April Wellness Newsletter:
Celebrate Physical Wellness Month
Physical Wellness Month is celebrated in April every year. From exercising and eating healthy to emotional health and stress management, there are a lot of simple activities that you can do for a healthy body and mind. This month presents the opportunity for you to explore different ways to engage in self-care and daily healthy habits.
The Wellness Program provides guidance and resources to support your self-care and wellness journey. Read the newsletter below and register for as many webinars as you can. Be sure to join our newest challenge
Chirpy, which has an emphasis on physical activity plus other healthy habits.
Remember, the more you participate in this month's challenge and webinars, the more you increase your chances to win a $25 gift card or a Fitbit!
Register for our newest challenge
Chirpy!
You know how it feels to be both
energetic and optimistic… when every challenge is an opportunity, not an obstacle?
That’s what we call being “chirpy.”
Chirpy is a program to boost energy and increase optimism. With an emphasis on physical activity plus other health habits, Chirpy uses a whimsical songbird's theme to experience progress and make your well-being fly.
Registration begins 4/15 - look for the registration link in the April 15 mid-month newsletter
April Mindful Mondays -
The "What Is?" Series
Monday, April 8, 11:00 am - 11:30 am: What is Self-Compassion?
How do you treat yourself when you are going through a hard time? This soul-searching session presents why self-compassion is critical to overall wellbeing and why you may be resistant to the practice of self-compassion. Learn how to be gentler, more empathetic, and gracious to yourself and why this is important for overall wellbeing.
Monday, April 15, 11:00 am - 11:30 am: What is Self-Kindness?
Self-kindness sounds simple; however, you may have difficulty due to your inner critic who will not be silent! Self-kindness includes forgiving yourself for human flaws and foibles. In this interactive webinar, you'll discuss ways to be kinder to yourself and (finally) squelch that inner critic.
Monday, April 22, 11:00 am - 11:30 am: What is Self-Awareness?
Self-awareness is a buzz word in the self-improvement arena; however, few understand its meaning and its importance. Learn more about what it is, how to practice it, and how it benefits you personally and professionally.
Monday, April 29, 11:00 am - 11:30 am: What is Self-Appreciation?
Are you your own personal cheerleader? If not, get those poms out now! This enjoyable session will be the perfect capstone to this 4-part series as you learn to tap into your inner power of contentment that comes from self-appreciation.
MetLife Financial Wellness Monthly Webinar: Be An Investor
Tuesday, April 9, 11:00 am - 11:45 am: Be an Investor - Tips on Making Your Money Work For You
Whether you're new to investing, have some experience, or are somewhere in between, this workshop will help you to make the right financial moves to build wealth and reach your goals. Spouses and partners are welcome!
Register for 4/9 Financial Wellness Investing Workshop
Prepare and enjoy fabulous Spring dishes with Chef Sandra!
Tuesday, April 16, 11:00 am - 11:45 am: Crustless Quiche
This healthy crustless quiche has rich flavor without the fuss of crust - or the extra calories! It's perfect for brunch with family or friends and as an easy, light, and healthy dinner. You can even make it, store it in the fridge, and wake up every day knowing that breakfast is ready!
Register for 4/16 Crustless Quiche
Tuesday, April 23, 11:00 am - 11:45 am: Spinach Salad with Fennel Dressing
This salad and fennel dressing scream Spring! Learn how to make a homemade salad dressing with fennel seeds - the star of the show. It is the perfect companion for a spinach salad. Don't ever believe that salads are boring!
Register for 4/23 Spinach Salad with Fennel Dressing
Tuesday, April 30, 11:00 am - 11:45 am: Homemade Brownies with Homemade Whipped Cream
These brownies are decadent! It's time to toss those box mixes and make your own moist and chewy brownie. You'll have a choice of toppings - homemade whipped cream or marshmallows. These brownies will go fast!
Register for 4/30 Homemade Brownies
Celebrate Physical Wellbeing Month with Healthy U Sessions!
Wednesday, 4/3, 11:00 am - 11:45 am: Physical Wellbeing and You
Physical wellbeing is about caring, respecting, and advocating for your body. It involves focusing on habits such as sleep, exercise, nutrition, and understanding what your body needs. The good news is that you are in charge of all the decisions about these habits - you are the CEO of You Incorporated! Learn how to create your own physical wellbeing strategic plan to ensure that You, Inc. is successful.
Wednesday, 4/10, 11:00 am - 11:45 am: Get Fit While You Sit
You don't have to get out of a chair to get some physical activity! In this interactive session, you will learn movements to do at your desk that include stretches and exercises.
