Dear Wellness Community
These last few months have been interesting, a mixed bag of uncertainty, questions and major changes in how we are living our lives. Many of us feel anxious, sad and even angry about what is happening around us. Change is hard and it is easy to dwell on the negative—“Why is this happening to us now?” and “This is just not fair.”
Being grateful is a powerful antidote to counter negative feelings and build connections. “It is not happiness that brings us gratitude. It is gratitude that brings us happiness” – David Steindl-Rast. Practicing gratitude can be as simple as being more aware of our surroundings. One change I have made in my daily routine is taking a morning walk. As I walk, I try to connect with my senses. I take in the sights, sounds and smells like the wave of a fellow walker, the fragrance of blooming lilacs, the lush green foliage and the sound of the wind. This has helped me find joy and gratitude in the beginning of the day. I end my day with a visualization of one pleasant memory. As I have practiced this for the last few weeks, my sense of calm and appreciation has grown. This can also be considered a mindfulness technique.
There are so many ways to practice mindfulness. Read about this and more below.
This week’s Wellness Corner authored by:
Dipti Chrastka, LMFT
GME Wellness Director
Monday – Friday at Harborview
206.744.0655
diptic@uw.edu
Wellness Corner Quick Links
Contents
Discounts and First Responder Specials
- Starbucks is offering free tall brewed coffee (hot and iced) to all first responders and health care front line professionals till May 31st.
- Headspace Meditation App FREE through 2020 with your NPI number – If you’ve been wanting to try Headspace, but the fee has scared you off, this is your chance. You need your NPI number and then they’ll sign you up for free! (I personally use Insight Timer which is free all the time—try them both and see which works for you!) Thanks to Kat Bailey, Liz Fawthrop and Shinetra Pryor for this suggestion!
- Ten Percent Happier App – join a FREE guided meditation
- FREE Sleep Meditations from Diddy, Nick Jonas, and more. Thank you to Anne Browning & Trish Kritek for this resource.
- The Whole U is offering FREE streaming meditations in addition to daily virtual fitness or meditation classes – try one today!
Learn about additional first responder discounts, and be sure to check out our roundup of discounts available for GME residents and fellows.
Outdoor Activities
- Washington State Parks Now Open
- Forest walks and hikes – kid friendly! Thank you to Lani Wall for this resource.
- Best bike paths
Learning from our elders
Mindy Stern, the former Director of GME Wellness, wrote a beautiful piece titled Covid-19 in the Shadows of the Holocaust. Mindy’s story reminds us of the power of resilience and drawing from the wisdom of our elders. I loved the article.
Mindy would love any feedback you have. Email her at mindy@mindywhowrites.com.
Thank you Nursing Staff!
Gov. Inslee has declared the month of May as “Nurses Month’. Thanks to nurses for their dedication and hard work during this pandemic. To share your appreciation, join us in giving a shout out to our nurses #TogetherUW
Visit a Seattle Farmer’s Market
Purchase food for delivery or pick up at one of our area’s farmer’s markets.
Entertainment
- Movie suggestions for Asian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month this May
- Release some stress by listening to Pink Floyd concerts – for free!
- Want to become a Jazz Expert? Here’s an exciting opportunity to take a FREE online class on Jazz.
- Watch baby eagles grow up on a live cam from May 12th – 30th
- Calendar for All Things Virtual! Liz Fawthrop put together this amazing calendar of virtual fun and luckily she decided to share it with you all! Check out all the streaming goodness!
Activities for Parents
- Podcasts for Parents – Get some ideas from Amy Lang, a Seattle area Mom and Sexual Health Educator, for questions that have you stumped.
- Children’s Film Festival – There are bonus activities for children and aimed to inspire empathy, understanding and global awareness.
Apple of My Eye
We just celebrated Mother’s day. Father’s day will be here in June. As parents, our Residents and fellows balance responsibilities of work as well as caring for young kids. Please share with us pictures of your children and moments that you cherish as parents. We will share a few in the June Wellness Corner.
Email photos to: diptic@uw.edu
Meal Delivery for the Whole Family
The Catering Company is offering household friendly choices. There are meal options for a couple, for the whole family or for just the kids ($30 will get you 3 full days of food for one child!) Simplify your week by ordering ahead—you get to pick the items that sound the yummiest! Order online. Thanks to Lani Wall for this great find!
Virtual Events
- Join NURF for the third annual UW Health Equity Conference. The Conference will feature keynotes by Dr. Tumaini Coker & Dr. Russell Migita, and breakout sessions with faculty facilitators from a wide range of disciplines on healthcare equity issues. This is a great opportunity to learn more about various healthcare equity issues from diverse perspectives, meet potential mentors, and help design solutions! Join via Zoom on Wednesday May 27th from 6 – 8pm.
- Learn more about the NIH Diversity Supplement at this virtual workshop on Thursday May 28th from 3 – 5pm. Guest speakers include Dr. Tumaini Coker (Seattle Childrens), Dr. Chris Li (Fred Hutch), and Dr. Lisa Manhart (SPH). Registration required.
Gems from Treasure Valley
- Schick-Ostolasa Farmstead Tours – Saturday, May 23, 2020 from 12:30 pm to 4:30 pm
- Top 10 Things to Do in Hagerman – Find the best fishing spots and hot springs!
- Be sure to check out the virtual events mentioned above as well!
Got Feedback for Us?
We’d love to hear it! Share your thoughts about the Wellness Corner, suggestions for future events, discounts or articles to highlight, or anything else you’d like to share. Please email your thoughts to Dipti Chrastka and/or Julia Kocian.