Wellness & Health At Macalester -WHAM
News & Event Updates
Fall Session 2 Classes for Staff and Faculty
Registration for our next session of classes opens on Monday, October 14. Start your Mondays with mindful movement. Our Tai Chi/Qigong class was a hit in session one.
We’re excited to announce that Marc Anderson, who worked in the CRSL and regularly leads Sound Baths, will be our Mindfulness instructor for session two. This class is open to everyone whether you are new to mindfulness or if you would like to revitalize or deepen your meditation practice.
If you’re wanting to start strength training, but worried about getting hurt or your existing aches and pains, or you want to get the most out of your current strength routine, sign up for our Movement and Mobility class with Angela Nguyen. This is the precursor to our Strength Training 101 class because it addresses common mobility limitations from the ground up (foot + ankle, knee + hip, low back + thoracic spine, shoulders + neck) to build a solid base for efficient movement patterns and reduced injury risk. And it’s offered at a new time, 12:05 on Tuesdays. For class descriptions and to register, visit our WHAM Classes page. Register by Wednesday, October 23 at 4 p.m.
Time is running out. Don’t miss out on your reward.
Thriving together helps all of us live better, but earning your $150 reward is up to you. Be sure to take your health assessment and complete two eligible well-being activities by the October 31 deadline or you’ll miss out.
HealthPartners Living Well and WHAM have activity options to support both your emotional well-being and physical health, but some activities take several weeks to complete, so wrap up your activities before it’s too late.
Sign in to healthpartners.com/wellbeing to finish up by the deadline. You can also download the HealthPartners mobile app to easily access your health assessment and track your activity progress.
October Lunch & Learn: Food for Focus
This presentation is designed to teach people the connection between what they eat and how they think. You will learn what foods and lifestyle tools support your brain. You’ll learn about adaptogens and how they can work with your body to keep you clear and focused! And though we will not have a cooking demonstration in this workshop, you will receive some recipes to inspire you to cook for your brain health. Learn more on our Lunch & Learn page.
Lunch will be catered by Bon Appetit at 11:45 a.m. on Wednesday, October 30 in the Leonard Center’s Hall of Fame room. The presentation will be from 12:00 to 12:50 p.m. Register to join us.
November Lunch & Learn: Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health
Join Dr. Aidanne for a talk on using food, botanicals, and lifestyle changes to support healthy blood pressure and cholesterol. Cardiovascular wellness is vital for overall health, as high blood pressure and cholesterol are major risk factors for heart disease. Dr. Aidanne, a licensed naturopathic doctor with Wellness Minneapolis specializes in women’s health, cardiovascular wellness, and digestive care. Learn more on our Lunch & Learn page.
Lunch will be catered by Bon Appetit at 11:45 a.m. on Wednesday, November 20 in the Weyerhaeuser Boardroom. The presentation will be from 12:00 to 12:50 p.m. Register to join us.
Stay Healthy Together – Join the Make a Move Partner Challenge
Looking for some extra accountability and support to live a healthier life? Partner-up!
Invite your spouse, partner or colleague to pair-up with you for this year’s Make a Move Partner Challenge and stay healthy together. Your partner is eligible to join as long as they have HealthPartners insurance through Macalester. You’ll get to create a team name and you’ll both track your own activity. Together you’ll compete to win a pair of Fitbits and bragging rights! The second and third place teams will win some sweet Macalester gear.
Invite other colleagues in your department to pair-up and enjoy a little friendly competition. You and your colleagues can celebrate each other’s progress no matter where your movement journey takes you. Visit our Well-being Activities page to learn more. Registration opens August 25.
Macalester’s Weekly Farmer’s Market Continues Through Mid-October
WHAM is pleased to host Untiedt’s Vegetable Farm out of Waverly, Minnesota to bring you fresh, local, and nutritious produce delivered right to campus. Add a weekly reminder to your calendar and plan your first visit on Thursday between 2 to 6 p.m. The market is located on Macalester Street near Visitor Parking Lot 1. Cash or credit cards are accepted.
Untiedt’s offers a variety of seasonal produce such as fresh strawberries, asparagus, delicious bi-color sweet corn, cabbage, eggplant, bell peppers, sweet onions, garlic, zucchini, cucumbers, green and wax beans, young potatoes, tomatoes, Black Diamond and personal-size watermelon, Tuscan cantaloupe, small Sugar Cube cantaloupe, First Kiss and SweeTango apples, and a variety of winter squashes! Oksana will be there to greet you with a smile.
Stay active from anywhere!
Whether you work from home or go into work, it’s easy to get so caught up in the day that you suddenly realize, it’s been hours since you last got up. Wellbeats is a free online resource with programs for all interests and ability levels. Check it out and get moving more, whether you’re working at home, on campus or on the go.
Try the Give Me a Work Break Program (Four Weeks). Manage stress and increase productivity during the work day with these short exercises and stretches. Wellbeats member, Jess, said “This felt great! A quick five minutes made such a difference.” Download the HealthPartners mobile app or sign in to healthpartners.com/wellbeing to explore all Wellbeats has to offer. For more work-break ideas, visit our Well-being Activities page.
Back pain holding you back? Try Healthy Back
Did you know that three in five adults will experience back pain this year?
A healthy back is essential to maintaining a good quality of life so whether you suffer from chronic back pain or are hoping to stop it before it starts, Healthy Back can help. This online tool has stretches and strengthening exercises that will empower you to keep your back healthy and strong all year long. Check out the power of a healthy back.
Plus, you and your spouse or partner can each earn a $150 reward card for completing two well-being activities by October 31, 2024.Download the HealthPartners mobile app or sign in to healthpartners.com/well-being to get your back in its best shape yet.
New Well-being Activity: Plant Forward Health
Plant Forward Health highlights veggies, fruits, legumes and grains, but it isn’t limited to them. The main idea is to be mindful of adding and enjoying more plants as part of a balanced meal. This approach not only can improve our health, boost our energy levels and prevent chronic disease – it can also help the environment (and our wallet), too!
Features: 14 short lessons, a habit tracker (recommended and custom habits), progress dashboard (reflect and reach goals), and resource library (additional tools, recipes and meal plans).
Visit our Well-being Activities page to learn more. To get started, sign in at healthpartners.com/signin/livingwell or download the HealthPartners mobile app and click the Living Well button. Select “Get Started” on the activity, Plant Forward Health.
Connect with our health coach to reach your goals
It’s time to team up. A professional health coach can be the missing link between setting goals and meeting them. Talk one-on-one with our certified health coach, Kelly Fang, about what’s important to you. Whether that’s back pain, nutrition, sleep, stress management, exercise or something else – Kelly will work with you to address your unique needs.
If you’re on Macalester’s benefits plan, take your health assessment to get started at healthpartners.com/wellbeing or use the Living Well button on the myHP app. Then contact Kelly to set up a time. In-person, walking and video appointments are free and open to all staff, faculty, spouses and domestic partners, regardless of your benefits plan. To learn more, visit our Health Coaching page.