Wednesday, 4/17, 11:00 am - 11:45 am: The Magic of Stretching
Physical wellbeing includes being flexible. A good level of flexibility allows for ease of movement and injury prevention - plus, stretching feels good! Learn stretches for commonly tight muscle groups and enjoy the relief in this session.
Wednesday, 4/24, 11:00 am - 11:45 am: Yoga and Meditation Made Easy
Downward dog? Full lotus meditation? While these may sound intimidating, the benefits of both are not! Yoga movements improve strength, flexibility, balance, and more. Meditation increases resilience, reduces depression, and more. Both are powerful tools in your physical wellbeing toolbox. Join this session to learn more and how to incorporate them into an easy practice.
Health
Focus Thursdays:
Thursday, April 4, 11:00 am - 11:45 am: How to Create Your Personal Self-Care Plan
In this empowering webinar, you will create a personal inventory of your current self-care tools and strategies in order to evaluate their success. Additional tools will be shared so that you can consider adding them to your self-care toolbox.
Register for 4/4 Personal Self-Care Plan webinar
Thursday, April 11, 11:00 am - 11:45 am: Introduction to Reflective Journaling
A reflective journal is the perfect place to jot down some of life's biggest thoughts. In a reflective journal, you write about experiences, what they mean to you, and what you may have learned as a result. The practice of reflective journaling enhances self-awareness and nurtures personal growth. Let's get started!
Register for 4/11 Reflective Journaling webinar
Thursday, April 18, 11:00 am - 11:45 am: Stress Relief Tips to Cultivate Calm
Having the ability to cultivate calm at any moment is a superpower! This interactive webinar will show you how to gain this superpower so that you can access it at any time.
Register for 4/18 Cultivating Calm webinar
Thursday, April 25, 11:00 am - 11:45 am: Uniting Mind/Body/Spirit for a Unified Self
Alignment of mind, body, and spirit results in a positive connection that supports a fulfilling life. Learn more about this concept and how to attain unification.
Register for 4/25 Unified Self webinar
Friday Unwind Time: What Do You Need More Of?
Friday, 4/5, 11:00 am - 11:15 am: I Need to Improve My Focus
In this guided meditation, you will boost your brainwaves to increase focus and clarity.
Friday, 4/12, 11:00 am - 11:15 am: I Need to Relieve Worry and Anxiety
Experience dropping your suitcase of worry and anxiety so that you can proceed burden-free!
Friday, 4/19, 11:00 am - 11:15 am: I Need to Increase My Joy
You can access joy in any moment - all it takes is a smile. Experience the joy-boosting effect of smiling in this guided meditation.
Friday, 4/26, 11:00 am - 11:15 am: I Need to Feel Supported
When you feel alone and unsupported, reflecting on past helpers can be just what is needed. You'll emerge from this meditation with the realization that support that existed in the past can most likely be found in the present.
INTRODUCING OUR NEWEST WELLNESS TEAM MEMBER:
KATHLEEN LITTLETON!
Kathleen Littleton, MSN RN
As our new Health Engagement Nurse, her mission is to promote healthy behaviors through live "Healthier by the Minute" 15-minute sessions in which she'll present current health news on a variety of topics. She'll also get you ready for a weekend of wellness in her 30-minute "Weekend Wellness" sessions that cover local fun and active events for you and the whole family!
NEW SERIES - HEALTIHER BY THE MINUTE!
Take 15 minutes to get tips for a healthier you in these fun, interactive presentations brought to you by Nurse Kathleen!
Friday, April 5, 11:30 am - 11:45 am: How Physical Activity Helps Blood Pressure
Friday, April 19, 11:30 am - 11:45 am: How Stress Affects Blood Pressure
When you feel stressed, certain hormones are released that increase heart rate and blood pressure. Join Nurse Kathleen to learn how the stress response affects blood pressure, especially when stress is prolonged.
Register for Stress and Blood Pressure session
NEW SERIES - Friday Weekend Wellness Moment!
Join Nurse Kathleen for a 15-minute preview of the weekend ahead and learn how to fit healthful activities into your Saturdays and Sundays! This month, she is focusing on Spring Things in Maryland that lift your spirits and encourage you and your family to get outside.
Friday, April 12, 11:30 am - 12:00 pm: Springtime Perks at Maryland Parks
With more than 80 state parks in Maryland, it's easy to find one close by! Join Nurse Kathleen to learn more, including park perks that you can enjoy this coming weekend.
Register for Springtime Parks and Perks
Friday, April 26, 11:30 am - 12:00 pm: Flowers and Farmers Markets in Maryland
Attending a local farmers market event in your community supports local farmers and vendors, and is a great way for families to spend time together. Sample fresh fruits and vegetables, participate in family fun activities, and admire the flowers on display and for purchase.
Register for Flowers and Farmers Markets
