November 2012 Employee Wellness Moments: Depression Assessment

Physical	Environmental
Physical exercise can relieve the symptoms of depression.	There is a link between allergies and depression.
Depressions can be cause by certain illnesses.	Living in an abusive environment can cause depression.
Medication side-effects can cause depression.	Too much noise can lead to depression.
Sedentary behavior can lead to depression.	People feel more depressed on gloomy or cloudy days.
Sports injuries can lead to depression during the rehabilitative process.	Trauma and Stress can cause depression.
Social	Spiritual
Inability to forgive others can cause depression.	Lifestyles that conflict with your values can cause depression.
Self-isolation can cause depression.	Unresolved anger can cause depression.
Contagious diseases such as the common cold can be depressing as it interferes with socialization.	Unresolved grief can cause depression.
Depression can occur as a result of life-course changes.	Disconnecting from your spiritual life can cause depression.
Chronic family problems can lead to depression.	Loss of self-identity and personal worth can cause depression.
Nutritional	Occupational
Good nutrition can improve the symptoms of depression.	Underemployment can impact self-worth.
There are links between fast food and depression.	Poor work-life balance can cause depression.
Dehydration influences mood.	Jobs with low-control can lead to depression.
Seasonal foods can boost mood temporarily.	Lack of social support at work can lead to depression.
Over or under eating can cause depression.	Jobs with poor autonomy are depressive.
Intellectual	Emotional
New knowledge and learning can ease depressive symptoms.	Lack of sleep can cause depression
Learning can provide a sense of control.	Alcohol abuse can cause depression.
Learning boosts autonomy.	Drug addiction can cause depression.
Stereotypes and negative thinking are depressive.	Pessimism is known to cause depression.
Creativity can reduce depressive symptoms.	Lack of self-control can lead to depression.

September 2012 Employee Wellness Moments!

Physical	Environmental
What is your preventative health plan?	Organize your day for easy entry and exit of work tasks.
What are your healthy mind-body approaches to improve your well-being?	Analyze workstation stress and manage one stress element or decide to eliminate the problem.
Do art, science, and morals impact your integrative health care decisions?	Build in time for assessment of daily interruptions.
Explore how sports massage enhances athletic performance and increases the rate of recovery.	Evaluate technology spaces and social connections for hording and clutter. Delete unnecessary or obsolete information.
Explore movement therapies such as Tai Chi and dance.	Re-evaluate your learning needs and skill development and create learning stations.
Social	Spiritual
Socialization includes mutual obligations ...follow up on a promise to spend time with someone else.	Your spiritual wellness enhances your other wellness initiatives.
Satisfying relationships may buffer the impact of stress.	Some spiritual pursuits can reduce pain and some disease processes.
Empathy is an important component of caring and it is a teachable skill.	Meditation promotes relaxation.
Socialization improves self-worth, which increases life expectancy by 1.5 years.	Spirituality can promote a sense of well-being even in the presence of disease.
Friendships tend to boost self-efficacy.	Spirituality is a key components of integrative medicine.
Nutritional	Occupational
Monitor you dietary fat intake for one week, and discuss your findings with a nutritional professional.	List your department's skills and competencies to capture recent learning events.
Talk to a dietitian about your food sensitivities.	Schedule holiday events for your staff early so that they can arrange their seasonal activities.
When adjusting your diet, consult with your health care professional.	Evaluate those job functions that create boredom and talk to your manager.
Your diet can change your health status and ability to integrate other therapies.	Take time away from sedentary job functions for get up and go exercises.
The right diet can enhance treatment and pain management.	Add into your fitness schedule your work-related activity and miles walked while on the job.
Intellectual	Emotional
Meditative breathing can enhance brain function.	Identify those somatic markers that create uncomfortable emotional responses.
Emotional events have a privileged status in memory, remembering the emotion is a quicker way to recall hidden facts.	Developing and /or improving self-regulation skills can help to regulate chronic and stress related illnesses.
Quick naps have recuperative powers concerning brain function.	Troubling emotional memories can trigger phobias and hoarding behaviors.
Addiction involves several areas of the brain and may require a combination of therapies in order to resolve the issue.	Mind-body therapies help to reduce the strain of long-term stress.
Stress is a learned response and cognitive behavioral therapy is a possible approach to unlearn this process.	Workplace stress and conflict can be reduced by discussing the situation with your manager or EAP representative.

