Dear Wellness Community,
This beautiful painting (at right) is by Maria Prymachenko, Ukrainian folk artist. To me it feels like spring, and indeed, UW’s cherry blossoms are getting ready to pop (check the bloom status here and visit when they open).
We’ve all been holding the suffering of the people of Ukraine in our hearts. If you’d like to donate, you can chose an international organization like MSF or Save the Children or something more targeted like United Help Ukraine. It’s important to recognize that all over the world there are people who are hungry, displaced and traumatized by war torn environments, and that news coverage doesn’t reach them all equally.
We can’t divide ourselves too thinly, so if you are feeling helpless in the face of world wide strife, you might consider taking up loving kindness meditation and focusing your energy and action towards doing good in your own sphere of influence whatever that means for you.
Perhaps it’s bringing a neighbor a treat, calling your mom, or spending a couple extra minutes at bedside for a patient in need. You can dedicate these acts of care to far away people in need, and know that we can only do what’s available to us today. You’ll need to rejuvenate to be able to give from a sense of abundance, which means that fun and relaxation also factor into a wholistic plan to care for others.
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
GME Wellness Counseling
Contents
Celebrating Women’s History Month!
- Next time you eat out, pick a woman-owned restaurant from this list–these ladies are rockin’ it in a male dominated industry!
- Join London Drawing Group from afar Monday, April 11th at 10:30am (recording will be available) for a talk on Art, Feminism and Disability. FREE
- Looking for a new video game? Try Portal, created by designer Kim Swift or Night in the Woods which follows female protagonist, Mae Borowski, as she cracks the mystery of strange happenings in her home town.
For Parents
- A beautiful book you can share with your littles: The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse – thanks to Josh Rosen, Gen Surg PGY 5 for this suggestion!
- UW has a few resources for you and your family. Perform background checks on sitters, get discounts on nannies and plan tutoring help for your kiddos!
- Call the Peptoc Hotline to get a boost of joy from kindergartners at 707-998-8410. If you’re mad, frustrated or nervous, press 1! Thanks Cindy Hamra for this fab find.
- FREE reading of Bad Hair Does Not Exist with Sulma Arzu-Brown, March 16th, 9am.
Spring is for Gardening!
And this is your dream stop – Tks to Meeka G. for this rec!
What is Glitter?
A must read IMO.
Giving Good Feedback
Be the change you wish to see with this good advice!
Sports! Sports! and Sports?
- Megan Rapinoe and OL Reign kick off their season (literally) at their new home, Lumen Field, this Friday, March 18th. At $20 it’s a steal!
- March Madness has arrived! Quick, fill in your bracket!
- If storytelling is more your speed, hit up the Moth Story Slam at Bloedel Hall this Friday, where the theme is Athletics. You can take the stage yourself, or just cheer folks on from your seat.
Black Lives Matter
- Try a Silent Disco hosted by Wa Na Wari with Lady Coco and DJ Top Spin, March 26th 6pm.
- It’s coming waaaay late, but finally, we’ll have a black female voice on our nation’s highest court. Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson is the next Supreme Court Nominee! Here are some of the many ways she can make a difference.
- Grooving for Good is happening March 25th and benefits the Black Trans Advocacy Coalition. “Harnessing the power of dance music for social change.” Heck yeah. $10-15
Mindfulness Minute
- Try this 6 minute Loving Kindness Meditation practice by Sharon Salzberg and learn a new way to care for yourself and others. She’s so relaxed and inviting, you’ll find yourself at ease in moments!
- The science of joy is here! Scroll to the bottom to get on the email list and remind yourself of how to cultivate it.
- Register for the FREE trauma stewardship workshops sponsored by UW Medicine Well-Being, March 23rd 1pm-3pm and June 21st 4pm-6pm. Recordings will follow.
Wellness Corner Quick Links
Entertainment
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If you’re in the market for some good food, check out Phở Bắc Sup Shop – Thanks to Hallen Pham, PGY 1, Internal Med for this rec!
- Audible’s Hot White Heist, “a queer Fantasia on the heist formula” with Abbi Jacobson (of Broad City) will provide summer fun even in the rain. Set in Seattle!
- Rock out at Punk Black, April 3rd at 6pm. Tickets $10+
- The gorgeous Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will be at the Paramount March 26-27th. It’s a splurge that’s worth splurging for!
- Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, March 17th with FREE trivia at Dog Yard Bar (7pm) or at Optimism where Seattle Gaymers will host a queer friendly event!
Gems from Treasure Valley
- A killer line up and flexible ticketing for any level of enthusiasm at the Treefort Music Fest, Downtown Boise, March 23rd- 27th!
- Art and Happy Hours abound at Boise’s First Thursday event! Next one is April 7th.
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), Julia Kocian (jkocian@uw.edu) and/or Patty Long-Brohm (pattylb@uw.edu).