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The OpenEd Ukulele Club is excited to share their performance from the 2019 Open Ed Holiday Party. Playing holiday favourites like: Frosty the Snowman, I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas, and Feliz Navidad, the club spread their holiday spirit to everyone present.

The OpenEd Ukulele group was formed as a wellness initiative by Shara Inotay and Robert Cutting in Feb 2019 after belonging to a similar lunchtime group in OVC run by their music teacher, Cynthia Kinnunen http://www.CynthiaKMusic.com.

As part of the ON TOUR series offered by Wellness@Work, employees were invited to explore the Bovey Greenhouse with tour host Rodger Tschanz. 

Participants learned about the research happening in the greenhouse and partnerships that have formed with on-campus departments. At the end of the tour, participants potted their own sunflower or basil plant to take home.

Below is some of the great feedback participants shared after the tour, along with some photo highlights. 

What did you like most about the tour?

On January 28, U of G hosted it's first U of G, Let's Talk event, as an opportunity for employees to hear a Wellness@Work update and panel discussion about the University’s progress in creating a healthy workplace.

About 100 employees attended and over 100 more watched the live-stream video. 

Watch the video recording.

Panel members included:

Social connections and a sense of belonging at work are important in building a healthy workplace culture.  The Harvard Study that's been running for about 80 years, has found a strong link between happiness and social connection.  Listen to this Ted Talk called, "What makes a good life? Lessons from the longest study on happiness," which highlights some of the research that's emerged.

It’s easier than you think to workout on campus.

January is here and with it comes renewed goals of health and happiness. What better gift than being able to access state of the art athletic facilities right on our own campus. This article is intended to help bust down some of those reason why you might not be taking advantage of this amazing facility on campus.

Start the new year off right by finding wellness activities that you enjoy. Check out the January calendar for some ideas and upcoming events. 

What’s your 20 for 2020? Make your list today!

January brings the start of a new year and resolutions that oftentimes go unaccomplished.  The Wellness@Work Programming Committee is challenging you to instead make a list of 20 things you want to do in 2020. 

Your list can have small or big goals. Perhaps things you have been wanting to do for a while, but haven’t yet got around to. The goals should be action-oriented and realistic.

Put a recurring reminder in your calendar each month to re-visit your list and reflect on how things are going.

Wellness@Work is challenging you to say "no" to 3 holiday events or tasks if you are feeling stretched this December.  View the attached poster for some tips on how to say "no" respectfully to help you manage your own well-being over the holidays.

The first Wellness@Work Gryphons Read book club meeting was such a success that participants have asked for the faculty and staff book club to continue meeting. 

The next book is “Ready to Come About” by local author Sue Williams. 

Start reading over the holiday break and the Wellness@Work book club discussion will take place in February.

Sign up here to make sure you receive an invitation to the in-person book club discussion.

See attached the December Wellness@Work calendar.

Athletics has generously opened up a variety of free fitness classes, access to the massage lounger, and fitness centre of specific dates in December.  We also invite you to join us at a free Wellness@Work rec skate on December 19.