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Winter Wellness 2026

Supporting your evolving wellness journey
Winter Wellness Weeks 2026 - February 16 to 27

No matter the time of year or the weather, the pursuit of a healthy, balanced lifestyle remains a priority. At Western, we are committed to supporting our faculty and staff in their wellness journey. Achieving balance takes time and patience, but we’re confident that you’ll find your groove. Whether you're looking to stay active, reduce stress, or develop healthier habits, there’s something for everyone.

Our Winter Wellness Program has been carefully designed to help you thrive throughout the season, even as the days get colder! This year's offerings include physical activities, workshops, webinars and, back again, our Random Acts of Kindness Challenge. These resources are here to help you reach your wellness goals and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Check out (and post in a prominent spot) one of our two Winter Wellness posters for an overview of what’s available this year!

The Seven Domains of Wellness

Winter Wellness activities are built on the foundation of the seven domains of wellness:

Explore:

Scheduled activities

Monday February 23 - Family Day - Enjoy!

Tuesday, February 17

Yoga with Tracy - Living Well @ Western
12:10 to 12:50 p.m. - Arts & Humanities Building, 2B15
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.
Register here

Zen Meditation Break - Living Well @ Western
2:00 to 2:20 p.m. - Arts & Humanities Building, 2B15
Meditation has shown to reduce anxiety and stress by helping you feel grounded and more present. In these sessions, you can expect a simple guided practice, led by a Western employee who is experienced in facilitating sessions that are accessible to beginners and experienced meditators alike. Chairs, yoga mats and cushions are available. You are welcome to bring your favourite yoga mat or cushion for a more comfortable experience.
Register here

Wednesday, February 18

Relaxation Techniques
12:00 to 1 p.m. on Zoom

This interactive workshop by TELUS Health teaches the key differences between relaxation and stress management techniques while guiding you through three proven techniques that promote physical relaxation and improve mental clarity. You’ll build a personalized toolkit of practical relaxation techniques that work anywhere.  
Register here

Rise & Shine Yoga
6:30 to 7:00 a.m. - Virtual
Set the tone for your day by joining rise and shine yoga! 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.

Gentle Mindful Movements  - Living Well @ Western
2:45 to 3:00 p.m. - Virtual
Join Emily Downs, wellness instructor for a virtual 15-minute wellness break. The break will be either a chair yoga or a meditation break.
Register here

Pow Wow Fitness Class - Living Well @ Western
7 p.m. Arts & Humanities Building, Room 2B15

Hosted at the Wampum Learning Lodge by Lisa Hill (Oneida Nation of the Thames) from Moccasin Flow, the focus is on increasing our heart rate while getting in a full-body workout. We move our bodies and spirits, marching to the beat of the Big Drum, incorporating steps and Zumba moves to get the energy flowing! This fitness class is open to ALL. No equipment needed besides a pair of shoes. Learn more.

Thursday, February 19

Living Well @ Western Room Open House 
Drop In: 1:30-2:30 p.m. -Arts & Humanities Building, Rooms 2B15 & 2B02 
We've made some updates. Drop in to see the updated space, the new Rest and Renewal Room and join in some art-based fun! 
Registration encouraged

Zumba - Living Well @ Western
12:10 to 12:50 - Arts & Humanities Building, 2B15
Join a certified instructor for a lunchtime Zumba class!
Register here

Wellness Walk
11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. - Biological & Geological Sciences (BGS)
Western employees are invited to join in a wellness walk across campus including some of our beautiful nature trails. Some days walks are moved to Fridays. Email Ben Souriol to get updates on the wellness walk schedule.

Friday, February 20

Zin Yoga for Stress Relief - Living Well @ Western 
12:10 to 12:50 - Arts & Humanities Building, 2B15
Join Isabella to unwind, restore, and reconnect in this calming Yin Yoga class designed for beginners. Through long-held, floor-based postures, we’ll gently release tension stored in the hips, shoulders, and spine—areas most affected by stress. The practice will focus on balancing key chakras connected to stress and wellbeing. 
Register here

Monday February 23

Rise & Shine Yoga
6:30 to 7:00 a.m. - Virtual
Set the tone for your day by joining rise and shine yoga! 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.
Register here and then join via Zoom - Meeting ID: 830 1567 7774