August 2012 Employee Wellness Moments!

Physical	Environmental
Identify your unhealthy choices this month.	Establish a calm work environment. Identify stressors and create a group to brainstorm resolution.
Plan to improve or eliminate one at risk behavior.	Gather a group for early morning workouts using outdoor gyms and fitness trails.
Change one sedentary activity.	Create a team to explore land projects for environmental education.
Start tracking your health numbers.	Discuss your team's environmental stewardship.
Research the real cost of  unhealthy health numbers.	Remove heat scorched plants to reduce allergens and decay.
Social	Spiritual
Research why socialization is healthy.	Socialization and spiritual wellness are a great mix to nurture.
Choose one reason to socialize and create an activity based around that dimension of wellness.	Increasing your physical well-being deepens your spiritual journey.
Socialization improves retention, create one social event per month for your work team.	Support groups can often help remove personal barriers to meditation.
Walk to deliver a message face-to-face rather than use email.	Share with a friend how your food choices are beginning to align with your values and beliefs about healthy dining.
Join a social exercise class such as ballroom dancing.	The more your actions align with your values and beliefs, the easier it is to develop your spiritual wellness.
Nutritional	Occupational
Arrange to have dinner with a friend.	Review safety procedures in your area.
Share food preparation tasks with a coworker.	Discuss your sensory deficits with a trusted supervisor to make sure that you have the necessary adaptations for safety.
Separate meal times from stressful events.	Learn how to make sedentary jobs healthier.
Avoid working through your lunch time.	Use recommended safety practices at home too!
Join an online social food network to help make searching for healthy food recipes fun!	Find one more way to strengthen your work team.
Intellectual	Emotional
Socialization improves brain function.	Examine one unhealthy lifestyle choice that you may be harboring and its health and social costs.
Learning a new skill is easier when it is shared with someone else.	Fitness classes and sports can boost emotional wellness as people share victories and defeats.
Find out how at risk behaviors can damage your intellectual well-being.	Engaging in wellness activities together can be relaxing and provide pain relief.
Be creative! Creativity improves in the present of others.	Better moods start with a smile: research finds that a smile is more powerful than chocolate for changing moods!
Join a team! When shared with others, the benefits of exercise, socialization, and intellectual wellness are tremendous!	An energy booster can elevate your mood: being properly hydrated or a quick movement break can do wonders!

July 2012 Employee Wellness Moments

Physical	Environmental
Plan  meaningful rest breaks from the heat.	Design a cooling basket for hot work stations.
Update your on-the-go hydration plan.	During the hottest part of the day alternate work and rest periods.
Redesign your workout times around the summer heat.	Acclimate slowly to extreme temperatures.
Conduct self-assessments frequently regarding heat and humidity stressors on the body.	Instead of ditching the safety equipment in warm environments, work for shorter periods with the appropriate safety equipment.
Be flexible with your workout goals, but do not give up!	Have a heat stress prevention plan for yourself and volunteers.
Social	Spiritual
Plan cool get-togethers.	Stay hydrated during meditation and reflection.
Be patient, heat may make others less social.	Stay flexible with your summer meditation schedule
Check on a friend when temperatures are high.	Uncomfortably warm prayer environments may impact meditation.
Socialize pets in the cooler part of the day.	Begin planning your next level of spiritual wellness
When it is too hot to socialize outside, catch up on emails or send a fun greeting to another.	Reflect on your life skills and how they compliment your spiritual wellness
Nutritional	Occupational
Wash fruits and vegetables carefully.	Research ways to add one more skill.
Observe the calorie content of cool sweet treats.	Reflect on your work/life balance.
Keep picnic food at the proper temperatures.	Organize a leisure and fun event after work hours.
Change healthy recipes often to keep the menu exciting.	Make a list of all of the positive aspects of your job.
Know you food sources and their handling practices especially at roadside or farmer's markets.	Create a digital portfolio.
Intellectual	Emotional
Find out how a warm environment impacts, learning and memory.	Remember when the heat and humidity indexes are high emotions are more difficult to handle.
Take a friend to a free concert in the park.	Summer heat blues are possible in extreme heat.
Find out how you can contribute to the local art community	Take extra rest breaks and stay nutritionally balanced especially during the warm weather.
Take a TV break and read a new book instead.	Doing a good deed for another is an excellent way to relieve the heat blues.
Enhance your work environment to increase brain cell growth.	Track the good things at the end of each day .

