Dear Wellness Community,
Phew! We have made it through the hottest July in history. How blessed we have been not to have experienced the excessive heat that the rest of our world has been feeling. As the dog days of summer approach, we are lucky to be embraced by the warm summer breezes, and lush, beautiful PNW landscapes. It is a time to sit and reflect beside the crystal blue lakes, picnic under the azure blue skies, or pay homage to the humble and powerful blueberry.
This month we present a tapestry of sights, sounds, and tastes. This is a time to embark on day trips, fun runs, and outdoor concerts. It is a time of relaxing getaways that encourage us to rekindle, ignite, and nourish our mind, body, and spirit.
We have curated a collection of August outdoor activities and cultural events that inspire our contact with nature and our embrace of community promoting movement, mindfulness, and wellbeing.
In this issue I will highlight some of the many cultural and outdoor activities taking place in August. Enjoy Yoga in the park, Bollywood dance lessons, gondola rides on Crystal Mountain, open air markets, and festivals galore. It is a once in a blue moon opportunity to embrace the beautiful Pacific Northwest.
During this month of reflection and exploration we encourage you through these summer days to share your own experiences, and stories about activities and adventures that brought you joy. For example, last summer we went on a day trip to beautiful emerald, green Diablo Lake where Seattle City Power offers a tour of the lake, a 100-year-old power plant, and a boat trip around Monkey Island. Fantastic! Perhaps, we can publish Your Ideas in the next WC issue.
So let us take a deep breath, a healthy stretch, and go outside. We hope this newsletter helps you promote resilience as you build a healthy work life balance. Always remember, as we embark into August, that wellness is not a destination but a lifelong voyage. Thank you for being a part of our community and we hope you have a wonderful month ahead.
Warmly,
This month’s Wellness Corner authored by:
Howard Schafer, LMFT
Mental Health Counselor
hischa5@uw.edu
GME Wellness Counseling
Contents
Residents & Fellows – We want to hear from you!
We hope to learn more about your current engagement with the UW GME Community and to understand opportunities for further connection and communication among trainees. Please take a moment to complete this survey and share your ideas about current and future GME education and community engagement events and tools.
We look forward to better serving the GME community.
GME Events
- We hope you will join us for our annual Life After Residency & Fellowship Seminar on Saturday, September 16th, 2023. Please mark your calendar – Register now. At this event we will share strategies, valuable insights, and advice to support your transition into independent practice. Topics include avoiding job search pitfalls, how to negotiate, what to look for before you sign a contract and a panel of physicians from a variety of career tracks.
- GME Outreach Event – UWMC-ML. August 31st between 11:00 am and 1:00 pm. Throughout the year, the GME Office hosts outreach events for residents and fellows to come meet our GME team and learn about some of the services our office provides. Please stop by to say hello, meet our GME team members and grab a packed lunch.
Embark on an adventure
- Experience the Breathtaking Beauty of Mt. Rainer. Take a ride on the Mt Rainier Gondola. It takes you over 2,400 vertical feet to the summit where you will find expansive views of the Cascade Range. Dress warmly, wear shoes with good traction. Enjoy hiking and delicious food. Now, through September 8th.
- Explore the vibrant sounds of some of the best music coming to the PNW. Attend Bumbershoot. Washington’s international music festival from September 2nd – 3rd. Or attend the Olympic Music Festival and bring world class chamber music to the Puget Sound from August 15th to September 10th in Port Townsend.
- Meet farm animals, watch pigs race, eat fair food, see monster trucks, visit the carnival, and catch a show at the Evergreen State Fair, which is located at Evergreen State Fairgrounds, 11405 179th Ave. SE in Monroe. Closed Wednesday. August 24th – September 4th.
Inspiring Cultural Events
- Join NAAM for a FREE Yoga Class in Legacy Hall taught by yogi and psychiatrist, Shereen Morse. African yoga is practiced at a slower pace than more common asana classes. August 24th from 6:30 – 8:00 pm
- Celebrate with live music, national APNHPI artists, and tasty food at the annual Chinatown International Block Party. Festivities are from 3-9 pm on August 26th. After the block party walk over to Hing Hay Park for a NH/PI film festival.
- The Suquamish Tribe hosts Chief Seattle Days with salmon bakes at 12 pm., canoe races, games, softball & horseshoe tournaments, singing & dancing (coastal sharing), vendors, a memorial service at the gravesite of Chief Seattle (Sat. 10 am), and a 5K run (Sun. 9 am) in Suquamish. August 18th – 20th.
Henri's Corner
Blueberries
Naomi Shihab Nye
Mindfulness Minute
- A 6-Minute Breathing Meditation to Cultivate Mindfulness: Reduce stress, anxiety, and negative emotions, cool yourself down when your temper flares, and sharpen your concentration skills.
- Please read this inspiring narrative of being present. It is titled: Blueberries Bring an Abundance of Happiness.
Wellness Corner Quick Links
Gems from Treasure Valley
- Boise’s only locally run Tattoo Convention is back! Award winning artists from around the world. The convention runs from August 16th –20th. Tickets are available at the box office.
- Indulge in Summer Concerts at the Chateau. A family friendly event by the Boise Baroque Orchestra. Summer concerts are August 20th, 27th, and September 3rd. All concerts start at 8:15pm. Picnic, enjoy the instrument petting zoo and have fun.
- Water Lantern Festival is an amazing experience where you will witness the magic of lanterns as they light up the water. Do not miss this beautiful event! August 19th from 6:00 – 10:00 pm. For more information, and tickets please visit: Water Lantern Festival.
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), Howard Schafer (hischa5@uw.edu), and or Amy Wheat (amywheat@uw.edu).