Dear Wellness Community,
This is a time when we are called to think about light and darkness. The winter solstice is Monday, the 21st and we will then gain more daylight each day. On that same night, Jupiter and Saturn will have their closest encounter in 800 years. Look to the Southwest and let yourself drink in the awe of seeing something that hasn’t occurred in centuries.
Maybe you have some decorative lights in your home this season. I recently heard the story of the Hanukkah Miracle reinterpreted, not as oil in lamps, but as the light of resilience inside each person lasting longer than we ever thought possible. In this time of darkness, we are discovering we actually have been able to sustain ourselves far longer than we’d hoped we’d ever have to.
AND transition is in the air. While we ride out the storm and wait for the vaccine to be rolled out and the sun to return, it’s a good time to conserve your energy and focus on the things that matter most. The holidays will look different for everyone this year, and I wish you the presence to discover a new and different joy that you would never have other wise been able to notice. You can start by building a gingerbread house–me and my partner had far too much fun making ours– and there are more ideas below!
This week’s Wellness Corner authored by:
Julia Kocian, LICSW, MPH
GME Wellness Counselor
Monday – Thursday at UWMC Montlake
206.543.6408
jkocian@uw.edu
Wellness Corner Quick Links
Contents
Gingerbread Decorating Contest!
There is still time to send us your gingerbread art! Due by Dec. 31st! Send us (diptic@uw.edu and jkocian@uw.edu) a picture of your best gingerbread creations! Maybe it’s a house or maybe cookies or maybe your own one-of-a-kind gingerbread creation. (Hint hint: You can get kits at Trader Joe’s for under $10!)
Make sure to include your name and program in your email. And get your friends to participate, because the program with the most submissions will get a pizza party on us!
Black Lives Matter
- Comedy Crossing, the comedy show about animal crossing happens virtually once a month and the next one is Jan 20th. The show is FREE, but it’s encouraged you donate to benefit the BLM movement–mark your calendars!
- Make sure you check out the December NURF Newsletter with info on the virtual Happy Hour this Thursday, the 18th at 7pm, mentoring, talks and more!
- Learn more about the Breathe Act and sign up to get notifications of how you can help.
- Watch John Lewis: Good Trouble, and celebrate one man’s work to energize a community of change.
- Shop with a cause at businesses owned by women, Native peoples and Black Americans.
Change Your View
Look out someone else’s window with this app—thanks Marie Cockerham for the find!
Calling All Singles!
Virtual Speed Dating from your living room this Saturday night! ($27)
Seattle Men's Chorus
Family friendly Holiday Special (thanks Bill Freeberg for the find!)
Holiday Fun!
- Tune in for this joyful celebration of queer culture and the holiday season with song, dance, burlesque and comedy—I suggest you make a night of it! Jingle All the Gay has virtual viewing and on demand options available for purchase.
- Take a holiday road trip to Tacoma to see Anderberg’s Christmas House with light projectors and more than 50 inflatables! Is it eco-friendly? No. Is it fun? Yes 🙂
- You can be and elf and then watch Elf! Donating an unwrapped toy to Toys for Tots is the price of admission for a drive in screening of Elf (at 5pm and again at 8pm) in Tacoma this Saturday the 19th.
- Tune in for a FREE Chanukah celebration with song, art and storytelling Thursday, Dec 17th at 8pm.
- Woodland Park Zoo is changing it up this year. The price has gone up ($30 for adults—eek) but so has the pazazz! These nature scenes made from custom lanterns look truly amazing, so treat yourself and support the zoo. If you’re looking for a more traditional light display, head to Point Defiance Zoo in Tacoma for Zoolights!
For Parents and Kids
- Don’t forget to make your appointment at Swanson’s for a (self-guided) Holiday Adventure Tour with décor, trees, gifts and, best of all, fun facts for kids!
- Grab your little one (3+) to make sugar cookies on zoom with the series Baking with Miss Bekka! FREE—Thursday De. 17th at 4pm (register a day early)
- Get crafty with BAM! The Bellevue Arts Museum has videos that are great for kids and could tickle your creative side as well!
- Sit your kiddos down for a fun and interactive Tot Shabbat! Friday Dec. 18th at 9:45am.
- Check out NAAM’s storytime on your own schedule! (Refreshed each month.)
- Take a trip down Candy Cane Lane by car or by foot to see the light displays in this charming Ravenna neighborhood. BYO Cocoa!
CDC's Acceptable Facial Hair Chart
This official document is good for a chuckle!
Name Your Intentions for 2021
Yoga and reflection on New Year’s Day! ($15)
Mindfulness Minute
Take a mindful walk this month. You might use this recording from Headspace to introduce you to the practice, but no need to think too hard about it! You can do a slow, steady practice inside, or take yourself around the block and feel your breath and your body’s movement, hear the sounds of nature and the city, see the environment around you and notice something beautiful.
Entertainment
- FREE Outdoor display of Robyn Jordan’s comic about living through 2020 on display through Jan. 3rd at Seattle Center.
- Wednesday, Dec. 16th, join The Moth for a happy hour (4:15pm) show with veteran story tellers, Angelica Lindsey-Ali and John Goode.
- Best Albums of 2020: Will you listen to the list from NPR, NYT or Rolling Stone? …or make your own!
- Tune in for the Moisture Festival‘s live online show Dec. 30th or Jan. 1st at 7:30pm to get the New Year off to a good start, or just check out their previously posted shows on your own time. Great for kids and adults alike!
Gems from Treasure Valley
- Check out the Idaho Bright Lights Festival with a socially distanced winter market and dazzling light display! (Runs on select days through Jan. 1st.)
- FREE Gentle Yoga for Terrible Times every Saturday at either 5pm or 6pm (sign up ahead of time!)
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 (diptic@uw.edu) and/or Julia Kocian (jkocian@uw.edu) and/or Andrei Dandescu (andreid@uw.edu).