June 2012 Employee Wellness Moments

Physical	Environmental
Run/walk in a 5k.	Check your summer sun screen plan and update as needed.
Update your on-the-go hydration plan.	Clean a cluttered area.
Add a new flexibility routine.	Clean screens and air conditioning filters
Check into a new cardio program with a friend.	Update you first aid station.
Update your strength training if it is too easy.	Look for sources of allergens in your immediate work area.
Social	Spiritual
Make special Fathers' Day plans with family.	Couple one other dimension of wellness with the spiritual dimension of wellness.
Create a father/son look-alike photo display.	Check your summer worship plans.
Volunteer to help at a Fathers' Day event,	Find one new thing each day to be thankful for.
Create a collage of fathers' using old tools.	Discover what values you hold that add purpose to your life.
Create a collage of fathers' fishing trips and fables.	What elements of a purposeful life do you need to give you peace of mind.
Nutritional	Occupational
Share favorite barbeque recipes.	Offer to train one new volunteer.
Share seasonal taste testing stations.	Go outside at least once a day.
Explore fresh gardentini recipes.	Organize your desk and desktop to save time
Start a neighbor's or family vegetable garden  urban legend list.	Evaluate how much real down time you have each day.
Share one new seasonal fruit salad.	Check your posture periodically during the day.
Intellectual	Emotional
Add one new skill to use with your favorite hobbies.	Don't let yourself get too hungry between meals
Share a hobby with a friend.	Hydrate throughout the day.
Review one in-service from a year ago.	Take stretching breaks with better breaths than shallow breathing.
Offer to help students study in summer school.	Share with a coworker something that went really well during your day.
When watching TV, read fun facts during commercials.	Search for funny moments during the day and share with two other people.

April 2012 Employee Wellness Moments

Physical Environment Consider limiting alcohol or additive substances during team functions. List the respectful things that your department does for the earth List the signs of over or under training. As a team discover what are the environmental issues within the local community. Check out the best buy ratings for fitness equipment by Consumer Reports. As a team, evaluate your celebrations and cultural events to see if they are environmentally friendly. What is your definition of fit and unfit? As a team, do you binge trash when you do not have time to separate recyclables? Does your fitness program contain cardio, flexibility, strength, and endurance training? As a team, define your relationship with the environment. Social Spiritual After your work day, how do you manage your free time? As a team or department, reflect on why you exist. Concerning after work, how does your team balance time with friends and family? As a team, evaluate how your values are supported by the work that you do. As a team, how do your members define the social process? Evaluate the growth of your team spiritually. As a team, have you begun to build a strong social network? How can your team increase their comfort level concerning sharing and reducing conflict through successfully reflecting on the issues first? As a team, how do you help new members gain a sense of belonging to your social network? Create gratitude and appreciation moments to inspire and coach others. Nutritional Occupational As a team, how do you support the healthy choices of others? As you prepare for work each day, how can you make this period of the day less stressful? Have a team discussion on how what we eat impacts our other dimensions of wellness. As a team, how can you stay socially connected between social events? As a team, decide what self-imposed food restrictions are nearly impossible to follow. As a team, swap payoffs or advantages of individual career choices Develop a healthy menu evaluation for off-site lunches. Find ten things in a day that makes a positive difference in another individual or team's work day Develop a diet choice network so others can find each other for support. As a team, redesign dreaded tasks Intellectual Emotional As a group identify boring routines. Strive for performance improvement and not perfection By design, help your group become excited about something new. Accept that healthy conflict can be beneficial Goal setting is a form of intellectual wellness, as a team set a new goal. Micro-manage less and promote autonomy. Better time management leaves time for new ideas and creativity. What can your team do with this idea? Share thoughts of happiness and joy often. As a team develop a curiosity for a novel idea in your industry. As a team, realize that your team's emotional wellness is a process that should be nurtured. The employee wellness ideas listed above are low cost/no cost activities that you and your employees can mix or match with previously submitted monthly wellness ideas. The ideas can be used to create wellness moments that focus on the eight dimensions of wellness to enhance your Vital Life Community!

