series will primarily be an in-person experience, with a couple sessions occurring via Zoom. We will kick off the series with a tour and meet and greet at the University Farm (2 evening dates will be available to choose from), and then sessions will occur on Tuesdays thereafter, with most sessions taking place from 12-1 pm. Additional details will be shared upon registration. Come grow with us! 

May return in 2025


HEALTHY BACKS & BODIES™: C∙O∙R∙E™ Essentials for The Office Environment

Even the most impactful, solid, ergonomically-sound work setup is only as effective in prevention as the user's knowledge is of how to 'inhabit' their body and position and move it correctly within that ergonomic set-up. Join Tanya (Weiker) Snowden for this 8-week program during which she will share the fundamentals of safe, healthy, efficient positioning and movement. Participants will learn simple actions and movements that they can employ to assist in eliminating back pain before it begins. 

Returning in 2025!