Living Well @ Western

We encourage you to visit the TELUS Health mobile app or the TELUS Health website to learn more.

Here are some of the resources shared during the webinar:

• Southwest Midlife Health and Menopause Clinic
• MQ6 Menopause Management Tools
• Weston and O'Born Centre for Mature Women's Health
• Menopause Foundation of Canada
• Ontario - First Quality Standard for Menopause Care

A few key takeaways from this October session included:

• Walk with awareness and scan ahead for potential hazards.
• Use designated pathways and respect construction barriers.
• Wear supportive footwear with good traction.
• Maintain strength and balance to reduce fall risk.
• Report hazards promptly so corrective action can be taken before an injury occurs.

Resources

• Slides from presentation by Dr. Sonya Malone
• Report an Accident, Illness, Incident, or Hazard
• Facilities Management Client Services - Phone 519-661-3304 (ext. 83304) for urgent safety notifications that are not emergencies.
• Preventing Slips, Trips and Falls webpage
• Required Health & Safety Training: see Worker Health and Safety Awareness, Ergonomics at Work, and Slips, Trips and Falls e-modules
• Footwear Guidelines and Supports

A Reminder About Hazard Reporting

During this lunch and lear, several questions were raised regarding reporting procedures. Timely reporting of hazards, near misses, and incidents helps the University identify risks and take corrective action before someone is injured. Plans can be made to plan for and address known hazards, but that depends on awareness and prompt reporting from our campus community.

Facilities Management also encourages reporting slippery or inaccessible areas by calling FM Client Services at extension 83304 or emailing fmhelp@uwo.ca with the following details:

• The full name of the building
• The exit/entrance number (located above the door frame) or a complete description of the location if an exit/entrance number is unknown
• A description and nature of the hazard
• A picture, if/when possible

During heavy snowfalls, keeping up with demand requires focus on priority areas and may result in some areas being left until the precipitation subsides. For more information, please visit the FM webpage dedicated to the snow maintenance operation on campus. Also check out this winter poster, which includes a QR code to assist in reporting.

Join Jamie to kickstart your day! This moving meditation is a choreography of breath and movement to help focus the mind on the present moment and improve mobility as well as enhance concentration. Ease yourself into the workday with a little self-care. This 30-min class is available virtually so that individuals can join in from home, alone or with loved ones. Participants should feel free to keep their cameras off or on throughout!

When: Mondays and Wednesdays from 6:30 to 7:00 a.m. - Virtual

Book your spot online now and be sure to collect your Wellness Reward points.

Join Tracy Ishmael in her weekly yoga class! This activity class focuses on improving posture, balance, coordination, strength and breath control by practicing a series of physical postures. Use the power of positive thinking to develop harmony in the body, mind, and environment. Namaste. Please bring your own yoga mat.

When: Tuesdays from 12:10 to 12:50 p.m.
Where: Arts & Humanities Building, Room 2B15

Book your spot online now and be sure to collect your Wellness Reward points.

Please join us for a self-guided Zen Meditation, where we will practice the meditation "Just Sitting". This silent seated meditation involves focusing on your breath and allowing thoughts to come and go. Chairs, yoga mats, and meditation cushions are available for use, and you are welcome to bring your own.

When: Tuesdays from 2:00 to 2:20 p.m.
Where: Arts and Humanities Building, Room 2B15

Book your spot online now and be sure to collect your Wellness Reward points.

Join Emily Downs, wellness instructor for a virtual 15-minute wellness break. The break will be either a chair yoga or a meditation break.

When: Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 2:45 to 3:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual

Book your spot online now and be sure to collect your Wellness Reward points. 

Pilates is a mind-body practice that links breath and movement to help you feel stronger, longer, and more at ease in your body. With an emphasis on core stability and controlled, thoughtful movement, you’ll build strength and mobility you can use in everyday life.

When: Wednesdays from 12:10 to 12:50 p.m.
Where: AHB 2B15

Book your spot online now and be sure to collect your Wellness Reward points. 

Join a Certified Zumba instructor on Thursdays for a lunch time Zumba class. Open to all Western employees.

When: Thursdays from 12:10 to 12:50 p.m.
Where: Arts and Humanities Building, Room 2B15

Book your spot online now and be sure to collect your Wellness Reward points

When: Every Friday from 12:00 - 1 p.m. 
Where: Arts and Humanities Building, Room 2B15

Join us for a flexible, self-directed workout session. You’re free to move at your own pace, with the option to follow a streamed video for a semi-structured workout if you’d like a bit of guidance.

When: Every Friday from 12:10 - 12:50 p.m. 
Where: Arts and Humanities Building, Room 2B15

She's BACK! Join Emily Downs every Friday for circuit training. Open to all Western employees>

Did you miss our special Introduction to Gut Health?

We recorded the Zoom presentation for you! Watch Introduction to Gut Health now - Recorded January 19, 2024.

This presentation, from Western's on-campus dietitian looks at the benefits of gut health and its role in immunity. You'll also learn about the diversity diet for gut health, important lifestyle factors, and the role of prebiotics and probiotics. Our dietician Kelsey Russell-Murray, RD, MSc, BSC has worked as an inpatient hospital dietitian for the past decade, and is founder of Gut Healthy Dietitian Inc.

Introduction to Yoga

This 40-minute activity class with instructor Tracy focuses on breath control, mindfulness, and adopting specific postures to promote relaxation and improve the health of the mind, body, and spirit. Namaste.

Recordings: May 3, 2022, January 11, January 18, January 25, February 1, February 8, February 15, February 22, March 1, March 8, March 15, March 22, March 29, Chair Yoga (40 min.), Chair Yoga V1 (10 min.), Chair Yoga V2 (13 min.), Chair Yoga V3 (11 min.)

