To help you focus on your health goals, happiness and overall total wellbeing in this new year, you have a variety of resources available to you as a UNC-Chapel Hill employee. Review available tools and resources for stress reduction, physical activity and weight management.
Reduce Stress
Meditation
Regular meditation can assist with stress reduction, mental flexibility and resilience. Meditation sessions are offered to employees throughout the week:
- Mindful Mondays with Mindful UNC: First Monday of every month at 8:30 a.m. beginning Jan. 8 (15 mins.)
- Mindfulness & Self-Compassion Meditation with Dr. Jonny Gerkin: Every Monday at 12:15 p.m. (30 mins.) Email jonny_gerkin@med.unc.edu for participation details.
- Inhaling Positivity with Dr. Meenu Tewari: Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 12:30 p.m. and every Thursday at 4:45 p.m. (15 mins.) No registration required. Participate via MS Teams.
Wellness Wednesdays Webinars @ noon
Upcoming wellness webinars focusing on stress reduction and emotional health this semester include:
- Breathing Techniques to Relieve Stress and Improve Health (Jan. 17)
- Learning to Relax (Feb. 14)
- Moving through Grief and Loss (March 6)
- Avoiding Burnout (April 24)
- Laughter, Humor and Play to Reduce Stress (May 1)
- Coping with a Traumatic Event (June 19) and more!
Each session is led by a ComPsych expert speaker and is 45-60 minutes.
Find meditation and Wellness Wednesday Webinar schedule on the Work/Life & Wellness Calendar.
GuidanceResources®: Your 24/7 Employee Assistance Program
Support when you need it. Trained counselors are available 24-hours a days, seven days a week through the University’s Employee Assistance Program offered by GuidanceResources®.
Anytime, anywhere: No cost, confidential solutions to life’s challenges, including confidential emotional support, work-life solutions, legal guidance and more.
You, and members of your household, may call GuidanceResources anytime at 877-314-5841.
Online resources are available at guidanceresources.com.
- First-time users can create a free account using Web ID: TARHEELS.
- Download the GuidanceResources Now app with web ID: TARHEELS.
Increase Your Physical Activity
Stay active this year with budget friendly fitness resources such as:
- Free weekly virtual Gentle Yoga classes led by Gillings Culture of Health.
- Anytime on-demand fitness classes (Core & Strength, Cardio & HITT, Yoga and more).
- In-person classes with a group fitness pass for only $40/semester (Yoga, Barre, Dance, Strength and more).
- Affordable employee membership for full access to Campus Recreation facilities for only $12.50/month (payroll deduction) with budget-friendly personal training opportunities.
See details in the Fitness Opportunities section of the Work/Life & Wellness Programs page of the HR at UNC website.
Achieve or Maintain a Healthy Weight
Eat Smart, Move More, Weigh Less Online (ESMMWL)
ESMMWL is an online weight management program that informs, empowers and motivates participants to live mindfully as they make choices about eating and physical activity. Each series runs 15 weeks. Act fast — January classes fill up quickly! Enroll in ESMMWL for free with voucher code GNC2024.
Past participants may take the 12-week refresher course, Eat Smart Move More Weigh Less 2 Online (ESMMWL2), to maintain or continue to work toward goal weight. Enroll in ESMMWL2 for free with voucher code: GNC22024.
Personalize Your Nutrition Plan
For a personalized nutrition plan, State Health Plan members ages 6 and older can enjoy in-network nutrition and weight management visits at no cost. For more information, visit the Health & Wellness tab on the Your Health & Wellness Resources page of the NC State Health Plan website.
Questions?
Email totalwellbeing@unc.edu.