Dear Wellness Community,
Fall is here! The landscape around us is beginning to take on a palette of colors: gold, orange, rust, red and brown. We are in a time of transition with days getting shorter, wetter and cooler. The change outside can bring about changes in us too. We may experience changes in sleep, mood and energy levels. It is common to feel the beginning of “winter blues”. Seattle has one of the shortest hours of sunshine in the contiguous US which can contribute to SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). October is National Depression Awareness Month: a time to check in with ourselves and support each other.
With an upcoming Presidential election and many ongoing conflicts around the world, we may feel increasingly stressed, tired, numb and just plain exhausted. It may help to take time to tune into us, what makes us feel well and cared for, and to seek support as appropriate. Our Wellness Team is available to you and can help connect you to resources in the community.
Feel free to reach out to one of our therapists. To schedule a wellness session, check out this link.
In this issue of our Wellness Corner, learn about opportunities to share your expertise within GME, tips on managing stress and taking small actions toward change, join in fall/harvest celebrations, cultural observances, trick or treat and farm events as well as partake in a film festival from around the world.
This month’s Wellness Corner authored by:
Dipti Chrastka, LMFT
GME Wellness Director
diptic@uw.edu
GME Wellness Counseling
Contents
GME Events
- Great to see many residents and fellows at our GME Wellness Outreach event at Seattle Children’s! Thanks, Amanda Easton and Shinetra Pryor (GME Staff) for joining our Wellness Team. Join us at our next Outreach Wellness event (Dec 5th at Harborview Medical Center from 11 am to 1 pm) More details to follow.
- Become a Q.I. Ambassador. Nominate yourself or others to advance QI work in your department, build your resume, work on projects and so much more. Learn more at https://sites.uw.edu/uwhqsc/
- Join the “Career Pathways in Medicine: Insights from Diverse Journeys” event and hear professionals share their personal journeys. Register here. All Residents and Fellows are welcome! Nov 18th from 6 to 7 pm on Zoom.
Fall fun and Entertainment
- Join the Dia de los Muertos celebrations at Seattle Catrinas Festival from Oct 31 to Nov 3 at Town Hall, Seattle.
- Bring your kids to trick or treat with farm animals at Kelsey Creek Farm (Oct 26th from 1 to 3 pm)
- Hayrides anyone? Get your fill of corn mazes, apple picking and pumpkin patches near Seattle.
Black Lives Matter
- Lights of India celebrates Diwali the festival of lights. Free!
- Get your popcorn as you watch the only Oscar qualifying South Asian Film festival in the world. Tasveer Film Festival and Market (from Oct 15-20th)
- Check out the Black Robe Podcast: a provocative inter-generational discussion of current justice system events with the Black Community acting as judge of events and decision-making.
Let your creativity shine with colorful diyas
Join in celebrating Diwali: the festival of lights with a paint party.
Boo at the Barn
Join in some scary Halloween fun and have a haunting good time!! Oct 26th from 9 am to 9 pm in Issaquah.
Got apples?
Bite into a delicious apple from a real orchard.
Mindfulness Minute
- Dr Catherine McCall shares strategies for restful days and nights: Sleep and shift work. Thanks to the Whole U.
- Take the “Optimistic October challenge” by taking small positive actions daily. Join the Ten days of Happiness free well-being program.
- Safeguard your mental health during election season and beyond. Check out these tips from the Jed Foundation.
Wellness Corner Quick Links
Gems from Treasure Valley
- Get your scary on! Terror Tuesdays! Free popcorn, win trivia and experience a classic horror film screening. Starting at 8 pm
- Zoo Boise has some thrills for you and your family. Join Boo at the Zoo and Spooky Safari (21 +)
- Step into Boise history with a 90-minute walking tour. Saturdays from 10 am to 11.30 am.
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), Howard Schafer (hischa5@uw.edu), Amy Wheat (amywheat@uw.edu), and/or Maureen Horgan (mhorgan@uw.edu).