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Wellness Resources During COVID-19

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If you, or someone you care about, are feeling overwhelmed with emotions like sadness, depression, or anxiety, or feel like you want to harm yourself or others, please reach out for help.

  • If you are in an emergency situation, call 911
  • GuidanceResources® Whether you’re looking for free counseling*, self-improvement tools or solutions to everyday issues call 877-314-5841 (TTY: 800-697-0353) or browse the many helpful tools online at guidanceresources.com
    • Use Web ID: TARHEELS to sign up for GuidanceResources
    • Not by a computer? Download the free GuidanceNowSM app to access these great resources from the palm your hand.
    • GuidanceResources Flyer: Staying Ahead of Life’s Challenges, Even in Difficult Time
    • * As a UNC employee, you can receive three free counseling sessions per issue, per year, in-person or over the phone.
  • For anyone affected by abuse or needing support, visit the National Domestic Violence Hotline or call 800-799-SAFE(7233) (TTY: 800-787-3224) or send the text LOVEIS to an advocate at 22522.

Upcoming Wellness Wednesday webinars

View full schedule

Pre-Recorded Webinars

Quick Reads

If you’re feeling stressed or nervous during these days of COVID-19, you’re not alone. What you’re feeling is common around the world. Below you’ll find some helpful tips from the Mental Health First Aid curriculum to help you care for your own and your loved ones’ mental health.

Pre-Recorded Webinars

Quick Reads

Resources from UNC School of Medicines Well-Being Program

Practice

  • Self-Care through Self-Massage (6–8 minutes)
    • Three brief videos to help you learn massage to cope in crisis or any time. Videos feature instruction on how to massage your neck and shoulders, hands and arms, and feet and legs.
  • Mindfulness Meditation Self-Compassion Sessions (30 minutes)
    • Mondays at 12:15 p.m.
    • Tuesdays and Thursdays at 4:00 p.m.
  • Qi Gong for Beginners with UNC’s Dr. Kristen Polzien (30 minutes)

Educational Webinars

Quick Reads

Suggested apps

healthy minds app icon Healthy Minds Program: Free app assesses your well-being needs and provides brief trainings and practice to improve users foundations, awareness, connection, insight and purpose.
breathe app icon Breathe: App that provides free 10 minute of less guided meditation sessions based on your reported emotions.  (Additional sessions available to Premium Members for $9.99/mo, $58.99/yr.)
relax melodies app icon Relax Melodies: Features many free sounds and programs that help with calming the mind and aid restful sleep. Users can create their own white noise, participate in a 15-20 minute meditation or complete a program to help pause and de-stress. (Unlimited access to all features for $59.99/yr.)

Gentle Yoga with Gillings Culture of Health

Relax and rejuvenate with gentle yoga. A yoga mat and comfortable clothing are all that are required. Optional supplies include a firm blanket, yoga strap and open wall space or sturdy chair.

Staying Active at Home – Campus Recreation Resources

  • Free On-Demand Fitness Classes Join Campus Recreation on-demand and stay active anytime and anywhere.  Take a break and enjoy a quick 15-30 minute pre-recorded class now available on YouTube. Classes include:
    • Core & Strength
    • Cardio & HIIT
    • Yoga & Restore
    • Barre & Pilates
    • Dance
    • Seated & Accessible Workouts

New classes are added weekly! Click here to access classes.

No membership needed. Enjoy Heel Fit home workouts on YouTube

  • Group Fitness Semester Pass
    • Employees can now enjoy an unlimited number of group fitness classes held Monday through Friday, both in-person or live virtual group classes for the low cost of $30 per semester. Classes include Yoga, Barre, Step, Zumba, Lift and Pilates, and more! The class schedule will be updated regularly, check for weekly class offerings.
      Contact Lindsay Brookey at lbrookey@email.unc.edu to get your semester pass today!
  • Enjoy live group fitness classes on Facebook | View Schedule
  • Enjoy brief Instagram stories including Trainer Tuesdays to learn healthy back stretches and more.
  • Campus Recreation also has 95 Les Mills On Demand workouts waiting for you.

Fitness videos on YouTube by the UNC Wellness Centers

  • Help you maintain both your physical and mental well-being.

YMCA Classes (free 60-day trial)

  • Y360 offers virtual access to the best group fitness classes on the go and resources for kids to learn, grow and thrive even when school’s out. 

Fitness Blender

  • Free exercise website recommended by Mayo Dan Abraham Clinic’s Healthy Living Center.

3 Yoga Poses That Help You Relax (Infographic)

Free Yoga on YouTube

  • Yoga with Adriene:Five-45 minute multi-level variety classes that focus on relieving anxiety and healing through practice.
  • Yoga with Kassandra: Quick five-30 minute classes that focus on stretching, flow, improved sleep and more.

Quick Reads

Other Resources

  • Lifestyle Medical Center
    • Offers NC State Health Plan members free telephonic counseling for weight loss or weight management, meal plaining, chronic disease management, physical exercise, sleep and stress management. These video visits use a HIPPA secure application that is accessible on smart phones, tablets, or computers. Book an appointment.
  • The Produce Box delivers fresh produce, meat, dairy and bread
  • Sun Basket delivers healthy dinners to your door
    • As a State Health Plan member, you receive 10% off plus $40 off your first order.
    • Eat your kind of healthy with this, a premium, meal kit service that delivers fresh, organic produce, clean, pre-measured ingredients, and delicious, easy-to-follow recipes.  Select the perfect meal plan or mix and match between 16 globally inspired recipes that are dietitian approved and crafted by award-winning Chef Justine Kelly. Eat clean, feel great. Sign up today at Blue365. Sun Basket is committed to staying open and serving you.
    • Sun Basket COVID-19 Safety FAQs.
  • Save on healthy snacks with KIND
    • As a State Health Plan member, you receive 10% KIND bar subscription orders delivered every 30, 45, 60 or 90-days and free shipping on your Snack Club orders of $20+. No matter your diet, KIND has you covered with a variety of 70 healthy and tasty snacks and bars. Whether you’re looking to power a morning run, have a quick breakfast at home, or a healthy snack on the go – KIND offers a number of healthy snacks to fuel you throughout the day.
    • Sign up today at Blue365
  • Eat Smart, Move More Prevent Diabetes
    • If you have been diagnosed with pre-diabetes or are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes, this program is for you. Eat Smart, Move More, Prevent Diabetes can help you prevent type 2 diabetes! This is a CDC-recognized diabetes prevention program based upon proven strategies to achieve and maintain a healthy weight. Key concepts include planning, tracking, and living mindfully to prevent diabetes. The program is delivered in a real-time, online format so you see and hear your instructor in a live session. The format of the class allows you to interact with your instructor and classmates.
    • As a State Health Plan member, you pay only $30 for this 12-month series.  All $30 will be refunded, if you meet the program attendance and tracking goals.  Not sure if this program is for you?
    • Find out if you’re at risk for pre-diabetes.|Sign up for an upcoming series starting soon.