Circuit Weight Training - Living Well @ Western
12:10 to 12:50 p.m. - Arts & Humanities Building, 2B15
Join Emily Downs, activity instructor for circuit training and a body weight workout.
Register here

Tuesday, February 24

Cultivating Wellbeing in Context of Crisis and Media Overload 
12 to 1:00 p.m. on Zoom
Our rapidly changing and volatile world impacts our mental health and wellbeing. Conflict, violence, political and social instability can create anxiety. Weathering these, and the related information overload is essential for cultivating wellbeing. This workshop by TELUS Health looks at the impacts of crisis exposure and explores strategies for coping and cultivating wellbeing.
Register now

Building a Resilient Retirement Paycheque 
6 p.m. Webinar
Learn how to manage market volatility and explore ways to protect your retirement income.
Register now Wellness Rewards Code: BRRPF24. New to Wellness Rewards? Learn more here.

Yoga with Tracy - Living Well @ Western
12:10 to 12:50 p.m. - Arts & Humanities Building, 2B15
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!
Register here

Zen Meditation Break - Living Well @ Western
12:10 to 12:20 p.m. - Arts & Humanities Building, 2B15
Meditation has shown to reduce anxiety and stress by helping you feel grounded and more present. In these sessions, you can expect a simple guided practice, led by a Western employee who is experienced in facilitating sessions that are accessible to beginners and experienced meditators alike. Chairs, yoga mats and cushions are available; you are welcome to bring your favourite yoga mat or cushion for a more comfortable experience.
Register here

Wednesday, February 25

From Planning to Paycheque: Exploring Retirement Income
12 to 1 p.m. - Live webinar for Western employees
This session will bring together the pieces of your personal financial plan. We'll explore income sources — government, workplace pensions, and personal savings. Then we'll talk about how to manage risks in creating a retirement income strategy, including the tools to help you make decisions. Presented by Sun Life. 
Register now, or learn more about Pension Workshops.
Wellness Rewards Code: PTPF25. Need more info about Western’s Wellness Rewards program - Look here.

Gentle, Mindful Movements - Living Well @ Western 
2:45 to 3:00 p.m. - Virtual
Join Emily Downs, wellness instructor for a virtual 15-minute wellness break. The break will be either chair yoga, or a meditation break.

Thursday, February 26

Zumba - Living Well @ Western
12:10 to 12:50 - Arts & Humanities Building, 2B15
Join a certified Zumba instructor for a lunchtime class!
Register here

Wellness Walk
11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. - Biological & Geological Sciences (BGS)
Western employees are invited to join in a wellness walk across campus including some of our beautiful nature trails. Some days, walks are moved to Fridays. Email Ben Souriol to get updates on the wellness walk schedule. 

Friday, February 27

Zin Yoga for Stress Relief - Living Well @ Western 
12:10 to 12:50 - Arts & Humanities Building, 2B15
Join Isabella to unwind, restore, and reconnect in this calming Yin Yoga class designed for beginners. Through long-held, floor-based postures, we’ll gently release tension stored in the hips, shoulders, and spine—areas most affected by stress. The practice will focus on balancing key chakras connected to stress and wellbeing. 
Register here

Random Acts of Kindness Challenge

February 17 is Random Acts of Kindness Day — but at Western, we’re making it a month-long event. We invite you to take part in our Living Well Random Acts of Kindness Challenge throughout the month of February. Helping others benefits those around us and positively impacts our own mental health. Acts of kindness reduce stress and enhance emotional well-being.

The challenge: Complete as many random acts of kindness as possible throughout the month of February. Your acts do not need to be grand - focus on spontaneous, simple gestures. We've got more information and a calendar that you can use to log and track your acts of kindness. Submit your calendar to livingwell@uwo.ca by noon on February 27, 2026 for your chance to be entered into a draw!

February is Black History Month

Western acknowledges and celebrates Black History Month, encouraging the campus and London communities to listen, learn and participate in events. At Western, we’re highlighting alumni voices and fostering spaces for the Black community to thrive, ensuring Black stories, experiences and legacies are at the forefront of our programming.
Learn about activities planned for Black History Month at Western

At your own pace

Check out some other on-campus and community resources when thinking about your wellness!

