This newsletter brings in the new and then rings out the old.
We like playing with time.
Bringing in the new
Ringing out the old
And special mention
- Dr. Gale Lucas Wins Another Research Award
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New iLinkWell™ Product: Early Pilot Launch
Organizations can now participate in commercial pilots of our new offering: ilinkwell™. ilinkwell™ is a customizable program that integrates wellness and behavioral health (EAP) strategies using gamification, evidence-based screening and personalized well-being planning tools. Help workers identify and LINK to helpful well-being resources. Your company might be eligible for a free demonstration. Contact David Steed at dsteed@organizationawellness.com.
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Positive Holiday Message from the OWLS Team
The holidays often bring various stressors ranging from family disagreements, thwarted expectations, and little time for us to focus on ourselves. The Seasonal OWLS Bringeth Good News: You Are Not Selfish for Addressing Your Own Needs. Research from positive psychology demonstrates that self-directed efforts at improving your own happiness are an integral part of maintaining your mental and physical health. Read on for some evidence-based tips drawn from positive psychology literature!
1.
Express gratitude: List 10 things you are grateful for every day. Don't go for low-hanging fruit like "food," "shelter," and "family." Notice and appreciate the small stuff! Note something that made you laugh. Reflect on an interesting conversation. When did you feel joyful? Take note of those moments!
2.
Be Present: We can be so concerned about finding a gift for our loved ones. We forget that our time and presence are most meaningful. One study found we feel greater well-being from purchasing experiences instead of material goods. Rather than possessions, finding a meaningful experience you could share together like wine tasting, ice-skating, walking in nature, taking time to cook or bake together.
3.
Practice Self-Care: The old adage of "you can't help others until you help yourself" happens to be true. Take time every day to focus on yourself. Your decreased stress will benefit those around you! Do something that relaxes or brings you joy: play an instrument, read a novel, or exercise.
We at OWLS wish you a thrilling and relaxing holiday! Be sure to check out our newsletter next month for tips about creating and maintaining New Year's resolutions that you'll actually keep!
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OWLS December Blog
With declining temperatures and hours of daylight, you might feel jealous
of mammals who hibernate. Do you "check out" during the winter months? It's normal to feel a little down and less energetic with seasonal change. You're not the only one dreaming of hibernation. Most of us have work and other obligations that keep us from going on such an extended retreat. Fortunately, minor lifestyle changes can make a big difference in elevating your mood and energy levels this winter.
Here
are 5 suggestions on how to beat the winter blues and make the best of the season!
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Message from David Steed (VP of Business Development)
2016 has been an excellent year for OWLS, offering opportunity to make a strong transition from research-focus to a commercial success. Some highlights are:
- ilinkwell™ - Major organizations lined up to pilot our latest product which integrates wellness and EAP services
- New Partnership with WELCOA - Our Well Being Champion curriculum will be offered as part of the WELCOA institute
- Ongoing Partnership with Its Time Texas - Placement on ITT website as a charter provider through new Work Healthier Assessment tool
- Major new F500 customer implementing our Well Being Champion curriculum
- Annual revenue has steadily grown over the past 6 years; 2016 income is nearly 180% of 2010
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2016 Accomplishments
We are grateful for serving many this past year. Yes. These are some highlights.
- Dr. Brittany Linde and Dr. Joel Bennett published the new Well-Being Champions Guidebook
- We published on Positive Audacity for Spirituality & Health Magazine
- We helped to launch a web series on the Future of Workplace Behavioral Health in conjunction with the Employee Assistance Practice Based Research Network; Dr. Casey Chosewood was our first speaker. LONG LIVE EAP!
- With the help of our colleague Mim Senft, we developed a brief video on Team Awareness
- We developed, researched, and disseminated a new module on Health Consciousness and Prescription Drugs
- We key-noted on Resilience to the Tampa Bay Health Underwriters Association
- We conducted a workshop on Human Resource Competencies to the Nature Coast Human Resources Society
- We presented several topics at the Art & Science of Health Promotion conference, including:
- We key-noted on Resilience at the Employers Health conference in Canton, OH
- We previewed a new wisdom model at National Wellness Conference on "Creating Workplace Well-Being: Time for Evidence-Based Wisdom"
- We provided Team Awareness/Raw Coping Power training to several counties in Indiana
- We presented and exhibited at HRSW (Human Resource Southwest)
- Dr. Gale Lucas won two awards for separate research on use of avatars in simulations, Check out below!
- Dr. Bennett presented a research symposium at Cornell's Smithers Institute on Workplace Alcohol and Drug Research
- Dr. Bennett traveled to Milan, Italy to train on Raw Coping Power and consult with the Lombardi Regional Government, Health Protection Agency
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Dr. Gale Lucas Wins Award at 2016 Games Conference
Dr. Lucas'
research
asks the question: if you could scan yourself and play the 'digital you' in a game, would you play differently (i.e. perform better). The short answer is no, but you'd feel more engaged. Having an avatar that looks like the user improves engagement, liking, and enjoyment. However, there is no significant effect on how users behave in the simulation. Still, increased engagement from piloting their own avatars might encourage users to train more. Gale won Best Presentation award at the 2016 ACM SIGGRAPH Motion in Games Conference
http://mig2016.inria.fr/
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