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November 2024

Healthy Holiday Challenge 2024

November 4 - December 13

6-Week Online Healthy Lifestyle Program


The Healthy Holiday Challenge is right around the corner! This annual behavior change challenge focuses on your well-being leading up to the holiday season and is a great way to refocus your personal goals! This free, online challenge will cover a variety of health and wellness topics and will include:

  • Themed weekly newsletters and daily wellness postcards
  • A Healthy Holiday gift for all participants
  • Weekly opportunities to win gift cards
  • Grand prize raffles for a new Fitbit, blender, and more exciting prizes!
Register
Furoshiki wrapped gift

Creativity and Your Well-Being:

Furoshiki Gift Wrapping

Thu, Nov 7 | 12:10-1pm

UHS Tang Education Center

Instructors: Kim Guess and Carla Jackson



Furoshiki is a reusable Japanese cloth that can be used to wrap gifts, groceries, books, or many other items. This sustainable alternative to wrapping paper is versatile and can be part of the gift itself! Learn how to make your own and how to wrap some common gifts. We will provide limited supplies but you may opt to bring your own fabric such as an old bedsheet/pillowcase or a square scarf (ideally 3 ft square or more) as well as a small gift to wrap. 

Register
DPP Program

Diabetes Prevention Program Information Sessions

Wed, Nov 20 | 12:15-12:45pm



The UC Diabetes Prevention Program is a virtual campus-based small-group, one year healthy lifestyle program that uses a scientifically based approach developed by the CDC to help you make important lifestyle changes. If you think you could be at risk of prediabetes or developing type 2 diabetes, register to attend an information session to learn more about the upcoming cohort starting January 2025. 


Visit uhs.berkeley.edu/dpp or contact Cori Evans at corievans@berkeley.edu for more information.

Registration
Good Nurtured program

COMING SOON!

Good Nurtured Challenge by HES

December 9-20


Brought to us by Health Enhancement Systems (HES), the Good Nurtured challenge invites participants to practice kindness, civility, and graciousness as ways to improve our physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Registration is from December 2 to 11 and the program itself runs from December 9 to 20.

Active at Work

Click the bolded dates to access the respective registrations.

Yoga class

Yoga for Tension &

Stress Relief


In-Person: 11/8


Zoom: 12/13


12:10-1pm

251 Hearst Gym/ Zoom 

Instructor:

Laurie Ferris

Woman kicking

Cardio Kickboxing



In-Person: 11/1




12:10-1pm

251 Hearst Gym 

Instructor:

Tomas Handelsman

Virtual Programs


Did you miss a class or want to try one on your own schedule?


Recordings of past cooking, dance, yoga workshops and webinars are available for you to revisit on our virtual programs page.

Nutrition Resources
stuffing stuffed pumpkin

Recipe of the Month:


Stuffing Stuffed Pumpkin



This fun dish will impress your guests at Halloween or any other upcoming fall/winter holidays. Winter squash such as kabocha offer plenty of antioxidants, fiber, vitamins A and C, and potassium. Serve with mushroom gravy for a special treat. For more recipes, visit Cook Well Berkeley!

Group Cook-Alongs


Looking for a fun way to cook and connect with your colleagues? Request a virtual cook-along for your team. Learn more and register.

Fall and winter vegetables

Cook Well Berkeley:

Fall and Winter Seasonal Veggies

Thu, Nov 21 | 12:10-1pm | Hybrid

Zoom and Tang Center Section Club

Instructor: Kim Guess


Eating vegetables that are in season means they will likely taste better, be more nutritious, and cost less. Celebrate the season with beautiful fall and winter vegetable dishes. Demonstration, recipes, and samples provided.

Register

Upcoming Cooking Classes

Click highlighted date to register!



Holiday Treats: 12/3

Have a general question about food or nutrition?



Submit your question through our Ask the Dietitian service.

Ergo Corner

October Ergonomic Workshops

Click highlighted date to register!


  • 11/13 Computer Ergonomics 101 | 10-11am
  • 11/14 Ergonomics for Managers and Supervisors | 11am-12pm
  • 11/20 Ergo Program Overview | 10am-12pm
Ergonomics Poster

Check out the flyer above and website for more info!

Healthy U

Cancer Awareness


November is cancer awareness month for several types of cancer including lung, pancreatic, and stomach cancer. This month highlights the importance of risk awareness, understanding preventative measures, and early detection. While these diseases can be quite serious, there are steps we can take to reduce our risk and stay proactive about our health.


Prioritize regular screenings.

Routine cancer screenings, particularly for those at higher risk or who have family history, can catch cancers early when they're most treatable. Find cancer screening guidelines by age here.


Eat healthful foods and move your body.

Choose vegetables, fruit, whole grains, and beans/lentils often and find joyful ways to move your body. Try a new Cook Well Berkeley recipe or attend one of our kickboxing or yoga classes! 


Avoid smoking and limit alcohol.

Avoiding smoking and limiting alcohol consumption are two of the most effective ways to reduce cancer risk.


Stay informed of environmental/occupational exposure.

Reducing exposure to environmental carcinogens like asbestos or radon plays a crucial role in prevention. For those interested, low cost home radon tests are readily available for order online.


Be aware of symptoms and consult early.

By staying informed about potential symptoms (ex. unexplained weight loss, persistent fatigue, or unusual pain) and acting early, we can greatly improve our chances of successful treatment.

Cancer Risk and Prevention
National Cancer Institute

Be Well at Work Resources

Simple Practices for a Calmer Mind:

Breathing and Grounding Techniques

Wed, Nov 6 | 12-1pm

Zoom

Instructors: Julie Resnik



Many of us struggle with anxious thoughts, rumination, or feel easily distracted during the day. Grounding and breathing exercises bring focus on the present moment and awareness to our senses. In this workshop, participants will practice different techniques to calm their bodies and minds by taking part in guided breathwork, gentle stretching and mindfulness exercises.

Register

Navigating the Holidays

with Self-Compassion

Tue, Nov 19 | 12-1pm

Zoom

Instructors: Karen Patchell



The holiday season, while often joyful, can also bring a range of challenges impacting our emotional and physical well-being. In this interactive workshop, we will broaden our understanding of self-compassion, identify common holiday stressors, explore practical strategies to maintain well-being, and cultivate kindness towards ourselves during the heightened demands of the holiday season.

Register

Staff Garden Volunteer Day

Thu, Dec 5 | 12-1pm

Staff Garden

Instructor: Kim Guess


UC Berkeley staff, faculty, retirees, and students are welcome to help us maintain the garden.



Note: Rather than meeting on the 4th Thursday of November and December, the two dates were combined because of conflicts with the holidays. 

Staff Garden
Staff Garden Website
Join volunteer email list

Campus Happenings

Mindfulness Mondays

Mondays (Weekly) | 12:10-12:30pm 

Virtual


Take a moment for a short mindfulness break at 12:10pm on Mondays! This weekly class, hosted by Wellness Ambassador Liza Schlosser-Olroyd, allows us to practice mindfulness, reflect, and come together as we take on the rest of the week.

Zoom Link
Be Well at Work Workshops Flyer Fall 2024

Be Well at Work

Fall Workshops and Programs


To register and learn more, visit our workshop homepages!


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