Physical

• Be your own tour guide! See our PDF self-guided walking tour of our beautiful campus!
• Occupational Health, Safety & Well-being: In Workplace Health there is a full-time Occupational Health Nurse and Occupational Health Physician available for medical treatment of occupational and non-occupational illness/injuries, and general health concerns.
• Give the gift of life. To learn more about how you, and your team can arrange a group trip (by bus, free of charge) to donate blood, please email livingwell@uwo.ca
• Visit the Living Well @ Western webpage to learn about the free wellness programming and internal Wellness Rewards program available to all staff and faculty. While there, sign up for our Living Well @ Western email list to receive a monthly calendar of activities, learn of special events and stay up to date on the Internal Wellness Rewards prize winners!
• Canada’s Food Guide offers meal planning from start to finish in four steps, a simple guide that walks you through deciding what to eat, making a grocery list, shopping effectively, and starting to cook. This resource helps make healthy eating easier by focusing on preparation, planning, and reducing food waste. 

Financial

• Your Western Pension Plan provides a great foundation to save for retirement. Feel good about being on top of your decisions by checking out one of the on-demand videos made just for Western plan members or connect with a Sun Life  Consultant about your financial plan.
• Through Telus Health, you can access confidential financial counselling and guidance delivered online or by phone. Support is available for a wide range of financial concerns, including debt and credit management, mortgages, real estate, taxes, budgeting, divorce related financial planning, bankruptcy, and more. Learn more.
• Sun Life is hosting: Living your retirement plan on February 25, 2025, at 6 p.m. ET. Learn more and register.  Wellness Rewards Code: PLAN25
• The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada has a neat budget planner
• Tax clinics and supports are available through community organizations as part of the community volunteer Income Tax Program (CVIP), with locations at branches of the London Public Library.

Spiritual

• A multi-faith space is available for students, staff, and faculty to book in Middlesex College, 15C. Book online here.
• Western Chaplains maintain a list of places of worship off-campus in our community. You can see the list here.
• Mindfulness practice resources: Learning Development & Success has recorded guided meditations, a 31-day calendar of mindful learning, and some prompts to assist you to begin mindful journaling.
• Learn what Land-based Healing is, and where and how you can participate.
   

Environmental

• Book a sustainability tour: a tour of the different sustainability features on campus.
• Download the Sustainable Living Guide prepared by Western Sustainability.

Occupational

• Western’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion office has released The EDIDA Strategic Plan. Check out and download the plan.  There are also toolkits available on such topics as anti-racism, enhancing department climate and diversity and inclusion. These and much more can be found on Western’s EDI webpage.
• Did you know that  Telus Health, your Employee (and family) Assistance Program offers career counselling and care now programs related to work?
• Are you familiar with Western’s Disconnecting from Work policy?
• Western Continuing Studies provides opportunities for everyone to keep learning at Western University. Check out the offerings today!
• Check out the Staff & Leader Development pages for workshop and learning opportunities!

Community

• Stay up to date on the various events happening on campus by visiting the main Western Events Calendar.
• Explore the Community Resource guide created by Employee Wellbeing.
• The Community Services Directory for London & Middlesex, Help Yourself Through Hard Times handbook has information on community resources, such as resources centers, communities' centers and community programs 

Emotional

• Explore some of the Mental Health resources we have on campus and complete the Mental Health module on OWL. After successful completion of the module, participants receive a certificate confirming their participation.
• Sign up for your Telus Health account. Telus Health is your confidential provider of our Employee (and family) Assistance Program (EAP). Services are available to all Western employees and to immediate family members. Help is available by phone anytime, or by video or online chat. In-person counselling is also available - masks are required. You are also encouraged to register to access the Telus Health website and app. There you can take advantage of tools, podcasts, and other resources.
• Based on the National Standard for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace, Healthy Minds is a program that looks to adopt the Standard in a practical way for our campus community.
• Workplace Strategies for Mental Health offers free, evidence and practice based tools and resources to support workplace mental health and psychological safety. These resources are designed for all Canadians and include organizational strategies, leader supports, assessments, workshops, and practical tools to help employers and employees promote psychological wellbeing at work.
• Burned out feelings? Check out the new Western learning module — Recognizing and Managing Burnout

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