Team Franciscan Center: Birthday Celebration!

Anna Bridgette's birthday is celebrated with friendship, caring team members, and wishes for a great year!

Team Franciscan Center: Going Away Party!

Kelsey is advancing to another department and The Franciscan Center wanted to wish her well and to remind her that she will always be a part of the team!

Vital Life Stories: Diane Owens

55+ Worker No. 2: Relationships and Networks

The relationships and networks that the 55+ worker hold are important in today’s workplace. These networks can help build trust within industries, especially when the market segment is the growing baby boomer market. In addition, the 55+ worker can add innovation and stability into an intergenerational workplace, which also depends on knowledge and experience. The 55+ worker is a contender for the “war on talent” and the only other challenge is finding the right job to complement their growing healthy lifestyles.

Vital Life Stories: Program Administrative Assistant Tina Huskey!

Vital Life Stories: Bella Vita Team Captain Lindsay Williams!

St. Leonard is Awarded as being One of Dayton's Top Workplaces!

(Click to enlarge)

Reported Sunday, January 29, 2012, The Dayton Daily News and Springfield News-Sun.

Submitted by Joan Longhin-Howard, Human Resources Director

February 2012 Employee Wellness Moments!

Physical Environment Keep track of your daily work-related walking-add to your social walking miles Check your recycling program to make sure that it is a stable process and not eroding Keep track of your shopping steps and leisure walking –add to your social walking miles Check out your department's daily habits to see if they are still environmentally friendly Learn to breathe rather than holding your breath through difficult moments or decision-making Check to be sure that all new products and supplies have a MSDS on file Evaluate and update your 2012 fitness program-update as needed Make safety suggestions a top priority in recognition programs Inspect and repair your spring workout gear Rummage through your safety equipment and toss old and damaged equipment Social Spiritual Social Media Week Feb 7-11-update your group on essential new social media etiquette skills Find time for reflection and meditation Have a Random Acts of Kindness week Share the gifts that you recognize in others Have a Post-it note luncheon writing down all ideas concerning a particular problem Explore why spiritual wellness is important for optimal well-being? Together celebrate the 10 best ideas from the previous month Determine what gratitude means and how it affects your wellness Try a "drive by" team trivia game Take time to help someone else who is receptive of your gift Nutritional Occupational Use healthy snacks as a universal currency for one week to barter and trade office duties or supplies Post your department's top reasons to be happy at work and compare with another departments Share a February Texas Jalapeño party with coworkers Building stronger work-related relationships requires sharing goals and ideas Try an "elevation burger" luncheon with stacks of veggies Together, conduct a performance improvement study concerning a difficult process Have a February California carrot themed cook-off luncheon As a group, name the top 50 reasons it can be difficult to achieve balance with work, family, and school The Global Food Safety Conference is this month-update your food politics by reviewing their findings Share a hobby with coworkers by bringing in samples of activities that bring you pleasure outside of work Intellectual Emotional Explore new ethical considerations surrounding your department Laughter throughout your day can burn 1,280 calories a month! Make a list of all of the actual job skills needed for your area Try "attentional bias" concerning your thoughts; giving more attention to positive and optimistic thoughts throughout your day Make a wish list of new skills that might add to the efficiency and culture of your department When needed, participate in employee assistance programs that support mental health Add a research station to your department where white papers or updates concerning industry trends are shared For an emotional boost reread the mission statement and know that your dedication matters Personally explore your lifestyle and how it support healthy brain function Take time with a new employee and help them adjust to the social network

The employee wellness ideas listed above are low cost/no-cost activities that you and your employees can mix or match with previously submitted wellness ideas. These ideas can be used to create wellness moments that focus on the eight dimensions of wellness to enhance your Vital Life Community!

December 2011 Employee Wellness Moments!

