Dear Wellness Community,
As we move into the darker days of the season, I find myself feeling grateful for the return of the rain – clearing out the smoke, extinguishing the fires, and softening the earth once again. There is a cleansing that comes with the rain – an invitation to let go, to let ourselves grieve, and to welcome the renewal that the rain brings. The season invites us to go inward, to reflect, dream, create, and to take care.
In this issue, Tricia Hersey reminds us of the absolute need to rest for our health and well-being – and as an act of resistance to our “grind culture.” I hope you will explore her work and give yourself permission to rest or sit in silence for even a few moments when you can.
This month we also celebrate Native American Heritage month and continue to reimagine and reckon with our national thanksgiving holiday. As we gather together, may we welcome the true spirit of community, generosity and gratitude.
The season also encourages us to get cozy with candlelight, warming recipes, hot beverages, and a good book (or series/podcast). And when not taking time to rest and be cozy – there are always many activities in our great city – so explore some of the cultural events, entertainment, and outdoor adventures in this issue!
Lastly, we are excited to give away a pair of tickets to the annual SMooCH Fundraiser for SCH at the Showbox. One lucky UW trainee and their guest will get to attend this event featuring local musicians and cuisine for a good cause! If you don’t win, be sure to purchase your tickets soon, as this event typically sells out! See details below.
Warmly,
This week’s Wellness Corner authored by:
Patty Long-Brohm, LICSW
GME Wellness Counselor
Monday – Wednesday at Seattle Children’s Hospital
pattylb@uw.edu
GME Wellness Counseling
Contents
SMooCH Fundraiser!
- Join KEXP and Sub Pop Records for the annual Seattle Musicians for Children’s Hospital Fundraiser – Saturday, December 3rd at the Showbox downtown. Proceeds go to the Uncompensated Care Fund at SCH. This event showcases local musicians for a great cause! Details and Tickets Here!
- We are GIVING AWAY a pair of tickets to one lucky UW trainee and their guest! Enter the drawing HERE! Registration closes November 16th at 5 PM, with the winner announced on November 18th.
Did you know? Resources
- Today is First-Generation College Celebration Day at UW! Check out this article from The Huddle highlighting some of our very own trainees and faculty who were first generation students!
- In case you missed the informative Family Planning and Fertility for Resident Physicians – you can still view the recorded event!
- LiveWell Confidential Advocates provide a confidential place for you to seek support, information and assistance if you have experienced sexual assault, sexual harassment, intimate partner violence or stalking. Meet with an advocate to understand your rights and options.
- Be sure to bookmark and explore this Health and Well-Being page from Anne Browning, PhD, Associate Dean for Well-Being, UWSOM. It’s chock-full of UW and community resources and tools!
Native American Heritage Month
- During this month, take time to explore, learn, and celebrate Native American Culture. Start by downloading the Native American Cultural Heritage Guide to explore landmarks, museums, and events in the Seattle area.
- Check out these “5 exhibitions to see during Native American Heritage Month!”
- Don’t miss the Native Art Market – November 19-20 and December 17-18, 10am-4pm – at Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center (Discovery Park). Details here!
- Learn about whose land we live on with this beautiful Native Lands interactive tool! Learn more about the Coast Salish Peoples here!
Giving Thanks
- As we give thanks and gather with friends and family, let us also reckon with the origins of our Thanksgiving holiday. Check out this Time’s piece by Sean Sherman!
- More from the “Sioux Chef,” Sean Sherman, on his work and decolonizing food in this recent NPR Fresh Air Episode!
- Make a gratitude practice part of your daily routine with one of these 13 creative ideas! This article will give you a variety of options – find the one that speaks to you!
- Remember – poem by Joy Harjo a member of the Mvskoke Nation and belongs to Oce Vpofv, and former U.S. Poet Laureate. Remember read by Joy Harjo, here!
Free State Park Day
Get Your Run On!
Brian Owens Concert
Black Lives Matter
- Tricia Hersey, aka the Nap Bishop and founder of Nap Ministry, reminds us of the absolute need for rest – both for health/well-being and as an act of resistance to our grind culture. Learn more about her work in this NYT article, For The Wild Podcast, and by listening to this brief guided meditation by Tricia Hersey. May you embrace rest when you can!
- What if there was a directory where BIPOC medical students could easily talk to residents and physicians with similar identities to find advice and answers to their questions? Help us develop the UWSOM BIPOC Physicians Directory. Sign up today!
- In case you missed the recent NURF event with Kumara Sundar on the making of his Healthcare for Humans Podcast! Dr. Sundar is a Kaiser family physician, a health equity leader, and community advocate!
- Don’t miss this production of “The Amen Corner” – adapted from James Baldwin’s first work for the theater. Playing November 2-20 at the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute. Pay as you can $0-79. More information and tickets!
Getting Cozy
- These dark wet days inspire cozying up with a warm beverage! Which is your favorite? Check out – Coffee vs Tea – a fun interactive article from the WA Post about how the two stack up. See how your favorite fairs!
- The season also calls for warming tasty recipes! Check out Sean Sherman’s 10 Essential Native American Recipes!
- Learn more about how the Danes embrace the dark and cold days of winter in this NPR piece: “It’s hygge season: How to embrace the Danish lifestyle of rest and coziness.”
- Check out this feel-good winter reading list from Tolstoy Therapy blog by Lucy Horner.
Wellness Corner Quick Links
Parent Corner
- Join Carole Lindstrom, author and member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Ojibwe Indians, reading her book We Are Water Protectors, followed by Carole sharing about the inspiration for this book along with other insights and teachings.
- One antidote for our dark rainy days – get outside! Check out these recommended Rainy Day Parks.
- Need some new reading material? Check out Social Justice Books recommended Native books for all ages!
Mindfulness Minute
- Awaken JOY with this brief practice led by meditation teacher Spring Washam!
- Words of wisdom during this election season from meditation teacher, Sharon Salzberg. In this post, Sharon explores “How do you remain engaged in civic life, even if you’re tired or frustrated? How can we connect to something larger than the small-minded views the world may be pulling us toward? How do values of compassion and mindfulness impact the actions we take in the public sphere?”
Kelsey Creek Farm Event
- Thank you everyone who came out to enjoy a lovely PNW fall day at Kelsey Creek Farm! We enjoyed seeing everyone’s costumes, sharing treats, games and pumpkin decorating, and of course meeting and greeting the sweet farm animals! If you missed it, be sure to join us next year at this annual event!
Gems from Treasure Valley
- A handy roundup of the holiday bazaars, craft shows in Treasure Valley!
- Join the pre-feast Turkey Day 5K in Downtown Boise – November 24th at 9am! Details Here!
- Don’t miss Winter Garden aGlow – a magnificent display of lights and decorations arranged throughout the Garden at night. Idaho Botanical Garden – November 24th – December 31st. Be sure to get your tickets early before they sell out!
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).