Wellness Event 2024: Cultivating Inner Balance and Wellness for a more fulfilled life
The Office of Faculty Wellness invites the entire UT Southwestern community to participate in the fifth annual Wellness Symposium – Wellness Week 2024. During the week of May 13-17, we present daily virtual webinars via Zoom at 2 p.m. Sessions cover topics that span the many aspects of wellness in our lives: parenting, physical, personal, mental, and professional.
Monday, May 13th | Theme: Mental Wellness
“Strength, Energy, and Focus for Today: Yoga and Gratitude for Daily Wellbeing”
Marissa Hansen, M.A.
200-RYT
Management Analyst of the Office of Faculty Development
Participants will be led in a series of postures and meditation designed to enhance overall mental, emotional, and physical health. “Strength, energy, and focus for today” is Marissa’s personal affirmation for releasing the past, letting go of worries about the future, and to simply embrace the present moment. Many times, we get drained and overwhelmed by daily tasks. By taking one day at a time, with a mindful perspective, we learn to better navigate the challenges of life with increased clarity and positivity.
Marissa has practiced yoga for over 16 years and recently received her 200-hour Registered Yoga Teacher certification from the Yoga Alliance Alpha Omega Yoga school under the guidance of Chidanandi Sheri Cherokee, MBA, E-RYT 500.
Tuesday, May 14th | Theme: Physical Wellness
“Lifestyle Medicine: the Foundation of Physical Wellness”
Assistant Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine
Director of the William T. and Gay F. Solomon General Internal Medicine Clinic
In this presentation, Dr. Agusala will review the six pillars of Lifestyle Medicine, an evidence-based field focused on the prevention and treatment of chronic disease with nutrition, exercise, sleep, stress management, positive social connections and avoiding risky substances. Participants will understand how these pillars can support their health and walk away with resources to make healthy lifestyle changes.
Wednesday May 15th | Theme: Personal Wellness
“Setting and Maintaining Healthy Boundaries”
April Brooks, LCSW-S
Employee Support Liaison, Employee Relations Department of Human Resources
Jaime Harry, LCSW
Head of Faculty Counseling and Supportive Services
Healthy boundaries are the parameters we put in place to prevent ourselves from relinquishing our right to self-determination, and from otherwise being manipulated or violated by others. Setting and maintaining healthy boundaries is essential to emotional, psychological, physical, and relational health. It is the way that we communicate to others our self-respect, who we are, how we define ourselves, and how we wish to be treated. This seminar will identify the various types of boundaries, how to establish healthy ones, and the benefits of doing so.
Wednesday Session Virtual Link
Thursday May 16th | Theme: Parenting Wellness
“Balancing Act: Navigating Parenting Guilt with Competing Priorities, Boundaries, and Asking for What We Need”
Erica Sutton-Butler, LCSW-S
Parenting is a rewarding journey but often comes with its challenges, including guilt stemming from competing priorities. We will explore strategies for managing parenting guilt, setting boundaries, and effectively communicating our needs.
Friday May 17th | Theme: Individual and Team Wellness
“Communication Strategies to Enhance Individual and Team Fulfillment”
Jaime Harry, LCSW
Head of Faculty Counseling and Supportive Services
Laura Kirk, PA
Assistant Director of Advance Practice Providers, Ambulatory Services
Building trust and connection between members of teams supports wellness at work through enhancement of both individual satisfaction and team collaboration. Join in this session to learn simple strategies for interacting with others at work - no matter your role - that will enhance wellbeing, deepen connection, and minimize conflict. We will learn and practice ways to build a foundation of trust through humanizing rapport building, active listening strategies, and responding with compassion.