Physical Environment Write your fitness goals down for 2012 When the weather is gray and cloudy have a rainy day walkthrough of your favorite indoor spaces with a coworker Share your goals with a trusted friend or trainer Clear outdoor views and windowsills to allow light to filter into your workspace Discuss your goals with your medical professionals Have a winter survival kit on hand include things that make your smile or laugh Create a tickler file to review your goals every three months Create a desktop weather alert station Inventory your equipment or training center to see if you have access to the necessary tools to work toward your goals Check to see where winter safety supplies are stored in your area Social Spiritual Plan a departmental party and include another department Identify the guiding principles of your life Try a holiday theme party from a different culture Share your compassion, altruism, and empathy freely as it relates to your self-identity Discover how you can add socialization to your workout routines Temper any excess in your life with giving Include friends to help during difficult holiday tasks Discover moving meditation such as walking, dance, or Tai Chi Have "No Holiday Zone" breaks with friends for moments away from the holiday hustle and bustle Make time in your holiday season to connect with your higher power Nutritional Occupational Share with a trusted friend your nutritional goals As a group establish email, telephone, and social media etiquette Establish your parameters for holiday diet splurges Take time to thank another department Be picky with foods that are not normally a part of your healthy diet Wrap up the details of this year's work assignments together Bring healthier snacks to office parties Plan the new year's departmental objectives together Add more fun and games to holiday gatherings than appetizers As a team, redesign work that does not flow well Intellectual Emotional Travel smart this holiday and plan for a healthy get a way Request mediation for workplace bullies and difficult relationships Investigate a possible new tradition for the holiday Acknowledge your emotions about work, success, and failure Look for the triggers that leave you mentally exhausted this season Eliminate workplace coworker struggles by accepting others as they are Plan for mini mental escapes this holiday Evaluate your time management Reduce your TV time 10 minutes weekly Practice self-acceptance and forgiveness

The employee wellness ideas listed above are low cost/no cost activities that you and your employees can mix or match with previously submitted wellness ideas. These ideas can be used to create wellness moments that focus on the eight dimensions of wellness to enhance your Vital Life Community!

Teams "Round To It" and the "Dirty Half Dozen: More about Boat Day!

A Vital Life afternoon of FUN at Caesar Creek Lake

October 2011 Employee Wellness Moments

Physical Environment October is National Ergonomic Month –Does your fitness workouts still challenge your body? Stock winter supplies for snow and ice National Massage Therapy Week starts Oct 25th Check for air leaks and drafts Check your indoor walking routes for safety Fill in ruts and driveways potholes Add one new stretch to your workout routine Make sure all drains are free and clear Wear reflective clothing for walking outside Replace filters as needed Social Spiritual October is National Eat Together Month! Inventory your "peace of mind" life skills Share funny stories and movies with others in your work group Experiment with a relaxation technique from another culture Plan your Christmas service project together Begin the journey to rediscovery of your "true self" Plan a mystery luncheon together or solve a fictitious murder mystery What values are you most congruent with concerning your workplace self-identity? Start a time slip involving a scary story, involve other departments Explore your purpose in this life. Nutritional Occupational As a team, collect canned goods for the needy Volunteer for a special work assignment! Have a healthy chili cook off! List your skills and competencies Have a Sweetest Day challenge for finding gourmet low sugar delights List the functional transferable skills that you would like to learn October is Apple, Pear, and Pineapple Month, substitute a candy jar day for these healthy morsels Is your career consistent with your values? October is Halloween Food Safety Month: provide a safe Trick or Treat stop for adults and children Are you maintaining a healthy work/life balance? Intellectual Emotional October is Class Reunion Month: Touch base with a study buddy of the past October is Emotional Wellness Month! A brisk walk can enhance creativity! Do you enjoy helping others? Does your lifestyle provide this opportunity? October is Health Literacy Month! Research and post new findings for improving and maintaining healthy lifestyles Have a workstation celebration to celebrate the little things in life that bring simple pleasures October is Organize Your Medical Information Month! Start a monthly sense of humor grab bag luncheon Look for workshops that you can do with others and that are fun and interesting! Try monthly team building exercises that focus on trust and getting to know other associates better The employee wellness ideas listed above are low cost/no cost activities that you and your employees can mix or match with previously submitted wellness ideas. These ideas can be used to create wellness moments that focus on the eight dimensions of wellness to enhance your Vital Life Community!