Dear Wellness Community,
A new season of shorter, colder, and darker days is upon us. Looking out my window, I see yards filled with piles of gold, yellow and red leaves, squirrels, and birds looking for food to stash away, and more days of filtered sun and intermittent rain. A time of transition.
Some of us may embrace this change while others may struggle with “Winter Blues.” The beauty and warmth of the season can be filled with gathering with family and friends over holiday dinners, honoring traditions, exchanging gifts, and surrounding ourselves with the glow of lights. Some of us may also experience isolation, low motivation, mood changes or a general malaise despite the festivities.
How can we find ways to care for ourselves and offer love and gratitude to those we love? Finding the balance to pause, embrace joy, say thanks while we honor our innermost feelings can help us grow and thrive.
The gifts of this season are many: For me it is a time to reflect on the year, the moments that continue to energize and uplift me as well as the challenges that can slow me down. I stop and connect with myself and try to reach out to those who are important to me.
What would you say about the gifts you got this year? Do reflect on the bounty you have and the gifts you can give yourself. Find ways to laugh, stay active, savor the treats of the season, prioritize wellness, and bring radiance and light into your homes and hearts.
GME Wellness Counselors are resources to support you in times of stress. You can connect with us here.
Here are some tips for managing the stress of holidays. The winter edition of the Wellness Corner has some ideas for the holiday season including light displays around the Seattle area, Native American history, and art, giving back, and building gratitude. The Wellness Team wishes you and yours a restful holiday season!
Contents
Announcements and Resources
- Trick or Treat with Farm animals drew in goblins and ghouls, both big and small at GME Wellness event at Kelsey Creek Farm. Sharing some pictures of the fun day! Please continue to share your feedback with us by sending us an email at diptic@uw.edu.
- The current conflict and news from the Middle East may cause intense distress and be triggering for many. WA EAP (Employee Assistance Program) offers resources to support you during this challenging time
- Check out SmartHealth, a free wellness program that supports you and your well-being.
- GME Wellness is proud to support a new project called the Names & Pronunciations Initiative. Names are an integral part of our identity and culture, and correct name pronunciations are essential to cultivate a more inclusive community. This project aims to not only highlight the importance of names and their pronunciations, but also improve communication by creating personal name pronunciation tags (upon request). These tags can serve as a tool to support dignity, respect, and representation. The idea is that anyone (students, trainees, faculty, staff) who is interested can order a tag and have it handy (layered behind their UW/hospital ID card) for use as needed. After printing, your personalized tags will be available for pick up in each of your respective program’s main administrative office.You can order your pronunciation tags here. See sample tag here, and you can also learn more about the project here. If you have any questions, please email Sudiptho (UW 4th year medical student) at sudiptho@uw.edu.
Tis the Season
- Journey into a mesmerizing display of lights, sounds and projection at Astra Lumina (starts Dec 8).
- Revel in half a million dazzling lights at Garden D’Lights in Bellevue (starts Nov 25) $5 tickets available on select days.
- Enjoy a path of luminaries designed by local artisans with activities at the Pathway of Lights, Green Lake on Dec 9th.
- Catch more lights with Christmas tree lighting all over Seattle (free).
Honoring Native American Heritage Month
- Tour the Burke Museum to view the Native American Art exhibit.
- Support local Native artisans at the Native Art Market at Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center.
- PBS Passport honors Native American Heritage Month with a slate of documentaries, history, comedy, and children’s programming. One that piqued my interest in the Hidden Histories series is Susan Laflesche Picotte the first Native-American woman to earn a medical degree.
Henri's Corner
JOY
Giving Thanks
- Alberto Rios – When Giving is All We Have .
- Amanda Gorman – The Republic Gives Thanks
- Seattle Calls – Local Seattle non-profits to support this holiday season.
Mindfulness Minute
- Practice meditation with Sharon Salzburg as she leads us in a loving kindness meditation for peace. Soothe your mind, fill your heart, and relax your body.
- When was the last time you did absolutely nothing for 10 whole minutes? Not texting, talking, or even thinking? Mindfulness expert Andy Puddicombe describes the transformative power of doing just that: Check out this amazing TED Talk.
- Take notice, take a breath, take a moment to feel rooted to the earth. While you read this wonderful poem by Mary Oliver. Attend to the little things that call to you and evoke a sense of gratitude. And try, for today at least, to ask yourself each of the questions in turn. Gratitude.
Wellness Corner Quick Links
Gems from Treasure Valley
- Winter Garden Glow – A dazzling holiday event is not to be missed Bring the entire family to the Idaho Botanical Gardens for an evening under the stars and 400,000 gleaming lights illuminating the magic of the holiday season. Running from Nov 28 through Jan. 4 and open nightly, 6-9 p.m., the gardens are brought to life with clever and artful lighted displays that will delight all audiences. Tickets can be purchased online at IdahoBotanicalGarden.org or the gate.
- Don your ugly Christmas sweater and head to Treasure Valley Night Light Parade is happening at 6pm in downtown Caldwell on Dec 2nd.
- Looking for fun stuff for kids to do? You will find photos with Santa, music, holiday market & kid activities at Eagle Country Christmas at Heritage Park from 1-6pm on Dec 2nd.
- Kuna Down Home Country Christmas is an event you won’t want to miss. There is a market and photos with Santa starting at 10am and a nightlight parade (Dec 9) at 6pm.
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).