Spring Semester Learning Path

Dive deeper into the semester topic by using the following resources. You may choose to use the suggestions from this list or make your path.

• Wellness in 30

  The following wellness webinars have been developed specifically for this semester's topic. You will not be able to earn credit for the Rewards program for these presentations after the semester ends. 

  Month	Title	Description
  February	Social Connections at Work	Join us as we delve into the importance of building and nurturing meaningful relationships. Discover the impact of strong social bonds on overall well-being, both personally and professionally. We will share practical insights and strategies to help you enhance your social connections.
  March	Deepen Connections with Family	Family relationships are crucial for well-being as they provide emotional support and stability, a sense of belonging, and a safety net during challenging times. During this Wellness in 30, learn how you can improve family connections with those near and far.
  April	Developing Socical  Connections within Your Community	How can community engagement increase your sense of belonging while making a difference? Did you know you can use your Service Leave for community engagement opportunities? Join this workshop to learn the different ways community engagement builds connections and how you can get involved!

• 2-Week Challenge                                                                                                                                                                                                           

  Improve your social connections by scheduling any 2-week challenge during the semester and add your coworkers or spouse.

  Choose from any of the following:

  • 1,000 Reps
  • Breakfast Boost
  • Bring It On
  • Daily 30
  • Eat Your Vegetables
  • Financial Wellness
  • Get Organized
  • Go for H2O
  • Maintain Don’t Gain
  • Step It Up
  • Stress Down
  • Sweet Dreams
  • Take Care of You
  • Washing Works
• Benefits Vendor Presentations                                                                                                                                                                                                

  Vendor	Title/Link
  Blomquist Hale	Goal Setting: Focus and Vision
  Blomquist Hale	Working with Difficult Co-Workers
  Blomquist Hale	Parenting: Time, Value & Family
  PEHP	Forming Habits Beyond Goal Setting
  PEHP	Health Coaching for Families

• Wellness Related Books                                                                                                                                                                                                               

  Title	Description	Employe Wellness Library
  Do Good At Work	Most jobs lack a compelling purpose. This deficiency makes us sluggish, disengaged, careless, disloyal, unhappy and unhealthy. Fortunately, there’s a way to free ourselves from the modern trap of meaningless labor without switching careers or quitting jobs. The scientifically validated practice of job purposing, which involves tilting everyday work toward meaningful contributions to others or societal causes, elevates ordinary work into a fulfilling venture.	Yes
  Loneliness	University of Chicago social neuroscientist John T. Cacioppo pioneered research on the startling effects of loneliness: a sense of isolation or social rejection disrupts not only our ability to think and will power but also our immune systems, and can be as damaging as obesity or smoking. On the flip side, social connection can be a powerful therapy. Cacioppo’s sophisticated studies relying on brain imaging, analysis of blood pressure, immune response, stress hormones, behavior, and even gene expression show that human beings are simply far more intertwined and interdependent―physiologically as well as psychologically―than our cultural assumptions have ever allowed us to acknowledge.	Yes
  The Mister Rogers Effect	In a world increasingly divided by politics and social issues, we need Mister Rogers more than ever. For three decades, his presence was a healing balm to children of all ages. And though he is no longer with us, we can all adopt his attitudes and actions as models for our own lives. In this uplifting and informative book, Dr. Anita Knight Kuhnley shows us how to use the transformative psychological principles that Mister Rogers masterfully employed to make a difference in our own neighborhoods.	Yes
  People Person	Do you struggle to communicate in social situations? Are you worried about being misunderstood or judged when you speak? Has avoiding social gatherings become a norm? If yes, then you're not alone. Millions of people around the world find it hard to talk to others. In fact, in the United States alone, 12.1% of adults suffer from a social anxiety disorder at some point in their lives. Often times, social anxiety leads to social awkwardness, which could have negative consequences on your life, especially if you’ve become accustomed to any of its potential side effects. You see, communication is essential in every aspect of your life as it helps connect you to other people, build relationships, and accomplish your goals – personal and professional!	Yes
  Social Chemistry	Yale professor Marissa King shows how anyone can build more meaningful and productive relationships based on insights from neuroscience, psychology, and network analytics. Conventional wisdom says it's the size of your network that matters, but social science research has proven there is more to it. King explains that the quality and structure of our relationships has the greatest impact on our personal and professional lives. As she illustrates, there are three basic types of networks, so readers can see the role they are already playing: Expansionist, Broker, or Convener. This network decoder enables readers to own their network style and modify it for better alignment with their life plans and values.	Yes

• Wellness Related Podcast                                                                                                                                                                                                 

  Podcast	Episode/Link	Description
  The Gallup Podcast	The Power of Social Connection: A Conversation on the State of Loneliness in the World	Social needs are universal. While most people feel socially connected, the experience of social connection varies greatly across the world. The Meta-Gallup State of Social Connections report sheds new light on global connectedness and loneliness -- and its impact on people’s wellbeing. Dr. Anya Drabkin, senior researcher for social impact at Meta, and Dr. Telli Davoodi, Gallup senior consultant and analyst, join the podcast to discuss the new findings on whom people form social relationships with, their experiences with loneliness and how the world’s youth are faring in their social connections.
  TEDx Talks	10 ways to have a better conversation	When your job hinges on how well you talk to people, you learn a lot about how to have conversations -- and that most of us don't converse very well. Celeste Headlee has worked as a radio host for decades, and she knows the ingredients of a great conversation: Honesty, brevity, clarity and a healthy amount of listening. In this insightful talk, she shares 10 useful rules for having better conversations. "Go out, talk to people, listen to people", she says. "And, most importantly, be prepared to be amazed."
  TEDx Talks	Finding Identity in Community: Exploring the power of healthy communities	We are communal beings and our identity as individuals is inseparable from our place in a greater community. Jay’s experience in faith practice has taught him a great deal about what shapes a healthy identity forming community, he hopes to share these insights with our audience, so they can find communities that love and nurture their own identities.
  TEDx Talks	The secret to living longer may be your social life	The Italian island of Sardinia has more than six times as many centenarians as the mainland and ten times as many as North America. Why? According to psychologist Susan Pinker, it's not a sunny disposition or a low-fat, gluten-free diet that keeps the islanders healthy -- it's their emphasis on close personal relationships and face-to-face interactions. Learn more about super longevity as Pinker explains what it takes to live to 100 and beyond.
  TEDx Talks	How to build community when you feel isolated	College can feel like a lonely place, especially if you're a student of color, a low-income individual, a first-generation youth -- or all three. Educator Chitra Aiyar outlines how she encourages her students to cultivate spaces for other marginalized students to connect and help each other grow.

• Wellness In Action                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

  Month	Title	Description
  February	Goal Setting	Setting goals can be easy but following through on those goals until you succeed can be challenging. Over the course of this three-part workshop, you will learn how to determine your goals, envision your success, track your progress, and treat yourself.
  March	Medical Self Care	Make your medical dollars stretch further by attending this three-part workshop. The first session will explore which medical conditions can be treated at home, instant care, or the emergency room. During the second session, participants will gain a better understanding as to how insurance works, specifically PEHP and thier website tools. The final session will provide useful tips and suggestions to make the most of your doctor appointments.