With the New Year comes a natural readiness to start fresh. Many of us will set goals and vow to ourselves that this year will be different. So, if we all start with such strong determination why do so many of us fail? According to research 25% of us will break our resolutions and that number goes up to 80% if our goal is to attend the gym more often.
During October's Healthy Workplace Month, a panel discussion was hosted with three renowned psychologists from the University of Guelph’s Centre for Workers’ Health and Well-Being, who shared tips and strategies for individuals to improve their personal well-being inside and outside of their office walls.
Watch a video recording of this session on YouTube here.
Panel questions included:
During October's Healthy Workplace Month, employees were invited to sign-up for an exclusive tour of the President's House. Normally closed to the public, this small group tour led by Steve Nyman offered the opportunity to learn more about the history of the building and an exploration of the unique art work, architecture and design of the rooms.
The beautiful building was constructed in 1882 and used as the President’s residence until 1984. In 1912 it was moved across College Avenue to its current location by a team of horses using round logs as rollers.
Employees took a break from their busy schedules during October's Healthy Workplace Month for a visit with some furry friends.
These events were created in partnership with the St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog Program, Therapeutic Paws of Canada (TPOC), the Ontario Veterinary College, and the Ontario Veterinary College Pet Trust.
Ten lucky employees got a VIP tour of the Tour Facility and Bakeshop in the basement of Creelman Hall during October's Healthy Workplace Month.
Here's some of the feedback from tour participants:
"Amazed to see how much organization and hard work is put into keeping the facility going on."
"I liked the knowledge of local farming support, amount of support it provides across campus."
Learn more about the two facilities that were toured below:
In October 2018, U of G celebrated its second annual Healthy Workplace Month. Thank you to everyone who participated in the events, activities and contests that were held throughout the month.
Below you will find links to a variety of articles, photos and video recordings that provide a snapshot of highlights from some of the events that took place:
Sessions
As a new Healthy Workplace Month activity, employees were encouraged to festively decorate their work space or common office area with colleagues and submit photos using the hashtag #wellnessatUofG or email to wellnessatwork@uoguelph.ca.
11 groups used their creativity to decorate their work spaces and U of G looked spooky!
Here are the top 3 winning Spooktacular Spaces:
1st- Amy Tyszka and Barb Piccoli in Hospitality, Food & Tourism Management
Thanks to everyone who explored the U of G campus to complete the Discover our Spaces Scavenger Hunt!
We had 39 employees submit their completed crossword and a review committee randomly selected the top 3 winners. Congratulations to the following prize winners:
1st place- Brendan Fagan
2nd place- Amanda Sawlor
3rd place- Morgan Rees
Here is the feedback we received from the cross-word activity:
During October's Healthy Workplace Month, we asked employees to submit a photo of a beautiful U of G space. We asked, "What’s your favourite space on campus? Take a photo of the place that you love best on Guelph campus, at Ridgetown, the University of Guelph-Humber or at a research station – anywhere U of G is! – and tell us why you like it so much."
We received 21 photo entries and it was a difficult decision for the review committee. The following photos were selected as the winning photos:
1st place- Danielle Watson
On a warm September morning at the beginning of another school year at University of Guelph, Lynne Skilton-Hayes rolls over in bed to turn her alarm clock off after an almost 8-hour sleep. She stretches her arms above her head preparing for the day ahead of her in the state-of-the-art Athletic Centre that her visions brought to life. Rather than breakfast, Lynne makes her way into the kitchen to start her day with a cup of coffee. After coffee, she blends up her smoothie for her ride to work and the fitness classes she plans to teach.