Mobility for Better Mentality

The class combines multiple methods of stretching and movement patterns to increase flexibility, stability, and improve pain management. 

Recorded Sessions: May 10, 2022, February 22, March 1, March 8, March 15, March 22, March 29, April 5, April 12, April 19, April 26, May 3.

Yoga with Cassie

This activity class focuses on breath control, mindfulness, and adopting specific postures to promote relaxation and improve the health of the mind, body, and spirit. Namaste.

Recorded Sessions: October 26, November 2, November 9, November 16, November 23, November 30, December 7, January 11, January 18, January 25, February 1, February 8, February 22, March 1, March 8 , March 15, March 22, March 29, April 13, April 20, April 27, May 3, May 10, May 17, May 31, June 7, June 14, June 21, June 28. July 5, July 12, July 19, July 26, August 9, August 16, August 30, 2021.

Guided Meditation with Dr. J

Dr. Tanaz Javan will guide you through a set of techniques intended to encourage a heightened state of awareness and focused attention. Take a well-deserved break to focus on your emotional and spiritual well-being.

Recorded Sessions: January 24; January 31; February 7; February 14; February 28; March 7, March 14, March 21, March 28, April 4, 10-Minutes of Mindfulness.

Zumba!

This high-energy aerobic fitness class features movements inspired by various styles of Latin American dance. You are guaranteed to have fun while improving coordination, balance, strength, and heart health.

Recorded Sessions:  October 27, November 3, November 24, December 1, December 8, March 9.

Release, Restore, and Rest

Instructor Melissa Ostrowski will start with a meditation or embodiment practice, giving you the chance to release the day’s events, come back into your body and the present moment, and breathe. From there, we’ll move into 1 or 2 restorative yoga postures. We’ll hold these postures for 5 -10 minutes each, so having blankets and pillows handy can be really supportive. If you have yoga blocks or bolsters those work, but are not necessary. Finally, we’ll end with a delicious savasana. The goal is to leave the session feeling a little lighter, more grounded, and ready for a great night sleep. This is a great gift to give yourself at the end of the day.

Recorded Sessions:  June 1, June 8, June 15, June 22, June 29, July 6, July 13, July 20, August 3, August 17

Yoga with Melissa

This activity class focuses on improving posture, balance, coordination, strength and breath control by practicing a series of physical postures. Use the power of positive thinking to develop harmony in the body, mind, and environment. Namaste.

Recorded Sessions: October 29, November 5,  November 12, November 26, December 3, December 10, January 21, January 28, February 4, February 11, February 18, February 25, March 4, March 18, April 1, April 8, April 15, April 22, May 6, May 13, May 20, May 27, June 3, June 10, June 24, July 8, July 15, July 22, August 5, August 12, August 19

FUN!ctional Fitness

Using her unique storytelling approach, instructor Ariana Crispin-Frei will focus on functional movement patterns such as squatting, hingeing, lunging, pushing, pulling, and twisting. By learning and engaging proper form in your workouts, you will reduce your risk of injury while performing everyday tasks - such as lunging to tie your shoe, squatting to lift a box, pulling a heavy door closed, or pushing it open. Plus, these types of movements use multiple muscles at once, so you are getting an effective and efficient workout while strengthening your body holistically. Come train with Ariana and let's put the "FUN" back in "functional". 

Recorded Sessions: February 3, February 10, February 17, February 24, March 3, March 10, March 17, March 24, March 31, April 7, April 14, April 21

Pilates

This low-impact form of exercise with Instructor Jenny Goldberg aims to strengthen muscles while improving postural alignment and flexibility. Pilates moves tend to target the core, but manages to engage muscles throughout the entire body!  

Recorded Sessions: February 5, February 12, February 19

10-Minute Wellness Break Videos

• 10-Minute Chair Yoga with Tracy
• 10-Minute Meditation with Sabrina
• 10-Minute Meditation with Tanaz
• 10-Minute Standing Yoga
• 10-Minute Yoga with Cassie
• 10-Minute Yoga with Melissa

Art Workshops

• Watercolour Painting - View video  Grab your supplies and join us for guided lessons that will tap into your artistic side!
• Figure Drawing - August 11, 2021
• Landscape Painting - November 17, 2020
• Abstract Techniques-  February 18, 2021

Western Coffeehouse

Take a break, grab a warm beverage and enjoy music performed by talented Western students. 

Previously Recorded Session: November 25 (Darty), December 9 (Janelle), December 23 (Rachael), February 11 (Hayden)

Self-Compassion

Workshop delivered by Kelsey Sick and Vanessa Coulbeck, graduate students working under Dr. Eva Pila at the Body Image and Health Lab within the school of Kinesiology at Western.  Watch Self-Compassion video.

Hygge: The Art of Creating Coziness

This session explores the Danish philosophy of Hygge and the benefits of creating a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere. Grab your favourite warm beverage, light a candle, grab a blanket and enjoy! Presentation delivered by Michelle from CHMA.

Interested in learning more? Visit the Huron Hygge for more information and opportunities.

View Hygge video

Connecting with Environmental Wellness at Western

Jessica Cordes and Evan Green (Office of Sustainability) review past accomplishments, current and future initiatives and examine the various ways that employees can improve their environmental well-being and get involved at Western.  View Connecting with Environmental Wellness at Western video.

Lifestyle Choices and Mental Health

Dr. Peter Lemon, Director of the Exercise Nutrition Research Laboratory at Western University highlights the connection between nutrition, physical activity and mental health,while providing practical tips to improve your well-being. View Lifestyle Choices and Mental Health video.