Dear Wellness Community,
Here comes the sun! We are experiencing a warm, glorious or what some would say “intense” Seattle summer. Late July and August bring out the best of summer in our region. Hope you are able to enjoy all that this season has to offer while staying cool. My favorite summer activities include early morning walks with my dog, catching some downtime to enjoy an outdoor concert, getting together with family, curling up with a good book alongside an icy cold beverage or looking for bunnies, colorful butterflies on blooms and all kinds of birds in my neighborhood. A new find that I plan to explore this year is to go “Sunflower gazing”. What are some of your favorite things?
This issue has some ideas for things to do in and around Seattle, outdoor summer concerts and movies, book and podcast suggestions on a hot summer day, fun hikes to take, spray parks, checking out cultural events, and having a new immersive experience.
I invite you to share your favorite “Best of Summer” experience with us through the creative medium of photos. We will feature the pictures in our next Wellness Corner. You can email your photo to diptic@uw.edu. Look forward to our collective shared summer experiences.
August is National Wellness Month. Continue to find time to recharge, take breaks when you can, hydrate, and prioritize your well-being. Our Wellness Team salutes you and all you do to build the health of our community. Thank You!
Warmly,
This week’s Wellness Corner authored by:
Dipti Chrastka, LMFT
GME Wellness Director
Monday – Friday at Harborview
206.744.0655
diptic@uw.edu
GME Wellness Counseling
Contents
Upcoming Events:
- Learn more about avoiding job search pitfalls, how to negotiate and what to look for before you sign a contact at the Life After Residency & Fellowship Seminar on Saturday August 27th. Event will run from 9:00am – 11:30am (see full agenda) on Zoom and a recording will be posted to the GME website after the event. Register now! Registration closes on Aug 24th.
- Free virtual event by AAMC. Come explore how academic medicine community is addressing and eradicating systemic racism in health care. Advance registration is required (space is limited).
Outdoor Family Fun in Seattle
- Cool off at one of many wading pools and Spray parks open till Labor Day.
- Summer in SLU: Free family fun: lawn games, arts and crafts and food pop-ups.
- Paint the town red: check out a free family friendly paint party at Freeway Park.
Entertainment
- Catch a performance of the award-winning musical Hamilton, written and composed by Lin-Manuel Miranda. You can win a $10 ticket. Winners are announced every Thursday.
- Enjoy an outdoor Seattle concert with free live and local music in downtown Seattle through Sep 9th.
- Learn dance Bollywood style at Pier 62 from 7 to 8 pm (free).
Movies in the Park
- Free movies every Sat evening in Aug at Hing Hay park. Enjoy art, face painting and musical acts with your friends and family.
- Bring your chairs and picnic on the Amphitheater lawn at Seattle Center. Free movies starting at 9 pm (Saturdays in Aug).
- 21+ movie night at SLU Sat night market. Aug 17th is the last night with “Top Gun.”
Take a Hike!
Laugh out Loud!
Virtual Cooking Class
Black Lives Matter
- Artists at the Center: Black Collectivity. Connect with emerging and established artists.
- Check out art from the African diaspora on view in Aug and Sep. Pay what you can.
- Sno-Isle library talks: Join Michele Harper, author of “The Beauty in Breaking” an African American female emergency room physician sharing her experiences in a predominantly male and white profession. Aug 22, at 6 pm.
- “Beyond Description”: features work by artists from around the country and world.
- Enjoy music, African food and art at the 8th Annual Madaraka festival (Aug 13, 14).
- Pacific Northwest Black Pride 2022: music, workshops, parties and more. From Aug 18th through Aug 21st
Walk...
Run...
Stop and Smell the Flowers!
Did you know? Resources
- 988 is the new 3-digit number for the National Mental Health Crisis Hotline. It is free, confidential and available 24/7/365. This is the number to call or text when experiencing a mental health crisis, or if you are worried about a loved one in need of crisis support. You could also call 1 800 273 TALK (8255)
- UW employees and their household members have access to Care Link 24/7/365. CareLink EAP can offer up to 5 free counseling sessions. You can reach CareLink by calling 866 598 3978.
- Physician Support Line is a national, free, confidential support line to provide emotional support for physicians navigating life personally and professionally. This line is supported by over 700+ volunteer psychiatrists and is open 7 days a week from 8 am to 1 am EST. 1-888-409-0141
- Check out some more wellness ideas in the UWMC CARE4U newsletter. Thank you, Marie Cockerham.
Adult Summer Reading Book Bingo
Find Your Calm
Binge-Worthy Podcasts
Block Parties and Festivals
- Party in the Park (Aug 2 to 30 from 11 am to 7 pm). Live music, games, food trucks.
- Chinatown Block Party on Aug 20th from 3 to 9 pm. International District with live music, Asian Pacific American arts and culture.
- Brazil Festival on Aug 21st from noon to 7 pm. Brasilfest. Enjoy food, music and dance.
- All you can eat Ice-cream Festival: come grab a scoop or more at Seattle Center, Lower Queen Anne (Aug 27, 28) from noon to 6 pm.
Wellness Corner Quick Links
Resident Musings
- Our trainee from Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology shares their discovery of a new passion with deep roots: read more about it.
Mindfulness Minute
- CCFW offers Mindful Self-Compassion: Free virtual event that introduces this practice to enhance emotional well-being.
- Thanks, Whole U: Dr. Jane Compson talks about ways to incorporate mindfulness-based stress reduction to alleviate burnout symptoms.
- Here are some ideas for children’s books that have mindful messages.
Gems from Treasure Valley
- Experience the beauty of lanterns in the water at Boise’s Water Lantern festival on Aug 27th in Boise.
- “Dance is Cringe” is back!! Journey into a “dance utopia” with the group. Aug 19 and 20th.
- Snooze at the Zoo. Camp under the stars and explore the Boise Zoo at night. Aug 20 and 21 from 630 pm to 9 am.
- Boise Soul Food Festival: enjoy African American inspired soul food, music, dancing and businesses. This festival’s mission is to celebrate African American culture and enhance racial understanding in the community. The festival is in Boise on Aug 13, from 11 am to 8 pm.
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), Patty Long-Brohm (pattylb@uw.edu), and/or Howard Schafer (hischa5@uw.edu).