Participating in an on-site or off-site stress management, meditation, or other relaxation program (multi-week program, 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?
Stress is experienced by many people on a daily basis. The American Psychological Association and the National Institute of Mental Health describe numerous effects of stress on health, including physical health issues such as cardiovascular disease. While all stress is not bad, chronic stress may affect overall health negatively. Learning how to manage the stressors that one experiences is important for good health.
Seasons of Self-Care
This new program offers an invitation to explore the year through a delightful set of seasonal signals focused on self-care. Engage in the most powerful antidote to burn-out, compassion fatigue, and mounting distress. Experience practices and methods that are timeless, yet contemporary. Be guided by your natural connection to the purpose, wisdom, and rhythms of nature, as you create your own set of seasonal reflections and practices.
Seasons of Self-Care - Part 1: Winter
Engage in this season of reconnection and restoration with Heidi Weiker, our program facilitator. Discover your body and brain's natural need to experience a stillness inside that builds deeper resilience. As we move inside during the cold, move inside of yourself by placing your attention onto your own 'winter' of well-being. Give yourself permission to align with the natural purpose of winter: rest, repair, and ready yourself for the Spring of the year.
Tuesdays, January 17 - February 7, 2023, 12:30-1:30 pm, via Zoom
Seasons of Self-Care - Part 2: Spring
Engage in this delightful season of reawakening with your program instructor, Heidi Weiker. Over Winter, we rested and readied ourselves for this: the Spring of our well-being. Now, we'll continue to learn and use self-care practices in sync with the changing of our natural world. Together, let's revitalize, renew, reset, and come alive!
Tuesdays, May 2-23, 2023, 12-1 pm, via Zoom or in person at Tinkham Veale University Center, Senior Classroom
Seasons of Self-Care - Part 3: Summer
Engage in the season that invites us to celebrate life in rhythm with the outdoors with your instructor, Heidi Weiker. We shared a Winter of sacred rest and a Spring of gentle reawakening. Now, nature calls us to the outside so that we can expand our self-care practices ‘under the summer sky.’ Be inspired: to realize the natural light in and of all imperfection; to reclaim (or claim for the very first time) the exuberance, lightness, and playfulness of our summer days and nights; and to regenerate and radiate a sense of awe and hope.
Tuesdays, August 1-22, 2023, 12-1 pm, via Zoom
Seasons of Self-Care - Part 4: Fall
Seasons of Self-Care will be offered in a hybrid format again this fall! Choose whether you want to join Heidi Weiker in person or via Zoom and register accordingly using the links below. This round includes a fifth session to wrap up the entire year of Seasons.
Tuesdays, November 14 - December 12, from 12-1 pm, via Zoom or in person at the Tinkham Veale University Center, Senior Classroom (session 5 is Zoom only)
Register to Participation in Person
Register to Participate via Zoom
The Work Happiness MethodTM
Join Positive Psychology expert, Stella Grizont, for this 8-week series to learn how to be happier and more satisfied at work. Stella's evidence-based, energetic, and supportive approach has helped many individuals identify a clear vision for their professional path and make a plan to move forward. This program will include weekly live training sessions, pre and post series assessments, weekly worksheets, access to class recordings and gentle email and text reminders to help participants stay on track.
Learn more about this program via this brief video.
Tuesdays, September 19 - November 7, 2023, 12-1 pm, via Zoom
E.A.S.E. Into Peace of Mind
Let's E.A.S.E. into the moments at hand with this practice-based, methods-centric program. Join Heidi Weiker for a 12-week series designed to harmonize our bodies, minds and hearts in order to be more fully present. Throughout the sessions, we'll:
- Engage in quick, high-impact movement to dump distress and expand relaxation;
- Activate breathing more deeply to cultivate calm and focused energy;
- Savor moments and experiences to create peace and comfort; and
- Elevate to lift us up in delight, strengths, and joy.
Come find out how much moments matter in our lives as we E.A.S.E into them together.
