Dear Wellness Community,
Spring has sprung in Seattle! April showers mixed with hail and wet snow do bring May flowers. I am excited about Farmer’s markets opening up soon, and I hope to get my hands on some fresh produce and fresh cut flowers. The month of May is Asian American Heritage month. As a proud Asian American, I reflect on ways to honor my heritage. I may check out Seattle Japanese garden or look for new books and films that will get me thinking. I may also venture out and find some new Asian restaurants in the neighborhood.
The last few months continue to remind us to take care of ourselves as our world faces many challenges. As this academic year draws to a close next month, we may feel many mixed emotions about the transitions that lie ahead. Adding to your family, planning a wedding or special event, graduation, perhaps a new opportunity, starting a Fellowship, moving, upcoming Boards: joys, excitement, anticipation, anxiety and at times sadness about the losses big and small in our circles and the world at large. As we go through some of these feelings, do know your Wellness Team is here to support you. We encourage you to connect to your Counselor. You can reach us via email or making an appointment via Schedulicity.
We can also connect you to other resources including Learning Specialists. UW GME covers the cost of 4 sessions with a Learning Specialist as well as consultation and follow ups with our Psychiatric provider. If you have any questions, please reach out to any of us.
In this month’s issue, look for some book suggestions, ways to find calm, check out some cool exhibits, farmer’s markets, bike rides for America Bike month, gardens you can visit, tea rooms and ways to give back.
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
UW NURF/HQSC Health Equity Conference
Thanks, Nora Coronado, for sharing this upcoming event: UW NURF/HQSC Health Equity Conference on May 12 from 5 to 7 pm.
Spring Discounts
Thanks to the Whole U. Find some great spring deals from Mariners tickets to travel to exercise and Barre studio deals!
Entertainment
- A festival of short films by women with a goal of empowerment and raising funds for women to support reproductive choice as well as African American women affected by endometrial cancer.
- Enjoy free live music performances at the Market Stage (weekends end of April through May end)
- Catch some local music, art and immerse yourself in a cultural experience at Seattle’s waterfront Fridays from 4 to 8 pm.
May: Asian American Heritage Month
- Stop and smell the flowers at one of many beautiful, vibrant Asian gardens in and around Seattle.
- Thanks to my colleague and Seattle U professor Dr. Hye-Kyung Kang for her book recommendations: From a Native Daughter: Colonialism and Sovereignty in Hawai’i by Haunani Kay Trask and Minor Feelings by Cathy Park Hong.
- More book ideas!
- Support an Asian owned business in Seattle.
- Check out the “Americans Incarcerated” exhibit at Bainbridge Island Museum of Art (BIMA) this is a free exhibition that runs till June 12. A poignant work sharing the Japanese American exclusion during World War II.
Seattle Area Farmer's Markets
Seattle Tea Rooms
U-Pick Farm
Black Lives Matter
- Thank you, Nora Coronado, for this share: How the Covid pandemic exposed the inequities in health care for people of color
- Join Abdur-Rahman Muhammad filmmaker of the Netflix documentary, “Who killed Malcolm X” for Malcolm X Day Celebration on May 19 (6 to 7 pm)
- “Hope is a verb for the Black community” a quote by Noelle N Trent, Ph.D. Read many more quotes on hope from notable African American historians in a virtual exhibit at NAAM
- PBS: Afropop: Stories about modern life in the African diaspora.
Mindfulness Minute
- Listen to the Raisin meditation in action podcast. Courtesy of the Greater Good in Action, UC Berkeley.
- May the force be with you: Mindfulness with Yoda and Headspace. Experience five-minute animated breathing exercises with Yoda, Chewbacca and R2-D2.
- A great resource is Center for Child and Family Well-Being. They have many offerings and resources on mindfulness, support to parents and caregivers. Here are a few free offerings that may be of interest to you.
- CCFW site: Another free group meditation to manage stress and anxiety: free.
UW Fitness Day
Bike Month
Bike Paths
Wellness Corner Quick Links
Gems from Treasure Valley
- Lambpage 5K at Ann Morrison Park (May 21 from 2 to 5 pm) with food, fun, and games
- Snooze at the Boise Zoo (May 27 from 630 pm to 9 am)
- Birding along the Boise River
Our Wellness events are back after a brief winter hiatus. Great to see so many of you at Theo’s Chocolate Factory Tour last weekend. Some pics from Theo’s. We will be at Theo’s in June for another tour. Will be sweet.
Giving Back
- In honor of Asian American heritage month, join the community in the Annual Walk for Rice (supporting ACRS food bank). Start a pledge with a team or share your donation.
- Support the people of Ukraine as they continue to endure war and immense hardships
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).