Wednesdays, June 7 - September 6, 2023 (no sessions on June 14 or July 5) from 12-12:45 pm via Zoom
Mental Health Matters
Mental Health Matters is a 9-session series focusing on various topics surrounding mental health, from managing personal challenges to helping your team thrive. This series is presented in partnership with Impact Solutions and Courage to Caregivers.
Thursdays, April 6 - June 1, 2023, 12-1 pm via Zoom. Session topics and presenters include:
4/6 - Moving Beyond Fear - Sandra Bishop.
4/13 - Managing Change Effectively - Ria Dark.
4/20 - Understanding Mental Illness - Steve Davis.
4/27 - Breaking the Anger Habit - Steve Davis.
5/4 - Helping Troubled Employees - Holly Brown. Session 5 Recording
5/11 - Preventing & Managing Burnout - Holly Brown. Session 6 Recording
5/18 - Mindful Leadership: De-Stressing Ourselves & Our Workplace - Andrea Peck. Session 7 Recording
5/25 - Help! I Can’t Stop Thinking - Daron Larson. Session 8 Recording
6/1 - Creating a Courage Tool Kit - Kristi Horner & Jenny Woodworth. Session 9 Recording
Introduction to Mindfulness
Mindfulness is a way of paying attention in the present moment, on purpose and without judgment. Through the use of formal and informal practices we can train our minds and this kind of awareness. Join Suzanne Rusnak, MEd, MSSA, LSW in this practice-based program.
During this 8-week class, along with your weekly practice you may notice:
- Reduced blood pressure
- Decreased anxiety
- Increased ability to pay attention
- Increased feelings of well-being
- Increased ability to regulate emotion
Tuesdays, April 18 - June 13, 2023 (no class on May 16) - 12:30-1:30 pm via Zoom
Building Connection and Communication
Wouldn't it be great to be able to better manage stress in your relationships at work and at home? Learn new and transformative ways to improve response versus reaction, diplomacy and respect, verbal and non-verbal communication, and more. Join Heidi Weiker as she helps you to practice these tools for better success in your relationships.
Wednesdays, March 8, 15, 29, April 5, 12, 19, May 3, 10, 2023 - 12-1 pm via Zoom
Look for this series again in 2024.
Release, Relax and Reach
Join Heidi Weiker for Release, Relax and ReachTM a program designed to help you do just that. Participants will discover a brighter and healthier sense of self and well-being.
Each week the class will cover a method/practice for Releasing, Relaxing and Reaching. You will play with re-booting and regenerating, rewiring and remembering, and renewing and reconnecting with what matters. You will share stories, ideas and brainstorm solutions. And you will have the opportunity to create your own authentic and very personalized best practices for the stress and struggles in your life.
Move beyond surviving to thriving with this 8-week class.
This series will return in 2024.
Positively Powerful
We each have the power to create our best lives through positive intentions. Join this 8-week series, packed with powerful tools and strategies, to enhance your daily life. Each week, faculty and staff will learn about a new technique and perspective on optimism and positivity.
Look for this program again in 2024.
Introduction to Meditation
If you’re new to meditation or want to refresh your practice, join us for this 4-week class in the fundamentals of meditation. In this short course you will learn about different styles of meditation and their benefits. You will get a chance to practice several styles in class, and gain resources for supporting you in creating a regular practice of your own.
This series will return in 2024.
Avidon Health (previously SelfHelpWorks) Stress and Resiliency Training
Online Stress Management
Avidon Health's LivingEasy program is a multi-session class which will change the way you think, feel and react to stressful situations.
Read more: LivingEasy Stress & Resiliency Program
To register, follow the prompts on the Avidon Health page of this website.
Individual Counseling through Impact Solutions
All benefits eligible faculty and staff and their families can receive up to five free counseling sessions per occurrence for a variety of issues including:
- Anxiety
- Work/life balance
- Marital stress
- Depression
- Substance abuse
- and more
Contact Impact Solutions at 1-800-227-6007 to request your first session.
Please note that this service covers benefits eligible CWRU faculty and staff, spouses/partners, household members, dependents living in and away from home, even parents and parents-in-law.